1 Corinthians (Part 5)

Introduction

The content of the letter written to the Apostle Paul is not completely disclosed. His response to it indicates that there were questions about the relationship. Marriage, Divorce, Singleness and what to do when your spouse has died. All of these issues are important. The decision to marry is one of the most important one that is made in this life. Who you choose to marry can make you or break you.

1 Corinthians 7:1–2 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.

Principles of Marriage

There is a place for sexual intimacy

It is

++Not a geographical location

++Within the bonds of Marriage

Sexual intimacy is

++A major reason for Marriage

++A gift to those not gifted with singleness

In marriage authority is given.

1 Corinthians 7:3–5 ESV

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.

To withhold intimacy

++Violates the principles of Marriage

++Deprives the other

++Should be limited by agreement

++Allowed in times of refreshing before God

A Life of Contentment

1 Corinthians 7:6–9 ESV

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.

It is easy to relate personal value to

++Responsibilities

++Resources

++Relationships

Responsibilities

++Our Job

++Our Accomplishments

Resources

++Things we have accumulated

++Houses, Cars, Money, Power

Relationships

++Those that join the journey

++Spouse, Siblings, Children

Much of what we do in life is about contentment

Can I be content with God?

++No Friend

++No Spouse

++Just God

Philippians 4:11 ESV

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

Godliness is measured

++Not by what we have

++Not by what we have done

++Our ability to be content

1 Timothy 6:3–6 ESV

3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain,

Most people are not content just knowing God

We need God

++Plus success

++Plus money

++Plus authority

++Plus blessing

Contentment recognizes

++We are undeserving

Ephesians 2:1–2 ESV

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

Ephesians 2:4–5 ESV

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Contentment recognizes

We are undeserving

++The power of crumbs

Matthew 15:23–27 ESV

23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

Contentment recognizes

We are undeserving

The power of crumbs

++The necessity of thanksgiving

Luke 17:14–15 ESV

14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;

1 Corinthians 7:7 ESV

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.

1 Corinthians 7:9 ESV

9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

In the institute of Marriage

++Passion is authorize

++Intimacy is encouraged

Hebrews 13:4 ESV

4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

Changing Passions

1 Corinthians 7:10–11 ESV

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.

Marriage is the Lord’s Business

He commands

++Wives stay with your husband

++Husband keep your wife

This is

++Not Paul’s idea

++God’s plan for marriage

God’s plan

++1 man

++1 Woman

++2 gether

++4 life

Call to peace

1 Corinthians 7:12–15 ESV

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.

Paul recognizes

++The change in the life of a believer

++Some unbelievers may not understand

This is not to be used as an excuse

Staying together is a blessing

++To the relationship

++To the family

++To God

God has called you to peace

++Peace with God

++Peace with others

Hebrews 12:14 ESV

14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.