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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. There was a monk whose name was Brother Lawrence who wrote a booked called, Practicing the Presence of God. You have a master, its the Lord Jesus Christ. This is my rule in all the churches. Let's all pray before we set out to work: "God, go with me today and keep me conscious of your presence. In light of the glorious heavenly calling that we have received, our earthly circumstances are in fact rather unimportant. 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. 1 Corinthians 7:17,20 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. 1 Corinthians. He told his story in 1 Timothy 1; and he was thankful for how God used the place of life he was in when he was called. Those that He has called to Himself by faith in Jesus were chosen by Him for that relationship long before they were ever born. Seek to follow the Lords leading but remember this number one priority. What Paul is talking about here, hes not laying out the gospel message about what Jesus Christ has done for us. If we translated this really literally, it would go like this, Only to each as God assigned, in the situation in which God has called each thus let him walk.. Were on a mission to change that. Were not automatically required to move out of our neighborhoods. We need to remain in the same calling in which we are calledunless and until God calls us to another place of life. Respond to Gods effectual call through faith in Jesus. All things truly have become new. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.1 Corinthians 7:24, ESV. We are going to see three sections in our study of this text. Paul gave the same principle again in verse 20; Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Do you notice that Paul referred to that place in which God calls us as a calling? But if it is not sinful place of lifeif it is not a place that is in violation of Gods clear commandmentsthen we are to remain there and let God work through us. It is so important, in fact, that Paul repeats it three times in this short passage. He wrote; For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God (Romans 2:28-29). Then we ask am I obeying? The question at Corinth was: When we come to Christ, what should we abandon? We pray this in Christs name. 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! Paul is saying that circumcision has nothing to do with this. Paul talks about this in terms of "living as you are called." This calling is not talking about your vocation, it is talking about your identity in Christ and how you live your life in response to that. He is not to become uncircumcised. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 New American Standard Bible 17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this way let him walk. 1 Corinthians 7:17-31. My life is to obey God and enjoy his presence.". Trending: The Cost of Discipleship. Paul is a very unfashionable thinker and, therefore, eternally relevant. I have to think, do those things line up? Do not be concerned about it. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). 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. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? He wrote; And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And so, He had His loving eye upon us, and His sovereign hand upon our lives, from the very beginning. Sermon. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? This is a word that is so often translated in the gospel of John and the letters of John as the word abide. 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." Paul then wrote a letter to the Christians at Corinth warning them "to have no company with sexual sinners" (1 Corinthians 5:9), but that letter has been lost to us. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24: Christianity and Staves: E. Hurndall : 1 Corinthians 7:20-24: Pulpit Commentary Homiletics. 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. Your Job as Ministry. You must be white in order to be approved." For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy (1 Corinthians 7:12-14). Caleb Greggsen pastors an English-speaking church in Central Asia. If you took that job you would functionally be a slave. This, then, is a very important principle for new creations in Christ. God's revealed will for you (the only will you are responsible to obey) is your sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3), not your vocation. Indeed, becoming a slave of the right person could be a career choice. Any date. We can paraphrase the verses to show the difference between the general call and the effective call: Paul says, "We call everyone to believe in Christ crucified, but many Jews find this call to be a stumbling block, and many Gentiles find this call to be foolishness, but those who are called (that is, powerfully and effectively drawn to Christ) find the gospel call to be the power and wisdom of God.". a. While on his third missionary journey, the apostle Paul wrote the letter of 1 Corinthians to a fractioned church in the city of Corinth in Ancient Greece around A.D. 54. They are made brand new on the inside. . God had providentially called them from within that particular relationship in order that He might use them as a witness to their unbelieving husband or unbelieving wife. 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. He didnt have to be circumcised, and become a devoted follower of the Jewish religious traditions. These three statements of Paul's principle divide the text into two parts. Sometimes we start to ask, what if my good shepherd wants me to go to a greener pasture? So, he says in verse eighteen, Should the believer pull out in order to keep pure? You have to look at what the scriptures teach, and you have to ask for Gods illumination to see how that relates to what is in front of me. Never mind. 1 Corinthians 7:15-16, ESV . 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. God left them to remain in that very situation so that they might also have a godly influence upon their children. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity. I know what God has called me to be to my family and I know that this job will take time away from me which will cut into the way that I should be loving my family and the way that I should be serving in my church and my neighbors. And so I ordain in all the churches. So all Christians, and only Christians, are called in this sense. 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 Study Guide: Why Not Rather Be Cheated? The Sermon below tackles about the Biblical teachings about marriage, marital relationship and divorce. Let's read 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. And likewise, the Bible tells us that we are not our own, but that we have been purchased at the cost of the blood of Jesuseven if, culturally speaking, we are now in a state of freedom. The word "calling" here refers to vocation or station in life. But Jesus came by one day and paid a call on Zacchaeus. Its a good question. If they were called to God in a state of cultural freedom, then they are to be faithful to walk with Jesus Christ as His servants within their liberty. Still, we might ask the question why Paul doesnt seek that the institution of slavery be abolished all together? 