For holy Scripture causes a hard knot in this matter, in that the Apostle says, that, by commandment of the Lord, the wife ought not to depart from . There is no new prophecy, no new words from the Lord, they are already given to us. Not only the president but anyone at higher rank than you could dump whatever work they wanted to on you. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Paul had planted the church in Corinth on his second missionary journey ( Acts 17:16-18:17 ). When we are called into a relationship with Jesus, God calls us in a place where we still have our old friends and old relations. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 1 Corinthians:7:32 . Likewise he who is called while free is Christs slave. The Bible doesnt say yes it will or no it wont. 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. So, he says in verse eighteen, Someone was just as able to be called to God through Christand to live for Jesus just as faithfullyin a state of slavery as much as in a state of freedom. Paul is saying that change, as good as it is and as much as you should pursue it if you can, that change is unnecessary in light of what we are called to in Christ. Hes talking about this calling about what Jesus has done and a calling to believe that what Jesus has done is for me.Let me read you what the Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 67 defines the effectual call as it looks at all the places this word is used in scripture. 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. Notice verse 17, "Let everyone lead the life which the Lord assigned to him, and in which God has called him." 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 (ID: 1640) In 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, Paul called for stability and contentment among believers regardless of their station in life. Those arent even the right questions to ask.Instead we need to ask how do I serve Christ and others here, right now in these relationships, in these circumstances that God has put me? To be perpetually mindful of his presence and favor. Besides this, we know that there are some jobs in which you could not stay and obey God's commands: e.g., prostitution, numerous forms of indecent and corrupting entertainment, and others in which you may be forced to exploit people. February 17, 2020. He repented of his sinful practices. Paul then wrote a letter to the Christians at Corinth warning them "to have no company with sexual sinners" (1 Corinthians 5:9), but that letter has been lost to us. Were on a mission to change that. Luke 1:26-45 Study Guide: What did Mary Know? He could have said, "For being a slave is nothing, and being a freedman is nothing, but keeping the commands of God is everything." Use it to obey Christ and thus "adorn the doctrine of our great God and Savior" (Titus 2:10). Never mind. One of the questions that they asked had to do with their marriages. Gods joy gives us perseverance in the midst of sorrow. You dont have to join a new people group. Seized By Temptation - 1 Corinthians 10:13. Podcast: Play in new window Verse 17 says, "Let everyone lead the life which the Lord has assigned to him." He applies it like this: if you were converted as a Gentile, don't try to become a Jew. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 New International Version Concerning Change of Status 17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. Paul says, white is nothing, black is nothing, red is nothing, yellow is nothing, but keeping God's commandments is everything; therefore, don't try to switch cultures. So, in verse nineteen Paul says, just to explain this a little further, Up to this point Paul has been talking about remaining in the situations that we find ourselves in in our marriages. I have to think, do those things line up? 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. Search. Paul could have given the very same theological reason for this position as he did in verse 19. Are you single, married? You dont need to change your social status, just respond right now and repent in faith. How do we discern the Lords word in our lives? And again, he says the same thing in verse 24; Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called. Literally, the apostle Paul wrote, In whatever you were called, brethren, in this remain before God. And note carefully the manner in which Paul tells us to remain in that calling; that is, with God. 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. The upshot of this is that whether a person is a slave or a freedman, it ought not be the cause of his despair or his pride. If you have an opportunity to go and follow a different religion that rejects the Lord Jesus Christ, that in sin. Even here thats not quite what Paul is saying. Again, in verse eleven 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. 1 corinthians 7 17 24, Sermon series on 1 corinthians 7 17 24, Sermon series about 1 corinthians 7 17 24. We cant help but repent from our sins and turn to him in faith to accept the faith offered in Jesus Christ. The greener grass syndrome, where we look for somewhere else or a different situation where my life would be easier or just flat out better. Are we doing this in response of faith and the obedience to Jesus Christ in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in? It declares to us how much it is that Jesus transforms the life of whoever trusts in Him. Part 1: Is He the Christ? How do you know if they are good or if you should pursue them? The real contrast, it seems to me, should be expressed as: "Don't let your slavery make you anxious, but instead use it." Sometimes we start to ask, what if my good shepherd wants me to go to a greener pasture? What matters is not whether our job is high or low in man's eyes. What should you do? Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Even so, we know that they are a sinner and you are a sinner. Sermons on 1 Corinthians 7:17-24: showing 1-15 of 94 Sort By Scripture Clear Scripture Filters Rating 5 stars 4 stars or more 3 stars or more Any Rating Date Last Week Last Month Last 3 Months Last 6 Months Last Year Any Time Denominations Adventist (1) Anglican (1) Assembly Of God (4) Baptist (30) Calvary Chapel (2) Show more Language English (93) 1 Corinthians 7:22, ESV If she wanted to marry, and her father would not allow her to do so, she might disgrace her father and ruin her own testimony by marrying the wrong person. Paul has already made that case in marriage and singleness, then in circumcision and uncircumcision. Instead, they should stay in the marriage in which God had called them to Himself. But the next things that Paul goes on to talk about in verse twenty through twenty-three are vertical boundaries. