Again, Gods calling intersects whatever people groups you were born into so that you dont have to join a new one. 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. The opportunities may arise and if so, you are free to take them as long as its to a good thing. Now, dear brothers and sisters; how do we apply this principle? Introduction. Paul had planted the church in Corinth on his second missionary journey ( Acts 17:16-18:17 ). How do I sort through my own mixed emotions when Im trying to make decisions on how to live in the various circumstances of my life? You should be able to say to your position, "Never mind. It means to remain or endure in a situation, specifically with the idea of awaiting something else. We will have confidence when Jesus Christ returns. Paul's first application of the principle is not to vocation, but to circumcision and uncircumcision. Genesis 5:22-24 In a word, the application of Paul's principle to cultural distinctives is this: Don't fret and don't boast about your present state of cultural distinctives; they are of little importance to God compared to whether you are devoting yourself, soul and mind and body, to obeying his commandments, which are all fulfilled in this: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Romans 13:810; Galatians 5:14). Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? There were some Jewish Christians who insisted on that, however. He has sovereignly called us as He did for a purpose. I have to think about my actions, what did I do, what didnt I do? He is saying that in the gospel there is an antidote for despair in menial jobs and an antidote for pride in highly esteemed jobs. 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. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.1 Corinthians 7:17-24, ESV We areeach of usto remain with God in that state in which we were called. This is a word that is so often translated in the gospel of John and the letters of John as the word abide. Is yours a menial job? You can't be white if you want to be accepted." Let's read 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. Paul is saying that in the new covenant the separation of people groups by national entities is no longer important. We know this not only because of the exceptions Paul allowed to his principle here in 1 Corinthians 7 (cf. With these other questions since you can take a different job or you can go to a different church, we have to ask harder questions. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Slaves were sometimes highly educated and trusted with administrative responsibility. Gods Calling Transcends Vertical Assignments 1 Corinthians 7:15-16, ESV . 1 Corinthians 7:17,20 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. We are to live in the same neighborhood with God. "So brethren," Paul concludes in verse 24, "In whatever state each was called, let him remain with God." Do not be concerned about it. But if you translate it as a command to seek freedom, the true point of the passage is obscured. 17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. Are you single, married? Pray with me. | 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. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Never mind. Gods presence enables us to abide in whatever assignments we have. Part 2: The Truth from God, John 7:37-39 Study Guide: What's the Deal with Jesus? The universal default principle is that you should stay where you are. Their condition as married people did not need to change. An opportunity we are going to see is a lawful and properly available path where we might change our circumstances. Look carefully at that phrase as God has distributed to each one. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Denomination: Baptist God's Word About Sex, Divorce, & Singleness Series Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Mar 6, 2003 based on 27 ratings | 5,976 views The purpose of this sermon is to teach God's Word about these areas and inspire obedience to it. You are called in whatever assignment you find yourself to abide with God through faith in Christ. Faith in Christ as Lord and Savior will never destroy the covenant of marriage which God ordained at creation. 4 For the Paul is not pronouncing a blanket condemnation upon all those who adopt aspects of other cultures and give up aspects of their own. The Bible is an objective word; and it speaks objectively to some situations.There are other situations that are subjective. 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. 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 is not saying that a professional thief or a Corinthian cult prostitute should stay in the calling in which they were called. 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. Or to put it another way: How you do your job is a big part of your obedience to Jesus. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:1-7. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. In Corinth, there was a grave danger facing a girl who had reached the age of marriage. Its in almost every verse. Am I living my best life now? My life is to obey God and enjoy his presence.". 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Either waywhatever the cultural or social situation we are called in, we are to do as Paul says in verse 24. Were not automatically required to move out of our neighborhoods. 