1 Corinthians 7:25-40, Called to Devotion
Theological Proposition/Focus:
Homiletical Proposition/Application: The call of a Christian is a call to devotion. Yes, there are commitments in life, but all commitments should be measured and evaluated through the lens of devotion to Christ.
Introduction: Memory Verse: - 1 Cor. 7:17
Image: Devotion - Hollywood understands the word, just not the object.
One of my favorite movies, if not my all time favorite is the movie Rogue One. The closing Act of the movie is probably one of the best written acts I have ever watched. As the act comes to a close the rebels in complete devotion to the cause sacrifice everything. I think the reason that Rogue One is so moving is because I have a younger brother who flies for the Air Force and if it came down to it, I know that he would make the ultimate sacrifice in devotion to his country, his family, and his fellow soldiers. He would give it all in devotion.
I hope that I will have the strength to give it all in devotion to my Lord. But for some reason, there is an even harder question. Jesus has not at this point asked me to die in devotion to himself. Instead, I think he has asked for something harder. Jesus asks me to live in devotion to himself.
Need: We need to check ourselves and make sure that our actions are the actions of a devoted Christ follower.
Preview: What does it look like to be truly devoted to Christ? Well, major decisions will be made through the lens of Christian identity whether married or single. Ultimately, the thing we pass down to the next generation should be our devotion to Christ.
Text:.
Setting the Stage:
At this point in our study of First Corinthians we have learned a lot about our calling.
Paul wrote about marriage, divorce, celibacy, widowhood, slavery, in all cases Paul reminded his readers that our identity must be in Christ.
Today we are going to see how Paul writes to those who are unmarried and have never been married.
Now some of you are in this category, but many of us are not.
Still, the text is applicable because what we learn our undivided devotion to the Lord should influence our every decision.
Body
Devotion to Christ requires that major life decisions be considered through the lens of your Christian identity (25-28).
The inspiration of Scripture demands that we adopt not just the spoken words of Christ but the entire Bible as our authority (25).
Here is reality, there is a lot more to Theology than just the words Christ spoke during his earthly ministry! A lot more.
The Gospels, represent just under 8% of the entire Bible. And the Words of Christ recorded in the Gospels even less.
If we are to live properly we need to base everything on the entire Bible and look at life through a theological lens.
Not every life situation was covered by Jesus.
Paul acknowledged that Jesus had not taught specifically on virgins in this context.
But that did not mean that truth could not be known. The Holy Spirit working through Paul provided both authoritative teaching and a model for answering unanswered questions.
Virgins were those who had never been married
Using the theological principles that had been laid down people would know how to properly handle this case.
Image: Don't fall for the Red Letter Bible Fallacy
Red letter Bibles are something that is popular. After all, the words of Jesus are important right! Yes, they are important, all of them, even the ones not written in red! We need to be careful that we take all of Scripture and apply it to the situations of life. We believe the entire Bible is inspired and so we believe it all speaks to the issues of life. Since we identify as Christ followers is should be the lens through which we view everything.
Serious life commitments should only be made after considering theological principles (26).
In context the emphasis Paul is making in verse 26 is likely on the reality that the current age could end at any moment when Christ returns.
For Paul, our Kingdom responsibilities should be so consuming that we stop worrying about changing our status.
Note: the word present may mean imminent or even impending so it is reasonable to think of this as a coming distress.
The word for distress is the same word Luke uses to describe the distress in the last days (Luke 21:23).
Since the corinthians know that the coming Kingdom is what really matters, they should make decisions that focus on the coming Kingdom
When we make a decision we need to consider the theological significance of the decision. We should be kingdom minded not status minded.
An informed decision is very different than a hasty decision (27-28).
Pledged likely refers to betrothal.
In the ancient world engagement carried a significant amount of weight. Paul has already spoken to married individuals. Now he speaks to those who are engaged and the message that Paul shares is one that says, don't seek to change your status.
A think a key word is "seek" changing status is not a problem (just look at verse 28). Letting it consume you is a huge problem.
The principle we need to recognize is a wise principle. We should make informed not hasty decisions. You are allowed to be married, you are allowed to be engaged, you are allowed to be single. However, you must make wise decisions that weigh the consequences.
Married life brings with it a bunch of responsibilities. Don't enter into it without considering the cost.
The issue of marriage is not a moral (sin) issue, it is a pastoral (counseling) issue.
Ultimately, our decisions should be weighed on the scales of eternity (29-31).
Life lived on the scales of eternity is a life lived with Christ as the priority and this should effect everything.
Marriage
Your marriage comes after your relationship to Christ!
