1 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:05,920 But we're working our way. Through the book of first. 2 00:00:05,920 --> 00:00:10,040 Corinthians, the first half of it this summer, and today's 3 00:00:10,040 --> 00:00:13,640 lesson is from Chapter 7, and you can find that in the Church 4 00:00:13,640 --> 00:00:17,400 Bible on page 898. You're going to want to turn 5 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:19,440 there and follow along. We'll be working. 6 00:00:19,440 --> 00:00:23,080 Through it very carefully, verse by verse. 7 00:00:23,080 --> 00:00:25,600 It's about boring. Stuff sex. 8 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:27,120 And marriage and divorce and stuff. 9 00:00:27,120 --> 00:00:30,960 I'm sorry. There's a lot here, really, for 10 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:32,600 all of us. Though and. 11 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:37,320 I encourage you to. Pay attention and follow along 12 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:39,440 regardless of your marital. Status. 13 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:41,520 So let's pray as we. Begin. 14 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:46,160 We thank you Almighty God. For the gift of your word. 15 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:50,000 Thank you that you. Speak to us through it. 16 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:55,760 Pour out your spirit. Upon us that we would hear from 17 00:00:55,760 --> 00:01:00,480 you and understand what you were saying and then. 18 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:03,920 Give us the courage. And strength to live faithfully. 19 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:11,520 According to what you. Teach us in Jesus name Amen in 20 00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:16,080 about 49 AD. Paul St. 21 00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:21,720 Paul travelled to. Corinth in Greece, cosmopolitan 22 00:01:21,720 --> 00:01:26,080 city, seaport city. And he lived. 23 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:30,200 There by himself for. 18 months and he shared. 24 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:33,200 Jesus with the people. There, and he started a new 25 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:36,400 church there and then after those 18 months he returned to 26 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:40,480 his sending church in Antioch, and he stayed in touch with the 27 00:01:40,480 --> 00:01:44,160 Corinthian church through the mail and about. 28 00:01:44,160 --> 00:01:49,080 Three years later, Paul. Heard disturbing reports about 29 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:52,480 what was happening in the church that he had started in Corinth. 30 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:54,840 They were fighting with one another. 31 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:57,200 He was hearing about the quarreling. 32 00:01:57,200 --> 00:02:01,680 He also heard. Something very scandalous that a 33 00:02:01,880 --> 00:02:06,600 young man was sleeping with his stepmother and was proud of it, 34 00:02:07,400 --> 00:02:10,160 and So what? Paul did was he wrote to. 35 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:14,800 Them admonishing and exhorting them about these matters. 36 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:17,720 That he had heard about the reports that he had received. 37 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:21,360 About them that. Is what we have covered so far. 38 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:28,680 In First Corinthians chapters 1 to 6 now Chapter 7, today we 39 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:34,040 turn the corner. We start a new section, and in 40 00:02:34,040 --> 00:02:37,680 this section Paul is responding to something different. 41 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:41,320 That he has heard he has received a letter directly. 42 00:02:41,320 --> 00:02:43,920 From the leaders of the church in Corinth. 43 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:45,960 With a list of. Questions. 44 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:49,240 Things that have come up. Over the last three years. 45 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:53,240 Theological Ethical. Questions that have emerged in 46 00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:56,040 their doing life and church together. 47 00:02:56,280 --> 00:02:58,880 Questions like what about? Sex. 48 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:05,080 We know that it's wrong for it to happen outside of marriage. 49 00:03:05,400 --> 00:03:07,160 Should we just give it up all together? 50 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:13,200 Another question, what about divorce and remarriage OK or not 51 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:15,640 OK? What about believers? 52 00:03:15,640 --> 00:03:19,480 Who are married to unbelievers and on there are many questions 53 00:03:19,480 --> 00:03:23,120 that they raised. There is no narrative arc to 54 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:24,480 these questions. I'm sorry. 55 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:27,720 Guys is a list. And what we're going to work 56 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:30,360 through. Is the first part of that list 57 00:03:30,360 --> 00:03:33,960 today. In Chapter 7, we're going to 58 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:37,720 work through verse 16 and. As we do, I will. 59 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:43,040 Highlight seven principles about marriage and sexual intimacy 60 00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:45,360 from first Corinthians 7. I'm from the. 61 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:48,600 South, I talk slow. I'm going to try to talk fast. 62 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:51,920 It's hard for me, but we're going to work. 63 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:53,840 Through this. And will you? 64 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:56,120 Please take out a. Pen and take notes. 