1 corinthians 7:17 24 sermon

Not only that, but this translation does not do justice to all the words in the Greek ("even" and "rather") which come out in the alternative translation: "Were you called as a slave? The innocent believer is not bound to the deserter. Trending: The Cost of Discipleship. Were not automatically required to move out of our neighborhoods. What matters is not whether our job is high or low in man's eyes. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him Learn more about Desiring God Ways to Follow. If everything on the inside is new, should we then completely get rid of every aspect of the outside life and start over? Circumcision was an old covenant symbol and the purpose of the picture was to point to a person, the person of Jesus Christ and out of the Jewish circumcised people came the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation came to himand right in the middle of a sinful lifestyle. If they were called to God in a state of cultural slavery, then they are to be faithful to walk with Jesus Christ as His servants within that state of slavery. How do I bloom where Christ has put me? Now; if you have never placed your faith in Jesus and trusted Him as your Savior, I believe He is offering a call to you right now. That would have been a true statement. 1 Corinthians 7:22, ESV When you serve your master, you are not serving him, but the Lord. Zacchaeus became a new creation by faith in Jesus. Jesus said, Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all of these things will be added to you. He was talking about food and clothing, but we get anxious about our life situations too. Now; Paul doesnt just merely state this principle to us. The calling of God hits you right there and you are no longer dead in your sins and trespasses, but by the grace of the Holy Spirit your eyes are opened to the goodness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have a responsibility to my wife that no one in heaven or earth shares. Recent Sermons "Jesus Divides the Earth" - Matthew 10:34-42 Pastor Jacob Gerber, February 26, 2023 "No Comfort for the Lonely City" - Lamentations 1:1-22 Pastor Andrew Lightner, February 19, 2023 Facebook Phone Email . We cant help but repent from our sins and turn to him in faith to accept the faith offered in Jesus Christ. How you fulfill the demands of that job is just as essential in life as what you do here on Sunday. And so I direct in all the churches. You would work gruelingly long hour. But before we can understand either of these applications, we need to clarify a key word in the principle itself. This is my rule in all the churches. As theyve had to search the scriptures and see the various principles and how the light of Gods word shone into their lives by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Third, for you younger people who have not entered a profession yet, the implication of our text is this: When you ask yourself the question, "What is God's will for my life?" As one commentator, Lenski, writes, Paul is taking the minor idea of these assignments that we have, and he is including them with the major blessing to the call to faith in Jesus Christ.. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) Gods joy gives us perseverance in the midst of sorrow. To what degree should the outside be changed? Never mind. Bible Study & Sermon Videos; 1 corinthians 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 16:17-18. 1 Corinthians:7:32 . 17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. Portland OR 97231, Posted by Pastor Greg Allen on January 27, 2019 under 2019 |, Bethany Bible Church Sunday Message; January 27, 2019 from 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. This is a word that is so often translated in the gospel of John and the letters of John as the word abide. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? What wonderful news that is! Most practically, how do we evaluate opportunities that present themselves? And so, He had His loving eye upon us, and His sovereign hand upon our lives, from the very beginning. As a tax collector, he was a sinful man. That has to do with our outward mode of lifethe place of life in this world that God has granted to us. Do not be concerned about it. The third word is calling or called, and we see this all over this passage. Preach on topics including unity among believers, immorality, spiritual gifts, the meaning of love, and the certainty of the resurrection. You have to be asking does this person really love Jesus. 2. Any duration. Am I perhaps seeing signs, I got this parking spot here, I got a phone call there, is God speaking to me by his providence? The things that we didnt want to do before, we now begin to love to do. Gods peace gives us comfort in the midst of our tears. When I read in Ephesians five that I need to lay down my life for my wife, I have to think about my conversations with her. We are located at the top of the intersection of NW 185th Avenue and Germantown Road. We dont need to find an island that we can settle in and populate that is just for Christians, sealed off from the rest of the world. