Living Single 101 Series

Intro:

I wanted the Lord to return, but there were a lot of things that I wanted to do first.

How many of you want to get married some day?

What do you look for in a boy/girl friend?

TS. What does the bible say about marriage?

1 Cor. 7:6-9 (NIV)

I say this as a concession, not as a command. [7] I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

[8] Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. [9] But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

1 Cor. 7:32-35 (NIV)

I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs--how he can please the Lord. [33] But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife-- [34] and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband. [35] I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

We are going to equate marriage with attachment for tonight’s message.

v.7&8 – singleness is a gift from God, just like marriage is.

V8.&9 - Unless you cant control yourself, stay single. Right here Paul is saying that marriage is better than burning with passion. That is the only reason that Paul list here for marriage.

This sort of does away with the whole romantic companionship ideals that we have for marriage today.

Valentines Day – Not the real world.

Now in other writings Paul talks of the benefits of marriage and even exhorts young widows to remarriage so Paul is not against marriage but neither is he against being single.

TS. In fact, in v. 32-35, he list several reasons to remain single:

1. Free from concern.

a. Freedom from concerns of pleasing your spouse - and you will be concerned with pleasing your spouse.

2. Married/Attached man’s interest is divided.

a. They must be if he is going to be a true man of God

i. Priest of his own home 1st. Then he can serve in the church. 1tm 3:5

ii. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1 Tim. 5:8 (KJV)

iii. He must be concerned with pleasing his wife.

1. Don’t be the one making all the sacrifices. If he won’t spend money now, he won’t later.

3. He also gives instruction to Women

a. Single they can be concerned about the lords business only.

b. They can be devoted to the lord in both body and spirit.

c. Married/Attached

i. Concerned with things of the world

1. how to please her husband/boyfriend.

4. Paul goes on to say that he is not saying these things to restrict individuals but to give them liberty

a. He is trying to tell single people that being single can be the best thing for them.

b. They can live a life of devotion to God with nothing distracting them.

TS. If being single is a gift from God, and if living single can be the best thing for some individuals, then why does the church treat single people as 2nd class citizens?

Personal Illustration: 25 yrs old when married.

Single ministries like bar hoping without the alcohol

Their mission was matchmaking not discipleship or relationship building.

Youth groups, camps, conventions can be the same. It is a good place to meet a boy/girl friend, but that can not be the priority.

Listen to me. STOP playing match maker. Get a clue from Genesis. God made, developed and gave Adam his wife. (After He tore him apart to make him ready to receive her.

Single people, if you are looking for a mate, allow God to rip you apart and prepare you for the one He has for you. And allow Him to be the one who brings your mate to you.

Natalie was a gift. Thank you Jesus. Past girls.

The problem is that when you burn with passion, you are tempted to marry the first thing that crawls or slithers by. And you don’t want to listen to anybody. Persey Sledge – When a man loves a woman.

TS. Remember, marriage is not the great commission. Spiritual Reproduction is. Evangelism and Discipleship.