Embracing Fulfillment as a Kingdom Single

 

Summary

Sitting in a wedding venue, I want to explore the concept of being a "kingdom single." This term might seem contradictory at first, but it holds profound significance for unmarried Christians. Many singles spend a lot of time dreaming about marriage, which is a legitimate desire. However, this longing should not overshadow God's intention for them to find fulfillment in their current state of singlehood. Being a kingdom single means embracing your calling under God, fully realizing your potential, and living a complete life in the state He has placed you in.

Consider Adam, who was complete before Eve was introduced into his life. This completeness is what God desires for every single person. Unfortunately, many singles miss out on this completeness because they are overly focused on marriage, neglecting the opportunity to maximize their calling. This calling is the path through which God allows them to experience true freedom and completeness as kingdom singles.

It's crucial for unmarried Christians to understand what it means to be complete and content in their current situation, whether or not it changes in the future. The world, and sometimes even fellow Christians, especially those who are married, can exert pressure to feel otherwise. However, when you grasp the essence of being a kingdom single—complete and fully free—you realize that marriage is a blessed bonus, not the defining aspect of your identity.

Instead of spending time dreaming about wedding venues, focus on how you can maximize your potential and live out the dream God has for you right now. Plan for His kingdom as He plans for your future.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace Your Current Calling: Being a kingdom single means fulfilling your calling under God in your current state. This involves recognizing that you are complete and free to maximize your potential, just as Adam was before Eve. Embrace this season as an opportunity to grow and serve. [01:05]

2. Completeness Before Marriage: Many singles miss out on experiencing the completeness God has for them because they are overly focused on marriage. Instead, focus on maximizing your calling, which is the means God uses for you to experience full freedom and completeness. [01:46]

3. Contentment in Singleness: It's essential for unmarried Christians to learn to be content and complete where they are, regardless of whether their situation changes. This contentment is not about settling but about thriving in the present. [01:46]

4. Marriage as a Bonus, Not a Definition: Understanding what it means to be a kingdom single allows you to see marriage as a blessed bonus rather than an essential definition of who you are. This perspective frees you to live fully in your current state. [02:25]

5. Maximize Your Potential Now: Instead of dreaming about future marriage, focus on how you can maximize your potential and live out God's dream for you right now. Plan for His kingdom as He plans for your future. [02:59]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:27] - The Desire for Marriage
- [01:05] - Understanding Kingdom Single
- [01:46] - Completeness in Singleness
- [02:25] - Marriage as a Bonus
- [02:59] - Maximizing Potential Now

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Kingdom Single

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 2:18 - "The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'"
2. 1 Corinthians 7:7-8 - "I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do."

---

Observation Questions:

1. What does the term "kingdom single" mean according to the sermon? How does it relate to one's calling under God? [01:05]

2. How does the sermon describe Adam's state before Eve was introduced into his life? What significance does this have for singles today? [01:05]

3. What pressures do unmarried Christians face from the world and other Christians regarding their singleness, as mentioned in the sermon? [01:46]

4. How does the sermon suggest singles should view marriage in relation to their identity? [02:25]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. In Genesis 2:18, God acknowledges that it is not good for man to be alone. How does this align with the sermon’s message about being complete as a single person?

2. How does 1 Corinthians 7:7-8 support the idea of being content and complete in singleness, as discussed in the sermon?

3. The sermon mentions that many singles miss out on experiencing completeness because they focus too much on marriage. What might be some reasons for this focus, and how can it be redirected? [01:46]

4. How does the concept of being a "kingdom single" challenge the traditional view of marriage as a necessary step in life? [02:25]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current state of singleness or marriage. How can you embrace your calling under God in this season of your life? [01:05]

2. If you are single, what steps can you take to maximize your potential and live out God's dream for you right now, rather than focusing on future marriage? [02:59]

3. How can you cultivate contentment and completeness in your current situation, regardless of whether it changes in the future? What practical steps can you take this week? [01:46]

4. In what ways can you shift your perspective to see marriage as a bonus rather than a defining aspect of your identity? How might this change your approach to relationships? [02:25]

5. Identify any pressures you feel from the world or other Christians regarding your singleness or marriage. How can you address these pressures in a way that aligns with the concept of being a kingdom single? [01:46]

6. Consider the example of Adam being complete before Eve. How can this biblical example inspire you to find fulfillment in your current state? [01:05]

