Untitled Sermon (5)

Introduction

1 Cor 1-6 Paul is addressing issues he has heard about re: issues at the church in Corinth.

1 Cor 7-15 Paul is addressing questions the Corinthians have raised (indicated by “now concerning”) about the church - The people.

1 Cor 7-15 = the gospel in life.

it is important to remember that the Bible was written to specific people in specifc situations and the more we understand the lives of these people and their situations, the better we can understand the truth about God that is being applied to the situation.

This is even more true as we study letters to the church (although many were expected to be read and applied in multiple churches)

I can imagine some of the questions they may have had that led to Paul’s answers we have here:

Paul, how does the gospel play out / inform THIS situation in my life.

Paul, Jesus was single but God in Genesis talks about marriage being good. Should we marry or not?

Some of our philosophers say it is not good to marry but it is ok to meet with prostitutes because it won’t tie us down. What does the gospel say? (This may explain some of 6:12-20)

Underlying assumptions:

- Life should change when affected by the gospel

- All of your life should be affected by the gospel (the gospel affects every part of your life)

- The gospel can be and should be applied to wherever you find yourself.

- Even in slavery?

- Even in a difficult marriage?

- not the prosperity gospel!

1 Corinthians 7 (ESV)

17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. .

17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.

It sounds like this application of gospel to everyday life was not a new thing or unique to the Corinthian church.

In fact, it is not unique concerning us, either.

We need to ask these questions when the gospel is applied to a new culture (polygamy, etc),

ILLUST - new converts in polygamous society seeking counsel on whether to divorce.

or when their are new elements of the culture for the gospel to be applied to:

Can Christians smoke marijuana?

Can a faithful Christian attend a same-sex wedding?

Should a married same-sex couple who become believers get a divorce to stay together?

Now don’t try to guess my answer to these questions based on how we walk through the next several verses — there are always several factors to consider:

Is there a clear prohibition or affirmation in scripture? (act of homosexuality is a sin)

Is it motivated by and does it move forward the gospel?

Let each person lead the life

Lit, “walk in the way” the Lord has assigned (divided) to him

Paul’s argument here is so similar to Cynic-Stoic teaching that his educated, philosophically inclined readers would probably concede his point respectfully.7:17. Greek philosophers, especially Stoics, emphasized accepting one’s situation. But whereas Stoics identified the God who directed their lives with Fate, Paul trusts God as a loving Father.

— IVP Background NT Commentary

* Where do you walk?

* Where has God placed you?

18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.

Why would someone want to remove circumcision?

To advance in social status. Jews were considered as part of a lower class in the Greek city of Corinth. They could rise in status and gain a better education as a “Greek.”

The bigger question I have is how would anyone know?

Apparently, they would exercise in the nude. As if going to the gym weren’t awkward enough.

19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.

Paul is saying that being circumcised or not does not gain you anything if your desire is for God’s glory and not your own.

Reminder (being circumcised or not was not a sin) Paul is not saying that changing our spiritual walk to be more like Christ gains us nothing; instead, he is saying that changing our daily life to be better liked, to fit in better, etc. gains us nothing in God’s eyes.

Rather, what is important is following God’s commands.

Galatians 3:28 (ESV)

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

He then says it again, “Each one should remain. . . “

In this church we have teachers, doctors, lawyers, psychologists, scientists, mechanics, handymen, CEOs, managers, farmers, etc. and we are not to think that we need to strive to be something or somewhere other than where God has placed us.

21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)

Paul is not against advancement, especially for advancement for God’s kingdom. He is, however, against self promotion.

22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

God can meet you and use you where you are right now.

You don’t need the ‘right situation’ in order to experience gospel freedom or fulfill your gospel calling.

Paul has just given us the principle that has already applied earlier in the chapter in response to whatever were the specific questions of the Corinthians.

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 (who are 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.

In other words, if you are a believer and your spouse is not, there is a gospel influence in your house because of the Holy Spirit who is with you.

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?

1 Corinthians (Exegesis and Exposition)

When married partners dissent over basic religious commitments, the potential for that to disrupt their mutual commitment threatens their union. For a wife to adopt religious beliefs different from those of her husband flouted social mores of the ancient world. Plutarch’s (Mor. 140D) “Advice to Bride and Groom” is often cited:A wife ought not to make friends of her own, but to enjoy her husband’s friends in common with him. The gods are the first and most important friends. Wherefore it is becoming for a wife to worship and to know only the gods that her husband believes in, and to shut the front door tight upon all queer rituals and outlandish superstitions. For with no god do stealthy and secret rites performed by a woman find any favor.

God has us in the places, spaces, and relationships we are in for a kingdom purpose.

Some of you may find yourself in a new season of life - married, single, single again, retired, not retired, just plain tired — and you are wondering, “How did I get here? Why am I here? I expected to he there, or with them.”

It’s not fate. It’s God’s kingdom purpose. If you don’t like that concept don’t argue with me, argue with Paul, sent out as a missionary who would later find himself in chained a prison cell.

What if Paul had only been a preacher and not forced (in some ways) to be a writer?

*Why might God be slowing you down or speeding you up? Why might you have additional free time on your hands?

If you’re in sin, get out of it, otherwise, be content where God has placed you and look for kingdom opportunities.

25 Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.

26 I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is.

27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.

Here is Paul’s rationale for everything that he is telling the Corinthians:

29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. 32 I want you to be free from anxieties.

In other words, laser-focused on God’s calling on your life.

The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. 36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. 37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better. 39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God

God has placed you where you are for a kingdom purpose and a gospel calling.

View your life with a gospel urgency and not a religious complacency.

Paul reminds the Corinthians of the sovereignty of God

Acts 17:26–27 (ESV)

26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,

We are to neither abandon this world nor hold on to it too dearly.

We are placed where we are for a kingdom purpose.

29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. 32 I want you to be free from anxieties

There is an urgency to live out your calling.

1 Peter 4:7–11 (ESV)

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Three reasons we don’t live with a sense of urgency (adapted from https://ftc.co/resource-library/blog-entries/3-things-that-keep-christians-from-living-with-a-sense-of-urgency/)

We are comfortable.

We feel little pain.

We are too busy.

ironic? We have too many ‘urgent’ things to be urgent.

. . . to live out your calling.

YOU ARE CALLED!

You are called by God to make a “durable” kingdom impact.

— “I’m not a pastor”

— “I’m not trained”

— “I’m not as good as . . . “

— “ I don’t have, not a, no time. . .”

What does God hear — blah, blah, blah

“Who made mens’ mouths?”

Who made yours? Who placed you where you are? Who has people around you that need Jesus?

YOU ARE THE CHURCH!!

Think about your week last week. What happened? Why did you respond or react the way you did? Were there intentional actions you took in response to the things around you so that people might know Jesus?

“But whatever you do, find the God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated passion of your life, and find your way to say it and live for it and die for it. And you will make a difference that lasts. You will not waste your life.”

— John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life

Paul says it doesn’t matter where God has placed you - you can be a difference-maker in someone’s life right where you are.

“The people that make a durable difference in the world are not the people who have mastered many things, but who have been mastered by one great thing.”

— John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life

You are where you are by God’s wisdom to live out your calling for God’s glory.

We can be content that the gospel will work meaningfully through every season and situation of our life for God’s glory.