An opportunity we are going to see is a lawful and properly available path where we might change our circumstances. 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 a very important principle. And thirdly, I believe we should always strivewherever He has usto be a faithful witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. One time he uses the word "calling" in this vocational sense, namely, in verse 20. That has to do with our outward mode of lifethe place of life in this world that God has granted to us. Up to this point Paul has been talking about remaining in the situations that we find ourselves in in our marriages. Now that they were made new on the inside, did their condition as married people also need to change? Why You Should Preach This Book. There is no new prophecy, no new words from the Lord, they are already given to us. Old sinful habits and practices begin to be set aside. This is my rule for all the churches. Notice verse 17, "Let everyone lead the life which the Lord assigned to him, and in which God has called him." Salvation came to himand right in the middle of a sinful lifestyle. 1 corinthians 7 17 24, Sermon series on 1 corinthians 7 17 24, Sermon series about 1 corinthians 7 17 24. Part 3: Sending the Spirit, John 8:12-30 Study Guide: I am the Light of the World, John 8:31-47 Study Guide: The Truth Will Set You Free, John 8:48-59 Study Guide: Before Abraham Was, \"I am\", John 10:1-21 Study Guide: The Good Shepherd, John 10:22-42 Study Guide: Safe in the Father\'s Hand, Jonah 1 Study Guide: Defiance and Discipline, Jonah 2 Study Guide: Salvation Belongs to the Lord, Jonah 3 Study Guide: The God of Second Chances. It may be helpful to think of these as three pieces of bread in a double-decker sandwich (like a Big Mac). Playing To Win - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. He makes me lie down in green pastures. We are thankful for this. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. Therefore, when Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:17, 20, and 24 that we should remain and live with God in the state in which we were called, he means: Remain in the state you were in when you were converted, when you were drawn by God into believing, loving fellowship with his Son. 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 have to think about the specifics of that in relation to who I am and who she is. God can save you and make you clean. 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. How do you know if they are good or if you should pursue them? 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 Slaves were sometimes highly educated and trusted with administrative responsibility. 1 Corinthians 7:17 Sermons: Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, so let him walk. But if you translate it as a command to seek freedom, the true point of the passage is obscured. This doctrine of effectual calling changes what we expect out of life. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24: Christianity and Staves: E. Hurndall : 1 Corinthians 7:20-24: Pulpit Commentary Homiletics. The opportunities may arise and if so, you are free to take them as long as its to a good thing. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, ESV We are going to see three sections in our study of this text. Was anyone called while circumcised? Now, dear brothers and sisters; how do we apply this principle? The main point of my message this morning can be stated as a declaration and as a prayer. So; thats what this principle looks like in relation to outward traditions. Theme: We are to walk as a faithful Christian in the place of life where God has called us to Himself. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? We often use the word "calling" to refer to our vocation: my calling is to be a homemaker; my calling is to be a salesman; etc. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.1 Corinthians 7:24, ESV. Now, in actual fact, the whole section - from verse 17 through to the end of the chapter, at vs40, really ought to be . Sermon Your Job as Ministry Jun 14, 1981 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 John Piper Article The Spiritual Power of Staying Put Why Christians Are Slow to Leave Jan 19, 2023 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Scott Hubbard Article The Best Form of Slavery Feb 11, 2012 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:22 John Piper Article Let's read 1 Corinthians 7:1724. But the next things that Paul goes on to talk about in verse twenty through twenty-three are vertical boundaries. The time may come when we may do something different, as long as it is lawful and properly available. God's Word To The Separated - 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 How To Tame Temptation - 1 Corinthians 10:12-14 This Do In Remembrance Of Me - 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 A Time We Call Communion - 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 Our Time At The Lord's Table - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 The Lord's Supper Service - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Follow Desiring God on Facebook . Lets have enough confidence in Gods call upon us to trust Him in it, and to let Him use it, and to even thank Him for it. 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. you should give the resounding answer: "His will is that I maintain close fellowship with him and devote myself to obeying his commandments." Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Once we are made new on the inside, things begin to change on the outside. Many of them had lived very sinful lifestyles. 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. So in answer to their question, he told them no. He may call us to Himself while we are in a place of sin; but He then leads us to live for Him outside that place of sin. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.1 Corinthians 7:17-24, ESV 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. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Let me suggest a few things. I love to watch Paul put his theology to work like this. 17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. But before we can understand either of these applications, we need to clarify a key word in the principle itself. He says if you have an opportunity to gain your freedom, avail yourself of that opportunity. Sometimes we start to ask, what if my good shepherd wants me to go to a greener pasture? 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Christianity is not a revolutionary religion of upward social mobility. Sermon Trusting God to Work it Out by Brian Bill. Before we can move onto anything else, respond to the call of God in Jesus Christ. Zacchaeus became a new creation by faith in Jesus. b. 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. What Paul was doing was showing that obedience to the commands of God is so much more important than any cultural distinctives, that the mere changing of these distinctives should be of no importance whatever to the Christian. The Bible tells you to love your neighbor as yourself and that looks different in different relationships. Now we need to see how Paul applied this principle in his day, and what it means for us today. To every person. so it be allowed, having put her away, to marry another. But it's true. 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. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. He showed Zacchaeuas love and mercy; and He even went to Zacchaeus house for dinner. Here begins our text in 1 Corinthians 7:17. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? It is no accident that you are where you are. But Paul deepens our understanding with a new theological reason. 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. And do you remember what Zacchaeus did? John 5:19-29 Study Guide: Jesus Gives Life, John 5:30-47 Study Guide: The Scriptures Point to Me, John 6:22-40 Study Guide: I am the Bread of Life, John 6:41-59 Study Guide: Jesus Addresses the Skeptics. Gods Calling Transcends Vertical Assignments It doesnt work that way. 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. But Paul was urging that this was not at all necessary for a believing Jewish person to do. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:22-24. (All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated). 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. There are times when we should avail ourselves of opportunities. "The lot is cast in the lap, but the decision is wholly from the Lord" (Proverbs 16:33). There were some Jewish Christians who insisted on that, however. It was to be a follower of the traditions of the Jewish people. Charles Hodge describes it this way, This would mean to be near God. Again, there is no point system. 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." 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.1 Corinthians 7:11, ESV We are located at the top of the intersection of NW 185th Avenue and Germantown Road. This is a word that is so often translated in the gospel of John and the letters of John as the word abide. 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. Paul says that its good, if you can, to remain in the situation that you are in. That would have been a true statement. Quietness Of Spirit . 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). Literally the verse says, "Let each one remain in the "calling" (not state) in which he was called." 18Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? You dont need to change your social status, just respond right now and repent in faith. If we are faithful in the place where He has called us, then He is better able to lead us to another place of calling if He so chooses. It will transform and transcend everything else you do. And to give you faith to believe that Jesus became a human being for us and for our salvation, because he lived the perfect righteous life that was required of us and died the cursed death of sinners that we deserved in our place. Now Paul talks about those who are slaves or free. "Were you a slave when called? Jun 14, 1981. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? This is my rule in all the churches. Do not be concerned about it. What does that mean? It was all for a glorious purpose. 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. Or to put it another way: How you do your job is a big part of your obedience to Jesus. But that raises and important and practical question. Let him not become uncircumcised. To be circumcised, of course, was to bear upon ones self the covenant sign of Israel. When Paul says in verse 17, "Let everyone lead the life . Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. First, God is very much more concerned with the way you do the job that you now have than he is with whether you get a new job.