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. Old sinful habits and practices begin to be set aside. With long-suffering and prayer and humble, exemplary conduct, the believing partner longs to win the unbeliever. So, we bring in these ideas of following the will of the Lord. I think that the greatest explanation of what Paul meant is found in Romans 2. When you serve your master, you are not serving him, but the Lord. Again Paul answers, no. I have to think about the specifics of that in relation to who I am and who she is. Paul is a very unfashionable thinker and, therefore, eternally relevant. The question this morning is do you hear Gods effectual call? Acknowledging God in every moment of every day in prayer. Gods peace gives us comfort in the midst of our tears. If everything on the inside is new, should we then completely get rid of every aspect of the outside life and start over? 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. You would not work whenever you please, but you would work at the pleasure of the president, every moment of your life. Still, we might ask the question why Paul doesnt seek that the institution of slavery be abolished all together? In verse 21, he wrote, Were you called while a slave? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. 1) God put us here. It is, in fact, a principle for all those who believe on Jesusand in all the churches that belong to Him. We are going to see three sections in our study of this text. 2) Even before our salvation God worked for our good. Thats because its a manifestation of Gods providential work in our lives. 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 Study Guide: The Sin of Tolerance. We begin to pray about everything. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24: Christianity and Staves: E. Hurndall : 1 Corinthians 7:20-24: Pulpit Commentary Homiletics. 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. You dont need an objective ruling, you need illumination. 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. What do we mean by this? Part 2: The Truth from God, John 7:37-39 Study Guide: What's the Deal with Jesus? I have no doubt that, if all our young people are bending every effort to stay close to God and to obey the commands of Scripture, God will distribute them in the world exactly where he wants their influence for him. We belong to Him wherever He calls us; For, as Paul tells us in verses 22, he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lords freedman. The moment any woman or man or young person places their faith in Jesus Christ, they become completely born-again in Him. The new legalism would say, "You can't be circumcised if you want to be saved. Those that He has called to Himself by faith in Jesus were chosen by Him for that relationship long before they were ever born. Are you feeling and sensing Jesus Christ drawing you to himself through his spirit? | Download (0.2KB), Worship Time Childcare provided for children ages 0-7, Revival Prayer Meeting, 6:00 pm at the church, Church Prayer Group, 7:00 pm at the church, Men's Breakfast, 7:30 am at the 185th Shari's. John Piper Jun 14, 1981. The people group that God assigned you by your birth is in no way a hinderance to believing the gospel and following after the call of Jesus Christ to believe in him. Slaves were sometimes highly educated and trusted with administrative responsibility. He has sovereignly called us as He did for a purpose. The Holy Spirit living in us helps us to walk through life in a new way. (All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated). I think Paul himself might be a good example for us in this. by Alistair Begg. If you were converted as a Jew, don't try to become a Gentile. 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?" Were you called while a slave? We can remain our situations because we abide with God. Many of them demanded that the Gentiles who were coming to Christ now needed to become circumcised and to follow the traditions passed on by Moses. There is no clear objective rule on this. Between the bottom two pieces are verses 2123 where the principle is applied to slavery and freedom. Text: 1 Corinthians 7 Teachings For Singles and Widows "It is good for a man not to marry (v.1)." - For the singles, Paul strongly suggested that it is better for a man not to marry. We know this not only because of the exceptions Paul allowed to his principle here in 1 Corinthians 7 (cf. 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. Sermon . Quietness Of Spirit . Most modern versions say, "Were you a slave when called? Thats the most important thing. One is the work of the Holy Spirit in the objective inspiration of the Bible. What if its not just me, what if Im disobedient not to go? Let him not become uncircumcised. To be circumcised, of course, was to bear upon ones self the covenant sign of Israel. Denomination: Salvation Army. God looked upon us when we were dead in our sins and trespasses, when we were nonresponsive to God. Literally the verse says, "Let each one remain in the "calling" (not state) in which he was called." 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.1 Corinthians 7:17-24, ESV Rather, he meant that ones place in the social structure as a slave didnt affect whether or not someone was able to be a follower of Jesus. He had betrayed his own Jewish kinsmen; and he was collecting taxes from them for the Roman government. And Paul's answer is: You don't need to abandon your vocation if you can stay in it with God. office@harvestpca.org | (402) 558-4119, Copyright 2023 Harvest Community Church (PCA) | Site Map | Terms & Privacy, Jesus Divides the Earth Matthew 10:3442, No Comfort for the Lonely City Lamentations 1:1-22, "Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage" (1 Corinthians 7:1016), The Present Form of this World is Passing Away (1 Corinthians 7:25-31) . This is my rule in all the churches. If we translated this really literally, it would go like this, Only to each as God assigned, in the situation in which God has called each thus let him walk.. Most practically, how do we evaluate opportunities that present themselves? In other words, so that we can have by the transformed lives to the gospel lives that are lived obediently to what God is calling us to. It may be that He calls us to that place for the initial stages of our walk with Him; and all so that He can train us for what He has for us in the future. In verse 23, Paul said, You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. And that is the true condition of a new creation in Christ, whether they are a slaves or freedmen.