Relationship Status

Introduction:

2 Encouragements for my relationships

1 Corinthians 7:32–35 NLT

32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. 33 But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. 34 His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.

1 Corinthians 7:

1 Corinthians 7:32–35 NLT

32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. 33 But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. 34 His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.

1 Corinthians 7:27–28 NLT

27 If you have a wife, do not seek to end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married. 28 But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin. However, those who get married at this time will have troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.

1 Corinthians 7:32–35 NLT

32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. 33 But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. 34 His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.

1 Corinthans 7

1. Don’t let my options become distractions

Explain

Paul is addressing the ‘distress’ concerning marriage, sexual sin, etc in Corinth

Paul encourages people to...

1 Corinthians 7:17 NLT

17 Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches.

Paul is saying “Be careful, what comes with marriage is so much different that what comes with being single”

Tension: We tell singles to pursue ‘other success metrics’ instead of JESUS

Story: Tarah had Options

with retail/fashion…teaching…vocation…Whatever you do focus on Jesus and young people...

More recently I feel like the Lord wanted me to encourage women

MIA: Do people not know who they are?

So What?

Focus on ONE thing: Jesus

How am I serving, loving out of my singleness?

How is navigating this dating relationship affecting my kids?

Ephesians 5:22–23 NLT

22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church.

Ephesians 5:

Ephesians 5:25–27 NLT

25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.

Ephesians 5:25-

2. Marriage points us to God’s purpose

Explain

In 1st Century AD a husband was not necessarily expected to show love for his wife.

Paul generally affirms traditional roles but he changes the cultural understandings of those roles...

Paul focuses more time on what it looks like for the ‘head’ to lead

Paul introduces the idea that we ‘submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (5:21)

We focus on the POWER and the POSITION but look at how Paul describes how that POSITION is to be used.

Story:

So What

Get my marriage on mission

Men:

What do I need to do right now to get my marriage on mission?

Single? What do I need to do to get right with God?

Women:

What do I need to do right now to silence every other voice but HIS?

Single? What do I need to do to pursue WHOLENESS in Christ?

Conclusion: The most consistent answer I get...

What would your advice be for me?