“If only …!”
1 Corinthians: "Life Under Grace" • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 9:12
Pastor Austin Prince
Minister: Christians, the Lord is calling you into his worship!
Congregation: We will give thanks to you, O LORD, with our whole heart; we will tell of all your wonderful deeds. We will be glad and exult in you; we will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
†PRAYER OF ADORATION AND INVOCATION
Lord our God, who art worthy to be praised and to be had in reverence of all those who are before you; Grant unto us, as we come to you in worship, the gift of thy Holy Spirit, that being cleansed and sanctified we may serve thee with gladness, and find our joy in worshipping thy glory.
†OPENING HYMN OF PRAISE #320
“As with Gladness Men of Old”
†CORPORATE CONFESSION OF SIN
based on Exodus 20
Minister: “God spoke all these words, saying, I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make idolatrous images; to have or to worship.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness.
You shall not covet.
Congregation: Almighty God, we confess that we have sinned against your holy law in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. We have not loved our neighbor as we love ourselves. By grace through faith, you made us righteous in Christ. Yet we have not lived with the perfect purity of our savior.
Forgive us, for his sake. Purify us, by his blood. Wrap us in his love and righteousness, that we might stand before you on the day of judgment, and find favor. We thank you that the promises of forgiveness we find in your word are true. Give us the Holy Spirit, that we might live before you more faithfully. Make us glad for our salvation, and eager to serve your holy will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
“O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” (Psalm 130:7–8, ESV)
CONTINUAL READING OF SCRIPTURE Exodus 5
Paul Mulner, Elder
THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND OUR GIFTS
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
†HYMN OF PREPARATION #313
“Angels, from the Realms of Glory”
SERMON 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Live as Called Pastor Austin Prince
ILLUMINATION
O Lord, as we open now your word, we pray that the eyes of our heart may be enlightened, so that we may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that we may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
TEXT
1 Corinthians 7:17–24 (ESV) — 17 Only let 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. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
AFTER SCRIPTURE
The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of the Lord endures forever. Amen.
Intro:
What to do with our lives?
Marriage, Divorce, singleness, slavery, children
The grace of God had changed everything
Outline:
Principle:
Illustration:
Application:
Principle
Principle
1 Corinthians 7:17 (ESV) — 17 Only let 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.
1 Corinthians 7:17 (KJV 1900) — 17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
God’s assignment/distribution
God takes us where we are (marriages, parents, health, past record, etc.)
He is sovereign over our placement, situation, and the timing of it all.
The Lord’s calling
God has redeemed you where you were, in whatever situation you were in. We can begin to feel that we are always on the verge of God really loving us and accepting us, if only we could reach the nest plane of spiritual life (more prayer, giving, reading, etc.). But God has redeemed you and called you where you were. Relax, He loves you.
Like a parent who does wish for his kids to grow, but doesn’t love them any less where they are in their development.
“God is in the process of redeeming a fallen world, restoring it, which is not the same thing as arranging do-overs” - Wilson
So Let him walk
Illustration
Illustration
1 Corinthians 7:18–23 (ESV) — 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.
Circumcision: Cultural/physical/identity changes
Circumcision was a sign of identity.
Some Jews who became Christians wished to hide their Jewishness (like at the gym where they were naked. Most people in gyms now are only half naked)
Some Christians wished to become circumcised (or were forced - see Galatians) in order to be true or better Christians
The gospel isn’t only “skin deep”. “Neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God” (v.19).
The illustration here is a physical one, but it represents a crisis of identity. The changing of our physical appearance to identify with a more faithful Christianity.
What would that look like practically now?
Think of missions: Does an African need to become more American to be a faithful Christian?
Do we need to change the way we dress? Maybe, if the way we dress isn’t honoring to God. But it certainly isn’t a specific “christian” style.
At Southern Seminary where I went to school, you needed a beard and a fountain pen.
In the PCA the joke is that it stands for Pipes, Cigars, and Alcohol.
Our identity is shaped by the word of God. Faithful obedience to the commandments of God is what identifies a Christian, not their dress, or music, or food, etc.
A high visibility case of that recently is with the tattoo artist Kat Von D
“Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.” (Romans 2:27–29, ESV)
Slavery: Station/situation/status/stature
“Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.” (1 Corinthians 7:20–23, ESV)
Do you need to become rich, married, healthy, or poor to be a faithful Christian?
I had a friend who used to tell me what he would do for the church if he was rich. It was always future oriented, as if his present obedience mattered less than his future hopes to give great amounts.
“Do not be concerned (troubled) about it” - Do not fret. ***Do not think that you are less of a Christian, or that you are in any way separated from God, because of your circumstances.
