Living Faithfully in a World of Change
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the tension between living in the world and living as followers of Christ, as discussed in 1 Corinthians 7. Paul addresses the Corinthian church's struggle with whether to separate from worldly influences or remain in their current circumstances. He emphasizes that believers should live as Christians in whatever situation they were in when God called them. This principle is illustrated through various examples, such as circumcision, slavery, and marital status.
Paul argues that external changes are not necessary for spiritual growth. Instead, believers should focus on keeping God's commands and living out their faith in their current context. For instance, whether one is circumcised or not, what matters is obedience to God. Similarly, slaves should not be troubled by their status but should seek freedom if possible, while remembering that in Christ, they are free. Paul also addresses the unmarried, suggesting that singleness allows for undivided devotion to the Lord, though marriage is not a sin.
The overarching theme is to remain as you are, but with a transformed heart and mind that prioritizes God's commands. This principle extends to cultural, social, and familial obligations. Believers are encouraged to engage with their existing communities and relationships, but in a way that honors God. The sermon concludes with a reflection on Jesus' prayer in John 17, emphasizing that believers are sent into the world to be a light, not to be isolated from it.
### Key Takeaways
1. Live as You Are Called: Paul emphasizes that believers should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. This means not rushing to change external circumstances but focusing on living out one's faith in the current context. This principle helps believers to see that they can serve God and demonstrate their faith anywhere, without needing to change their environment. [02:59]
2. Obedience Over Rituals: The debate over circumcision highlights that external rituals are not what make one right with God. What matters is keeping God's commands. This teaches us that our identity in Christ is not based on external markers but on our obedience and relationship with Him. [05:46]
3. Freedom in Christ: Paul addresses the issue of slavery, stating that while one's social status may not change, in Christ, they are free. This underscores the spiritual freedom and worth that believers have in God, regardless of their earthly circumstances. It also serves as a reminder that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ, who bought us with a price. [12:07]
4. Undivided Devotion: Paul suggests that singleness allows for undivided devotion to the Lord, as married individuals have divided interests between pleasing their spouse and serving God. This highlights the value of singleness in the Christian life, not as a lesser state but as an opportunity for focused service to God. [18:59]
5. Engage with the World: Believers are called to engage with their existing communities and relationships in a way that honors God. This means not isolating oneself but being a light in the world. Jesus' prayer in John 17 reinforces this, as He asks for protection for His followers while they are in the world, not to be taken out of it. [45:41]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:12] - Living in the World
[02:07] - Remain as You Are
[02:59] - Principle of Staying in Your Situation
[04:03] - Opportunities Right Where You Are
[04:59] - Example of Circumcision
[05:46] - Obedience Over Rituals
[08:52] - Jewish and Gentile Believers
[09:39] - Remaining in Your Situation
[10:39] - Bond Servants and Slavery
[12:07] - Freedom in Christ
[16:55] - Addressing Virgins and Unmarried
[18:59] - Undivided Devotion
[23:14] - Living as if Time is Short
[26:06] - Free from Concern
[29:19] - Engaged Couples
[32:09] - Marriage and Happiness
[33:32] - Widows and Remarriage
[34:34] - What Should Not Change
[35:25] - Cultural Context
[38:32] - Political and Social Obligations
[40:01] - Financial and Family Obligations
[43:46] - Commitment to Spouse
[45:41] - Jesus' Prayer for Believers
[49:18] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 (NIV)
> "Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them."
2. John 17:15-18 (NIV)
> "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."
### Observation Questions
1. What principle does Paul lay down for all the churches in 1 Corinthians 7:17? ([02:59])
2. How does Paul address the issue of circumcision in 1 Corinthians 7:18-19? ([05:46])
3. What does Paul say about the status of slaves in 1 Corinthians 7:21-22? ([12:07])
4. According to John 17:15-18, what does Jesus pray for His followers while they are in the world? ([45:41])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize remaining in the situation one was in when called by God? How does this principle apply to modern-day believers? ([02:59])
2. What does Paul mean when he says, "Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts"? How can this be applied to contemporary Christian practices? ([05:46])
3. How does Paul’s teaching on slavery in 1 Corinthians 7:21-24 challenge or support the idea of spiritual freedom versus social status? ([12:07])
4. In John 17:15-18, Jesus prays for His followers to be protected from the evil one while being sent into the world. How does this prayer shape our understanding of Christian engagement with the world? ([45:41])
### Application Questions
1. Paul encourages believers to remain in their current situations when called by God. Reflect on your current life situation. How can you serve God and demonstrate your faith right where you are? ([02:59])
2. Paul highlights that keeping God’s commands is more important than external rituals. Are there any rituals or traditions in your life that you prioritize over obedience to God? How can you shift your focus to what truly matters? ([05:46])
3. Paul speaks about the spiritual freedom believers have in Christ, regardless of their social status. How does this understanding of freedom impact your view of your own circumstances and your relationship with God? ([12:07])
4. Jesus prays for His followers to be protected from the evil one while being sent into the world. How can you actively engage with your community and relationships in a way that honors God without isolating yourself? ([45:41])
5. Paul suggests that singleness allows for undivided devotion to the Lord. If you are single, how can you use this season of your life to focus more on serving God? If you are married, how can you balance your devotion to God with your responsibilities to your spouse? ([18:59])
6. Reflect on the cultural, social, and familial obligations you have. How can you honor God in these areas while remaining true to your faith? ([35:25])
7. Jesus’ prayer in John 17 emphasizes being in the world but not of it. What practical steps can you take this week to be a light in your community while staying true to your Christian values? ([45:41])
Devotional
Day 1: Live as You Are Called
Believers are encouraged to remain in the situation they were in when God called them. This principle teaches that external changes are not necessary for spiritual growth. Instead, one should focus on living out their faith in their current context. Whether one is circumcised or not, what matters is obedience to God. This helps believers understand that they can serve God and demonstrate their faith anywhere, without needing to change their environment. [02:59]
1 Corinthians 7:20-21 (ESV): "Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)"
Reflection: Think about your current life situation. How can you serve God and live out your faith right where you are today?
