Single and Living Strong
Message 1Cor. 7
Intro.:
A. What is one of the largest segments in our society today? It’s not a particular ethnic group – it is not a socio-economic group – it’s not any particular occupational group…
It is Single Adults!
Statistics show that 43% of the adult population in the North Park area are Single.
Some are Single by never marrying; others through divorce and widowed.
But think about it – 43% of adults around us are Not married.
B. Being Single is not always easy, but if you are single, you are not alone.
Being single is sometimes misunderstood by people who aren’t single – you hear statements like:
1. Oh, You can be there for sure – what else do you have to do?
2. I wonder what’s up with ???? and why they aren’t married?
3. Hey, let’s get ???? to do it – he/she isn’t married – I mean what else does s/he have to do?
C. Though there are people who might misunderstand being a Single adult – today, especially if you are single – I want you to know that the Lord Understands you ! Let us look at some important facts: One, Jesus was single. Paul – the greatest Missionary was single. So let’s look at what Paul wrote as He was inspired .
1 Now, getting down to the questions you asked in your letter to me.
7 Sometimes I wish everyone were single like me—a simpler life in many ways! But celibacy is not for everyone any more than marriage is. God gives the gift of the single life to some, the gift of the married life to others.
8 I do, though, tell the unmarried and widows that singleness might well be the best thing for them, as it has been for me.
9 But if they can’t manage their desires and emotions, they should by all means go ahead and get married. The difficulties of marriage are preferable by far to a sexually tortured life as a single.
17 And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life. Don’t think I’m being harder on you than on the others. I give this same counsel in all the churches.
22 I’m simply trying to point out that under your new Master you’re going to experience a marvelous freedom you would never have dreamed of. On the other hand, if you were free when Christ called you, you’ll experience a delightful “enslavement to God” you would never have dreamed of.
24 Friends, stay where you were called to be. God is there. Hold the high ground with him at your side.
25 The Master did not give explicit direction regarding virgins (young ladies) , but as one much experienced in the mercy of the Master and loyal to him all the way, you can trust my counsel.
28 But there’s certainly no sin in getting married, whether you’re a virgin or not. All I am saying is that when you marry, you take on additional stress in an already stressful time, and I want to spare you if possible.
29 I do want to point out, friends, that time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, so don’t complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple—in marriage,
30 grief, joy, whatever. Even in ordinary things—your daily routines of shopping, and so on.
31 Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out.
32 I want you to live as free of complications as possible. When you’re unmarried, you’re free to concentrate on simply pleasing the Master.
33 Marriage involves you in all the nuts and bolts of domestic life and in wanting to please your spouse,
34 leading to so many more demands on your attention. The time and energy that married people spend on caring for and nurturing each other, the unmarried can spend in becoming whole and holy instruments of God.
35 I’m trying to be helpful and make it as easy as possible for you, not make things harder. All I want is for you to be able to develop a way of life in which you can spend plenty of time together with the Master without a lot of distractions.
36 If a man has a woman friend to whom he is loyal but never intended to marry, having decided to serve God as a “single,” and then changes his mind, deciding he should marry her, he should go ahead and marry. It’s no sin; it’s not even a “step down” from celibacy, as some say.
37 On the other hand, if a man is comfortable in his decision for a single life in service to God and it’s entirely his own conviction and not imposed on him by others, he ought to stick with it.
38 Marriage is spiritually and morally right and not inferior to singleness in any way, although as I indicated earlier, because of the times we live in, I do have pastoral reasons for encouraging singleness.
The Message
D. What do we learn about God’s view of Singleness?
Singleness is not a sin –
Being Single shouldn’t define your life.
Being Single can have advantages
The Main Point is: whatever place you are in life: Single or Married – seek the Lord and find Contentment.
Paul wrote – Phil. 4:11-13; “… for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is like to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, … I can do everything through Him (Jesus) who gives me strength.”
E. To learn to be Content in life – to find Strength through Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord – that is Success – that is living a Fulfilled life. That is Living Strong!
So today, especially if you are Single – I want you to know some Keys to Living Life Strong!
Body:
A. To Live Strong you need to Find your Identity in Christ. Your Identity answers the question, Who am I?
Scripture here teaches us, “God, not your marital status, defines your life”, vs. 17
The Lord should be our Identity – not if we are Single or Married.
