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. 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. In the assignment in which the call of God came to you, walk in that. 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Many of them demanded that the Gentiles who were coming to Christ now needed to become circumcised and to follow the traditions passed on by Moses. Paul has already made that case in marriage and singleness, then in circumcision and uncircumcision. Bible Study & Sermon Videos; 1 corinthians 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 16:17-18. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 New International Version Concerning Change of Status 17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. Those that He has called to Himself by faith in Jesus were chosen by Him for that relationship long before they were ever born. That has to do with our outward mode of lifethe place of life in this world that God has granted to us. This is my rule in all the churches. If that is true, then we need to think through our opportunities and our assignments with that lens. There is one who has authority over you, and you must be humble and submissive.". Never mind. Were not automatically required to quit our jobs, or quit our course of study at school, or abandon our vocations. Verse 19 says literally, "Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God (is everything)." Text: Acts 19:1-20 Sermon Series: On Mission. I have to ask for the illumination to understand the objective teaching of scripture, does that line up with this situation? Up to this point Paul has been talking about remaining in the situations that we find ourselves in in our marriages. Any duration. 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. Paul is not pronouncing a blanket condemnation upon all those who adopt aspects of other cultures and give up aspects of their own. Do not be concerned about it. He makes me lie down in green pastures. We are thankful for this. (All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated). Never mind. He had betrayed his own Jewish kinsmen; and he was collecting taxes from them for the Roman government. It declares to us how much it is that Jesus transforms the life of whoever trusts in Him. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal . Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. Let him not become uncircumcised. 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?" Your job is to search the scriptures and ask how this speaks into the general principles as you are praying for illumination. If everything on the inside is new, should we then completely get rid of every aspect of the outside life and start over? Then Paul expands that principle to show us that its a general principle that should affect all of our lives. 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. How do I bloom where Christ has put me? This is why we look for a word of the Lord, you dont need a word from the Lord, you already have it. Gods Calling Transcends Horizontal Assignments In our last time together, we talked about Pauls answer to this important question from 1 Corinthians 7:12-14. Between the top two pieces are verses 18 and 19 where the principle is applied to the issue of circumcision and uncircumcision. Bible > 1 Corinthians > Chapter 7 > Verse 17 Library Free Downloads eBibles 1 Corinthians 7:17 21 Were you a bondservant when called? It was all for a glorious purpose. Likewise he who is called while free is Christs slave. a- Paul at this time is single. But otherwise, the believer is to remain in the place where God had called them to Himself; and they should continue walking faithfully with Him there, and allow Him to use them as His witnesses for the kingdom of Jesus. The time may come when we may do something different, as long as it is lawful and properly available. We should seek to serve God in whatever situation He places useither now or later. Gods call transforms and transcends us, as one commentator writes, in all of the circumstances that we find ourselves in. How you fulfill the demands of that job is just as essential in life as what you do here on Sunday. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. Later text clarifies that Paul is not denouncing marriage or forbidding it in any sense. 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. What did I say, what didnt I say? 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. No new uncircumcised believer in Christ was required to become circumcised or to hold to the traditions passed on by Moses. Even so, we know that they are a sinner and you are a sinner. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 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." For example, when Jesus when off to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, he told his disciples abide here while I go to pray. The idea was wait here until I come back. Romans 4:1-5 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? In calling us to Himself in Christ at the time He did, and in the place of life He did, and under the circumstances He didwith that upbringing we had, or in that cultural setting in which we live our lives, or with that social standing He has given us in this worldHe has not made any mistakes. Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold. And Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:8-10). Prepare your messages on God's Word in 1 Corinthians with sermon outlines or an . Our sovereign God makes those of us who trust in Jesus into new creations on the inside; but He then calls us to remain in the place where He has called us on the outsideand to thus let Him show forth His work in us to others who are also in that place. 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. 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. Gods Calling Transcends Vertical Assignments In other words, coming to faith in Christ does not make a person want to abandon relationships appointed by God, but to sanctify them. 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.". 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Imagine you had an opportunity to work as a low-level staffer at the White House of, pick your president I dont want to get into politics, whichever president you would most like to work for past or present, think about that person and lets not get into politics. The most important thing is your faith and obedience and keeping the commandments of God. 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. Not only that, but this translation does not do justice to all the words in the Greek ("even" and "rather") which come out in the alternative translation: "Were you called as a slave? By Leslie Holmes on February 28, 2023 15 Outstanding Quotes To Recharge Your Preaching 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. 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. Denomination: Salvation Army. This wasnt meant just for the believers in Corinth. As a Jewish man, he would never have been indifferent to the covenant sign that God gave to his ancestor Abraham. We begin to read the Bible with new passion and understanding. Romans 3:23 - 24: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. With long-suffering and prayer and humble, exemplary conduct, the believing partner longs to win the unbeliever. ", 18245 NW Germantown Road