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.1 Corinthians 7:17-24, ESV And so, the apostle Pauls specific instruction to usthat is, that we remain in the place we were in at the time God called us to Himselfshould be understood to mean that we are not to continue practicing sin. New practices and habits begin to be embraced. 1 Corinthians 7:17-31. Notice, for example, how he illustrated this to us in terms of outward traditions. Then verse 20, "Everyone should remain in the state in which he was called." "Were you a slave when called? Sermon Your Job as Ministry Jun 14, 1981 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 John Piper Article The Spiritual Power of Staying Put Why Christians Are Slow to Leave Jan 19, 2023 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Scott Hubbard Article The Best Form of Slavery Feb 11, 2012 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:22 John Piper Article Paul intended this to be a fundamental principle for all people who have put their faith in Jesus Christ and have become new creations in Him. "The lot is cast in the lap, but the decision is wholly from the Lord" (Proverbs 16:33). Paul gave the same principle again in verse 20; Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Do you notice that Paul referred to that place in which God calls us as a calling? English Standard Version Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. It is so important, in fact, that Paul repeats it three times in this short passage. If they were called to God in a state of cultural freedom, then they are to be faithful to walk with Jesus Christ as His servants within their liberty. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal . For the scriptures to frame how we are looking at this question. The call of God which puts us into believing, loving fellowship with Jesus is a powerful, effective call that draws us to the Son (John 6:44, 65). 1 Corinthians 7:19, ESV Its taking the objective teaching of scriptures and applying it to the specifics of our lives. Paul is saying that circumcision has nothing to do with this. It deals with the single lifestyle and what if offers compares to the marriage. How can I love the Lord God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and how can I love my neighbor as myself wherever I am?What this passage teaches us is that we cannot search for satisfaction in what we are doing, but in how we are doing what we are doing. Even here thats not quite what Paul is saying. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. To seek Godly counsel. This is my rule in all the churches. Rather, we are to walk as a faithful Christian in the very place of life where God has called us to Himselfand to let Him use us there, in that place, as His witnesses for Christ. What if its not just me, what if Im disobedient not to go? In other words, don't make such a big deal out of whether you are circumcised or not, or whether you are white or black or red or Swedish. You dont need to change your social status, just respond right now and repent in faith. The moment any woman or man or young person places their faith in Jesus Christ, they become completely born-again in Him. Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. You should not be driven from one by fear or despair, nor allured to the other by wealth or pride. Literally the verse says, "Let each one remain in the "calling" (not state) in which he was called." That is the great message of this mornings passage. Our new Preaching Suite solution makes it easy to prepare, preach and archive your sermons. Only let everyone lead the life which the Lord has assigned to him, and in which God has called him. These three statements of Paul's principle divide the text into two parts. Caleb Greggsen pastors an English-speaking church in Central Asia. Do not be concerned about it. It was like picking up a part time job to pay off a credit card bill, except you did give away your freedom to do this. In both of those cases, Paul is saying remain in your assignments, whatever they may be as you await the hope of glory when Christ returns. The hope of glory when he returns. We can say in this situation, how can I serve? What do the scriptures teach about how God leads and directs the various circumstances in our lives? I think it is true in the final analysis that this is not an absolute prohibition of accepting freedom, anymore that verse 18 was an absolute prohibition of circumcision. Use it to obey Christ and thus "adorn the doctrine of our great God and Savior" (Titus 2:10). Understand that ancient slavery, the kind that Paul was familiar with at this time, was very different than the kind of slavery that was practiced in the United States until the Civil War. Then and only then may circumcision (as Paul implies in Romans 2:25) and other cultural distinctives become beautiful, in a very secondary and derivative way as expressions of the obedience of faith. The universal default principle is that you should stay where you are. You would not work whenever you please, but you would work at the pleasure of the president, every moment of your life. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Let's read 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. He also gives us some illustrations of what this principle should look like in some specific cases. What did I say, what didnt I say? But if it is not sinful place of lifeif it is not a place that is in violation of Gods clear commandmentsthen we are to remain there and let God work through us. So, he says in verse eighteen, Specifically, Paul talks about the divisions between the Jews and the Gentiles. We are to go to the same job or the same schoolbut were to now do it all as before God, and as His servants, and with trust in Him, and as unto His glory. Thats why Paul said that circumcision is nothing, uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.. When you are called to Christ, even as a bondservant you dont belong to your master but to the Lord. There is no new prophecy, no new words from the Lord, they are already given to us. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. This idea of effectual calling when we are drawn out of our sin to Jesus Christ, that is included in the assignments in which the calling finds us. The time may come when we may do something different, as long as it is lawful and properly available. Part 1: Is He the Christ? You can't be white if you want to be accepted." And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. But otherwise, the believer is to remain in the place where God had called them to Himself; and they should continue walking faithfully with Him there, and allow Him to use them as His witnesses for the kingdom of Jesus. So, Paul then gives a principle. 17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. Likewise he who is called while free is Christs slave. As the Bible tells us, if the Lord Jesus sets us free then we are free indeedeven if, culturally speaking, we are still in a state of slavery. (All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated). In other words, coming to faith in Christ does not make a person want to abandon relationships appointed by God, but to sanctify them. Even though he or she may claim to be a Christian, but does he or she really love Jesus? Up to this point Paul has been talking about remaining in the situations that we find ourselves in in our marriages. What he is talking about here is the situation that a believer, someone who has been called to faith in Jesus Christ and has responded with saving, justifying faith to the call of God, that we believers are called to live a life where we are living in a way that is defined to us by the word of God. God had providentially called them from within that particular relationship in order that He might use them as a witness to their unbelieving husband or unbelieving wife. Indeed, becoming a slave of the right person could be a career choice. Respond to Gods effectual call through faith in Jesus. Either way, we belong completely to Jesus as His new creations. With God! 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Live as You Are Called 17 Only let each person lead the life3 lthat the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. *"This date is an approximation of when this sermon was delivered." THE text does not say that time is short. Jun 14, 1981. Is it a job that is not esteemed as highly as other professions? You were bought with a price. We dont pray for an answer but for an illumination. The translation problem in verse 21 is really tough. But instead make obedience a big deal; make the whole aim of your life to obey the moral law of God. God can save you and make you clean. 1 Corinthians 1:1-17 - God Calls Us to Unity - Study and Obey If Im not in full time ministry, am I really doing something worthwhile? Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? This may be correct, but I find it hard to accept since the principle he is illustrating is expressed in v. 20 as "Everyone should remain in the state in which he was called," and in verse 24 as "In whatever state each was called, there let him remain with God." The question isn,t am I at the right job or church? As a Jewish man, he would never have been indifferent to the covenant sign that God gave to his ancestor Abraham. Gods Calling Teaches Us to Abide with God. The Holy Spirit takes the objective, inspired word of God and he illuminates that to my specific details of my life. What does that mean? We pray. 1 Corinthians 7:17, ESV Old sinful habits and practices begin to be set aside. Charles Hodge describes it this way, This would mean to be near God. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.1 Corinthians 7:23, ESV But that is not the way Paul has used it eight out of the nine times it occurs in this paragraph. Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold. And Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:8-10). John Piper Dec 9, 1984. a- Paul at this time is single. The point is: when you are called into the fellowship of Christ, you gain a new set of radically Christ-centered priorities; so much so that if you are a slave, it should not cause you to fret. Search. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Even if you are free, you are not free. It declares to us how much it is that Jesus transforms the life of whoever trusts in Him. No new uncircumcised believer in Christ was required to become circumcised or to hold to the traditions passed on by Moses. We are to walk as faithful followers of Jesus in whatever place of life it is that God has called us to Himself. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? One of the problems in the church at Corinth was the uncertainty about how faith in Christ should affect the ordinary relationships of human life. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 A Sermon By Scott Lindsay We are continuing this morning in our study of Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, picking up at verse 17 of chapter 7 and working through to verse 24 of that same chapter. Before we can move onto anything else, respond to the call of God in Jesus Christ. Once the person came the sign gave way to a reality. These are our assignments, the relationships that God has given us to live in. So, the first thing that Paul talks about are these honorable assignments between different people groups. He ought not to boast if he is a doctor or lawyer or executive, and he ought not to be self-pitying or depressed if he has a job that society esteems less highly. . To every person. Thats not what Im saying.The Bible talks about how husbands should relate to wives, but the Bible doesnt tell Jacob how he should relate to Allison. For those principles from your word, for the clear teaching of your word to so saturate everything we think and do that your Holy Spirit can illuminate our responsibilities, our vows, our promises, the needs of others around us in a way that accords with what you have taught in your word. Gods Calling Transcends Horizontal Assignments Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Jews were separated physically from other people by the sign of circumcision that God gave to them. Now obviously, staying in that place in which He called us assumes that it is not an inherently sinful place. 1- They seem to be looking to Paul as an example for the Christian life. He found it to be exhausting and difficult and almost impossible to keep. So often when we go to the Bible, we are trying to get answers to our questions; what school should I go to, who should I marry? This is why we look for a word of the Lord, you dont need a word from the Lord, you already have it. The first word is assignments, I see this in verse seventeen. Let him not seek circumcision.1 Corinthians 7:18, ESV 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 Study Guide: Why Not Rather Be Cheated? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. First Corinthians 7:17-24 expands on Paul's rule of thumb: that Christians should remain in whatever situation they were in when they came to faith in Christ. 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. An opportunity we are going to see is a lawful and properly available path where we might change our circumstances. So the principle that the apostle follows is: stay in your God-ordained relationships; do not seek to abandon them or destroy them. Now; this fundamental principle is given to us in three verses. Luke 1:26-45 Study Guide: What did Mary Know? And what we all need to hear is that what lies most on the heart of God is not whether we move from one to the other, but whether in our present work we are enjoying God's promised presence and obeying his commands in the way we do our work. Later text clarifies that Paul is not denouncing marriage or forbidding it in any sense. In verse 21, he wrote, Were you called while a slave? If you are Mexican, don't try to become American; if you are American, don't try to become Mexican. One of the most amazing and encouraging verses in the Bible is 2 Corinthians 5:17. ", 18245 NW Germantown Road We begin to pray about everything. All of us, in whatever assignments we find ourselves, we are the slaves of Jesus Christ and that transcends any worldly employment or assignment. How do you know if they are good or if you should pursue them? Do you notice how he was able to say how thankful he was for his calling? That was about the most offensive thing Paul could say to a Jew: Circumcision is nothing. Faith in Christ as Lord and Savior will never destroy the covenant of marriage which God ordained at creation. But as you see, Zacchaeus didnt remain in that sinful lifestyle any longer. Ill show you where Im going to be getting these terms from. We can remain our situations because we abide with God. When Jesus said in Matthew 22:14, "Many are called, but few are chosen," he referred to the world-wide call of the gospel which many people hear and reject to their own doom. You have heard this morning about how He transforms the lives of all those who trust Him. What should we be saying? 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 April 21, 2002 Intro: Again Paul seems to be alluding to a series of questions presented to him. Gods Calling Transcends Vertical Assignments John 5:19-29 Study Guide: Jesus Gives Life, John 5:30-47 Study Guide: The Scriptures Point to Me, John 6:22-40 Study Guide: I am the Bread of Life, John 6:41-59 Study Guide: Jesus Addresses the Skeptics. We begin to read the Bible with new passion and understanding. Apollos then went to Achaia (of which Corinth was the capitol) where he gave a powerful witness to the messiahship of Jesus (Acts 18:24-28). He says if you have an opportunity to gain your freedom, avail yourself of that opportunity. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? But it may be, as Jesus predicted in Matthew 10:34ff., that the rebellion and unbelief of the unbelieving spouse will turn Christianity into a sword that severs, instead of a peaceful balm that heals. Its a fundamental principle for us here today, dear brothers and sisters. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? We are to "remain with God" rather than be bitter about how our life has unfolded and work hard to try to fix it (1 Corinthians 7:17, 24). Pray with me. Let Him make you into a new creation. Most modern versions say, "Were you a slave when called? We start seeking out fellowship with other Christians. This is a very important principle. Everything, everything falls before the priority of God. What matters is whether we are being encouraged and humbled by the presence of God. We are anxious about so many things, but our Heavenly Father knows that we need all of these things. So I command in all the churches. Is yours a menial job? Paul himself was a devoted Jewish man; and becoming a follower of Jesus didnt mean that he had to abandon the traditions of his fathers. Instead what we need to do is to ask for illumination. Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. Ultimately your circumstances are of deeply secondary importance. Let him not be circumcised. Its a good question. Am I doing the right thing? I have to ask for the illumination to understand the objective teaching of scripture, does that line up with this situation? It doesnt work that way. In other words, in communion with God this would secure their contentment and happiness. All things truly have become new. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. Christians are prone to this too. If we are always trying to discern if we are getting what we need, we will never be content. Our big idea today is this,We can abide in our circumstances because God calls us to abide with him. 28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears, we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.1 John 2:28, ESV Are you single, married? Your job is to search the scriptures and ask how this speaks into the general principles as you are praying for illumination. It is no accident that you are where you are. He has sovereignly called us as He did for a purpose. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. Thats why slave of Christ, in verse twenty-two, could be an honorable designation suggested a position of some authority.. (1 Corinthians 7:17-24) . Do not be concerned about it Paul didnt mean, of course, that it was a matter of indifference that someone was a slave. Am I living my best life now? Introduction I am reminded of the illustration by Emo Phillips: I was walking . I know what God has called me to be to my family and I know that this job will take time away from me which will cut into the way that I should be loving my family and the way that I should be serving in my church and my neighbors. Paul's first application of the principle is not to vocation, but to circumcision and uncircumcision. You have to look at what the scriptures teach, and you have to ask for Gods illumination to see how that relates to what is in front of me. Paul went on to tell them that, if their unbelieving husband or unbelieving wife resented their new life in Christif they hated their faith so much that they did not want to stay with them any longerthen the believer should allow that unbelieving spouse to go. This is the word of our God for us this morning. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:22-24. That is when he invites us to trust in the Lord Jesus through faith. But the apostles and church leaders met together, and prayed together, and declared from the Lord that this was not necessary. Here begins our text in 1 Corinthians 7:17. So, we bring in these ideas of following the will of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:17 Sermons: Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, so let him walk. And do you remember what Zacchaeus did? )1 Corinthians 7:21, ESV This is absolutely imperative to grasp lest we create a new legalism. What matters in life and in eternal life is staying close to God and enjoying his presence. First, God is very much more concerned with the way you do the job that you now have than he is with whether you get a new job. 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. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity. And note one more thing. Never mind. I think we have a great example of this from the Bible. A brand new inner lifemade gloriously new in Christhas begun. Am I in the will of God? Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 24 and are . Paul says you are missing the point, you dont have to worry about the ethnic or national boundaries that existed in the old covenant because the call of Jesus Christ comes to all kinds of people in all kinds of cultures and the call says, follow Jesus where you are. 7 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. In whatever place of life we were in, at that time when we were called by God to place our faith in Jesus and trust Him as our Savior, we are to remain there as if with God. For many of us that may mean turning over a new leaf tomorrow morning.