65 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:59,400 This is ordinary time. This is a time when we are 66 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:03,120 learning from the Lord and ordering our lives accordingly. 67 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:04,640 So I encourage. You. 68 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:06,880 To pay attention as we work through what? 69 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:12,880 Paul has to say about. Marriage and divorce sex. 70 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:17,040 The rest of it we will. Try to cover next week where 71 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:20,959 Paul says more about singleness as we begin one more 72 00:04:21,079 --> 00:04:24,200 clarification and that is as Christians, we believe that what 73 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:24,960 St. Paul. 74 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:30,360 Has written to the Corinthians is for the entire church in all 75 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:35,600 places, in all times. This letter was written to be 76 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:39,840 copied and circulated. Followed by all churches. 77 00:04:39,840 --> 00:04:43,480 And that's what has happened over the last 2000 years. 78 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:47,720 At the same time, we remember, or we should remember, that 79 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:52,440 First Corinthians 7 is not the only place that Paul talks about 80 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:54,960 these matters. He talks about them a lot in 81 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:57,640 Ephesians and in Colossians and other places. 82 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:02,080 And so, and it's not just Paul talking about these kinds of 83 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:04,560 things, but the. Whole Bible speaks to these. 84 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:08,480 Sort of ethical questions. And so our work is to integrate 85 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:11,800 what we're reading. Here with the full. 86 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:15,440 Witness of Scripture and that's what I'll try to be doing and 87 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:17,800 with all these things in mind now let's. 88 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:21,480 Look at Chapter 7. Verses 1 and 2 where Paul writes 89 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:24,520 now concerning the matters. About which you wrote. 90 00:05:24,960 --> 00:05:26,480 And the Greek. Here could say. 91 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:30,640 Is it a question or? It is good for. 92 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:34,560 A man to have not to have sexual relations with a woman. 93 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,240 But because of. The temptation to sexual 94 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:41,200 immorality. Each man should have his own 95 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:44,000 wife and each woman her own husband. 96 00:05:44,360 --> 00:05:49,520 Here's the first principle. God made marriage to be the 97 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:54,760 union of one man and one woman. God made marriage to be the 98 00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:59,360 union of one man and one woman. This is evident from verse 2 99 00:05:59,360 --> 00:06:03,280 where Paul says that each man should have his own wife and 100 00:06:03,280 --> 00:06:07,560 each woman her own husband. Both here and elsewhere he 101 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:12,960 describes marriage as the union of one man and one woman, man 102 00:06:12,960 --> 00:06:14,680 and wife. And this isn't unique. 103 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:18,240 To Paul it is. Consistent through the entire. 104 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:22,640 Bible The Bible. Uniformly and overwhelmingly. 105 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:25,360 Shows. That God made marriage to be the 106 00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:30,960 union of one man and one woman. Genesis to Revelation second 107 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:36,240 principle. God designed sexual intimacy for 108 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:39,480 the marriage bed. God designed sexual intimacy for 109 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:41,080 the marriage bed. Look at verse one. 110 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:43,440 The Corinthians knew. That sex outside. 111 00:06:43,440 --> 00:06:45,320 Of marriage was forbidden, so they asked. 112 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:50,040 Paul, if it would be better if. Everyone abstained completely. 113 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:55,640 They wrote it is or is it? Good for a man not to have 114 00:06:55,640 --> 00:06:59,040 sexual relations with a woman. Paul is quoting what they have 115 00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:06,080 written to him and his response is no, don't abstain. 116 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:09,040 Sex isn't evil. See verse 2 where? 117 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:12,920 He says each man should. Have or that is sleep. 118 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:17,800 With his own wife and each wife the same with her husband. 