Fully Committed: Embracing God's Design for Relationships
Summary
### Summary
Today's message focused on the importance of being "all in" for Jesus, particularly in the areas of marriage, singleness, and divorce. We began by reflecting on the story of a young couple who gave sacrificially, challenging us to consider if we are truly all in for Jesus. This led to a deeper exploration of what it means to be fully committed in our relationships and life choices.
We discussed the blessing of marriage, emphasizing that God's answer to the temptation of sexual immorality is sex within marriage. Paul teaches that marriage is a gift from God designed to help us channel our sexual desires in a holy way. We are reminded that fulfilling our sexual duty in marriage is not just about personal satisfaction but about serving our spouse selflessly.
Next, we explored the blessing of singleness. Paul describes singleness as a gift that allows for undivided devotion to the Lord. This perspective challenges the cultural norm that views singleness as less desirable than marriage. Instead, it highlights the unique opportunities for service and spiritual growth that singleness can offer.
Finally, we addressed the sensitive topic of divorce. God hates divorce because it violates His purpose for intimate unity in marriage. However, He permits it in cases of sexual immorality and desertion by an unbelieving spouse. The message encourages us to stay committed to our vows and seek reconciliation whenever possible, reminding us that Jesus forgives all sins, including those related to broken marriages.
Throughout the message, the overarching theme was the call to live a life fully devoted to Jesus, whether in marriage, singleness, or dealing with the complexities of divorce. We are encouraged to trust God, serve others, and live out our faith in practical, transformative ways.
### Key Takeaways
1. Being All In for Jesus: True commitment to Jesus means trusting Him with every aspect of our lives, including our finances, relationships, and future plans. When we are all in, we are willing to take steps of faith that allow God to work miracles in our lives. [29:00]
2. The Blessing of Marriage: God's solution to sexual immorality is sex within the confines of marriage. This requires a mindset shift from self-gratification to selfless service, fulfilling our duty to our spouse. A healthy marriage is built on mutual respect and the willingness to serve one another. [46:10]
3. The Gift of Singleness: Singleness is not a lesser state but a unique gift that allows for undivided devotion to God. Single individuals have the opportunity to serve God wholeheartedly without the divided interests that come with marriage. This season should be embraced as a time for spiritual growth and service. [01:04:31]
4. God's View on Divorce: God hates divorce because it disrupts the intimate unity He intended for marriage. However, He permits it in cases of sexual immorality and desertion by an unbelieving spouse. Even in these situations, reconciliation and forgiveness should be sought whenever possible. [01:10:13]
5. Living a Godly Life: Whether married or single, our lives should reflect God's love and principles. For those married to unbelievers, living a godly life can be a powerful witness that may lead to the unbelieving spouse's salvation. Our actions often speak louder than words in demonstrating God's love. [01:26:44]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[19:41] - Introduction to Sacrificial Giving
[27:38] - Are You All In for Jesus?
[35:11] - Piece by Piece Series Overview
[36:56] - The Importance of Marriage
[40:37] - Singleness, Marriage, and Divorce
[45:28] - The Blessing of Marriage
[46:10] - God's Answer to Sexual Immorality
[50:01] - Retraining Our Sexual Desires
[55:11] - Fulfilling Our Sexual Duty in Marriage
[01:01:40] - The Blessing of Singleness
[01:10:13] - God's View on Divorce
[01:17:27] - Practical Advice for Struggling Marriages
[01:24:10] - Christian and Unbeliever Marriages
[01:26:44] - Living a Godly Life
[01:31:03] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[01:36:20] - Communion
[01:37:50] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 7:1-16 (ESV)
> "Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: 'It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.' But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul say is the solution to sexual immorality for those who are married? ([46:10])
2. According to Paul, what is the purpose of singleness? ([01:04:31])
3. What are the two conditions under which God permits divorce, according to the sermon? ([01:12:24])
4. How does Paul describe the relationship between a believing spouse and an unbelieving spouse? ([01:24:44])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of fulfilling conjugal rights within marriage? How does this relate to the concept of selfless service? ([46:10])
2. How does the cultural view of singleness differ from Paul's perspective, and what unique opportunities does singleness offer for spiritual growth? ([01:04:31])
3. Why does God hate divorce, and what does this reveal about His design for marriage? ([01:10:13])
4. How can living a godly life as a believer influence an unbelieving spouse, according to the sermon? ([01:26:44])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own level of commitment to Jesus. Are there areas in your life where you are hesitant to go "all in"? What steps can you take to fully trust Him with those areas? ([29:00])
2. If you are married, how can you shift your mindset from self-gratification to selfless service in your relationship? What practical steps can you take this week to serve your spouse better? ([46:10])
3. For those who are single, how can you embrace this season as a gift and use it for undivided devotion to God? What specific actions can you take to grow spiritually during this time? ([01:04:31])
4. If you have experienced divorce, how can you seek reconciliation and forgiveness in your relationships? What steps can you take to heal and move forward in a way that honors God? ([01:10:13])
5. How can you live out a godly life in your marriage, especially if your spouse is an unbeliever? What specific actions can you take to be a positive witness to them? ([01:26:44])
6. Think about the cultural norms around marriage and singleness. How can you challenge these norms in your own life and community to align more closely with biblical teachings? ([01:03:45])
7. In what ways can you support others in your church community who are struggling with issues related to marriage, singleness, or divorce? How can you be a source of encouragement and practical help? ([01:23:39])
Devotional
Day 1: Total Commitment to Jesus
True commitment to Jesus means trusting Him with every aspect of our lives, including our finances, relationships, and future plans. When we are all in, we are willing to take steps of faith that allow God to work miracles in our lives. This kind of commitment requires us to surrender our own desires and plans, trusting that God's ways are higher and better than our own. It challenges us to live out our faith in practical ways, demonstrating our trust in God through our actions and decisions.