We live in a word with broken families. That is a reality. Most people do not give their spouse enough. That is a reality. However, we cannot let the pendulum swing too far. Your marriage must take second place to your Savior! I have seen people put family first and fall hard. I don't know that I have seen anyone put God first, family second, and fall. Although I must admit I have seen many people put themselves first but call it God and fall.
Mourning
This was a culture where mourning was a major event.
We cannot wallow in sadness regardless of the circumstances, it is a distraction from what matters.
Rejoicing
Even our joy must be metered in our devotion to Christ and His Kingdom.
Property
The things of the world
Image: Single-mindedness can drive you nuts but we should be single minded
Have you ever interacted with someone who is single-mindedly focussed on one item. Everything they do always has to relate back to that one item. Just for fun let's imagine it is the huskers. Maybe when you ask what's for dinner they use it as an excuse to talk about the foot at Memorial stadium. When you ask how work went all they tell you about is the conversations they had about the football game. As you are getting ready for bed the conversation quickly turns to what time the game is at on Saturday. Even a simple discussion about doing the laundry turns into a conversation about the huskers rushing game.
You all have experienced something like this and know what I am talking about! Well, this is how we should be treating the Kingdom of God. Somehow we figure out a way to make every conversation relate back to Christ. Somehow every decision, no matter how small is connected with the coming Kingdom.
MTR: Ask yourself: What major decisions will I still make in life? What does it look like to view these decisions through the lens of my Christian identity?
College
Job
Spouse
Children
House
Retirement
Devotion to Christ is the goal, married or single (32-35).
Mark 12:30 states "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."
We must understand that this verse applies to all of us, regardless of our status.
Singleness must be seen as an opportunity to uniquely serve the Lord (32,34a).
Here is a reality that we must acknowledge, being single provides a unique opportunity to give your complete devotion to God!
We will talk about married individuals here in a few minutes but before then we need to realize what blessing singleness can be. This does not mean we take advantage of single people, or that everyone should seek to be single. It does mean that there is a special place in the church for a single person.
Marriage brings particular obligations and priorities (33, 34b).
A married individual is called to be devoted to God
However, in that devotion there will be priorities
Marriage demands that we take responsibility for another.
Marriage demands that we divide our interests.
Marriage demands that we split time.
Image: Reading my Bible and Emily interrupts me
I love reading my Bible and I do it a lot. As a very goal oriented individual I also set some pretty big goals for reading my Bible. For a number of years, while reading my Bible, inevitably Emily would come to me with a Bible question. Frustrated I would groan, stop my timer, answer her question - with attitude - start my timer, and get back to reading. Then after way too many years I realized, I have made my Bible reading about me, my wife is asking a question, trying to grow, and I am dismissing her.
What does this example prove? That as a married man, even my devotion to my Lord requires that I sacrifice my way of doing it.
Our highest aim should be devotion to Christ (35).
What Paul is saying it "this is not legalism!" This is instead what it means to be devoted to Christ. Grace allows you God's favor even as a sinner. Grace does not mean that you should do whatever you want.
MTR: Ask yourself, how is God calling me to show devotion to Christ?
Devotion to Christ is to be our primary focus (36-40).
The Greek here is very hard, in fact the NIV footnotes provide an alternate translation.
On the surface these translations are very different but the underlying meaning is the same
You can be devoted to Christ regardless of your circumstances.
You can be devoted to Christ as a married person (36).
The message of the verse is pretty straightforward, if someone is struggling to control their passions then marriage is an option.
Remember, this is written to a people who are probably caught up in this idea that it is more spiritual not to marry. Paul is very directly stating that this is not the case. Marriage is perfectly fine.
You can be devoted to Christ as a single person (37).
Paul lays out 4 conditions on the individual who does not marry.
Settled the matter in his own mind.
The idea here is that the individual has made the decision and will not on a whim change his mind.
Not in a position where marriage was required.
This one is harder, but perhaps a slave who was told they had to marry to bear children.
Having control over his own desires.
Made up one's mind.
What I want to emphasize in these criteria is the idea that the decision to remain celibate must be a decision that an individual makes and determines to keep.
Devotion to Christ, not culture, should dictate our actions (38-40).
We tend to get hung up on the word "better" in verse 38.
Paul does place a lot of emphasis on how useful a single person can be, but remember, the married state is called good.
Finally, Paul gives a general rule: Christians Mary Christians!
The point here is that one's devotion to Christ changes everything.
Image: WWJD or how will this effect my ability to serve?
I remember when WWJD bracelets were all the craze. Asking What Would Jesus Do is great but I don't think it is enough. We need to not just ask what would Jesus do, we need to ask how this will effect my ability to serve Jesus. Does this action or step reflect my devotion to my Savior.