119 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:21,920 And what Paul is doing here is he's affirming scripture from 120 00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:23,200 the very beginning. What? 121 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:28,160 Has what God has. Designed in marriage sexual 122 00:07:28,160 --> 00:07:32,440 intimacy for the marriage bed now of course western culture 123 00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:36,360 mainstream western culture sees things very differently right we 124 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:40,160 live in a very. Different world where casual sex 125 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:43,400 as it's called. Is encouraged outside of 126 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:46,640 marriage. Hooking up is no big deal in our 127 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:48,200 culture. But for us as. 128 00:07:48,200 --> 00:07:52,120 Christians, it is a. Very big deal, It's a very big 129 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:54,880 deal. First Corinthians chapters 5 and 130 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:57,960 6, which we've. Covered over the past few weeks 131 00:07:58,280 --> 00:08:01,160 is where? Paul condemns sexual intimacy 132 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:03,840 outside of marriage. He does this 3. 133 00:08:03,840 --> 00:08:07,320 Times very strongly in the last. Couple of chapters. 134 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:11,840 And Paul's teaching, once again, is consistent with the entire 135 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:13,760 witness. Of Scripture. 136 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:17,560 Especially the Old Testament where sex outside of marriage. 137 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:19,440 Is usually a capital. Offense. 138 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:24,480 So why is? Sexual fidelity in marriage so 139 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:28,200 important. For us as Christians, it's 140 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:31,080 because of a. 3rd principle and that principle. 141 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:35,799 Is that? Sexual intimacy is Sacramento. 142 00:08:36,880 --> 00:08:41,120 Sexual intimacy is Sacramento. It's not a sacrament. 143 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:44,360 I'm not saying that it's sacrament, ish. 144 00:08:45,320 --> 00:08:48,640 It is Sacramento. It is an icon. 145 00:08:49,160 --> 00:08:54,320 That tells a spiritual story. In a visible physical. 146 00:08:54,440 --> 00:09:00,120 Way always. Sex outside of marriage. 147 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:02,320 Does this. It tells a story. 148 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:07,680 Among consenting unmarried persons, it offers a mirage. 149 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:13,480 Of false Of false gospel. Promising everlasting pleasure 150 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:18,520 without commitment among non consenting persons. 151 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:22,600 Rape. Sexual abuse also tells a 152 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:25,800 spiritual story. A much more diabolical 1, 153 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:31,560 ultimately picturing Satan, not Christ, having his. 154 00:09:31,560 --> 00:09:36,800 Way with the Church. And then there's the real thing, 155 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:39,760 sex within marriage that tells A. 156 00:09:39,760 --> 00:09:42,960 Story as well. Within the permanency of 157 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:48,760 marriage, sex becomes an icon. Of the joy that will truly last 158 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:51,600 forever. Humanity's eternal union with 159 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:55,360 God. Through Christ our Lord for us 160 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:57,560 as. Christians, there's no such 161 00:09:57,560 --> 00:10:01,880 thing as casual sex. Because sex is always. 162 00:10:01,880 --> 00:10:06,600 Sacramento And that's why sex remains such a serious matter. 163 00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:08,000 For us as. Christians and why? 164 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:10,640 If you are. Presently seeking sexual 165 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:15,520 fulfilment outside of marriage. You must stop it right now. 166 00:10:16,120 --> 00:10:19,680 Do so no longer. Your sin is harming you and it's 167 00:10:19,680 --> 00:10:21,920 harming others. Especially because it. 168 00:10:21,920 --> 00:10:26,360 Proclaims a false gospel it. Paints a false picture. 169 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:29,560 It is a mirage and it betrays. The Lord. 170 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:32,120 If you've fallen into. This grave error. 171 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:36,080 I am very sorry, I know. That our culture. 172 00:10:36,520 --> 00:10:39,520 Dominates the airwaves and it teaches something that. 173 00:10:39,520 --> 00:10:42,720 Is very different, it tells us. Over and over again in 174 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:45,600 countless. Ways that sex is no big deal. 175 00:10:47,400 --> 00:10:49,160 Come to the. Clergy, we wait. 176 00:10:49,200 --> 00:10:51,080 To meet with you. To offer. 177 00:10:51,240 --> 00:10:55,320 Forgiveness, healing, restoration and to help you live 178 00:10:55,320 --> 00:10:58,680 a different. Way we are eager to help restore 179 00:10:58,680 --> 00:11:00,400 you. In this area so that you can 180 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:01,480 make a. Fresh start. 