THE CROSS AND CHRISTIAN SINGLENESS

1 Corinthians 7:25-35
25 Now concerning the betrothed,I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.
26 I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is.
27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.
29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none,
30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods,
31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.
33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife,
34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.
35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.


Admonishments to Single Christians…
If you and your body are compelled, consider marriage one of
your goals.
If you and your body are content, consider singleness
your status quo.

Advantages of Single Living…
You can be completely assured of Jesus’ favor.
He says singleness is “good.”
(1 Corinthians 7:1, 8, 26)
He says singleness is a “gift” from God.
(1 Corinthians 7:7)
He says some people “do even better” to remain single.
(1 Corinthians 7:38)
He says some people are “happier” if they
remain single.
(1 Corinthians 7:40)

You can be better prepared for Jesus’ coming.
(1 Corinthians 7:26-31; cf. Matthew 6:19-20; 24:3-51;
Luke 12:32-33; 20:34-35; Romans 13:11-14; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 5:1;
Colossians 3:1-3; 2 Timothy 2:4; Hebrews 10:34; 1 John 2:15-17)
You have fewer family responsibilities.
You have fewer emotional connections.
You have fewer earthly possessions.
You have fewer worldly attachments.
You can be totally given to Jesus’ service.
(1 Corinthians 7:32-35; cf. Matthew 12:46-50)
Your attention and devotion are attractive.
Your attention and devotion are undivided.

Thanks pastor Jim!

THE CROSS AND CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

1 Corinthians 7:1-24
1 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.
3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.
4 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.
5 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.
6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this.
7 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.
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am.
9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband
11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.
12 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.
13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.
14 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.
15 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.
16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Live as You Are Called
17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.
18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.
19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
21 Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)
22 For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.
23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
24 So, brothers,in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

The Principle of Status Quo

The gospel always makes radical change in your moral
and spiritual life, but it doesn't always make radical change
in your circumstances.

Consider sanctifying your present situation before you
consider changing it.

General rule: Stay in the situation you were in when you
were saved. (1 Corinthians 7:17, 20, 24)
Religious system
Social standing
Income stream
Job situation
Marital status

God’s character: God is sovereign and faithful in
your current situation. (1 Corinthians 7:17, 24)

Gospel values: Remember grace, pursue holiness,
and reject entitlement. (1 Corinthians 7:19, 22-23)

The Application to Marital Status

If you’re a Christian single...
…Assume your singleness is God’s will as long as your body
is content. (1 Corinthians 7:8-9, 36-40)

If you’re a Christian married to another Christian…
…Assume your marriage is God’s will as long as your spouse
is alive. (1 Corinthians 7:10-11, 39-40)

If you’re a Christian married to a non-Christian…
…Assume your marriage is God’s will as long as your spouse
is content. (1 Corinthians 7:12-16)
Thanks pastor Jim!

THE CROSS AND CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE(PART 1)

1 Corinthians 7:1-24
1 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.
3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.
4 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.
5 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.
6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this.
7 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.
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am.
9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband
11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.
12 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.
13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.
14 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.
15 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.
16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Live as You Are Called
17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.
18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.
19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
21 Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)
22 For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.
23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
24 So, brothers,in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.


Good questions about sexual temptation…

Should I get married and risk the temptation
of adultery?
Should I stay single and risk the temptation
of fornication?
Should I continue to have sexual relations with
my spouse?
Should I continue in a marriage relationship that isn't ideal?

Biblical answers regarding marriage…

Monogamous, heterosexual marriage is a safeguard against
sexual immorality. (1 Corinthians 7:2, 9)
Get married for proclamation. (cf. Ephesians 5:22-32)
Get married for procreation. (cf. Genesis 1:28)
Get married for partnership. (cf. Genesis 2:18;
Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 Peter 3:7)
Get married for pleasure. (cf. Song of Solomon;
Proverbs 5:15-19; Hebrews 13:5)
Get married for purity. (1 Corinthians 7:2, 9)
The delightful duty of sex within monogamous,
heterosexual marriage is a safeguard against sexual immorality.
(1 Corinthians 7:3-5)
Pay your debt.
Pay your debt gladly.
Pay your debt spiritually.
Pay your debt frequently.
Pay your debt passionately.
The delightful duty of sex within monogamous, heterosexual marriage
is a safeguard against sexual immorality for those to whom it has been
given. (1 Corinthians 7:6-8)
Explore God’s grace in your life seriously.
Express thanksgiving to God frequently.

