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11 Corinthians 7:17-40Live as You Are Called

I. Introduction:The grass is always greener on the other side. This saying

applies to many situations, but I think it is especially true when it

comes to singleness and marriage. At the small Christian college

that I attended, a popular saying that described the attitude of the

students was ring by spring. In other words, they were scrambling

to get married as soon as they could. In contrast, many married

people view their marriages as a terrible burden that they would like

to get out of. Men call their wives the ole ball and chain and resent

being trapped by their wives.In contrast to this, in todays passage, the Apostle Paul gives

us a much different way of viewing our status as single or married.

In light of the gospel, such things as ones marital status are

secondary compared to the surpassing greatness of serving Christ.

Therefore, Christians should be content with their current

marital status, because God has called us to serve in our

current circumstances, and both marriage and singleness have

a legitimate place in the Christian life.

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2II. Body

A. God has called us to serve him in our current

circumstances (v. 17-24).1. God has assigned our present circumstances to us.

a. [L]et 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 (v. 17).b. God has sovereignly ordained your current

position in life.i. There is nothing that is outside his

providence.c. For Christians, all of our circumstances work

together for our good.i. Let us fight against the temptation to think

that God hates us, and therefore makes us

single.2. Paul brings up circumcision and servitude as examples

of circumstances that one should be content to remain in

(v. 18-23).a. Remember that Paul had Timothy circumcised

(Acts 16:3).

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3 i. So it was not always wrong for a Gentile to be

circumcised.ii. In that case, it aided Timothy in his ministry

among Jews.b. Of course, if one has the opportunity to gain

freedom, they should take it (v. 21).i. And a freeman should not go under bondage.ii. You were bought with a price; do not

become bondservants of men (v. 23).c. Paradoxically, Paul says that those who are

bondservants are free in Christ, and those who are

freemen are bondservants to the Lord (v. 22).i. We are free from the curse of the law.ii. We are called to the highest place of service

to God.3. Our current circumstances are of relative

unimportance, but what is important is obedience to

Gods commandments (v. 19).a. The Corinthians seem to have thought that

changing their marital status would elevate them toa higher spiritual plane.

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4 i. Some of them wanted to get out of their

marital obligations.b. Whether you are married or not is of relative

unimportance, but what is vitally important is to be

obedient to Gods commands.c. By focusing on getting married, many young

people miss the really important issue of

sanctification.i. Marriage will not necessarily make a person

struggling with sexual immorality holy.B. Singleness is a legitimate lifestyle (v. 25-35).

1. Times of distress call for singleness.a. I think that in view of the present distress it is

good for a person to remain as he is (v. 26).b. The call for singleness here is tied to some

temporal distress that was happening at that time.i. We dont know exactly what this refers to.

c. There are special times when singleness is a

prudent lifestyle.i. For example, times of war call for singleness.

2. Singleness provides more freedom to a person (v. 27).

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5 a. A married person is bound to their husband or

wife.b. If your spouse doesnt want to do something,

usually you cant either.i. You have to call your spouse and ask

permission.c. So a single person is free to do many things that a

married person cannot.3. A single person has more time to devote to the Lord (v.

32-35).a. Married people spend their time pleasing their

spouses (v. 33).i. There is nothing wrong with this.ii. Indeed, it is required of them.

b. Married people are occupied with taking care of

their kids.c. The Apostle Paul would not have been able to do

his missionary work if he was married.i. There is a special place in the ministry of the

church for single people.

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6 ii. If someone needs counsel, I can come to

them immediately.iii. I dont have to worry about my family.

C. Marriage is a legitimate lifestyle (v. 35-40).1. One can marry if he believes he is acting improperly or

his passions are strong.a. 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 (v. 36).i. This is not speaking of single people in

general.ii. This is referring to those who are betrothed.iii. That is engaged to be married.

b. In keeping with 7:9, It is better to marry than to

burn with passion.i. If you have someone you love, and you burn

for passion with them, you should get married.c. In other words, if a person really desires to get

married, they should if they can.

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7 i. There is nothing holy about singleness if it

causes you more distraction that it is worth.2. Remarriage is legitimate after a spouse has died (v.

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.a. This is a matter of Christian freedom.

i. Widows are under no compulsion to remarry.b. I would have younger widows marry, bear

children, manage their households, and give the

adversary no occasion for slander. For some have

already strayed after Satan. If any believing woman

has relatives who are widows, let her care for them.

Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care

for those who are truly widows (1 Timothy 5:14-16).c. But Paul thinks she will probably be happier if she

stays single (v. 40).3. If you marry, you must only marry a Christian (v. 39):

only in the Lord.a. This admonition is not just for widows but for all

Christians.

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