Hope and Influence: Salvation in Unbelieving Marriages

In today's message, I sought to encourage you not to give up on seeing your lost loved ones saved, drawing inspiration from the Apostle Paul's teachings. We explored 1 Corinthians 7, where Paul addresses the complex issues faced by the Corinthian church regarding marriage, particularly between believers and unbelievers. The Corinthians were grappling with false teachings that led them to believe they should divorce their unbelieving spouses to maintain their holiness. Paul, however, provides a different perspective, urging believers to remain in their marriages and highlighting the potential positive influence they can have on their unbelieving partners.

Paul's message is clear: believers should not isolate themselves from the world or their unbelieving spouses. Instead, they should recognize the sanctifying influence they can have within their marriages. This influence is not about achieving salvation for the unbelieving spouse but about creating an environment where the gospel can be witnessed through the believer's conduct. Paul emphasizes that marriage, even with an unbeliever, is not defiling but is made holy through the gospel.

The call to remain as you are called is a reminder that changing circumstances is not the solution to spiritual growth. Instead, believers should focus on how they can positively impact those around them, including their unbelieving spouses and children. This perspective shifts the focus from self-preservation to evangelistic living, where believers are called to be salt and light in the world.

Paul's rhetorical question, "For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband?" is not a statement of doubt but an encouragement to maintain hope and expectation for the salvation of loved ones. It challenges us to live with the belief that God can work through us to bring about the salvation of those we love.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Understanding Context: To grasp the true meaning of biblical texts, it's crucial to understand the context in which they were written. Paul's letters to the Corinthians address specific issues they faced, such as false teachings about marriage, which can help us apply his teachings accurately today. [01:41]
• 2. Sanctifying Influence: Believers have a unique opportunity to influence their unbelieving spouses positively. This influence is not about achieving salvation for them but about creating an environment where the gospel can be witnessed through the believer's conduct. [21:35]
• 3. Remain as You Are Called: Changing circumstances is not the solution to spiritual growth. Instead, believers should focus on how they can positively impact those around them, including their unbelieving spouses and children. [24:31]
• 4. Hope and Expectation: Paul's rhetorical question about the potential salvation of an unbelieving spouse is an encouragement to maintain hope and expectation. It challenges us to live with the belief that God can work through us to bring about the salvation of those we love. [42:15]
• 5. Evangelistic Living: Believers are called to be salt and light in the world, focusing on how they can positively impact those around them. This perspective shifts the focus from self-preservation to evangelistic living, where believers actively seek to influence others for Christ. [26:10]
  ** [26:10]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:16] - Encouragement to Not Give Up
• [00:45] - Context of 1 Corinthians
• [02:20] - Misinterpretations in Corinth
• [03:56] - Paul's Teachings on Marriage
• [06:33] - Addressing Believers with Unbelieving Spouses
• [08:20] - The Corinthian Problem
• [10:22] - Paul's Instructions to the Corinthians
• [11:31] - Encouragement for Believers
• [12:44] - Paul's Rhetorical Question
• [14:19] - Remaining as You Are Called
• [16:08] - The Sanctifying Influence
• [20:09] - Impact on Unbelieving Spouses
• [24:17] - Applications for Today
• [42:15] - Hope for Salvation

1. What specific issue regarding marriage does Paul address in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16, and how does he suggest believers should respond to having an unbelieving spouse? [06:47]
2. How does Paul describe the influence a believing spouse can have on an unbelieving partner in 1 Corinthians 7:14? What does he mean by the unbelieving spouse being "made holy"? [07:22]
3. In the sermon, what false teachings were affecting the Corinthian church's view on marriage, and how did these teachings impact their behavior? [09:25]
4. According to 1 Peter 3:1, what is the role of a believing wife in influencing her unbelieving husband, and how does this compare to Paul's teachings in 1 Corinthians 7? [12:18]

1. How does the context of the Corinthian church's struggles with false teachings help us understand Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16? [10:22]
2. What does it mean for a believer to have a "sanctifying influence" on their unbelieving spouse, and how might this influence manifest in everyday life? [21:35]
3. How does Paul's rhetorical question in 1 Corinthians 7:16 challenge believers to maintain hope and expectation for the salvation of their loved ones? [42:15]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers should shift their focus from self-preservation to evangelistic living, especially in the context of marriage? [26:10]

1. Reflect on a time when you felt pressured to change your circumstances for spiritual growth. How can Paul's advice to "remain as you are called" help you approach similar situations in the future? [24:31]
2. Consider your current relationships with unbelieving family members. How can you intentionally create an environment where the gospel can be witnessed through your conduct? [21:35]
3. How can you maintain hope and expectation for the salvation of your loved ones, even when it seems unlikely? What practical steps can you take to nurture this hope? [42:15]
4. Think about a specific relationship where you might be more focused on self-preservation than on being a positive influence. What changes can you make to shift towards evangelistic living? [26:10]
5. Identify one way you can be "salt and light" in your family or community this week. What specific actions will you take to positively impact those around you? [26:10]
6. How can you ensure that your conduct among unbelieving family members reflects the gospel's truth and grace? What might you need to change in your behavior or attitude? [25:58]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s encouragement to not give up on seeing your lost loved ones saved. What is one practical step you can take this week to actively pray for and engage with them? [00:16]