verse 15), but also because Scripture depicts and approves such changes. 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. For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lords freedman. God alone rules each circumstance of life. Now we need to see how Paul applied this principle in his day, and what it means for us today. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 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! But as you see, Zacchaeus didnt remain in that sinful lifestyle any longer. Gods Calling Transcends Vertical Assignments All of us are prone to asking whether or not the grass may be greener somewhere than where we are living our lives right now. 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. For many of us that may mean turning over a new leaf tomorrow morning. He has kept those relations in place for a reason. Still, we might ask the question why Paul doesnt seek that the institution of slavery be abolished all together? And so ordain I in all churches abide. To what degree should the outside be changed? you should give the resounding answer: "His will is that I maintain close fellowship with him and devote myself to obeying his commandments." Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Study Guide: Such Were Some of You, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Study Guide: Bought With a Price, 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 Study Guide: The Beauty of Marriage, 1 Corinthians 7:8-16 Study Guide: Approaching Difficulties in Marriage, 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Study Guide: Living the Life God has Given, 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 Study Guide: Christian Singleness, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Study Guide: When You're 100% Right and 100% Wrong, 1 Corinthians 9:1-23 Study Guide: Surrendering Your Rights, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Study Guide: Run to Win the Race, 1 Corinthians 10:1-14 Study Guide: A Way Out of Temptation, John 17 Study Guide 2: Sharing in Community, John 17 Study Guide 3: Sharing in Mission, John 17 Study Guide Part 4: Growing in Christ, 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 Study Guide: Glory to God in All Things, 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 Study Guide: Because of the Angels, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Study Guide: The Lord's Supper, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Study Guide: Spiritual Gifts for the Common Good, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 Study Guide: One Body, Many Members, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 Study Guide: Love Never Ceases, 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Study Guide: When the Perfect Comes, 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 Study Guide: Pursuing Love and Desiring the Gifts, 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 Study Guide: Orderly Worship, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Study Guide: Gospel Centered Faith. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, ESV And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. Sometimes we think of calling in the sense of vocation, but the word calling as Paul uses it has to do with Gods effectual calling. You were bought with a price. 1 Corinthians. Is it a job that is not esteemed as highly as other professions? Encourage my heart when I tend to despair, and humble me when I tend to boast. We need to think long and hard about whether what we communicate to our children about success is biblical or just American. The Time is Short "The time is short." 1 Corinthians vii. One of the questions that they asked had to do with their marriages. NOTE: Paul was separated unto Christ from his mother's womb but not saved until the Damascus Road Galatians 1:15; Acts 9. by Alistair Begg. Charles Hodge describes it this way, This would mean to be near God. We dont need to be so concerned with what we are getting out of life. Thats the call, our assignments are ultimately irrelevant. Again Paul answers, no. Picking Your Fights - 1 Corinthians 9:1-23. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. But it's true. 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. Verse 17 says, "Let everyone lead the life which the Lord has assigned to him." Literally the verse says, "Let each one remain in the "calling" (not state) in which he was called." This is a very important principle. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Then Paul gives the theological reason for this admonition. Jun 14, 1981. You would not work whenever you please, but you would work at the pleasure of the president, every moment of your life. That was about the most offensive thing Paul could say to a Jew: Circumcision is nothing. Paul says, white is nothing, black is nothing, red is nothing, yellow is nothing, but keeping God's commandments is everything; therefore, don't try to switch cultures. No, Paul says this is my rule in all the churches. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 April 21, 2002 Intro: Again Paul seems to be alluding to a series of questions presented to him. Were on a mission to change that. You would work gruelingly long hour. We do have assignments from the Lord, but the important thing is that call. What wonderful news that is! No matter how difficult his circumstances was, no matter how menials the assignments he was given, what a joy to abide in the presence with God. Specifically, Paul talks about the divisions between the Jews and the Gentiles. Paul gives a resounding no in verse 3. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.1 Corinthians 7:24, ESV. 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. We will pervert Paul's teaching and miss his intention if we take the sentence, "Let the uncircumcised not be circumcised" (verse 18), and make it an absolute prohibition of cultural adaptations. Remain, if you are free as you are. The Bible tells us that He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:7). Bethany Bible Church Sunday Message; January 27, 2019 from 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. But Jesus came by one day and paid a call on Zacchaeus. *"This date is an approximation of when this sermon was delivered." THE text does not say that time is short. The hope of glory when he returns. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Don't let that be a care to you; but, even if you can become a freedman, rather make use of (your present position)." He could have said, "For being a slave is nothing, and being a freedman is nothing, but keeping the commands of God is everything." One of the problems in the church at Corinth was the uncertainty about how faith in Christ should affect the ordinary relationships of human life. The word that occurs in each statement of the principle and nine times altogether in this paragraph is the word "call." 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. 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. The early church lifted up the single lifestyle. Were you circumcised? 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.1 Corinthians 7:17-24, ESV 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? (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) Paul is saying that in the new covenant the separation of people groups by national entities is no longer important. Once we are made new on the inside, things begin to change on the outside. Its in almost every verse. 