Thanks pastor Jim!

“THE CROSS AND CHRISTIAN SEXUALITY (PART 2)”

Thanks Pastor David!

1 Corinthians 6:12-20
12"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything.
13"Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food"--and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.
15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!
16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two will become one flesh."
17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.
18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.


The central exhortation: Flee sexual immorality. (6:18)
The biblical clarification: Flee sexual activity outside of marriage
between a man and a woman.

Supreme Court Reaction…
It is good to be grieved…about the degradation (and supposed redefinition)
of marriage. (Gen. 2:24; Eph. 5:22-33)
It is right to be concerned…about religious liberty in our country.
(Mat. 22:21; Acts 4:18-20; Rom. 13:1-7)
It is imperative to be loving…toward our gay and lesbian friends and
neighbors. (Gen. 1:26-28; Mat. 22:37-39; 2 Pet. 3:9)
It is wise to be confident…in the resiliency of marriage, in the opportunity for
the gospel, and in the sovereignty of our God. (Mat. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:22-33; Rev. 19:1-10)

Clear Sexual Prohibitions…
No sex outside of marriage. (Exodus 20:14; Lev. 20:10; Prov. 6:28-32;
Mat. 19:17-18; Rom. 13:9; Heb. 13:4)
No sexual worship. (Deut. 23:17; Ex. 32:2-6; 1 Cor. 10:8)
No sexual prostitution (Lev. 19:29; Deut. 23:18; Prov. 6:25-26) or
violence. (Ez. 45:9; 1 Cor. 13:4-5; Eph. 5:25)
No homosexual activity. (Lev. 18:22; Rom. 1:26)
No sex with animals (Lev. 18:23-24; 20:15-16), relatives (Lev. 18:6; 1 Cor. 5:1-2),
or children. (Mat. 18:5-6)
No sexual lust… having wrong sexual desires for others.
(Mat. 5:28; Ex. 20:14-17; 2 Pet. 2:14)
No sexual immodesty… provoking wrong sexual desires in others.
(Rom. 14:21; 1 Tim. 2:9-10)
No sexual allurement (including inappropriate emotional attachment)
outside of marriage. (Prov. 4:23; 5:1-23; 7:1-27)
No sexual looking (Gen. 9:22-24; Job 31:1-4; Mat. 5:27-29) or
touching (Deut. 25:11-12; Heb. 13:4) outside of marriage.
No entertaining ourselves with or joking around about sex outside
of marriage. (Eph. 5:3-12)

Common Practical Questions…
How far is too far between a single man and a single woman?
Three God-ordained categories…
The neighbor relationship: sexual activity prohibited.
(Lk. 10:25-37; 1 Cor. 7:7-9)
The family relationship: sexual activity prohibited.
(Lev. 18:6; 1 Tim. 5:1-2).
The marriage relationship: sexual activity commanded. (1 Cor. 7:1-5)
One God-glorifying conclusion…
Regardless of whether you are single or married, flee any and
all sexual activity outside of marriage. (1 Cor. 6:18-20; 1 Thess. 4:3-8)
What about masturbation? (Gal. 5:24; Rom. 13:14)
God designed sex to be relational; masturbation is lustful.
God designed sex to be covenantal; masturbation is non-committal.
God designed sex to be intimate; masturbation is superficial.
God designed sex to be fruitful; masturbation is fruitless.
God designed sex to be selfless; masturbation is self-centered.
God designed sex as a complex union; masturbation involves personal
isolation.
God designed sex as a complementary heterosexual act; masturbation is a
personal homosexual act.
How do I fight pornography?