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. God alone rules each circumstance of life. 24 and are . And note one more thing. Pray with me. so it be allowed, having put her away, to marry another. You have heard this morning about how He transforms the lives of all those who trust Him. In verse 19, Paul wrote, Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing And we should understand that Paul, in saying this, didnt mean that such things didnt matter. Let no man enslave your soul. Podcast: Play in new window What should you do? . But it's true. Many of them had lived very sinful lifestyles. What did I say, what didnt I say? You would be functionally a slave, yet what an honorable position working for that great politician. We pray that if there are some who do not know Jesus Christ that you would right now be working in their hearts. So often when we go to the Bible, we are trying to get answers to our questions; what school should I go to, who should I marry? Not only the president but anyone at higher rank than you could dump whatever work they wanted to on you. 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) What do we mean by this? Paul is saying that in the new covenant the separation of people groups by national entities is no longer important. 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. 1 Corinthians:7:32 . Again, in verse eleven Praise God for the total transformation that comes from being a new creation in Christ. The calling is the call to believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ. 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 There are times when we should avail ourselves of opportunities. Fourth, and finally, this text implies that the job you now have, as long as you are there, is God's assignment to you. The circumstances you are in are relatively unimportant because of the glory that God is calling to you in Christ. It will transform and transcend everything else you do. To be perpetually mindful of his presence and favor. The point is: when you are called into the fellowship of Christ, you gain a new set of radically Christ-centered priorities; so much so that if you are a slave, it should not cause you to fret. If you were converted as a Jew, don't try to become a Gentile. You are not my life. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? It is, in fact, a principle for all those who believe on Jesusand in all the churches that belong to Him. This is the second principle that Paul goes on to say is that what the gospel does is undercut the very foundation upon which chattel-based slavery, possession-based slavery rests. Only let everyone lead the life which the Lord has assigned to him, and in which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. We dont pray for an answer but for an illumination. But it may be, as Jesus predicted in Matthew 10:34ff., that the rebellion and unbelief of the unbelieving spouse will turn Christianity into a sword that severs, instead of a peaceful balm that heals. (1 Corinthians 7:17-24) . You dont have to join a new people group. This has far-reaching cultural implications: if you are black, don't try to become white; if you are white, don't try to become black. We need to think long and hard about whether what we communicate to our children about success is biblical or just American. 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). Paul intended this to be a fundamental principle for all people who have put their faith in Jesus Christ and have become new creations in Him. Picking Your Fights - 1 Corinthians 9:1-23. This is clear from the fact that he had Timothy circumcised (Acts 16:3), and from his own statement that he becomes all things to all men that he might save some (1 Corinthians 9:22). Now obviously, staying in that place in which He called us assumes that it is not an inherently sinful place. 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). Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Stated as a prayer, the main point today is: Father, grant to us all the grace to be conscious of your presence at our work and to obey your commands in all our vocational relationships. Jesus Is Wounded By The Dividing Of Church Contributed by Lay Man on May 28, 2015 . Denomination: Salvation Army. Please answer His call. In other words, whatever assignment you have been given, the calling of God comes to you at a specific time in the middle of an assignment. And so I direct in all the churches. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. As a Jewish man, he would never have been indifferent to the covenant sign that God gave to his ancestor Abraham. That's basically what uncircumcision and circumcision stood for. The calling of life has been provided by nothing less than the blood of Jesus Christ and the faith that he gives us by the Holy Spirit. Thats the most important thing. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. You are called in whatever assignment you find yourself to abide with God through faith in Christ. We have in this congregation nurses, teachers, carpenters, artists, secretaries, bookkeepers, lawyers, receptionists, accountants, social workers, repairmen of various sorts, engineers, office managers, waitresses, plumbers, salesmen, security guards, doctors, military personnel, counselors, bankers, police officers, decorators, musicians, architects, painters, house cleaners, school administrators, housewives, missionaries, pastors, cabinet makers, and many more. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. I have to think about the specifics of that in relation to who I am and who she is. Rather, the Jewish follower of the Jewish traditions who came to Christ was encouraged to remain in the cultural traditions in which he was called, and to live faithfully for Jesus in it. I think it is true in the final analysis that this is not an absolute prohibition of accepting freedom, anymore that verse 18 was an absolute prohibition of circumcision. And thirdly, I believe we should always strivewherever He has usto be a faithful witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. We dont need to find an island that we can settle in and populate that is just for Christians, sealed off from the rest of the world. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ as Lord and Savior will never destroy the covenant of marriage which God ordained at creation. Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Text: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17. The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. This may be correct, but I find it hard to accept since the principle he is illustrating is expressed in v. 20 as "Everyone should remain in the state in which he was called," and in verse 24 as "In whatever state each was called, there let him remain with God." Responsible Freedom - 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. Specifically, Paul talks about the divisions between the Jews and the Gentiles. Should you leave whatever you are doing and go do whatever you think Holy Spirit should be doing? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. That is the great message of this mornings passage. So, these are the horizontal assignments, the boundaries, the people Gods. He is author of. Having discussed the principle of staying in the God-ordained relationship of marriage when you become a Christian, Paul now discusses this principle in two other connections. The universal default principle is that you should stay where you are. Other times slavery provided opportunities for upward social mobility that poor people wouldnt normally have. So, what does Paul mean, dont worry about circumcision, just worry about keeping the commands 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. What does that mean? This is why we look for a word of the Lord, you dont need a word from the Lord, you already have it. Let me conclude now with some practical implications. 1) God put us here. If we are always trying to discern if we are getting what we need, we will never be content. During dinner, he stood up and said. Paul himself was a devoted Jewish man; and becoming a follower of Jesus didnt mean that he had to abandon the traditions of his fathers. There is provision for freeing slaves in the Old Testament, and we are familiar with a tax collector who became a preacher and fishermen who became missionaries. Everything, everything falls before the priority of God. You are where you are by divine assignment, even if you got there by fraud. This is a very unfashionable teaching in contemporary western society, because it cuts the nerve of worldly ambition. So, the first thing that Paul talks about are these honorable assignments between different people groups. This is my rule in all the churches. The upshot of this is that whether a person is a slave or a freedman, it ought not be the cause of his despair or his pride. Even here thats not quite what Paul is saying. Old sinful habits and practices begin to be set aside. But the next things that Paul goes on to talk about in verse twenty through twenty-three are vertical boundaries. You dont need to change your social status, just respond right now and repent in faith. In other words, don't make such a big deal out of whether you are circumcised or not, or whether you are white or black or red or Swedish. Encourage my heart when I tend to despair, and humble me when I tend to boast. The Bible tells you to love your neighbor as yourself and that looks different in different relationships. Yet if you are in the condition of a bondservant, understand you dont need to seek a change from that either. He makes me lie down in green pastures. We are thankful for this. Why is this? It may be helpful to think of these as three pieces of bread in a double-decker sandwich (like a Big Mac). All Sermons Bible Studies Devotionals Prayers. These questions plague us.This passage doesnt establish our circumstances as unalterable. b. Let's read 1 Corinthians 7:1724. Playing To Win - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Jun 14, 1981. This isnt to sugar coat slavery; it could be a very bad condition and thats why people did try to save up money to buy their own freedom. Follow Desiring God on Facebook . ", 18245 NW Germantown Road Between the top two pieces are verses 18 and 19 where the principle is applied to the issue of circumcision and uncircumcision. This sermon (1 Corinthians 1: 10 - 17) was preached at West Ewell Evangelical Church, Surrey, on Sunday 15 March 2015. Remain, if you are free as you are. He says if you have an opportunity to gain your freedom, avail yourself of that opportunity. This is a very important principle. Devote yourself to that with all your heart, and take whatever job you want. We are to live in the same family with God. Dont be anxious about your assignment in life. Look at that word remain in verse twenty. There is no clear objective rule on this. This is true. In those days, people would often sell themselves into slavery to pay off debts. If they were called to God in a state of cultural slavery, then they are to be faithful to walk with Jesus Christ as His servants within that state of slavery. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? In the assignment in which the call of God came to you, walk in that. Now, Paul is then drawing the application of this point to probably one of the most difficult circumstances to find yourself in, that of a bondservant, a slave. 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. (2) If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast aboutbut not before God. Building On The Past - 1 Corinthians 10:1-12. "A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Third, for you younger people who have not entered a profession yet, the implication of our text is this: When you ask yourself the question, "What is God's will for my life?" He used circumcision and slavery as illustrations to describe God's sovereignty over the social and religious barriers of his day. If she wanted to marry, and her father would not allow her to do so, she might disgrace her father and ruin her own testimony by marrying the wrong person. As Paul writes in verse 17, And so I ordain in all the churches. This is a foundational principle for every believer in Christ, in every Christian church, in any culture, in any nation of the world, at any time in history. We start seeking out fellowship with other Christians. Thats the call, our assignments are ultimately irrelevant. 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. Yet he realized that was the greatest joy that he had. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. This passage teaches us that we can all calm down; we dont have to get anxious about our calling in life. Gods call transforms and transcends us, as one commentator writes, in all of the circumstances that we find ourselves in. Putting the two applications of Paul's principle together, the teaching seems to be this: Obeying the commands of God (v. 19) and enjoying his presence (v. 24) are so vastly more important than what your culture or your job is that you should feel no compulsion to change your position. Either waywhatever the cultural or social situation we are called in, we are to do as Paul says in verse 24. Some of them had become born again by faith in Jesus, and were now brand new creations in Christ. 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. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. And what we all need to hear is that what lies most on the heart of God is not whether we move from one to the other, but whether in our present work we are enjoying God's promised presence and obeying his commands in the way we do our work. The Bible tells us that He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:7). February 17, 2020. The first word is assignments, I see this in verse seventeen. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? In a word, the application of Paul's principle to cultural distinctives is this: Don't fret and don't boast about your present state of cultural distinctives; they are of little importance to God compared to whether you are devoting yourself, soul and mind and body, to obeying his commandments, which are all fulfilled in this: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Romans 13:810; Galatians 5:14).