1 Corinthians 7:1-16

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

1 Song

Exodus 20:14 ESV

“You shall not commit adultery.

Micah 7:19 ESV

He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

2 Song

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

3 Song

Gospel in Word

Catechism 38

What is prayer?

Question 38

What is prayer?

Prayer is pouring out our hearts to God in praise, petition, confession of sin, and thanksgiving.

Scripture Reading

1 Timothy 5:17–6:2 ESV

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden. Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.

Prayer

Acts 4:11–12 ESV

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Forgiven Forgivers

Matthew 6:12 ESV

and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Chris and Emmy Robertson

Churches worshiping after Irma and Revival

Sermon

Introduction

In this text Paul is drawing on the biblical principles for marriage and human sexuality to speak into specific questions in the Corinthian church

Paul is giving counsel to Christians in different situations on how to pursue sexual purity and avoid sexual temptation.

Preaching to a multi-generational audience

The Word of God is for the gathered congregation

The Word of God is also for specific demographics

Can’t give a complete theology of marriage, singleness, sex, and divorce. But we can speak clearly and briefly about what God says in general.

1 Corinthians 7:1–16 ESV

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

The Text

Is it holy to abstain in Marriage? (v. 1-5)

Abstinence in marriage is not holy, it is the opposite, especially with one spouse pursues it without the consent of the other.

It leaves spouses more vulnerable to the temptation to sexual immorality.

It undermines the one-flesh nature of marriage, the mutual authority that spouses have over one another. How can I use my sexuality to serve my spouse?

This passage does not allow for and the Bible specifically rejects:

One spouse objectifying the other.

A demanding attitude about sex in marriage.

Physical intimacy that runs counter to relational, emotional, and spiritual intimacy. Sex is one component of our selves and marriages.

Physical intimacy in marriage as the only way to avoid sexual sin.

The only time that regular intimacy in marriage should be interrupted is by mutual agreement for focused prayer.

Celibacy instead of Marriage? (v. 6-9)

Paul commends the holiness and usefulness of chosen or unchosen celibate Christian singleness for those who are unmarried or widows.

Part of the call to singleness is God’s gift of self-control in the area of sexual purity. Note, if you are single you are called to celibacy whether or not you’re called to lifelong singleness.

Should a Christian divorce a Christian? (v. 10-11)

Should a Christian divorce a Christian? ian? (v.

Divorce an Non-Christian?

Notice that Paul magnifies the force of his argument by appealing to the direct words of Jesus ().

In the inevitable difficulties of marriage it may be that a Christian begins to think,

“I would be better off divorced.”

“I could serve God more if I were divorced.”

“God must want me to get divorce.”

“Jesus’s command against divorce doesn’t apply in my situation.”

Divorce does not glorify God. God says...

God is never more glorified in divorce.

1 Corinthians 7:10–11 ESV

To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.

Mark 10:11–12 ESV

And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

Should a Christian divorce a non-Christian? (v. 12-16)

Marriage difficulties are even more magnified when one spouse is a Christian and the other is not or when one spouse is converted and the other is not.

Divorce does not glorify God.

If you are in a “mixed” marriage, remain as you are, and look to God who can save anyone at anytime.

Implications

God wants us to pursue sexual purity and avoiding sexual temptation.

God is very specific about human sexuality.

Purpose to love God and others as single and therefore celibate in advance of marriage.

Purpose to love God and other single and therefore celibate as a lifelong calling.

Purpose to love God and others through joyful and regular romance and physical intimacy in life-long marriage between you and your spouse.

We stand with God against all sexual sin.

We stand with God supporting marriages and against divorce.

We believe in the grace of Jesus Christ that enables and equips us...

for our calling

to repent of an forsake sexual sin

to walk in the forgiveness and holiness that God provides to his children.

Communion

Luke 22:19–20 ESV

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

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