181 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:04,680 This is important. That you. 182 00:11:04,920 --> 00:11:07,440 Find a way. To live a holy. 183 00:11:07,440 --> 00:11:11,280 Life in this area from this day. Forward for the rest of your. 184 00:11:11,280 --> 00:11:15,920 Life Now on the other hand, for those of you who are married, 185 00:11:16,560 --> 00:11:22,160 God has made you one flesh. He blesses your lovemaking, for 186 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:25,040 it points to the consummation of all things. 187 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:29,720 Because sex is always. Sacramento It always paints a 188 00:11:29,720 --> 00:11:32,520 picture. It tells a story that is either 189 00:11:32,520 --> 00:11:35,920 true or false. And it is true in the marriage 190 00:11:35,920 --> 00:11:38,600 bed. Now take a look at verses 3 and 191 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:39,800 4. The husband. 192 00:11:39,840 --> 00:11:42,320 Should give to his wife her conjugal rights. 193 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:48,600 What a terrible. Translation and likewise. 194 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:51,200 The wife to her. Husband for the wife does not 195 00:11:51,200 --> 00:11:54,280 have authority over her own body, but the husband. 196 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:56,960 Does likewise the. Husband does not have authority 197 00:11:56,960 --> 00:12:00,760 over his own body, but the wife. Does the Greek. 198 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:04,000 Does not say conjugal rights. It says nothing like that it. 199 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:08,120 Speaks. Of our mutual indebtedness one 200 00:12:08,120 --> 00:12:12,120 to the other. Husbands and wives are indebted 201 00:12:12,120 --> 00:12:15,600 to one another, and it speaks of enriching one another. 202 00:12:15,720 --> 00:12:18,560 Through the gift of love through the gift. 203 00:12:18,880 --> 00:12:23,200 Of one's body. And This is why spouses must. 204 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:27,160 Steward their their partner. 'S body. 205 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:31,800 Well, listen to this. This is an important principle. 206 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:35,800 Don't miss this, especially if you have been. 207 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:40,200 Privy to the debates about. Egalitarianism and 208 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:44,320 complementarianism both. Sides are partially correct. 209 00:12:44,840 --> 00:12:49,720 There's no doubt that in creation God made man and woman 210 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:54,800 in his image. And they have men and women have 211 00:12:54,800 --> 00:13:00,720 complementary roles. But in marriage within marriage, 212 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:03,440 we discover a fourth principle and that. 213 00:13:03,440 --> 00:13:08,160 Is this, Paul says. That married couples exercise an 214 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:11,200 egalitarian stewardship of one another. 215 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:14,960 'S bodies because God. Made the husband and the wife 216 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:19,520 one flesh. Here's the principle again. 217 00:13:20,120 --> 00:13:24,920 Couples Married couples must exercise an egalitarian 218 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:27,120 stewardship of one another's. Bodies. 219 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:30,480 Because God made the husband and wife one. 220 00:13:30,480 --> 00:13:33,360 Flesh, Paul will later say, just as your. 221 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:39,120 I cannot say to your hand I have no need of you in the same way 222 00:13:39,120 --> 00:13:40,200 he says it. Later. 223 00:13:40,280 --> 00:13:43,880 I say it now, just as the the I cannot say to the hand I have no 224 00:13:43,880 --> 00:13:49,320 need of you, neither May 1 spouse unilaterally end. 225 00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:53,520 A couple's sexual. Union, because they're one 226 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:58,240 flesh, they're one fleshness, is nurtured and strengthened 227 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:02,440 through regular sexual intimacy. And this egalitarian 228 00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:05,840 stewardship, this, this ownership of one another's 229 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:09,240 bodies extends far beyond sexual intimacy. 230 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:12,360 It extends to the stewardship. This is what Paul is talking 231 00:14:12,360 --> 00:14:13,840 about. Stewardship of one another's 232 00:14:13,840 --> 00:14:16,920 bodies entirely so if your. Spouse has. 233 00:14:17,160 --> 00:14:22,040 Type 1 diabetes then together you and your. 234 00:14:22,040 --> 00:14:26,320 Spouse have responsibility to care for that body. 235 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:29,960 To make sure. That that body receives the the 236 00:14:29,960 --> 00:14:32,800 right dosage of glucose of sugars. 237 00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:37,040 And has the right amount of insulin on a daily basis. 238 00:14:37,720 --> 00:14:41,640 That's the kind of. Stewardship that spouses have. 239 00:14:41,920 --> 00:14:47,680 Over one another. And that is because God has made 240 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:50,280 you one flesh. Now of course, this mustn't be 241 00:14:50,280 --> 00:14:53,680 interpreted to condone tyranny of one over the other. 242 00:14:53,920 --> 00:14:58,320 And there are legitimate reasons from time to time for abstinence 243 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:00,240 within marriage. Look at verses. 244 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:02,480 Five and six do not deprive one another. 245 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:04,880 Except perhaps by. Agreement for a limited time 246 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:07,440 that you may. Devote yourselves to prayer. 