(But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) Later text clarifies that Paul is not denouncing marriage or forbidding it in any sense. Sermon . We begin to pray about everything. He told his story in 1 Timothy 1; and he was thankful for how God used the place of life he was in when he was called. And Paul's answer is: You don't need to abandon your vocation if you can stay in it with God. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.1 Corinthians 7:24, ESV. A- He has discussed marriage and divorce. 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.. Yet he realized that was the greatest joy that he had. He should not become uncircumcised. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.1 Corinthians 7:17-24, ESV Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. Never mind." In chapter 1, verse 9, Paul says, "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." Sermon Discipleship is a Process by Brian Bill. Were not automatically required to leave our families when we come to know Jesus Christ. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Introduction I am reminded of the illustration by Emo Phillips: I was walking . Gods Calling Transcends Vertical Assignments New practices and habits begin to be embraced. In the assignment in which the call of God came to you, walk in that. "Were you a slave when called? He has kept those relations in place for a reason. All of us are prone to asking whether or not the grass may be greener somewhere than where we are living our lives right now. Imagine you had an opportunity to work as a low-level staffer at the White House of, pick your president I dont want to get into politics, whichever president you would most like to work for past or present, think about that person and lets not get into politics. Should you leave whatever you are doing and go do whatever you think Holy Spirit should be doing? Part 1: Is He the Christ? The things we used to love to do, we no longer want to do. So, we bring in these ideas of following the will of the Lord. This calling is the Holy Spirit's pull into fellowship with Christ. It will transform and transcend everything else you do. 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. 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. 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. It declares to us how much it is that Jesus transforms the life of whoever trusts in Him. ", 18245 NW Germantown Road February 17, 2020. They are made brand new on the inside. If you took that job you would functionally be a slave. We pray that if there are some who do not know Jesus Christ that you would right now be working in their hearts. Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. Not for an answer, but for the wisdom that other believers, who are further along in the faith perhaps, have gained through the Holy Spirits illumination in their lives as they have been faced with similar questions. Now, in actual fact, the whole section - from verse 17 through to the end of the chapter, at vs40, really ought to be . Yet if you are in the condition of a bondservant, understand you dont need to seek a change from that either. You should be able to say to your position, "Never mind. God left them to remain in that very situation so that they might also have a godly influence upon their children. Paul went on to say, but if you can be made free, rather use it. Remaining in the cultural situation in which God called us didnt necessarily mean that God may not call us to a different cultural situation later on in life. Second, I suggest that we should always be flexible to change. The idea of abiding in a situation while you are awaiting something bigger, we see most clearly in 1 John 2:28 There's the crucial phrase. We are going to see three sections in our study of this text. Search. 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. Charles Hodge describes it this way, This would mean to be near God. In the process, the theological reason for it will emerge also. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? When you serve your master, you are not serving him, but the Lord. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. mThis is my rule in nall the churches. The Bible doesnt say yes it will or no it wont. Even here thats not quite what Paul is saying. 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. Application. Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. . 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. They had clearly been transformed on the inside; and there were many changes that were happening on the outside too. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Never mind. 17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. Many of them had lived very sinful lifestyles. "A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. The principle that Paul had already taught in relation to marriage is here mentioned clearly three times. 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. I believe this is the word of God for us today, and I would like to unfold it for a few minutes from 1 Corinthians 7:1724. This is absolutely imperative to grasp lest we create a new legalism. Then Paul expands that principle to show us that its a general principle that should affect all of our lives. Don't let that be a care to you; but, even if you can become a freedman, rather make use of (your present position)." 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. The word "calling" here refers to vocation or station in life. This is the second principle that Paul goes on to say is that what the gospel does is undercut the very foundation upon which chattel-based slavery, possession-based slavery rests. Its in that context that you can serve your master, because you arent serving your master suddenly you are in an assignment where the calling of Jesus Christ is intersected. Very simply the call of God that comes to a person in his vocation is the power of God converting the soul through the gospel. Now, dear brothers and sisters; how do we apply this principle? Do you notice how he was able to say how thankful he was for his calling? Gods presence enables us to abide in whatever assignments we have. 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. The Bible tells you to love your neighbor as yourself and that looks different in different relationships. He ought not to boast if he is a doctor or lawyer or executive, and he ought not to be self-pitying or depressed if he has a job that society esteems less highly. How do I bloom where Christ has put me? We do have assignments from the Lord, but the important thing is that call. Do you remember the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector in Luke 19? He applies it like this: if you were converted as a Gentile, don't try to become a Jew. If instead we are looking to serve, theres always opportunity. Verse 17 says, "Let everyone lead the life which the Lord has assigned to him." John 5:1-18 Study Guide: Do You Want to be Healed? Paul's first application of the principle is not to vocation, but to circumcision and uncircumcision. He made application to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a contemplative and spend the rest of his life in the monastery. 