1Cor7:25-35 Singleness in the End Times
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# Singleness in
the End Times ## 1 Corinthians 7:25-35 [Mika Matin. Tennessee, US](https://unsplash.com/photos/MMylZHPsO2I "caption") >>> + how much of our lives is spent + **waiting** to get to the next level + grad, job, "real" job, bf/gf, married, kid + our lives are happening **right now** + God has a **calling** for this stage --- # What does the Bible say to **singles**? >>> + both the **woefully** single + **wanting** to get married + and the **happily** single + today's passage is for you, too + underlying principles apply to **all** of us + **married**, seniors, teens + e.g., widowed pastor's wife + don't **chase** after bf/gf, marriage, grades, career + these will **disappoint** + chase after God w/ **undivided heart** ****** [25](# "ref") Now about **virgins**: I have **no command** from the Lord,
but I give a **judgment** as one
who by the Lord’s mercy is **trustworthy**. [1 Corinthians 7:25 (NIV) (p.1/8)](# "ref") ****** [26](# "ref") Because of the **present crisis**,
I think that it is good for a man
to **remain** as he is. [27](# "ref") Are you **pledged** to a woman?
Do not seek to be **released**. Are you **free** from such a commitment?
Do not **look** for a wife. [1 Corinthians 7:26-27 (NIV) (p.2/8)](# "ref") ****** [28](# "ref") But if you do **marry**, you have **not sinned**;
and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry
will face **many troubles** in this life,
and I want to **spare** you this. [1 Corinthians 7:28 (NIV) (p.3/8)](# "ref") ****** [29](# "ref") What I mean, brothers and sisters,
is that the **time is short**. From now on those who **have** wives
should live as if they **do not**; [30](# "ref") those who **mourn**, as if they did not;
those who are **happy**, as if they were not; [1 Corinthians 7:29-30 (NIV) (p.4/8)](# "ref") ****** those who **buy** something,
as if it were not theirs to **keep**; [31](# "ref") those who **use** the things of the world,
as if not **engrossed** in them. For this **world** in its present form
is **passing away**. [1 Corinthians 7:30-31 (NIV) (p.5/8)](# "ref") ****** [32](# "ref") I would like you to be **free from concern**. An **unmarried man** is concerned about
the **Lord’s** affairs —
how he can **please** the Lord. [33](# "ref") But a **married man**
is concerned about the **affairs of this world** —
how he can please his **wife** —
[34](# "ref") and his interests are **divided**. [1 Corinthians 7:32-34 (NIV) (p.6/8)](# "ref") ****** An **unmarried woman** or virgin
is concerned about the **Lord’s affairs**:
Her aim is to be **devoted** to the Lord
in both **body** and **spirit**. But a **married woman**
is concerned about the **affairs of this world** —
how she can please her **husband**. [1 Corinthians 7:34 (NIV) (p.7/8)](# "ref") ****** [35](# "ref") I am saying this for your **own good**,
not to **restrict** you,
but that you may live in a **right** way
in **undivided devotion** to the Lord. [1 Corinthians 7:35 (NIV) (p.8/8)](# "ref") --- ## Singleness in the End Times 1. **Contented** [(v25-28)](# "ref") 1. **Having** But Not **Holding** [(v29-31)](# "ref") 1. **Undivided** [(v32-35)](# "ref") --- Now about **virgins**,
I have no **command** from the Lord [1 Corinthians 7:25 (NIV)](# "ref") [Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/c333d6YEhi0 "caption") >>> + *virgin*: **never-married** + what about **dating**? + virgin → **betrothed** → married + bright-line **commands**: + v10: no **divorce** + but if **no** explicit command, + not "do whatever **I want**" + but pursue **underlying** principles + ask God if should **marry** this person: + might not get clear **Y/N** + doesn't mean **go for it** + examine own **motivations**, purpose, commitment + do I know what I'm **getting into**? (nope) + so w/o explicit **command**, + what **principles** should we pursue? --- but I give a **judgment** as one
