Message Notes for June 16, 2024

Series: Gains and Losses

Title: Honoring God in Marriage or Singleness

1 Corinthians 7:1-16 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.

· Singleness and celibacy are gifts to be celebrated!

· Sexuality in marriage is a blessing from God!

· Satan tempts to destroy the sexuality God intended to bless!

1 Corinthians 7:10-13  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. 

Marriage must always have a long-term view.

Jesus pours out forgiveness and restoration.

1 Corinthians 7:14-16  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?

There is a mission in marriage.

Family/Group Study Notes for the week of June 16, 2024

Series: Gains and Losses

Title: Honoring God in Marriage or Singleness

* If you are single, share with those in your group how you see your singleness as a gift from God to serve Him or others. How do you value your gift of singleness? What are your frustrations of singleness? In 1 Corinthians chapter 7, why does Paul value singleness so much?

* If you are married, share with those in your group how you see your marriage as a means to serve God in the world. How can your marriage limit your mission for Jesus? How can your marriage increase your mission for Jesus? How can your marriage be a model for unbelievers?

* Read Matthew 5:31-32 and Mark 10:2-11. What is Jesus saying in this passage about marriage and divorce? Why does Jesus “throw a caution” for easy ways out of a marriage? Why does Jesus place such a high value on marriage? What does that value say about God’s creation and design? How does this speak to our culture today?

* Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-16. Write down the key points Paul is making in this passage about marriage, singleness, sexuality and Satan. What encouragement is Paul giving to marriage? What encouragement is Paul giving to singleness? Why does Paul stress the need for a husband and wife to pay attention to the sexual needs of each other? How can God use the marriage of a believer and unbeliever for His glory?

* Name the ways Satan has deceptively made sexuality acceptable that differ from God’s view of sexuality. How is it possible for people to have a healthy view of sexuality when they are so conditioned to the cultural view everywhere they look?

* In consideration of what you have reviewed in this study, what are the gains God wants you to have?

* Gather with each other and pray for God-centered marriages and singleness for His glory in the world.