247 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:10,720 But then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt. 248 00:15:10,720 --> 00:15:14,280 You because of your. Lack of self-control, Paul adds 249 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:16,960 now as a concession, not a command. 250 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:20,920 I say this essentially, Paul is advocating a kind of fasting 251 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:24,080 here that like what we do during Lent and Advent. 252 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:27,480 Married persons, May, he says. May. 253 00:15:27,480 --> 00:15:30,360 Take a break. From sexual intimacy for a 254 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:33,720 season if it draws them nearer. To the Lord. 255 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:35,840 But this is an option, Paul says. 256 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:41,120 It's not an order, and it's only for so long as it is beneficial. 257 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:43,600 To both persons. Because there are many. 258 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:47,120 Perverse forces out there. Out in our culture that are 259 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:48,840 trying to. Tear couples apart. 260 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:53,160 And so sexual intimacy is a remedy against that. 261 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:57,920 Now at the beginning of verse 7, Paul reminds them that he 262 00:15:57,920 --> 00:16:01,280 himself is unmarried and. Celibate, but the way. 263 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:03,280 That he's written so. Far the 1st 6. 264 00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:08,720 Chapters and up until this point in Chapter 7 really strongly. 265 00:16:08,720 --> 00:16:14,480 Suggests that Paul was. Married earlier in his life and 266 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:16,600 that he has become a. Widower at this? 267 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:19,800 Point Remember, Paul had been a. Leader of the Pharisees. 268 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:22,640 And there is little to no historical evidence at all. 269 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:25,600 Of. Pharisees who were unmarried. 270 00:16:26,520 --> 00:16:30,320 So it is likely that he was. Married at some point. 271 00:16:30,600 --> 00:16:35,400 In any case, now he is not married and he is celibate, and 272 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:38,560 he sings. He sees his singleness as an 273 00:16:38,800 --> 00:16:40,560 advantage. To his. 274 00:16:40,560 --> 00:16:44,560 Calling listen again to verses 7 and 9, he says I wish. 275 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:47,040 That all were. As I myself AM. 276 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:50,760 But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of 277 00:16:50,760 --> 00:16:52,520 another to the unmarried and the. 278 00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:55,000 Widows, I say. That it is good for them to 279 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:58,240 remain single as I am, but if they cannot exercise 280 00:16:58,240 --> 00:17:01,080 self-control, they should marry, for it is better to marry than 281 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:04,599 to burn with passion. Look particularly at verse. 7 282 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:06,720 and notice the. Word. 283 00:17:06,920 --> 00:17:11,760 Gift that word. Is charisma the same word that 284 00:17:11,760 --> 00:17:16,079 Paul is going to use in First Corinthians 12 over and over 285 00:17:16,079 --> 00:17:19,480 again to. Talk about spiritual gifts. 286 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:24,800 Here in verse 7 of Chapter 7. Paul says that God calls. 287 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:26,359 And. Gifts us. 288 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:30,280 To a particular marital. Status as well. 289 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:34,320 Whether married or single and. Celibate. 290 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:37,560 These are gifts. From God and by the way. 291 00:17:37,880 --> 00:17:39,800 The fact that he. Uses gift in this. 292 00:17:39,800 --> 00:17:43,880 Way here totally. Undermines the modern mistaken 293 00:17:43,880 --> 00:17:48,240 notion that all charismatic gifts must be spontaneous. 294 00:17:49,640 --> 00:17:54,800 Not at all. Now Paul evidently saw his 295 00:17:54,800 --> 00:17:58,720 singleness as having pragmatic benefit. 296 00:17:58,720 --> 00:18:02,920 For his work. As an apostle, as an example, he 297 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:09,520 had the freedom to move from Antioch to Corinth for 18 months 298 00:18:09,520 --> 00:18:11,920 and start a church. There to work there. 299 00:18:12,440 --> 00:18:16,640 Night and day, sharing the good news and planting this church. 300 00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:22,480 As an apostle and a church planter, Paul longed for other. 301 00:18:22,480 --> 00:18:26,520 People to have that. Kind of freedom for Christian 302 00:18:26,520 --> 00:18:29,360 mission. But at the same time, Paul also 303 00:18:29,360 --> 00:18:32,520 recognized the Christian benefits of marriage. 304 00:18:32,760 --> 00:18:37,720 So at the end of the day, both Christian marriage and Christian 305 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:41,280 singleness offer freedoms to follow. 