who by the Lord’s mercy is **trustworthy**. [1 Corinthians 7:25 (NIV)](# "ref") [Cassidy Kelley. Cleveland, US](https://unsplash.com/photos/p90szoOBYgk "caption") >>> + *judgment* (γνώμην): **knowledge**, counsel + *trustworthy* (πιστὸς): **faithful** + counsel from trusted **pastor** --- Because of the **present crisis** [1 Corinthians 7:26 (NIV)](# "ref") [Ales Krivec](https://unsplash.com/photos/ywtbSuCSjhM "caption") >>> + *crisis* (ἀνάγκην): compressed, constrained + time is **short** + *present* (ἐνεστῶσαν): **standing in**, imminent + increasingly **corrupt** world + Christ's **return** is near + time for **gospel** is short + ⇒ stay **focused** --- [26](# "ref") It is good for a man to **remain** as he is. [27](# "ref") Do not **look** for a wife. [1 Corinthians 7:26,27 (NIV)](# "ref") [Jon Flobrant](https://unsplash.com/photos/NEgEJmN3JZo "caption") >>> + v2-4 **marriage** has value as **testimony**: + **purity**: vs prevalent immorality + **duty**: mutual service + **authority**: mutual submission + Paul's **counsel** to singles: + recognize **good** in current calling + don't **seek** to be married --- Each person should **live** as a believer
in whatever situation
the Lord has **assigned** to them,
just as God has **called** them. [1 Corinthians 7:17 (NIV)](# "ref") [Dolomites, Italy. Joshua Earle](https://unsplash.com/photos/8MbdD0pHXGY "caption") >>> + to each as the Lord **apportioned**, + *assigned* (ἐμέρισεν): measure + each as God has **called**, + *called* (κέκληκεν): vocation + thus **walk** + *live* (περιπατείτω) + seek **change** in circumstance + kid wants other kid's **toy** + "maybe this change will **fix** things": + hair, major, school, friends, sexual orientation --- Each person should **remain** in the **situation**
they were in when God **called** them. [1 Corinthians 7:20 (NIV)](# "ref") [Venray, Netherlands. Michael Coury](https://unsplash.com/photos/DiKkJKvDi64 "caption") >>> + leading cause of **affairs**: + not **complaint** about spouse, but + **dissatisfaction** w/own life + not "**situation**" (environ, abuse) + but **calling** (purpose, role) + determined by **God** + each, in the **calling** + with which they were **called**, + in this **remain** + contentment != **laziness**: + *19* keeping **commands** of God --- # Am I pursuing God's **calling**,
or simply a **change** of circumstance? >>> + while **young** + single: + **find** God's calling + be **happy** with it + not doing **great** things for God + **preparation**: character, patience + learning to **submit** every part of life to God --- ## Singleness in the End Times 1. Contented [(v25-28)](# "ref") 1. **Having But Not Holding** [(v29-31)](# "ref") 1. Undivided [(v32-35)](# "ref") >>> + be **happy** in God's calling + not **comfortable** in this world! + three areas that must be **subordinate** to God: + **relationships** + **emotions** + **finances** --- What I mean, brothers and sisters,
is that the **time is short**. [1 Corinthians 7:29 (NIV)](# "ref") >>> + *short* (συνεσταλμένος): **wrapped up**, cut short + **world** increasingly **corrupt** + Christ's **return** imminent + **urgency** to share gospel --- From now on those who **have** wives
should live as if they **do not**; [1 Corinthians 7:29 (NIV)](# "ref") [Nancy, France. Rémi Walle](https://unsplash.com/photos/UOwvwZ9Dy6w "caption") >>> + not **neglecting** relationships + but **subordinate** under Christ's calling --- Anyone who loves their **father or mother**
more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their **son or daughter**
more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their **cross**
and **follow me** is not worthy of me. [Matthew 10:37-38 (NIV)](# "ref") >>> + **responsibilities** of family + do not **exempt** us from + **calling** of God + "if you **love** me, you'd ...." + ⇒ true love honours **God** first --- those who **mourn**, as if they did not;
those who are **happy**, as if they were not [1 Corinthians 7:30a (NIV)](# "ref") [Yuriria, Mexico. Cristian Newman](https://unsplash.com/photos/Zi8-E3qJ_RM "caption") >>> + 1. **relationships** subordinate + 2. **emotions**: + *mourn*: **cry** + *happy*: **rejoice** + school form: "when I am **stressed**, ..." + what **habits** do I fall into + when I am **overwhelmed**? + **happy**? + remember James 5: --- Is anyone among you in **trouble**?
Let them **pray**. Is anyone **happy**?