44:54. Where we are in our life is not by accident. The Sermon below tackles about the Biblical teachings about marriage, marital relationship and divorce. But Jesus came by one day and paid a call on Zacchaeus. The third word is calling or called, and we see this all over this passage. You would not work whenever you please, but you would work at the pleasure of the president, every moment of your life. We are to live in the same family with God. Gods Calling Teaches Us to Abide with God Devote yourself to that with all your heart, and take whatever job you want. What a wonderful way it is that God places us in a ready-made mission field in which to serve Him as His new creation ambassadors for Christ! And the reason the person who is free can say, "Never mind," is similar: "He who was free when called is a slave of Christ." Sometimes we start to ask, what if my good shepherd wants me to go to a greener pasture? Likewise he who is called while free is Christs slave. Now; Paul doesnt just merely state this principle to us. This is my rule in all the churches. . In our last time together, we talked about Pauls answer to this important question from 1 Corinthians 7:12-14. We pray. But he allows the exception that if the relationship is abandoned and destroyed apart from your desire or control by the unbelieving partner, then let it be. 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. 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. 18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? 18Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Text: Acts 19:1-20 Sermon Series: On Mission. Gods Calling Transcends Vertical Assignments We should seek to serve God in whatever situation He places useither now or later. We dont follow the law in order to be saved, we arent saved by keeping the law, but what the scriptures tell us we are saved for keeping the law. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Study Guide: Such Were Some of You, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Study Guide: Bought With a Price, 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 Study Guide: The Beauty of Marriage, 1 Corinthians 7:8-16 Study Guide: Approaching Difficulties in Marriage, 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Study Guide: Living the Life God has Given, 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 Study Guide: Christian Singleness, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Study Guide: When You're 100% Right and 100% Wrong, 1 Corinthians 9:1-23 Study Guide: Surrendering Your Rights, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Study Guide: Run to Win the Race, 1 Corinthians 10:1-14 Study Guide: A Way Out of Temptation, John 17 Study Guide 2: Sharing in Community, John 17 Study Guide 3: Sharing in Mission, John 17 Study Guide Part 4: Growing in Christ, 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 Study Guide: Glory to God in All Things, 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 Study Guide: Because of the Angels, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Study Guide: The Lord's Supper, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Study Guide: Spiritual Gifts for the Common Good, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 Study Guide: One Body, Many Members, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 Study Guide: Love Never Ceases, 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Study Guide: When the Perfect Comes, 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 Study Guide: Pursuing Love and Desiring the Gifts, 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 Study Guide: Orderly Worship, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Study Guide: Gospel Centered Faith. For example, in 1 Corinthians 7 the question is raised whether faith in Christ should mean that a husband and wife should abstain from sexual relations. 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. Should the believer pull out in order to keep pure? We wonder if the grass is greener or if our good shepherd might be leading us to greener pasture syndrome. Many of them had lived very sinful lifestyles. Here now the word of the Lord from 1 Corinthians 7:1-9. Gods Calling Transcends Horizontal Assignments God left them to remain in that very situation so that they might also have a godly influence upon their children. I have to think about the specifics of that in relation to who I am and who she is. . 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? But Paul deepens our understanding with a new theological reason. The word of God for all us "success seekers" is this: Take all that ambition and drive that you are pouring into your upward mobility and pour it instead into a spiritual zeal to cultivate an enjoyment of God's presence and obedience to his revealed will in Scripture. Notice verse 17, "Let everyone lead the life which the Lord assigned to him, and in which God has called him." Gods Calling Transcends Horizontal Assignments Thats why slave of Christ, in verse twenty-two, could be an honorable designation suggested a position of some authority.. One of the questions that they asked had to do with their marriages. They might be translated slightly differently in your Bible, but we are going to go with the words that ESV has since thats what Im preaching from. He also gives us some illustrations of what this principle should look like in some specific cases. ", 18245 NW Germantown Road