7. What specific actions can you take to plan for God's kingdom as He plans for your future? How can you start implementing these actions this week? [02:59]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Your Current Calling
Embracing your current calling as a kingdom single involves recognizing the completeness and freedom God has given you in your present state. Just as Adam was complete before Eve, you too are complete in your singleness. This season is an opportunity to grow, serve, and maximize your potential under God's guidance. By focusing on your calling, you can experience true fulfillment and freedom, rather than being consumed by the desire for marriage. Embrace this time as a unique opportunity to deepen your relationship with God and discover the plans He has for you. [01:05]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: What specific gifts or talents has God given you that you can use to serve others and fulfill your calling as a kingdom single today?


Day 2: Completeness Before Marriage
Many singles miss out on the completeness God offers because they are overly focused on marriage. However, God desires for you to experience fullness and freedom in your current state. By maximizing your calling, you can find true contentment and joy in your singleness. This completeness is not dependent on a future marriage but is found in living out the purpose God has for you now. Shift your focus from longing for marriage to embracing the opportunities God has placed before you. [01:46]

"And you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." (Colossians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from longing for marriage to embracing the opportunities God has given you in your current season of life?


Day 3: Contentment in Singleness
Contentment in singleness is about thriving in the present, not settling for less. It's essential for unmarried Christians to learn to be content and complete where they are, regardless of whether their situation changes. This contentment comes from understanding that your identity and worth are found in Christ, not in your marital status. By embracing this truth, you can live a life of joy and purpose, fully trusting in God's plan for your future. [01:46]

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." (Philippians 4:11, ESV)

Reflection: What are some practical ways you can cultivate contentment in your current season of singleness, trusting that God has a perfect plan for your life?


Day 4: Marriage as a Bonus, Not a Definition
Understanding what it means to be a kingdom single allows you to see marriage as a blessed bonus rather than an essential definition of who you are. This perspective frees you to live fully in your current state, knowing that your identity is rooted in Christ. By viewing marriage as an addition to an already complete life, you can approach relationships with a healthy mindset, free from the pressure to find fulfillment in another person. [02:25]

"For in him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we are indeed his offspring.'" (Acts 17:28, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your perspective to see marriage as a bonus rather than a necessity, and what impact might this have on your current relationships and future aspirations?


Day 5: Maximize Your Potential Now
Instead of dreaming about future marriage, focus on how you can maximize your potential and live out God's dream for you right now. Plan for His kingdom as He plans for your future. By investing in your spiritual growth and serving others, you can make a significant impact in the world around you. Trust that God is working in your life and has a purpose for you in this season of singleness. [02:59]

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to maximize your potential and live out God's dream for you, trusting that He is preparing you for the future He has planned?

Quotes

"I'm seated here in a wedding venue to talk about what it means to be a kingdom single. Now, I know that doesn't sound like two things that should go together, but so many unmarried Christians spend a lot of their time meditating, dreaming, and anticipating being in a venue like this or in a scenario that would call for a place like this because of their overwhelming desire to be married. And that is a legitimate desire, but that desire is to never interrupt God's intention for an unmarried Christian to be fulfilled in their singlehood until such time as marriage may or may not occur." [00:00:57]

"That's why I love the concept of kingdom single. Because, to be a kingdom single simply means that you are fulfilling your calling under God in the state that He has you. Being a kingdom single means that you are complete and you are fully free to maximize your potential under God. Remember, Adam, before there was ever an Eve, was complete until God told him he needed a mate. That is His intention for every single." [00:00:58]

"In fact, many singles keep from experiencing the completeness that God has for them because they are so focused on marriage that they're not maximizing their calling, which is the means that God uses for them to experience their full freedom and their full completeness as a kingdom single. It is absolutely critical that unmarried Christians learn what it means to be complete, and therefore content, where they are until or unless their situation changes." [00:01:35]

"Now I know that there's a lot of pressure from the world not to feel that way and unfortunately even from other Christians, especially married Christians. But when you understand what it means to be a kingdom single, complete and fully free, and you learn to maximize that underneath God, then marriage becomes a blessed bonus, not an essential definition of who you are." [00:02:08]

"Don't spend all of your time dreaming about a venue like this. Rather, dream about how you're going to maximize your potential, how you're going to live out the dream that God has for you right now. Plan for His kingdom as He plans for your future." [00:02:39]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Aug 09, 2018. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?