306 00:18:41,280 --> 00:18:44,200 And serve the Lord. Just in different ways now, 307 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:45,960 Paul. Liked his way best. 308 00:18:45,960 --> 00:18:48,240 He makes that. Clear through the chapter, but 309 00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:51,280 he has the. Good sense not to insist on his. 310 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:54,040 Way for everybody. That comes out. 311 00:18:54,280 --> 00:18:58,680 As we read it, so here. Then is 1/5 principle related to 312 00:18:58,680 --> 00:19:00,640 this and that is? God's. 313 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:07,560 Gift in verse 7 isn't really. Marital status per SE. 314 00:19:08,520 --> 00:19:13,040 It isn't really either marriage. Or celibacy, the gift. 315 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:15,840 In verse 7. Is the gift of. 316 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:19,880 Contentment. The gift of contentment, whether 317 00:19:19,880 --> 00:19:24,040 in marriage or in celibacy. The gift of contentment. 318 00:19:24,360 --> 00:19:26,880 For the sake of. Mission again. 319 00:19:26,880 --> 00:19:30,280 God's gift is. Contentment, whether in marriage 320 00:19:30,280 --> 00:19:32,120 or in. Celibacy for the sake. 321 00:19:32,120 --> 00:19:33,520 Of mission. If you are a. 322 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:38,840 Christian Whether you're ordained or not, God plans. 323 00:19:38,840 --> 00:19:41,800 To use you for the rest of your life. 324 00:19:42,080 --> 00:19:47,000 In mission, as his ambassador wherever he sends you. 325 00:19:47,280 --> 00:19:52,200 That is his. Plan from what Paul is saying in 326 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:54,400 verse 7. My sense is that. 327 00:19:54,480 --> 00:19:58,040 If you lack. Contentment in your current 328 00:19:58,040 --> 00:20:00,880 marital state, then you ought to. 329 00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:04,480 Ask God to give you that gift, that gift of. 330 00:20:04,480 --> 00:20:09,560 Contentment so that you might be more useful to him in mission. 331 00:20:09,760 --> 00:20:13,920 The way that you. Are then if he doesn't. 332 00:20:13,920 --> 00:20:17,880 Give you this gift. Then my recommendation is that 333 00:20:18,120 --> 00:20:21,200 if you continue to lack contentment in your current. 334 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:24,560 State Share This. Burden with your brothers and 335 00:20:24,560 --> 00:20:26,760 sisters in the church and let us. 336 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:31,000 Pray with you. About a remedy, I remember years 337 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:34,000 ago when I was in college, I was attending a different church at 338 00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:39,560 the university, and there was this brainy single guy who. 339 00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:43,480 Was very. Discontent in his singleness, 340 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:46,680 and he would stand every time the. 341 00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:49,840 Church gathered to pray. He would stand and he. 342 00:20:49,840 --> 00:20:55,120 Would pray. Lamenting his state, sharing his 343 00:20:55,120 --> 00:20:58,840 broken heart and asking that God would give him a wife. 344 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:02,480 And this went on week. After week after week for well 345 00:21:02,480 --> 00:21:08,160 over a year. And then one day in she came and 346 00:21:08,160 --> 00:21:13,040 they got married. And sure enough, his mission, 347 00:21:13,120 --> 00:21:18,440 his ministry as a layman in that church and in that city 348 00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:23,480 multiplied tenfold. God answered his prayer the way 349 00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:26,440 that God answered Hannah's prayer in Shiloh, in First 350 00:21:26,440 --> 00:21:27,800 Samuel. And remember. 351 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:32,600 God blessed her because she was. Willing to pray in this way. 352 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:36,800 With God's people, God will bless you as you share this 353 00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:40,560 prayer with others. And as you seek him and this 354 00:21:40,840 --> 00:21:44,680 this seeing this work in that church worked in. 355 00:21:44,680 --> 00:21:47,160 Everybody's life. To convince them more and more 356 00:21:47,160 --> 00:21:49,800 of the power of the living God to answer prayer. 357 00:21:50,480 --> 00:21:52,320 Now I've got to keep moving this. 358 00:21:52,320 --> 00:21:55,200 Is such a full passage? What about divorce? 359 00:21:55,200 --> 00:21:57,960 Look at verses. 10 and 11, Paul says to the married. 360 00:21:58,280 --> 00:22:00,680 I give this charge. Not I but the. 361 00:22:00,680 --> 00:22:05,720 Lord, the wife should. Not separate from her husband, 362 00:22:05,720 --> 00:22:07,280 but if she. Does she should? 363 00:22:07,280 --> 00:22:09,080 Remain unmarried. Or else be. 364 00:22:09,080 --> 00:22:12,000 Reconciled to her husband, and the husband should not. 365 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:15,000 Divorce his wife. Here's a 6th principle. 366 00:22:15,480 --> 00:22:20,080 Jesus forbids divorce except. Under exceptional circumstances, 367 00:22:20,680 --> 00:22:26,440 when Paul writes not I but the Lord in verse 10, he's pointing 368 00:22:26,440 --> 00:22:27,760 us. To the Gospels. 369 00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:30,840 The witness of what? Jesus has said. 370 00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:35,240 And that's where we find Jesus's direct instruction, where Jesus 371 00:22:35,240 --> 00:22:37,600 says what God has joined together, let no one. 372 00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:41,120 Separate the four. Gospels may not have been in 373 00:22:41,120 --> 00:22:43,240 circulation when Paul wrote, but certainly. 