Single-Minded Series

SERMON OUTLINE:

(1). Singles are better able to cope with troubles (vs 25-28).

(2). Singles are better able to maintain spiritual priorities (vs 29-31).

(3). Singles have fewer distractions (vs 32-35).

(4). Singles have the option of marriage (vs 36-40).

SERMONBODY:

Ill:

What do these people all have in common:

Helen Keller, Amy Carmichael, Robbert Murray MacChenne, Basilea Schlink,

Gladys Aylward, David Brainerd, Florence Nightingale, Helen Roseveare,

Sadhu Sundar Singh, Henrietta Mears, Mary Slessor, Jackie Pullinger, Corrie Ten Boom,

If you need a few more names try these:

Joseph, Miriam (Moses sister), Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Nehemiah,

John the Baptist and of course Jesus Christ!

• The answer is that they were all single people;

• None of them as far as we know ever found a partner to marry;

• Or they were not looking because they chose to live a single life.

Quote: Lou Nicholes – Missio.

• I don’t know how accurate these statistics are;

• But the point they make is valid, even if the stats vary.

“Statistics tell us that 37% of adults over 18 are single.

During the average person’s lifetime, a significant portion of their life will be spent single.

Typically the first 25 years of life and perhaps the last 10-15 years will be spent as a single person. “

• TRANSITION: So what the Bible says here about singleness;

• Does draw in a wider audience than we might at first think.

In our passage this evening we have some insight from the apostle Paul:

• Now regarding Paul as to whether he was a single or married man;

• The experts are divided!

• Some say quite adamantly that Paul was married;

• Because in his day it was required for a Pharisees &Jewish Rabbi to be a married man.

• Others are convinced he was a single man;

• And the two groups of experts happily or unhappily argue their case.

What we do know is at the time of 1 Corinthians the apostle Paul was a single man:

• For the duration of his ministry he appears single.

• The book of Acts omits any mention of Paul having a wife,

• And the apostles own letters seem to indicate the same.

• In this letter 1 Corinthians chapter 7 verse 8 he writes:

• “I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.”

• So the apostle Paul puts himself in the category of being “unmarried”;

• And his words are from one single person to another.

• In this chapter he will suggest that being single;

• Remaining unmarried has a number of advantages.

Note:

• While many of these advantages list here can be universally true,

• And have an application for us today.

• We must always be careful to understand what Paul is saying;

• In the context of his letter to the Corinthians.

• He is writing to a specific Church who have a specific set of circumstances.

• That awareness may well make a difference;

• To both our understanding and application of this passage.

(1). Singles are better able to cope with troubles (vs 25-28).

“Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.

Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.

Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.

But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.”

ill:

• I recently heard the story of a lady who wanted to marry four different men in her lifetime.

• Each one would help her with the four things she needed most.

• First she wanted to marry a banker.

• Second a movie star.

• Next a clergyman.

• And finally a funeral director.

• When asked why, she replied:

• “One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and four to go!”

• TRANSITION: In these verses (25-29);

• The apostle Paul informs us not everyone is in need of one or even four husbands!

• In fact he suggests that being single isn’t as bad as some people think.

The apostle recommends that engaged couples should consider remaining single.

• So in these verses,

• He is focusing on those who are engaged to be married.

Ill:

• We have some engaged couples in our Church fellowship,

• I am not sure they would be too keen to listen to this sermon;