Being "all in" for Jesus is not just about attending church or reading the Bible; it is about allowing Jesus to influence every part of our lives. This means making choices that reflect our faith, even when it is difficult or counter-cultural. It involves a willingness to sacrifice our own comfort and security for the sake of following Jesus. When we are fully committed to Him, we open ourselves up to experiencing His power and presence in new and transformative ways. [29:00]
Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV): "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: The Blessing of Marriage
God's solution to sexual immorality is sex within the confines of marriage. This requires a mindset shift from self-gratification to selfless service, fulfilling our duty to our spouse. A healthy marriage is built on mutual respect and the willingness to serve one another. In marriage, we are called to love our spouse as Christ loves the church, which means putting their needs above our own and seeking their well-being in all things.
Marriage is a gift from God designed to help us channel our sexual desires in a holy way. It is a covenant relationship that reflects God's love and faithfulness. By fulfilling our sexual duty in marriage, we are not only honoring God but also serving our spouse selflessly. This kind of love and service requires intentionality and effort, but it leads to a deeper and more fulfilling relationship. [46:10]
Ephesians 5:25-28 (ESV): "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself."
Reflection: How can you serve your spouse selflessly this week? What specific actions can you take to show them love and respect?
Day 3: The Gift of Singleness
Singleness is not a lesser state but a unique gift that allows for undivided devotion to God. Single individuals have the opportunity to serve God wholeheartedly without the divided interests that come with marriage. This season should be embraced as a time for spiritual growth and service. Singleness provides the freedom to pursue God's calling and to invest in relationships and ministries in ways that may not be possible for those who are married.
Paul describes singleness as a gift that allows for undivided devotion to the Lord. This perspective challenges the cultural norm that views singleness as less desirable than marriage. Instead, it highlights the unique opportunities for service and spiritual growth that singleness can offer. By embracing this season, single individuals can experience the fullness of God's love and purpose for their lives. [01:04:31]
1 Corinthians 7:32-34 (ESV): "I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband."
Reflection: How can you use your singleness to serve God and others more fully? What specific steps can you take to grow spiritually during this season?
Day 4: God's View on Divorce
God hates divorce because it disrupts the intimate unity He intended for marriage. However, He permits it in cases of sexual immorality and desertion by an unbelieving spouse. Even in these situations, reconciliation and forgiveness should be sought whenever possible. Divorce is a painful and complex issue, but God's grace and forgiveness are available to all who seek it.
The message encourages us to stay committed to our vows and seek reconciliation whenever possible, reminding us that Jesus forgives all sins, including those related to broken marriages. It is important to approach the topic of divorce with compassion and understanding, recognizing the pain and hurt that it causes. At the same time, we are called to uphold the sanctity of marriage and to strive for reconciliation and healing in our relationships. [01:10:13]
Malachi 2:16 (ESV): "'For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.'"
Reflection: If you are struggling in your marriage, what steps can you take to seek reconciliation and healing? How can you extend forgiveness and grace to your spouse?
Day 5: Living a Godly Life
Whether married or single, our lives should reflect God's love and principles. For those married to unbelievers, living a godly life can be a powerful witness that may lead to the unbelieving spouse's salvation. Our actions often speak louder than words in demonstrating God's love. By living out our faith in practical ways, we can be a light to those around us and draw them closer to God.
Living a godly life involves more than just attending church or reading the Bible; it means allowing God's love and principles to influence every part of our lives. This includes our relationships, our work, and our daily interactions with others. By living in a way that reflects God's love and grace, we can be a powerful witness to those around us, including our unbelieving spouses. [01:26:44]