374 00:22:43,240 --> 00:22:49,560 Paul had access to. Luke and to Mark and he had 375 00:22:49,560 --> 00:22:53,000 access to the things. That Jesus had said. 376 00:22:53,560 --> 00:22:58,360 In in what they were collecting. And certainly Paul, the former 377 00:22:58,360 --> 00:23:01,840 Pharisee, knew the old. Story of the. 378 00:23:01,840 --> 00:23:06,000 Pharisees who came to test Jesus, asking him. 379 00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:07,960 Is it lawful? For a man. 380 00:23:08,120 --> 00:23:10,920 To divorce his wife. Now, back in the Old Testament, 381 00:23:10,920 --> 00:23:16,040 divorce was permissible under certain rare circumstances like 382 00:23:16,040 --> 00:23:22,720 adultery, abandonment and abuse. But the Pharisees had 383 00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:27,600 reinterpreted this in. Liberal ways and they were. 384 00:23:27,600 --> 00:23:30,120 Practicing something like. Our no fault divorce. 385 00:23:30,880 --> 00:23:35,440 Today and so Jesus rebuked them, pointing back to the first 386 00:23:35,440 --> 00:23:39,760 marriage in Genesis chapter 2 and the two became 1 flesh and. 387 00:23:39,760 --> 00:23:42,120 Jesus said what God? Has joined together, let no one 388 00:23:42,120 --> 00:23:44,680 separate and then for his. Disciples. 389 00:23:44,680 --> 00:23:48,800 Jesus went on to. Say what Paul quotes in verses. 390 00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:52,720 10 and 11 the wife mustn't divorce her husband and remarry, 391 00:23:52,960 --> 00:23:54,840 nor should the husband divorce his wife. 392 00:23:56,200 --> 00:23:58,040 And so the church down through the centuries. 393 00:23:58,760 --> 00:24:01,720 Has always held. This same position, the same 394 00:24:01,720 --> 00:24:04,520 position as we find in the teachings of the Old Testament. 395 00:24:04,720 --> 00:24:09,480 Divorce is forbidden apart from these rare circumstances of 396 00:24:09,480 --> 00:24:14,120 adultery, abuse or abandonment, and even then only. 397 00:24:14,120 --> 00:24:17,720 As a last resort after all. Attempts at reconciliation have 398 00:24:17,720 --> 00:24:21,920 failed to save a marriage. That's headed for disaster. 399 00:24:21,920 --> 00:24:24,280 Both wife. And husband should humble 400 00:24:24,280 --> 00:24:27,800 themselves, confess their sins and be reconciled. 401 00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:30,640 And just as importantly, husbands and wives. 402 00:24:30,800 --> 00:24:33,920 Should live together. With mutual love and respect so 403 00:24:33,920 --> 00:24:37,240 that their marriage never gets to the point where divorce is 404 00:24:37,240 --> 00:24:40,760 contemplated. Now look at verse. 12 where we. 405 00:24:40,760 --> 00:24:44,600 Find one of the most frequently misunderstood verses in the 406 00:24:44,600 --> 00:24:49,480 entire Bible. Paul writes to the rest I say I. 407 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:53,320 Not the Lord. And readers often misunderstand 408 00:24:53,360 --> 00:24:56,960 this to mean that what Paul says next is just his kind of 409 00:24:57,560 --> 00:25:01,600 personal opinion and it's not scripture anymore. 410 00:25:02,560 --> 00:25:05,880 That's not what Paul means. Rather, this is his way. 411 00:25:06,120 --> 00:25:11,160 Of saying I'm done quoting Jesus from the gospels and now I'm 412 00:25:11,160 --> 00:25:14,960 moving on with new answers to your questions. 413 00:25:16,320 --> 00:25:18,000 From our perspective, it would have been much. 414 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:22,760 Easier if Paul had used. Quotation Marks and if he had. 415 00:25:22,760 --> 00:25:24,520 Put a little. Footnote at the bottom of the 416 00:25:24,520 --> 00:25:28,600 papyrus and said something like. This is what the Lord Jesus. 417 00:25:28,600 --> 00:25:31,520 Said attributing it to. Jesus with the date. 418 00:25:31,520 --> 00:25:33,760 That Jesus said it and all those sort of conventions that we 419 00:25:33,760 --> 00:25:35,040 have. Today but. 420 00:25:35,480 --> 00:25:37,480 They didn't have these things in Koinet Greek. 421 00:25:37,760 --> 00:25:39,560 They had not invented footnotes yet. 422 00:25:40,120 --> 00:25:42,000 They had not invented quotation marks yet. 423 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:43,960 And in fact. The way that they wrote. 424 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:46,240 Was to mash. Words together. 425 00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:48,800 To mash sentences together. To mash paragraphs. 426 00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:51,240 Together they wrote just letters across the page. 427 00:25:51,520 --> 00:25:54,040 Saving space and. All of this stuff. 428 00:25:54,320 --> 00:25:57,640 Came later and so the. Way that Paul does the closed. 429 00:25:57,640 --> 00:26:04,240 Quotation mark is when he says I not the Lord does that make 430 00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:08,080 sense and this. Leads us to a. 7th principle 431 00:26:08,080 --> 00:26:12,560 Then if you're married, then your marriage is part of your 432 00:26:12,560 --> 00:26:14,880 mission. If you're married, then your 433 00:26:14,880 --> 00:26:16,200 marriage is part of your mission. 434 00:26:16,480 --> 00:26:18,080 Verses 12 and 13. Paul. 435 00:26:18,080 --> 00:26:20,240 Addresses. Christian brothers and sisters 436 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:25,640 who find themselves in marriages with unbelievers. 437 00:26:26,880 --> 00:26:31,800 He is not here condoning dating and marrying someone who is not 438 00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:33,800 a Christian. That is not what he's talking 439 00:26:33,800 --> 00:26:35,520 about here. That would be a. 440 00:26:35,520 --> 00:26:38,760 Foolish mistake at Cross. Purposes with all the rest of 441 00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:42,000 what he's talking. About in this chapter, what Paul 442 00:26:42,000 --> 00:26:44,840 is doing here is he's speaking to those individuals who 443 00:26:44,840 --> 00:26:47,920 converted during his time in Corinth or have. 444 00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:49,720 Converted over the last three years. 