1 Corinthians 7:1-16

We are bought with a price

Sexual sin is VERY personal

We must Glorify God with our Bodies

1 Corinthians 7:1–16 ESV

1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. 8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Husbands and Wives 1-5

1— We’ve gone from one extreme of sexual behavior to the other

Some Corinthian believers seem to have been holding back from physical pleasure as a response to the other extreme

The context of the statement indicates the marriage relationship

2-4— The temptation of Sexual Immorality is often intense and strong or subtle

The temptation is NOT just PHYSICAL it can be EMOTIONAL too.

Liz belongs to me and I belong to her

5— COMMUNICATION IS KEY

Talk to your spouse!

Fasting is not just for food.

Major decision coming for the family, Pray together during the time THAT would occur but set a “Reunion” date to look forward to TOGETHER.

Singleness is not Bad 6-9

6—Paul was making a point NOT a command

Being single can bring great freedom to serve the LORD

8-9— If you’re not currently married, stay that way...

UNLESS, you know your weaknesses

If you want to marry, get married.

If you’re content with being single, then be single and serve the LORD

Divorce for Believers 10-11

10-11— Marriage is a SACRED and SERIOUS covenant

Paul is not having an ALL INCLUSIVE teaching moment

Matthew 5:31–32 “31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

Also, Matt. 19:3-12.

Marriage TAKES WORK

It must be cultivated and cared for like a rare flower

Mixed Marriages 12-16

12-13— Paul is NOT negating his authority to speak on an issue. He is saying that Jesus speak to this specific issue

Just because your spouse is an unbeliever doesn’t mean you should leave them.

14,16— We are NOT talking about salvation.

Your spouse, by seeing life daily lived in Christ, may be more quickly drawn to Salvation.

The same is true with your children

15— Paul has already stated that he has no authority over unbelievers.

Fight for the marriage, but if they leave, you are not bound

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 10:9–10 “9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”