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. As one commentator, Lenski, writes, Paul is taking the minor idea of these assignments that we have, and he is including them with the major blessing to the call to faith in Jesus Christ.. Any date. )1 Corinthians 7:21, ESV By: Pastor Jacob Gerber | Series: 1 Corinthians. 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. 24 and are . In verses 17-24, we see that Paul applies this principle to all of life. Paul went on to tell them that, if their unbelieving husband or unbelieving wife resented their new life in Christif they hated their faith so much that they did not want to stay with them any longerthen the believer should allow that unbelieving spouse to go. In both of those cases, Paul is saying remain in your assignments, whatever they may be as you await the hope of glory when Christ returns. The idea of abiding in a situation while you are awaiting something bigger, we see most clearly in 1 John 2:28 Do not be concerned about it Paul didnt mean, of course, that it was a matter of indifference that someone was a slave. When you are called to Christ, even as a bondservant you dont belong to your master but to the Lord. 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) In verse 18, he wrote Was anyone called while circumcised? Old sinful habits and practices begin to be set aside. Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. 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. The moment any woman or man or young person places their faith in Jesus Christ, they become completely born-again in Him. 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). Now, dear brothers and sisters; how do we apply this principle? Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. If we are always trying to discern if we are getting what we need, we will never be content. 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. But their husbands or wives had not done so. Some Jewish men made themselves Hellenisticthat is, members of Greek cultureby doing so. 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). 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. 29. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? 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. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 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. 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. These questions plague us.This passage doesnt establish our circumstances as unalterable. We need to remain in the same calling in which we are calledunless and until God calls us to another place of life. Sometimes we start to ask, what if my good shepherd wants me to go to a greener pasture? 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. The Sermon below tackles about the Biblical teachings about marriage, marital relationship and divorce. Your Job as Ministry. This is absolutely imperative to grasp lest we create a new legalism. 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. Do you remember the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector in Luke 19? Are you single, married? 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? What he is talking about here is the situation that a believer, someone who has been called to faith in Jesus Christ and has responded with saving, justifying faith to the call of God, that we believers are called to live a life where we are living in a way that is defined to us by the word of God. How do I sort through my own mixed emotions when Im trying to make decisions on how to live in the various circumstances of my life? These three statements of Paul's principle divide the text into two parts. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.1 Corinthians 7:17-24, ESV 1 corinthians 7 17 24, Sermon series on 1 corinthians 7 17 24, Sermon series about 1 corinthians 7 17 24. There is no clear objective rule on this. One time he uses the word "calling" in this vocational sense, namely, in verse 20. It was to be a follower of the traditions of the Jewish people. Never mind. Most practically, how do we evaluate opportunities that present themselves? Likewise he who is called while free is Christs slave. As the Bible tells us, if the Lord Jesus sets us free then we are free indeedeven if, culturally speaking, we are still in a state of slavery. Its in that context that you can serve your master, because you arent serving your master suddenly you are in an assignment where the calling of Jesus Christ is intersected. During dinner, he stood up and said. Quietness Of Spirit . 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. These are our assignments, the relationships that God has given us to live in. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:1-7. Never mind." Their condition as married people did not need to change. 1 Corinthians 7:17,20 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. The opportunities may arise and if so, you are free to take them as long as its to a good thing. 1) God put us here. It means to remain or endure in a situation, specifically with the idea of awaiting something else. When I read in Ephesians five that I need to lay down my life for my wife, I have to think about my conversations with her. 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. The reason a person can say, "Never mind," even though he is a slave, is this: verse 22, "For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord." Understand that this is the glorious gospel of salvation in Christ. But the next things that Paul goes on to talk about in verse twenty through twenty-three are vertical boundaries. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. And Paul's answer is: You don't need to abandon your vocation if you can stay in it with God. Then we ask am I obeying? The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. Is yours a menial job? You are where you are by divine assignment, even if you got there by fraud. All of us, in whatever assignments we find ourselves, we are the slaves of Jesus Christ and that transcends any worldly employment or assignment. First, I believe we should learn to be confident in Gods call for us. But Paul deepens our understanding with a new theological reason. Notice how radically different Paul's rationale is for keeping your cultural distinctives than the rationale current in our day. 1. 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. That place that we were in when He called us was no accident. This doctrine of effectual calling changes what we expect out of life. A believing husband should not divorce his unbelieving wife, and a believing wife should not divorce her unbelieving husband. Not only the president but anyone at higher rank than you could dump whatever work they wanted to on you. so it be allowed, having put her away, to marry another. February 17, 2020. God is sovereign. And so I ordain in all the churches. 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). 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. Is this fulfilling my personal goals and aspirations? Now I want to start this morning by defining three terms that we will be using. We say, white is beautiful, black is beautiful, red is beautiful, yellow is beautiful; therefore, don't try to switch cultures. Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. 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. 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. Salvation came to himand right in the middle of a sinful lifestyle. 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.