445 00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:53,720 And whose spouses have not converted and they find 446 00:26:53,720 --> 00:26:59,000 themselves in a mixed marriage. And he says to them, stay 447 00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:01,600 married, stay married so long as your. 448 00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:04,280 Spouse is. Cooperative and doesn't hinder 449 00:27:04,280 --> 00:27:09,440 you from following the. Lord, because it's possible that 450 00:27:10,160 --> 00:27:14,680 through your fidelity to the. Lord, and through the. 451 00:27:14,680 --> 00:27:19,320 Rich tapestry of life. That you enjoy in the church and 452 00:27:19,560 --> 00:27:23,560 all of these other benefits that your spouse may yet come to 453 00:27:23,560 --> 00:27:27,360 faith. And so if you find yourself 454 00:27:27,360 --> 00:27:30,000 married to an unbeliever, have a mercy on your. 455 00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:32,160 Spouse, just as the Lord has had. 456 00:27:32,160 --> 00:27:35,640 Mercy on you because your marriage is part of your 457 00:27:35,640 --> 00:27:38,680 mission. But to be clear, if you're. 458 00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:43,440 Married Doesn't matter who you're married to, your marriage 459 00:27:43,440 --> 00:27:46,360 is part of your mission. Regardless. 460 00:27:46,920 --> 00:27:49,160 Mission, by the way. Is about a lot. 461 00:27:49,160 --> 00:27:54,600 More than making converts, verse 14, Paul highlights one benefit 462 00:27:54,600 --> 00:27:58,920 that a believer brings into a family and that is a sanctifying 463 00:27:58,960 --> 00:28:01,240 effect. Before the coming of Christ, 464 00:28:01,240 --> 00:28:05,640 back in the first creation in the Old Testament time, remember 465 00:28:05,640 --> 00:28:09,480 that uncleanness was contagious. You touch a dead. 466 00:28:09,480 --> 00:28:13,960 Body that that uncleanness. Sticks to you you. 467 00:28:14,040 --> 00:28:16,640 Touch someone who's bleeding, Their uncleanness sticks to you. 468 00:28:16,640 --> 00:28:19,960 But along comes Jesus and the Gospels, and he's reaching out 469 00:28:19,960 --> 00:28:24,040 and touching people, and His Holiness goes to them, right? 470 00:28:24,040 --> 00:28:27,960 His cleanness is contagious, and it's been that way ever since 471 00:28:27,960 --> 00:28:30,160 those of us. Who are filled with the Holy 472 00:28:30,160 --> 00:28:33,480 Spirit. Have this same gift we bring 473 00:28:33,480 --> 00:28:35,800 cleanness. Wherever we go. 474 00:28:36,080 --> 00:28:40,400 And so this is a benefit within marriage, within a mixed 475 00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:43,920 marriage. Like this, Paul says it's OK for 476 00:28:43,920 --> 00:28:46,160 a believer. To remain married to an 477 00:28:46,160 --> 00:28:48,480 unbeliever. And one of the reason is because 478 00:28:48,640 --> 00:28:52,920 this cleanness, this holiness spreads from those. 479 00:28:52,920 --> 00:28:55,320 Of us who are. Christians and it's the same. 480 00:28:55,320 --> 00:28:58,080 If there are children that are born in a mixed marriage, they 481 00:28:58,080 --> 00:29:01,640 also have the same protection. See verse 14. 482 00:29:01,880 --> 00:29:04,720 The children aren't made unclean by the unbelieving. 483 00:29:04,720 --> 00:29:08,360 Spouse rather the Holy Spirit. Protects and preserves them. 484 00:29:08,360 --> 00:29:12,000 Too, but verse. 15 Paul. Says if your spouse. 485 00:29:12,240 --> 00:29:14,800 Leaves or tyrannizes? You because of your. 486 00:29:14,800 --> 00:29:19,480 Faith, let them go. God is giving you a gift. 487 00:29:19,640 --> 00:29:21,800 It's a hard gift, but it's a gift. 488 00:29:21,800 --> 00:29:23,880 All the same. That gives you that. 489 00:29:23,880 --> 00:29:30,360 Greater freedom for mission that Paul enjoyed 4 verse 16 you 490 00:29:30,360 --> 00:29:32,480 cannot. Save your spouse, that is not 491 00:29:32,480 --> 00:29:36,400 your job, that's Jesus job. So entrust your spouse to God. 492 00:29:36,800 --> 00:29:38,560 Rest in the peace and companionship. 493 00:29:38,560 --> 00:29:40,560 Of the Lord. And use your time. 494 00:29:40,600 --> 00:29:44,080 And resources to further. The coming of His Kingdom. 495 00:29:45,800 --> 00:29:47,720 We have just made it through verse 16. 496 00:29:47,720 --> 00:29:52,480 Have a nice day. This is a list. 497 00:29:52,680 --> 00:29:54,560 The list. Continues There are more 498 00:29:54,560 --> 00:29:56,240 questions we'll. Take up the the. 499 00:29:56,360 --> 00:29:58,120 Next set of questions. Next. 500 00:29:58,120 --> 00:30:02,280 Week let me just. Remind you of the seven things 501 00:30:02,280 --> 00:30:05,880 that we've seen in this passage, and then I will pray. 502 00:30:06,840 --> 00:30:10,480 First, God made marriage to be the union of one man and one 503 00:30:10,480 --> 00:30:13,400 woman. Secondly, God designed sexual 504 00:30:13,400 --> 00:30:15,160 intimacy for the marriage. Bed. 505 00:30:15,880 --> 00:30:19,440 Thirdly, sexual. Intimacy is always Sacramento. 506 00:30:20,800 --> 00:30:25,440 4th couples exercise an. Egalitarian stewardship over one 507 00:30:25,440 --> 00:30:26,920 another's. Bodies, because God. 508 00:30:26,920 --> 00:30:32,280 Made them one. Flesh 5th God gives us the gift. 509 00:30:32,280 --> 00:30:34,920 Of contentment, whether in marriage or in. 510 00:30:34,920 --> 00:30:39,880 Celibacy for the sake. Of mission and. 6th Jesus 511 00:30:39,880 --> 00:30:43,720 forbids divorce. Except in very unusual 512 00:30:43,720 --> 00:30:47,600 circumstances. And 7th if you're married, then 513 00:30:47,600 --> 00:30:49,360 your marriage is part of your mission. 514 00:30:50,120 --> 00:30:54,240 Let's pray, Lord, we're no longer our own, but yours. 515 00:30:54,400 --> 00:30:57,720 We pray that you would. Use us as you will place us 516 00:30:57,720 --> 00:30:59,800 with. Whom you will, and bless us with 517 00:30:59,800 --> 00:31:02,880 marriage and family as you will. We. 518 00:31:02,880 --> 00:31:06,760 Freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and 519 00:31:06,760 --> 00:31:09,760 service. And now, a wonderful and holy 520 00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:14,080 God, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, you are ours and we 521 00:31:14,080 --> 00:31:16,040 are yours. Through Jesus. 522 00:31:16,040 --> 00:31:18,080 Christ our Lord, Amen.