Don’t fall into the trap of “if only…x,y,z” I would be a happy, faithful, and good Christian. Serve God where you are. Do not be afraid.
“if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity”
Commentators have some trouble over this verse. It can be taken two ways: 1) seize the opportunity to free yourself, or 2) use your situation/take advantage of it without changing it.
Both interpretations shed light on this dynamic.
It’s not wrong to change stations (jobs, singleness, etc.). It is wrong if we equate that to spiritual wholeness.
Embracing where we are and being faithful always has grace to give as it glorifies God.
“The Duties are ours, and events are the Lord's." - Samuel Rutherford
“do not be bondservants of men” - the Christian lives on another plane than to be controlled by the opinions of men.
whether you are “free” and proud or a “slave” and of lowly estate, God has called you to freedom or bondage in Him. We are all elevated in a sense to Christ and the family of God.
In Christ you are a free man.
Application
Application
1 Corinthians 7:24 (ESV) — 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
Our circumstances change, but God does not
Think of Bible characters who became faithful where God planted them. Moses, Daniel, Ruth, Esther, Peter, Paul. God uses us where we are and always shapes our circumstances for His glory. Do not believe that God cannot use you.
What can we say to the congregation where they are?
What can we say to young people as they enter careers and school?
Don’t fall into the trap of “if only…x,y,z” I would be a happy, faithful, and good Christian. Serve God where you are. Do not be afraid.
You are not your station in life. Your identity is not your vocation, your past, your family heritage, marriage status, health, etc. You were bought with a price. God loves you and has redeemed you. Serve God where he has placed you with all of your heart—that’s our ambition in life.
†HYMN OF RESPONSE #303
“All Praise to You, Eternal Lord”
THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Minister: Lift up your hearts!
Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord.
Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Congregation: It is right for us to give thanks and praise!
CONFESSION OF FAITH Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A’s 32, 34
Minister: Christians, confess your faith in Christ!
Congregation: I am called Christian because by faith I am a member of Christ and so share in His anointing. I am anointed to confess His name, to present myself to Him as a living sacrifice of thanks, to strive with a good conscience against sin and the devil in this life, and afterward to reign with Christ over all creation for all eternity.
We call Him ‘our Lord’ because - not with gold or silver, but with His precious blood He has set us free from sin and from the tyranny of the devil, and has bought us, body and soul, to be His very own.
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
// ad hoc invitation or use below if needed //
As we were reminded from Scripture this morning. God is faithful. And though it does cause us to remember, this table is no mere memorial to that faithfulness. The bread and wine offered here is tangible evidence of that faithfulness as the grace of God, through union with Christ, is given to those who receive these elements by faith. This meal boldly proclaims and exhibits the faithfulness of God, who so loved his own people, sinners as they were, that he became man for their salvation.
No one should come to this table without recognizing that it is his faithfulness, and not ours, that makes us worthy recipients. Those who may come to receive the Lord’s body and blood are those who rely entirely on God’s faithfulness for their hope and assurance.
// ad hoc invitation or use above if needed – typically always use what’s below //
This meal is for those who are sorry for their sin and those who hate their sin. This table welcomes all who belong to Christ through repentance, faith, baptism, and continuing union with his Church. If you do not repent of your sin, you must not come. If you do not believe you have sinned, you must not come. But if you know your sin, and confess it, he is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness and this table is for you. Come, touch, taste and see the faithfulness of God.
PRAYER
DISTRIBUTION OF THE ELEMENTS
After elements are distributed read the WOI while congregation is partaking.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND SHARING OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
M: The Lord Jesus, the same night he was betrayed, took bread;
and when he had given thanks,
he broke it
and gave it to them, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you:
do this in remembrance of me.”
After the same manner also, he took the cup when they had supped,
saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood:
this do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
†OUR RESPONSE #572
“Gloria Patri”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
†BENEDICTION: GOD’S BLESSING FOR HIS PEOPLE
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord makes His face to shine upon you and is gracious to you. The Lord lifts up His countenance upon you and gives you peace. Amen.
GRACE NOTES REFLECTION
In 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, Paul encourages the Corinthian believers to be faithful where they are, regardless of their past. What a fitting reminder as we start a new year filled with new mercies! Take your past, your record, your pedigree, and consider yourself crucified with Christ–it is no longer you who lives but christ in you (Gal. 2:20).
What would it look like for you to “walk in faithfulness” (1 Cor. 7:17) this new year?
What will it look like today?
Let’s say you make it a few days (or a few minutes) with the right diet, reading plan, attitude, prayer time, etc. this year and then get off track. What now? How does this text encourage us to view our status before God and pick up where we left off motivated by grace and not shame?