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I CORINTHIANS 7: 1-17
OCTOBER 27, 2002
INTRODUCTION: Internet: Guide to dating and marriage – Kid’s advice
TRANSITION THOUGHT: Last week, Bake started us on a journey learning about interpersonal relationships. A critical spirit is not pleasing to God, Bake taught us. This week, as we continue with this theme, we are going to get down to the nitty gritty. Today we talk about the relationship between a husband and a wife and what scripture teaches us concerning our individual roles. As Tony read our scripture for today, you possible heard some interesting language and thus we must discuss exactly what this text is teaching us about this powerful dynamic called marriage. What advice, unlike that of our 10-year-old advisors, does the word of God give us through the teaching of the Apostle Paul?
THESIS SENTENCE: GOD’S PLAN FOR HUMANITY IS STILL MARRIAGE!
I. MARRIAGE AND INTIMACY (vv. 1-7)
ILLUSTRATION: SHENIA TWAIN SINGS A SONG THAT A LOT OF FOLKS USE AT WEDDING ENTITLED, “FROM THIS MOMENT ON.” HERE THESE WORDS OF HEART FELT LOVE…
A. INTIMACY IS NOT THE OPPOSITE OF HOLY LIFE!
1. Context is always the key. First we must note that the Apostle Paul is responding to a question asked!
2. What was going on with these new believers? They had come to faith in Christ and were so hungry to live for Him; they were willing to deny their most basic needs and the blessing of marriage.
3. What does the language really say here? The KJV makes it a lot clearer than the NIV. The KJV reads, “Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.”
4. The issue was concerning how Christian Married folks should act!
5. The Apostle Paul tells them they should act like married folks! This in no way takes away from serving God or being Holy!!
B. INTIMACY IS THE PROTECTION OF A HOLY LIFE!
1. In theory this may work, but not in practicality!
2. The Apostle Paul states that abstinence within the marriage relationship will only lead to MORE IMMORALITY that is already rampant in the Greco—Roman culture.
3. Verses 3-7 spell this out in detail! The issue is mutuality!
4. Ephesians 5:21 reads, “Submit to one another out of reference to Christ.” 5. Then this same text explains what this looks like. Our text in Corinthians is also an explanation of what mutual submission looks like!
6. “The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
7. Mutuality is the key. The GK for “Mutual Consent” is the same word we translate as “Symphony” which is translated as “of having one voice.”
8. The key issue here is that to abstain from a normal intimate relationship hinders and does not help one to be Holy!
Aside: Within the context of our text, this was a mutual concern. This was not an issue brought up by women, but by men, who asked the question, “It is good for a man not to touch a woman.”
9. IMTIMACY IS THEREFORE A VITAL PART OF MARRIAGE AS TAUGHT BY SCRIPTURE!
NEXT THE APOSTLE PAUL ADDESSES THE ISSUE OF LOSESING A SPOUSE TO DEATH.
II. MARRIAGE AND REMARRIAGE (vv. 8-9)
A. SOME SHOULD NOT!
1. First, the original language clarifies who is being talked to here.
2. The word for unmarried here in verse 8 is more accurately translated “Widower.”
3. Therefore the issue is not that of a single person, but of males and females who have lost a spouse to death.
4. Verses 7 and 8 seem to make it clear that not only is the Apostle Paul Single and Celibate; he is also a widower.
5. His advice is that if find yourself in this position, it is legitimate to remain unmarried. You do not have to remarry.
6. Concerning our previous verses, The Apostle teaches that Marriage must be maintained, but here states that if there is no marriage, it is not mandatory to get married.
B. SOME SHOULD!
1. However, some should marry.
2. In I Timothy 5: 11-15 Paul explains in greater detail what he is teaching the Corinthian church. This is advice concerning whether or not the church should support widows or not. “As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.”
3. Our text reads, “But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
4. The key issue for this group is no different for the previous, those married but wondering if intimacy is Holy or not. The Key to both is that if we are not careful, we will give Satan an opportunity to destroy not only us, but also the work of the church! Did you notice, in I Timothy 5 The Apostle states this has already happened!!
THUS FOR SOME IT IS APPROPRIATE TO STAYED SINGLE AFTER LOSING A SPOUSE AND FOR OTHERS IT IS NOT. It really depends on the person and what God has called them to and gifted them for!
OUR TEXT CONCLUDES WITH THE APOSTLE PAUL DEALING WITH THE “D” WORD.
III. MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE (VV. 10-17)
A. RULES FOR BELIEVERS
1. Again, the issue here is concerning how to live as God’s people.
2. One other important piece of context is that these new believers thought Jesus could come at anytime and thus wanted to maximize their service.
3. This is not advice concerning unfaithfulness.
4. Also note who wants to separate, it is the wife, not the husband.
5. To this, the Apostle Paul teaches that Divorce is not an option for Believers. 6. Also remember the reason that the Apostle stressed intimacy and remarriage for widows and widowers, immorality!
7. Yes in theory it may enable a person to serve God with more energy and focus, but the real issue is does this work out in the practical world in which we live? To this the Apostle Paul answers no! You will only end up wanting to marry someone else. Thus you will have to reconcile with your spouse or you will be guilty of sin! 8. Also remember the word “MUTUALITY”? This is not a one-gender question; this concerns men and women. Both are told not to consider divorce!
SCRIPTURE EMPHASIS: MALACHI 2: 13 –16! Teaches us that God hates divorce between those that belong to Him. He calls it breaking Faith! Hear this text to truly see how God desires Believers to live concerning Marriage and Divorce!
B. RULES FOR NON—BELIEVERS
1. Is this a different ballgame? Does God have a separate set of rules for those that have come to know Him, but now find themselves unequally yoked? Absolutely not!!
2. The context here is that someone in the family has received Christ and then realizes that things at home are now different. The context is not someone purposely marring out side the faith but of one who has just heard the Gospel and respond and yet his or her spouse has not!
3. The Power of the truth here is found in verse 16. Your faithfulness to an unbeliever in marriage could bring about their salvation! I wonder today for how many of you this has happened!!
4. The BOTTOM LINE THEORY here is that God has not placed us where we are by happenstance. God knows where you are and what you are going through. And to this the Apostle Paul states, “Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him.”
5. Do you get it? WE ARE ON ASSIGNMENT FROM GOD!! God is working a plan and we get to be involved in it!! WE HAVE BEEN CALLED!! WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO BE FOUND FAITHFUL IN MARRIAGE!!
ILLUSTRATION: “I WILL BE HERE” BY STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN!
CONCLUSION: Where are you today in your marriage relationship. Are you faithful in Intimacy? Are you faithful in Celibacy? Are you willing to stick it out because to this God has assigned you and to this God has called you? If you are here and married today, HOW ABOUT COMING TO THE ALTAR WITH YOUR SPOUSE AND RECOMMITING YOUR MARRIAGE TO GOD?! IF YOU ARE HERE WITHOUT YOUR SPOUSE, HOW ABOUT COMING AND COMMITTING YOURSELF TO BE THE GOD EXAMPLE THAT IS NEEDED TO WIN YOUR SPOUSE TO CHRIST!! IF YOU ARE HERE AND NOT MARRIED, PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE MARRIED THAT EACH COUPLE WILL NOT GIVE SATAN A FOOT HOLD AND WILL LIVE GODLY LIVES!
AS THE PRAISE TEAMS COMES, MARRIED FOLKS, LET’S BIND SATAN FROM OUR LIVES AND LIVE AS GOD HAS CALLED US!!