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. This is my rule in all the churches. This was meant for all of Gods people in Christ. The real contrast, it seems to me, should be expressed as: "Don't let your slavery make you anxious, but instead use it." Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Father make us steeped in the scriptures, not so we can just spit out the right answers without thinking to complicated questions, but so that you can frame the way that we are thinking and wrestling with you in prayer. What matters is not whether our job is high or low in man's eyes. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called (vv. Now; this fundamental principle is given to us in three verses. There is no clear objective rule on this. Why You Should Preach This Book. Please place your trust in Him. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal . The opportunities may arise and if so, you are free to take them as long as its to a good thing. The early church lifted up the single lifestyle. Prepare your messages on God's Word in 1 Corinthians with sermon outlines or an . This is actually a remarkable thing, if you were a Jew, one of the primary things you were called to do was to be circumcised. Do not be concerned about it. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Scripture Sermons 5 Series 1 Live as You Are Called 17Only let each person lead the life 3 that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. 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. Any duration. A man who lived his life doing very menial tasks and he started this mental, spiritual exercise whereas he was doing menials tasks he tried to remember that he was in the presence of God and spending his life praying. We begin to treat our daily responsibilities and duties more seriously. Do not be concerned about it Paul didnt mean, of course, that it was a matter of indifference that someone was a slave. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. So in answer to their question, he told them no. The question isn,t am I at the right job or church? Gods Calling Transcends Horizontal Assignments He repented of his sinful practices. But this was not the calling Paul had in mind. Paul had planted the church in Corinth on his second missionary journey ( Acts 17:16-18:17 ). Indeed, becoming a slave of the right person could be a career choice. Seek the illumination of the Holy Spirit as you evaluate assignments and opportunities. To what degree should the outside be changed? What if its not just me, what if Im disobedient not to go? These questions plague us.This passage doesnt establish our circumstances as unalterable. It seems wholly out of place between these to say, "If you can gain your freedom, do it." Gods Calling Teaches Us to Abide with God. 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. He wrote; And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. There are times when we should avail ourselves of opportunities. This idea of effectual calling when we are drawn out of our sin to Jesus Christ, that is included in the assignments in which the calling finds us. Any date. Let him not seek circumcision. Its the principle that, when God the Father calls us into a relationship with Himself through faith in Jesus and we become new creations in Christ, we should not take this to mean that everything about our outward life now needs to be abandoned, or that we must now start life over again from scratch. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 1 Corinthians 7:17-31. For many of us that may mean turning over a new leaf tomorrow morning. You would not work whenever you please, but you would work at the pleasure of the president, every moment of your life. We dont need to find an island that we can settle in and populate that is just for Christians, sealed off from the rest of the world. Its not that we have a different Bible and the infallible word of God is just open to interpretation. Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 67 Here now the word of the Lord from 1 Corinthians 7:1-9. In verse 19, Paul wrote, Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing And we should understand that Paul, in saying this, didnt mean that such things didnt matter. Paul then learned of divisions . 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. You must be white in order to be approved." In the minds of most Jewish people, he was something close to a gangster. They wrote to the apostle Paul; and they asked him many questions about such things. By: Pastor Jacob Gerber | Series: 1 Corinthians. There were some Jewish Christians who insisted on that, however. A life that is lived in faith to Jesus and the way the he appoints for believers to live in. The third word is calling or called, and we see this all over this passage. 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. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. Father we ask that you will give us grace to seek you, to seek your will, to seek your favor, especially as we wrestle though a thousand difficult questions. I think Paul himself might be a good example for us in this. One is the work of the Holy Spirit in the objective inspiration of the Bible. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. You would work gruelingly long hour. 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. Our sovereign God makes those of us who trust in Jesus into new creations on the inside; but He then calls us to remain in the place where He has called us on the outsideand to thus let Him show forth His work in us to others who are also in that place. I have to think about the specifics of that in relation to who I am and who she is. They are new creations. You are not my life. Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Acknowledging God in every moment of every day in prayer. With long-suffering and prayer and humble, exemplary conduct, the believing partner longs to win the unbeliever. 2. The "called" are not all who hear the preaching, but those who receive it as wisdom. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. We're the "church on the hill. To make a decision in light of your effectual calling. Paul has already used this word a few times and its good to look back and see them. We are anxious about so many things, but our Heavenly Father knows that we need all of these things. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. Look carefully at that phrase as God has distributed to each one. )1 Corinthians 7:21, ESV 1 Corinthians 7:22, ESV Either waywhatever the cultural or social situation we are called in, we are to do as Paul says in verse 24. Their condition as married people did not need to change. God looked upon us when we were dead in our sins and trespasses, when we were nonresponsive to God. It was like picking up a part time job to pay off a credit card bill, except you did give away your freedom to do this. a- Paul at this time is single. But it's true. It doesnt mean that you are fixed there forever, but the default is bloom where you are planted. He also gives us some illustrations of what this principle should look like in some specific cases. We dont pray for an answer but for an illumination. Community Group Study Guide Living the Life God has Given, John 12:20-26, 44-50 Study Guide: We Wish to See Jesus, Matthew 28:18-20 Study Guide: The Great Comfort of the Great Commission, John 12:12-19 Study Guide: The Triumphal Entry or \"A New Kind of King\", John 11:45-57 Study Guide: Under Pressure, We are a part of the Bay Area chapter of The Gospel Coalition, John 10:31-42 Study Guide: The Works of God, John 11:1-27 Study Guide: I Am the Resurrection and the Life, John 11:28-44 Study Guide: I am the Resurrection and the Life Part 2: The Love of God in the Face of Death, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 Study Guide: Being Raised with Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:20-34 Study Guide: Living in Light of the Resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:35-49 Study Guide: Resurrection Bodies, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 Study Guide: The Death of Death, 1 Corinthians 16:1-24 Study Guide: Growing up in Christ, John 1:14-18 Study Guide: The Word Became Flesh, John 1:19-34 Study Guide: Behold the Lamb of God, John 1:35-51 Study Guide: A Call to the Curious, John 2:1-12 Study Guide: From Water to Wine, Gideon Week 1 Study Guide: Hiding from God, Gideon Week 3 Study Guide: With Great Power, John 2:13-25 Study Guide: Clearing Out the Temple, John 3:14-21 Study Guide: Jesus High and Lifted Up, John 3:22-36 Study Guide: He Must Increase, I Must Decrease, John 4:46-54 Study Guide: In Need of a Miracle. Jun 14, 1981. That is the great message of this mornings passage. Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. You are called in whatever assignment you find yourself to abide with God through faith in Christ. Were you circumcised? Were not automatically required to quit our jobs, or quit our course of study at school, or abandon our vocations. Part 2: The Truth from God, John 7:37-39 Study Guide: What's the Deal with Jesus? Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. You were bought with a price. . 21 Were you a bondservant when called? This is all made clear in 1 Corinthians 1. Never mind. Sometimes we start to ask, what if my good shepherd wants me to go to a greener pasture? 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? We begin to read the Bible with new passion and understanding. Then Paul turns in verses 2123 to apply his principle to the issue of whether one is a slave or a freedman. Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. If that is true, then we need to think through our opportunities and our assignments with that lens. Amen. The new legalism would say, "You can't be circumcised if you want to be saved. Picking Your Fights - 1 Corinthians 9:1-23. He ought to be able to say, "Never mind." Your Job as Ministry. 1 Corinthians 7:17 Sermons: Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, so let him walk. This doctrine of effectual calling changes what we expect out of life. So, in verse nineteen Paul says, just to explain this a little further, It is no accident that you are where you are. What should we be saying? If everything on the inside is new, should we then completely get rid of every aspect of the outside life and start over? You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. The first word is assignments, I see this in verse seventeen. Ultimately your circumstances are of deeply secondary importance. Was anyone called while circumcised? One of the most amazing and encouraging verses in the Bible is 2 Corinthians 5:17. Your job is not to close your eyes, open the Bible, point to a word and then see what this has to say to me. Paul says you dont have to worry about different groups of people, the horizontal assignments you have. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 1. When Paul says in verse 17, "Let everyone lead the life . Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. The moment any woman or man or young person places their faith in Jesus Christ, they become completely born-again in Him. We start to show the love of Jesus for other people. You have heard this morning about how He transforms the lives of all those who trust Him. My life is to obey God and enjoy his presence.". So, what does Paul mean, dont worry about circumcision, just worry about keeping the commands of God. Now obviously, staying in that place in which He called us assumes that it is not an inherently sinful place. Most modern versions say, "Were you a slave when called? View all of our resources on the biblical book of 1 Corinthians. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? We talk about language where we say that God is leading me here or some people say that they have a word from the Lord. We wonder if the grass is greener or if our good shepherd might be leading us to greener pasture syndrome. But having said that in verses 12 and 13, the apostle does allow that, if the unbelieving partner deserts the believing partner and wants nothing more to do with the believer, then the believer is not bound forever to the relationship. Its taking the objective teaching of scriptures and applying it to the specifics of our lives. Theme: We are to walk as a faithful Christian in the place of life where God has called us to Himself. The universal default principle is that you should stay where you are. (All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated). . The most important thing is your faith and obedience and keeping the commandments of God. Second, as we have seen, the command to stay in the calling in which you were when converted is not absolute. A believing husband should not divorce his unbelieving wife, and a believing wife should not divorce her unbelieving husband. The Bible is an objective word; and it speaks objectively to some situations.There are other situations that are subjective. We should learn to accept His calling, and to be confident in it, and to even thank Him for it. English Standard Version Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.

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