Final Gospel Exhortations…
Repent of (and run from) any and all sexual activity outside of
marriage. (1 Cor. 6:18)
Rejoice in (and run to) sexual activity in marriage. (1 Cor. 7:1-5)
Receive today (and rest in) the forgiveness and freedom, hope and
healing that are found in Christ alone.

The Sweetness of the Gospel

Acts 17:23-31
23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,
25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
28 for "'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, "'For we are indeed his offspring.' 
29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."

If ever you need to present the gospel in a short span of time, Acts 17 is a perfect choice! It states who God is, that man is in need of repentance, that God has set a time limit on your life, that at the end of that life you will face judgement and that God raised Christ from the dead and appointed Him as righteous judge!

The People Under the Overpass

How many times have I passed them? They sit quietly in their dirty clothes in the only home they know, under the overpass, watching the world go by and we never even notice them. How sad, that in our busy and hectic lives, we often miss God speaking,  "FEED MY SHEEP"! But what does that mean, feed my sheep? Is it a physical or spiritual call or both? It is ever so clear in God's written word that it is both a physical and spiritual call.

Spiritual call:

Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Luke 18:18-19
18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 

19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." 

Physical call:

Matthew 25:35-36
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,

36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'

James 2:15-16

15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

Hebrews 13:1-3
1 Let brotherly love continue.


2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.




Lord, forgive our hearts when we are blind to what should be so clear! Lord, I pray for the homeless who reside in the places we ignore. Bless them, give them courage as they wait on us to open our hearts and eyes! Amen

THE GOSPEL AND PORNOGRAPHY

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh,
Which wage war against your soul.
1 Peter 2:11

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God,
and take every thought captive to obey Christ…
2 Corinthians 10:3-5

The Character of God

Cultivate unshakeable zeal for the glory of God’s name. (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Sam. 12:10-14;
Mat. 6:9-10)
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Acknowledge your sexual drive as a good gift from a gracious God. (Gen. 2:24-25; Prov. 5:18-20; 1 Cor. 7:3-5;
Gen. 39:7-9)
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife,
and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked
and were not ashamed.
Genesis 2:24-25

The Sinfulness of Man

Run from every temptation, knowing that one sin is enough to warrant infinite damnation. (Rom. 5:12-21;
1 Cor. 6:18-20; Rom. 13:14; Job 31:1)
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body,
but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,
whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.
So glorify God in your body.”
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Guard yourself with godly friendships and gospel accountability. (Heb. 3:12-13; 10:24-25)
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart,
leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day,
as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:12-13

The Character of Christ
Contemplate the price Christ paid for your purity. See Him writhing on a cross in agony. Fight tempting images with
that image. (1 Pet. 1:13-19; Titus 2:11-14; Heb. 10:26-29; 1 Cor. 6:15-17)
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?
Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute?
Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her?
For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.”
But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.
1 Corinthians 6:15-17

Consider the compassion Christ has for the souls of men and women. Love and pray for them; don’t exploit and abuse
them. (Mat. 9:36; Jn. 5:28-29; 2 Cor. 5:16)
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them,
because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:36

The Necessity of Faith
Believe that God is for you…and knows what is best for you. (Ps. 34:8-10; 84:11-12; Rom. 8:32; Mk. 10:29-30;
1 Cor. 6:13)
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!
The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Psalm 34:8-10
Memorize and meditate on Scripture. (Ps. 119:9-11; Ps. 1:1-2; 1 Jn. 2:14)
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:9-11

The Urgency of Eternity
Ponder the eternal danger and destruction associated with sexual sin. (Mt. 5:27-20; Mk. 9:43-48; 1 Cor. 6:9-10;
Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5-6; Jude 1:7; Rev. 21:8; Rev. 22:14-15)
You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.”
But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent
has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin,
tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members
than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin,
cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members
than that your whole body go into hell.
Matthew 5:27-30

Ponder the eternal delight and joy associated with future salvation. (Ps. 16:11; 73:25-26; Phil. 3:12-21; Rev. 19:1-8)
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude,
like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder,
crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen,
bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
Revelation 19:6-8