When People ask you, who are you? How do you answer?
If your first reply is I am Married! I am Single or I am Single . We are more than our marital status to the Lord.
He loves you – you belong to Him – You are fearfully and Wonderfully Made – You are a New Creation in Christ – You are a Son/Daughter of the King. You are Saved by Grace, not works.
So seek to discover and nurture who you are in Christ! Some of the habits to form in doing this (whether you are single or married) are to spend time with the Lord, Read God’s Word, Worship Him.
B. To Live Strong Find your Significance in Christ.
Significance answers the question, What is my Value in life?
Probably the main point of Paul’s writing in 1Cor. 7 is that whether you are married or not you are valuable to the Lord – so don’t neglect, or limit your value.
Your value to God is just in being you. We see the great value that the Lord puts on those who Trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord.
- We are called the Workmanship of Christ Jesus, Eph.2:10.
- We are called Ambassadors in Christ, 2Cor. 5:20
- We are called Friends of Jesus, John 15
- We are part of the Royal Priesthood, 1Pet. 2
- We are a Holy People, 1Pet. 2
- Together, we are the Bride of Christ.
- We are a significant part of Christ’s Body, 1Cor. 12
- We are a Holy Temple, the HS lives within us as we confess Jesus as Lord.
The Point: Your Significance is truly found in relationship with Christ. What is your Significance?
C. To Live Strong Find your Purpose in Christ.
Your Purpose answers that Question in life: What am I here for? What difference can I make with my life?
Rick Warren in his book, “the Purpose Driven Life” says that we all, single or married, have 5 great Purposes:
Worship – You’re created to bring Pleasure to God.
Fellowship – You belong to God’s Family and are useful to encourage, build up and love others.
Discipleship – You grow closer to the Living Lord through Prayer, God’s Word.
Ministry – God has SHAPED You for to serve others and make a difference for the Kingdom of God through His Church. He has gifted you with special gifts – 1Cor. 12.
Mission – God wants to use you to help others come to a Living Relationship with Jesus Christ by sharing your faith and loving others.
Conclusion:
A. Some of you might think to yourself: How do you know Brad what it’s like to be Single – you’re married. Well, I didn’t get married until I was 31 and I know what it was like as a Single Adult who wanted to be faithful to the Lord and Serve Him well.
I know what it was like to come home after working all day to an empty house.
I remember what it was like to have to find roommates and then work out trying to get them to pay their share.
I know what it was like to feel like you are the 5th Wheel when invited out.
I know what if feels like to keep going to weddings, even being in the wedding and wondering – will I ever get married?
Maybe today you are Single and know what it is like to go through some of these things too.
There is Good news:
You are not alone! The Lord loves you and is with you always – And you always have a place here at NPCC.
There’s nothing Wrong with you. Don’t be conformed to the world’s pattern, transform your mind with the Lord’s view of your identity and significance.
It’s ok to want to find your partner for Life and Get married – Just wait on the Lord and His timing for you and His ways for your life. I know for me, I wasn’t sure it was going to happen for me – but He brought along Liz and blessed me tremendously.
B. There are 3 types of Single People:
1. Those who feel unfulfilled not being married and are seeking – usually at all cost and in all the wrong places for a Spouse.
2. Those who Pride themselves on being Single – often being misled to think that their significance is in their sexual conquests.
3. Those who are Single but are Content knowing that the Lord loves them, is with them and will provide for them.
Remember – Paul was Single and used mightily by the Lord and He found contentment in Jesus Christ who Strengthened Him in every way to face every kind of situation and Need!
And Jesus as Lord will do the same for you too! You can Live Strong through Christ.
C. Taking Action:
1. Would you like to Trust in Jesus today as Your Savior and Lord and begin a life long journey with Him? Pray with me!
2. Perhaps you have already made a Confession of Faith in Jesus but today you sense the Lord challenging you in your Identity? Your Significance? Your Purpose in life?
As we pray make a commitment to Transform your Identity, Significance and Purpose by:
Reading God’s Word – if you need some help let me know.
Spending time each day in prayer.
Worshiping the Lord regularly.
Finding your gifts and how you can better serve the Lord.
Learning more about sharing your faith.
Read the Purpose Driven Life book.
