Single And Blessed Series

• This is God’s design and the blessings of marriage.

Singlehood can also be God’s blessing in ways that Paul has outlined to us today.

• Both options can be God’s will for us and they are perfectly good alternatives.

• Paul is not pitting one against another but urging the Corinthians to weigh their options carefully. Think hard before you marry.

• While “getting out” of a marriage is not an option; “staying out” is, for those who are single. So consider carefully. Seek God for wisdom and let Him guide you.

LET ME CLOSE WITH THIS THOUGHT:

One perspective of Paul that is noteworthy in this entire chapter - whether he is talking about marriage, divorce, mixed marriage or singlehood - is his desire to fulfil the purposes of God in all of these different settings.

• Our choices are not to be made on the basis of what “feels good”, “what we like”, or “what makes me happy”, but on what pleases God and can further His Kingdom.

• Even singleness is discussed in the light of our devotion to God, not self-interest.

• Not so much about my welfare (which is perfectly fine), but the fulfilment of God’s purposes in our lives.

• What can we do, in the place that God has put us so that His will can be done and His purposes fulfilled? That’s the underlining principle!

Whether we are in a marriage, a broken one, a mixed marriage, or being single today, whatever the status, God wants to work through us to fulfil His will.

• We are still God’s agents of change and blessings for our marriage and family.

Listen to what Paul said of King David in Acts 13 when he preached to the Jewish crowd at Antioch in Pisidia:

• “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers…” (Acts 13:36)

• David messed up his marriage and failed in his responsibilities in many ways but ultimately, the Lord said of him (quoted by Paul in the same sermon),

• “I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.” (Acts 13:22, cf. 1 Sam 13:14)

After all the smoke and dust of the journey of life has settled, the question we have to ask is: “Have we served God’s purpose in our generation?”

Eph 5:15-17 (NIV) “15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Eph 5:15-17 NIV)

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the plans and purposes You have for us all, married and unmarried. Whatever the station of our life we are in, we acknowledge Your goodness and grace. Thank you for your presence and your blessings.

Help us honour You with all that you have blessed us with. May we live to do Your will and glorify Your Name.

Bless all our marriages and families here, and let us be the best we can be for you. This we pray in Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

You can listen to the audio sermon with slides at https://youtu.be/zNi6euw4OFA

Earlier audio sermons are available at https://tinyurl.com/KTCC-EnglishService