All things truly have become new. Bible > 1 Corinthians > Chapter 7 > Verse 17 Library Free Downloads eBibles 1 Corinthians 7:17 How to Survive the Last Days, Part 3 - 1 Corinthians 16:17-24. 1 Corinthians 7:17 Sermons: Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, so let him walk. If instead we are looking to serve, theres always opportunity. 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. It is, in fact, a principle for all those who believe on Jesusand in all the churches that belong to Him. Are we doing this in response of faith and the obedience to Jesus Christ in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in? Instead, they should stay in the marriage in which God had called them to Himself. The question at Corinth was: When we come to Christ, what should we abandon? When we read this and we have to ask, okay I have this job opportunity in front of me. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. I think that the greatest explanation of what Paul meant is found in Romans 2. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Stated as a prayer, the main point today is: Father, grant to us all the grace to be conscious of your presence at our work and to obey your commands in all our vocational relationships. Once we are made new on the inside, things begin to change on the outside. Never mind." The second is opportunity, I see this word in verse twenty-one. in which God called him," and when he says in verse 24, "In whatever state each was called, there let him remain with God," he is referring to a divine call by which we were drawn to believe in Christ. 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. There are times where opportunities present themselves to make something different of our circumstances. This is a very important principle. 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. Here Paul is telling us assignments in which we are called to abide as we wait for the full fulfillment that Jesus is calling to. Remain, if you are free as you are. 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. Let him not seek circumcision. Let's read 1 Corinthians 7:1724. (a member of the Sanhedrin would have Most modern versions say, "Were you a slave when called? There is no clear objective rule on this. 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). Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Jesus Is Wounded By The Dividing Of Church Contributed by Lay Man on May 28, 2015 . For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy (1 Corinthians 7:12-14). This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? If you were converted as a Jew, don't try to become a Gentile. Paul has already used this word a few times and its good to look back and see them. Search the scriptures, but not for an answer. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.1 Corinthians 7:17-24, ESV So, we bring in these ideas of following the will of the Lord. 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) He makes them new creations from their inner-most being, and calls them to walk faithfully with Him in the outer life. During dinner, he stood up and said. Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. 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? 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. Was anyone called while circumcised? You must be white in order to be approved." Literally the verse says, "Let each one remain in the "calling" (not state) in which he was called." It will transform and transcend everything else you do. Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. The reason a person can say, "Never mind," even though he is a slave, is this: verse 22, "For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord." Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Putting the two applications of Paul's principle together, the teaching seems to be this: Obeying the commands of God (v. 19) and enjoying his presence (v. 24) are so vastly more important than what your culture or your job is that you should feel no compulsion to change your position. He wrote; For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God (Romans 2:28-29). And to a certain degree, that new inner life also has an impact on the outer life. Never mind. This, then, is a very important principle for new creations in Christ. . I love to watch Paul put his theology to work like this. Its not that we have a different Bible and the infallible word of God is just open to interpretation. These assignments are the circumstances of our lives. How you fulfill the demands of that job is just as essential in life as what you do here on Sunday. Were you circumcised? Never mind. Specifically, the definition that we are going to get about what this calling is toward is in verse twenty-four. 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. This wasnt meant just for the believers in Corinth. . John 5:1-18 Study Guide: Do You Want to be Healed? Having discussed the principle of staying in the God-ordained relationship of marriage when you become a Christian, Paul now discusses this principle in two other connections. He says in verse twenty-two, One of the most amazing and encouraging verses in the Bible is 2 Corinthians 5:17. I have a responsibility to my wife that no one in heaven or earth shares. All Videos Images Commentaries Devotionals Other Translations Sermons Related Scriptures Podcasts Blogs. And then, Paul went on to give us another illustrationthis one having to do with social structures. We need to think long and hard about whether what we communicate to our children about success is biblical or just American. But instead make obedience a big deal; make the whole aim of your life to obey the moral law of God. verse 15), but also because Scripture depicts and approves such changes. 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. Fourth, and finally, this text implies that the job you now have, as long as you are there, is God's assignment to you. Even in there God made a way that he powerfully calls us out of ourselves and open our eyes to see Jesus and how good and glorious and radiant he is. 1 Corinthians 7:17, ESV Let no man enslave your soul. We begin to treat our daily responsibilities and duties more seriously. Sermon. 1- They seem to be looking to Paul as an example for the Christian life. Let him not be circumcised. Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. The calling of life has been provided by nothing less than the blood of Jesus Christ and the faith that he gives us by the Holy Spirit. 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 That is the great message of this mornings passage. Later text clarifies that Paul is not denouncing marriage or forbidding it in any sense.