Let them sing **songs** of praise. [James 5:13 (NIV)](# "ref") [Ben White](https://unsplash.com/photos/4K2lIP0zc_k "caption") >>> + turn to God in **prayer** + in **all** occasions + with full force of all our **emotions** + 1. submit relationships + 2. emotions + 3. **finances**: --- those who **buy** something,
as if it were not theirs to **keep**; [1 Corinthians 7:30b (NIV)](# "ref") >>> + **stress** reveals fractures in relationship + stress of **newborn** + stress of **parental** illness/death + stress of **finances**, job loss/change + battle over **"my"** money vs "yours" + **"breadwinner"** vs "deadweight" + what to **splurge** on vs what to **save** on + Godly **attitude** to money is for **all** of us + start **before** you get married + *keep*: **possess**, hold onto --- those who **use** the things of the world,
as if not **engrossed** in them. For this **world** in its present **form**
is passing away. [1 Corinthians 7:31 (NIV)](# "ref") [Iceland. Davide Cantelli](https://unsplash.com/photos/H3giJcTw__w "caption") >>> + **use**, deal with, engage + **necessity** to live in world + *engrossed*: use to **full** + make full use of, as own, **consumed** + the **schema** of this world + **pattern**, habit, manner --- # Have I yielded my **relationships**, **emotions**, and **finances** to God's authority? >>> + **imminence** of Christ's return + **urgency** + focus on gospel --- ## Singleness in the End Times 1. Contented [(v25-28)](# "ref") 1. Having But Not Holding [(v29-31)](# "ref") 1. **Undivided** [(v32-35)](# "ref") >>> + single life much more **free**! + not free to indulge **selfish** nature + but free to draw **close** to God + single-minded **devotion** --- [28](# "ref") Those who **marry**
will face **many troubles** in this life [...] [32](# "ref") I would like you to be **free from concern**. [1 Corinthians 7:28, 32 (NIV)](# "ref") [Wilmer Edson](https://www.pexels.com/photo/light-road-dark-sun-16013/ "caption") >>> + *concern* (ἀμερίμνους): divided + **anxiety** --- [33](# "ref") A **married** man is concerned about
the affairs of **this world** —
how he can please his **wife** —
[34](# "ref") and his interests are **divided**. [1 Corinthians 7:33-34 (NIV)](# "ref") [Jens Lelie](https://unsplash.com/photos/u0vgcIOQG08 "caption") >>> + Not **condemnation** + just **necessity** + Married but **not** concerned about spouse: + not fulfilling **obligation** of marriage --- [32](# "ref") An **unmarried** man is concerned about
the **Lord’s** affairs —
how he can **please** the Lord. [...] [34](# "ref") Her aim is to be **devoted** to the Lord
in both **body** and **spirit**. [1 Corinthians 7:32,34 (NIV)](# "ref") [Ben White](https://unsplash.com/photos/qYanN54gIrI "caption") >>> + *devoted*: **holy** + **body**: actions, practical daily life + **spirit**: heart, purpose, focus --- Live as people who are **free**, not using your freedom as a **cover-up** for evil, but living as **servants** of God. [1 Peter 2:16 (ESV)](# "ref") [Alex Woods](https://unsplash.com/photos/pZVi92S-ZMs "caption") >>> + single: **time** to reflect, pray + long walks on beach + how to **use** your time? purpose? + not pursuing **own** dreams + **serve** God --- I am saying this for your **own good**,
not to **restrict** you, but that you may live in a **right** way
in **undivided devotion** to the Lord. [1 Corinthians 7:35 (NIV)](# "ref") [Plattenkogel, Gemeinde Krimml, Austria.
Lukas Budimaier](https://unsplash.com/photos/6cY-FvMlmkQ "caption") >>> + *restrict* (): **burden** + *right* (εὔσχημον): seemly, good **schema** + *undivided* (ἀπερισπάστως) + not drawn out, **undistracted** + *devotion* (εὐπάρεδρον): + sit beside, **attend** + God's presence is **enough** --- # Am I **undistracted**
in **devotion** to Christ, **holy** in body and spirit? >>> + **sit** at His feet + **obey** in holiness --- [29](# "ref") What I mean, brothers and sisters,
is that the **time is short**. From now on those who **have** wives
should live as if they **do not**; [30](# "ref") those who **mourn**, as if they did not;
those who are **happy**, as if they were not; [1 Corinthians 7:29-30 (NIV) (p.1/2)](# "ref") --- those who **buy** something,
as if it were not theirs to **keep**; [31](# "ref") those who **use** the things of the world,
as if not **engrossed** in them. For this **world** in its present form
is **passing away**. [1 Corinthians 7:30-31 (NIV) (p.2/2)](# "ref") ---