Never mind. So, Paul then gives a principle. There were people that were preaching that in order to be a Christian you had to first be circumcised. Stay Where You're Called (1 Corinthians 7:17-24) In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. This calling from God is different, on the one hand, from our vocational "calling" and, on the other hand, from the general call to repent that goes out to all men. Sermon Central Share a Sermon; Try PRO Free; Help; Sign In; Sermon . (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) What matters is not whether our job is high or low in man's eyes. For holy Scripture causes a hard knot in this matter, in that the Apostle says, that, by commandment of the Lord, the wife ought not to depart from . But it's true. 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. So, in verse nineteen Paul says, just to explain this a little further, Let him not be circumcised. If a Gentile man became a believer in Jesus the Jewish Messiah, he himself did not have to then become Jewish. During dinner, he stood up and said. . 8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.1 Corinthians 7:8, ESV There were some who had forsaken that sign and who had become uncircumcised. Am I perhaps seeing signs, I got this parking spot here, I got a phone call there, is God speaking to me by his providence? To be perpetually mindful of his presence and favor. Paul says that its good, if you can, to remain in the situation that you are in. mThis is my rule in nall the churches. 1 Corinthians 7:17-31. Some of them had become born again by faith in Jesus, and were now brand new creations in Christ. As Richard Hayes writes, To be the slave of a powerful master could be an honorable station. Likewise he who is called while free is Christs slave. 18Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? What should you do? 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. Then he looks to the noble free man and says, "Do not become proud, for in Christ you are a slave. 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. No new uncircumcised believer in Christ was required to become circumcised or to hold to the traditions passed on by Moses. 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. Genesis 5:22-24 That's basically what uncircumcision and circumcision stood for. You can't be white if you want to be accepted." This is my rule in all the churches. Another example in verses 1216 is the question, What should we do if one marriage partner puts his or her faith in Christ but the other doesn't? If everything on the inside is new, should we then completely get rid of every aspect of the outside life and start over? Were not automatically required to move out of our neighborhoods. How do we discern the Lords word in our lives? Second, as we have seen, the command to stay in the calling in which you were when converted is not absolute. The time may come when we may do something different, as long as it is lawful and properly available. He is not to become uncircumcised. Jesus said, Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all of these things will be added to you. He was talking about food and clothing, but we get anxious about our life situations too. Let Him make you into a new creation. 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) 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. To what degree should the outside be changed? 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. Its in almost every verse. 1) God put us here. Only let everyone lead the life which the Lord has assigned to him, and in which God has called him. The most important thing is your faith and obedience and keeping the commandments of God. Between the top two pieces are verses 18 and 19 where the principle is applied to the issue of circumcision and uncircumcision. They are made brand new on the inside. Let no man enslave your soul. 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! 17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. The call of God which puts us into believing, loving fellowship with Jesus is a powerful, effective call that draws us to the Son (John 6:44, 65). Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Single And Whole Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on May 30, 2018 | 5,574 views This sermon deals with the reality that every single person is a whole person. Rather, he meant that ones place in the social structure as a slave didnt affect whether or not someone was able to be a follower of Jesus. 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. The moment any woman or man or young person places their faith in Jesus Christ, they become completely born-again in Him. New practices and habits begin to be embraced. One is the work of the Holy Spirit in the objective inspiration of the Bible. We know this not only because of the exceptions Paul allowed to his principle here in 1 Corinthians 7 (cf. 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. Gods call transforms and transcends us, as one commentator writes, in all of the circumstances that we find ourselves in. Again Paul answers, no. One of the questions that they asked had to do with their marriages. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. I have a responsibility to my wife that no one in heaven or earth shares. We are anxious about so many things, but our Heavenly Father knows that we need all of these things. Instead, they should stay in the marriage in which God had called them to Himself. In whatever place of life we were in, at that time when we were called by God to place our faith in Jesus and trust Him as our Savior, we are to remain there as if with God. But that raises and important and practical question. In verse twenty-four Paul tells us what is means to abide with God. You dont need an objective ruling, you need illumination. 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. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. )1 Corinthians 7:21, ESV 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Look carefully at that phrase as God has distributed to each one. These three statements of Paul's principle divide the text into two parts. Am I living my best life now? 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. "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established" (Proverbs 19:21). 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. We should learn to accept His calling, and to be confident in it, and to even thank Him for it. 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. What does that mean? It doesnt work that way. So, we bring in these ideas of following the will of the Lord. 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. Some Jewish men made themselves Hellenisticthat is, members of Greek cultureby doing so. 