1 Corinthians 7,17-24
1 Corinthians 7:17-24
April 21, 2002
Intro: Again Paul seems to be alluding to a series of questions
presented to him.
A- He has discussed marriage and divorce.
1- They seem to be looking to Paul as an example for the Christian life.
a- Paul at this time is single. (a member of the Sanhedrin would have to be married).
- A widower, or his wife divorced him at salvation.
2- The question could have been “What about us?”
a- He answered:
- Divorce is not necessary because you are saved, if you are married to a believer:
Ecclesiastes 4:12, And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
· I am better prepared for ministry because of my wife.
Genesis 2:18, And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
- Divorce is not necessary because you are saved, if you are married to a unbeliever:
· Although you don’t know who will be saved in your family it is possible that you are God’s avenue in to your family.
John 4:53, So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
Ø Paul was encouraging the people of the church at Corinth to find spiritual contentment in their marriage situation.
A- He now, in verses 17-24, expands this to all aspects of our lives.
1- IF God saved you in a dark place it was probably so you could be a light in that place.
a- When God’s people develop into a commune it is never a good thing.
Genesis 11:9, Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
2- The early church in Jerusalem was living as a commune. (Acts 5 &6).
a- God used persecution to disperse them.
- We then see the 1sy martyr in Stephen.
- Then Paul enters the picture and we see
men going out to preach the gospel.
3- The command to man is:
a- Come (to Jesus)
b- Sit (at His feet)
c- GO (do His work)
- Bumper sticker: Jesus is coming better look busy. (Better be busy)
d- The way God seeks to change a society is through individuals who are active in that society.
- Through a change in individuals a society will change (one person at a time)
1 Corinthians 7:17, But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.
A- Distributed = As the Lord has divided you, To where the Lord has directed you. (Home School VS public, Mission field foreign VS local)
1- “As the Lord has called each one,…”
a- As you were when you heard and answered the salvation call.
- NOT relating to sin.
· Drugs, Alcohol
· Sexual sin (Living together)
Read 1 Corinthians 5:9-10
b- Sin is to be repented of, avoided, even to the point of fleeing it.
2- God saves people in India to save Indians
a- Arab’s to save Arab’s (Christian Palestinians)
b- Christians in Beverly Hills.
1 Timothy 6:17-19, Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
- The capacity in which God called me
· The families of this church reflect my situation.
1 Corinthians 7:18, Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.
A- Paul’s 1st example
1- For the Jews there was a surgical procedure that would reverse a circumcision.
a- Contrary to what was being taught in some circles this was not necessary.
Galatians 5:2-3, Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.
2- To the gentile circumcision was not necessary
a- If you are a gentile to not seek to be a Jew and if you are a Jew do not seek to be a gentile.
Philippians 3:2, Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!
1 Corinthians 7:19, Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.
A- What matters is obedience to God.
1- Love God and love other as we love ourselves.
1 Corinthians 7:20, Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.
A- Speaks of the tailored call of our lives.
1- The plan of God as He as called a verity of people to a verity of mission fields.
Ephesians 4:11-12, And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
Read 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
B- The 1st Greek word for calling here refers to a physical condition.
Galatians 2:3, Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.
Acts 16:3, Paul wanted to have him (Timothy) go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.
1- John B. and Mexico
C- The 2nd Greek word for calling here refers to a Spiritual condition.
1- The same word used in V:17
a- To call some one by name to a relationship with Christ.
Ø So it seems pretty clear that there are 2 callings in our lives.
#1- Salvation: The calling to repent and receive.
#2- To a specific customized ministry.
A- For salvation we know that all are called and we receive through faith.
B- How do we determine the 2nd call in our lives?????
Turn to Acts 13
Ø We have listed here eleven aspects of determining a call of your life
#1- (Verse 1a); Your starting point is the local church.
#2- (Verse 1); Confirmation comes from godly men.
#3- (Verse 2a);You will need to be involved in serving in that local
church.
#4-(Verse 2b); You will need to have an ear for the Holy Spirit.
#5-(Verses 3a); This calling will need to be bathed in prayer and
fasting.
#6-(Verse 3b); You will need to be sent
#7- (Verse 4 “They went); You will need to go
#8- (Verses 6-12); There will be spiritual attack
#9- (Verses 12); There will be fruit from your ministry
#10- (Verses 14 -…); Your main goal will be to preach the gospel
#11- (verse 52); There will be joy
Read Acts 20:28-31
1 Timothy 4:14, Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
1 Corinthians 7:21-22, Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave.
A- The ministry to which most of us were called to (salve)
1- It’s been estimated that 50% of the Roman empire consisted of slaves of some sort.
a- If they were a slave of an unbeliever they could have the attitude:
- I am the slave of no man.
- No man is my boll
· Especially if that slave owner was an unbeliever.
Read Ephesians 6:5-8
Colossians 3:23, And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,
Read 1 Timothy 6:1-2
1 Corinthians 7:23, You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
1 Peter 1:18-19, knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
John 8:36, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
1 Corinthians 7:24, Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.
1 Timothy 6:6, Now godliness with contentment is great gain.