1 Peter 3:1-2 (ESV): "Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct."
Reflection: How can you live out your faith in practical ways this week? What specific actions can you take to be a witness to those around you, including your spouse or family members?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Because you're all in to the Lord, and people that are all in are willing to say, God, whatever you want, I trust you with my money. I trust you with my kids. I trust you with my job. I trust you with all of it. It's all yours, and I was, I was just praying for you, even especially today. I just sensed the Lord ask, ask me that question, and ask us that question. Are we truly all in for Jesus? That's his goal for you, that you be all in, and you know what happens when you go all in? You're willing to take some steps of faith that, sadly, most Christians will never, ever experience." (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Let me say it like this. Your sexual appetites and impulses are not bad. They're not bad. They just have to be trained to be fulfilled the right way. The right way is by fulfilling them in marriage. You know, Paul shared that marriage was supposed to help us not fall into sexual immorality. Why? Because we have a lot of fulfilling sex in marriage." (25 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The Bible prizes those who remain single and fully devote themselves to the Lord. Let me ask you this question. Are you called to be single? Now, just to clarify, if you're married, no. The answer is no. Okay? So some of you are like, Brandon, that was a pretty good message. All right. No, that's not you. That's not you. And if your husband or wife is next to you, you're an idiot. All right. I'm just telling you. All right. Don't do that. Unless you want to die. All right?" (24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God hates divorce, but he permits it under certain circumstances. You need to understand this. Divorce is a concession to man's sin. Divorce violates God's purpose of intimate unity in the lifelong marriage bond. And let me just say this. Too many people today, it's just my opinion. Too many people are okay with things that God is not okay with. And for us as Christians, we should not be okay with divorce." (27 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus forgives adultery. You know what? I pray today that every single one of us are reminded that no matter what it is, we are talking about the context of adultery. It could be anything. Jesus forgives all of our sins and it is why we need a Savior. It is why we come here every Sunday. It is why we are going to take communion in just a few moments. Because Jesus has forgiven us of all the junk in our lives and we therefore devote our lives and worship him because he did for us what no one else could do for ourselves." (28 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "You know, these, these guys, like, what would make someone give to that level? Because you're all in to the Lord, and people that are all in are willing to say, God, whatever you want, I trust you with my money. I trust you with my kids. I trust you with my job. I trust you with all of it. It's all yours, and I was, I was just praying for you, even especially today. I just sensed the Lord ask, ask me that question, and ask us that question. Are we truly all in for Jesus? That's his goal for you, that you be all in, and you know what happens when you go all in? You're willing to take some steps of faith that, sadly, most Christians will never, ever experience. But you know what happens when you take those steps of faith? You give God an opportunity to show out in ways that you never could have done on your own, and God comes through like he always does." (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Paul comes along and he says that marriage is good and is a gift. But singleness is also a gift from God. In fact, he said it like this. The married person, here's why. The married person has divided interests. But the single Christian can serve God wholeheartedly. Do you realize why it's a gift? The single person has a lot more time on their hands, right? The single person does not have the same level of responsibilities. I remember before Brittany and I were dating, each of us were in a relationship. We had each broken up. And some of the most meaningful times of my life that I can still go back and so clearly remember were when I was single. And just because you're single doesn't mean you're going to use that time for the Lord. We all understand that. Some people are single and they're miserable because they're not using their singleness the way God wants them to use it." (48 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God expects us to fulfill our sexual duty in marriage. Did you know when you walked in here today for all the married people that you have a sexual duty? Hopefully your spouse isn't reminding you of that all the time, okay? I don't know if they are or not. But Paul actually teaches you have a sexual duty. What does that mean, Brandon? Let me say it to you like this. He actually says to give what is due the other person. He even goes as far to say that your body is not your own. That word, that word duty in the Greek is aphile. And it means that which is owed. It's referring to a mutual sexual responsibility in marriage. The mindset is I owe you. That's the mindset. Not you owe me. This is what he's teaching. This is the way a healthy sexual relationship works. I owe you. What can I do for you? How can I fulfill you? How can I bless you?" (62 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The Corinthians were ready to leave their current marriages. There were a bunch of reasons why. One was some of them were willing to be celibate. Because they were like, well, you know, marriage and all this, it creates complexity. I want to be devoted to the Lord. Peace out, wife. Or peace out, husband. And Paul is like, nope. Do not do that. others of them, and maybe some of you can even relate to this, had married somebody. And maybe afterwards they became believers. Maybe the other person became a believer afterwards. Or maybe somebody just grew really passionately in their faith. And they look at the other person and they are like, I am married to this person. And they do not even love Jesus the same way I do. You can imagine all the different situations. In Paul's day, people were on their second, third, fifth marriage. It was a complete disaster. So just keep in mind the context in which Paul was in. And this is what Paul is speaking to. He is speaking to a group of people who are divorced all over the place. And when we see this, Paul is telling them, stay with your spouse. Stay with them." (60 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "It was in the 40's that sociologist and historian Carl Zimmerman. Did an unbelievable study. Where what he attempted to show. Was what led to the collapse of civilizations. He studied every civilization known to man at the time. And you know what he concluded with. Was that the collapse of civilizations were directly correlated. To the breakdown of the family. In fact he wrote down eight specific factors. That took place in the breakdown of literally every civilization. I want to share these with you today. The first was this. That marriage begins to lose its sacredness. It was frequently broken by divorce. The second was this. Traditional meaning of the marriage ceremony is lost. The third was this. Feminist movements abound. The fourth was increased public disrespect for parents. And authority in general. The next was acceleration of juvenile delinquency. Promiscuity and rebellion. The next was refusal of people with traditional marriages. To accept family responsibilities. The seventh was growing desire for and acceptance of adultery. And the last was this. An increasing interest in and spread of sexual perversions. And sex related crimes." (83 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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