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 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. Circumcision was an old covenant symbol and the purpose of the picture was to point to a person, the person of Jesus Christ and out of the Jewish circumcised people came the Lord Jesus Christ. If you were converted as a Jew, don't try to become a Gentile. 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. Someone was just as able to be called to God through Christand to live for Jesus just as faithfullyin a state of slavery as much as in a state of freedom. There is no new prophecy, no new words from the Lord, they are already given to us. Am I in the will of God? 1- They seem to be looking to Paul as an example for the Christian life. We are to go to the same job or the same schoolbut were to now do it all as before God, and as His servants, and with trust in Him, and as unto His glory. 17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. Were not automatically required to leave our families when we come to know Jesus Christ. Part 2: The Truth from God, John 7:37-39 Study Guide: What's the Deal with Jesus? Old sinful habits and practices begin to be set aside. Then and only then may circumcision (as Paul implies in Romans 2:25) and other cultural distinctives become beautiful, in a very secondary and derivative way as expressions of the obedience of faith. We begin to pray about everything. In verses 17-24, we see that Paul applies this principle to all of life. Let him not seek circumcision. Search the scriptures, but not for an answer. verse 15), but also because Scripture depicts and approves such changes. 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. And if we understand its broad cultural application, it offends all of us. This is my rule in all the churches. Do not be concerned about it Paul didnt mean, of course, that it was a matter of indifference that someone was a slave. It was a sovereign on purpose; and was guided and arranged by Him for the manifestation of His glory in and through us. Our separation from the world as Gods holy church is not marked by ceremonial circumcision, but by holy obedience that God graciously enables through Christ by his spirit in our lives. Zacchaeus became a new creation by faith in Jesus. And thirdly, I believe we should always strivewherever He has usto be a faithful witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. For this objective teaching of the eternal word of God recorded for us in the scriptures of the Old and new testaments, which is the only rule to direct us concerning God and what duty we owe to God. He showed Zacchaeuas love and mercy; and He even went to Zacchaeus house for dinner. The greener grass syndrome, where we look for somewhere else or a different situation where my life would be easier or just flat out better. Follow Desiring God on Facebook . Here begins our text in 1 Corinthians 7:17. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.1 Corinthians 7:24, ESV. (All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated). Christianity is a message that the calling of God transformations whatever you are doing so that you can remain there. Are you feeling and sensing Jesus Christ drawing you to himself through his spirit? First, I believe we should learn to be confident in Gods call for us. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. There were some Jewish Christians who insisted on that, however. 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. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.1 Corinthians 7:17-24, ESV February 17, 2020. We pray. That is the great message of this mornings passage. . There are times when we should avail ourselves of opportunities. All of those things are, by the providence of God, a part of our callingin the very midst of which He calls us into a relationship with Jesus. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity. Paul has already used this word a few times and its good to look back and see them. There is no clear objective rule on this. It was all for a glorious purpose. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. Now, notice that later on in verse twenty-one, God doesnt prohibit slaves from leaving their circumstances. This passage teaches us that we can all calm down; we dont have to get anxious about our calling in life. Any date. John 6:60-71 Study Guide: Where Else Would We Go? But if you translate it as a command to seek freedom, the true point of the passage is obscured. If you are Mexican, don't try to become American; if you are American, don't try to become Mexican. But as you see, Zacchaeus didnt remain in that sinful lifestyle any longer. When Jesus said in Matthew 22:14, "Many are called, but few are chosen," he referred to the world-wide call of the gospel which many people hear and reject to their own doom. No, Paul says this is my rule in all the churches. Its important to remember that when someone comes to faith in Jesus, it wasnt only thenat that momentthat God had begun to work in their lives. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 17-24). Respond to Gods effectual call through faith in Jesus. This is seen most clearly in 1 Corinthians 1:23, 24, where Paul says, "We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." If the Bible tells you something directly and you were planning on going in a different direction, you are objectively sinning.The Bible says to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. In light of the glorious heavenly calling that we have received, our earthly circumstances are in fact rather unimportant. 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. 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. He looks to the slave who may feel hopeless and says, "In Christ you are a free man. A life that is lived in faith to Jesus and the way the he appoints for believers to live in. The question this morning is do you hear Gods effectual call? We are going to see three sections in our study of this text. He could have said, "For being a slave is nothing, and being a freedman is nothing, but keeping the commands of God is everything." They wrote to the apostle Paul; and they asked him many questions about such things. Quietness Of Spirit . What matters is whether we are being encouraged and humbled by the presence of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Let's read 1 Corinthians 7:1724. 7 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. If you have an opportunity to go and follow a different religion that rejects the Lord Jesus Christ, that in sin. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Live as You Are Called 17 Only let each person lead the life3 lthat the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. (All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated).
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