Day 2: Obedience Over Rituals
The debate over circumcision highlights that external rituals are not what make one right with God. What matters is keeping God's commands. This teaches us that our identity in Christ is not based on external markers but on our obedience and relationship with Him. This principle helps believers focus on the heart of their faith rather than outward appearances. [05:46]
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"
Reflection: Are there any rituals or traditions you prioritize over genuine obedience to God? How can you shift your focus to what truly matters to Him?
Day 3: Freedom in Christ
Paul addresses the issue of slavery, stating that while one's social status may not change, in Christ, they are free. This underscores the spiritual freedom and worth that believers have in God, regardless of their earthly circumstances. It also serves as a reminder that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ, who bought us with a price. [12:07]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel bound or restricted? How can you embrace the freedom you have in Christ today?
Day 4: Undivided Devotion
Paul suggests that singleness allows for undivided devotion to the Lord, as married individuals have divided interests between pleasing their spouse and serving God. This highlights the value of singleness in the Christian life, not as a lesser state but as an opportunity for focused service to God. [18:59]
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."
Reflection: If you are single, how can you use this season of your life to serve God more fully? If you are married, how can you balance your devotion to God and your spouse?
Day 5: Engage with the World
Believers are called to engage with their existing communities and relationships in a way that honors God. This means not isolating oneself but being a light in the world. Jesus' prayer in John 17 reinforces this, as He asks for protection for His followers while they are in the world, not to be taken out of it. [45:41]
John 17:15-18 (ESV): "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world."
Reflection: How can you be a light in your community today? What specific actions can you take to engage with others in a way that honors God?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You can do God's work and demonstrate your faith anywhere. You don't need to do it in a certain part of the country. You don't need to do it in a certain place or neighborhood. Or work environment. You could do it anywhere. Often, we are so concerned about what we could be doing for God somewhere else that we miss the great opportunities right where we are at." [04:03] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Keeping God's commands is what counts. Each person should remain in the situation they were in. When God called them. So again, you have two camps here and they're pulling. One camp is the Jewish camp that says, listen, if you go back to the Hebrew scriptures, which talk about the Messiah, all along the way, it is said that this is what you need to do to be God's people." [06:37] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you were not raised in a Jewish home, you do not need to be circumcised. Hallelujah for you Gentiles, right? You do not. You do not need to eat kosher. For those of you, us like myself who love bacon, you don't have to keep the, and then by the way, there's a huge movement. Even today, if people coming along and say, you know what? We all should be quote unquote, Messianic Jews, right? Paul right here saying, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no." [08:52] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you can gain your freedom, you should. And if you're free, notice in the orange, he says, uh, or, um, lower in the yellow, sorry, do not become slaves of human beings. Paul is not advocating for slavery. As a matter of fact, later on, he'll, he'll come across this situation. A slave will run away from his master, become a Christian. Paul will do two things. He, A, will, uh, do what he says here. He will tell this slave, uh, to go back to his master." [14:05] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you are single, you have a choice. You have a choice. And by the way, marriage is good. But biblically speaking, it is not God's ultimate design for your life. I apologize for pastors who mean well, who go back to Genesis and say, I'm single. I'm a male and female. And that if you really want to reflect the Trinity, you'll be married. That is not what we see here in Scripture." [44:42] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Often, we are so concerned about what we could be doing for God somewhere else that we miss the great opportunities right where we are at. And I see this oftentimes, especially people who feel like they're maybe getting pulled into ministry. Sometimes they can be so concerned about, oh, when I get to do ministry someday, when I get to do ministry someday, that they miss the fact that we're all ministers every day. And they're missing what is right in front of them." [04:03] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you were heavily involved in politics before, stay heavily involved in politics. I feel sorry for you, but that's where God had you. That's where God had you. But just do it in a God honoring way. Just do it in a way where now, whoever becomes president or vice president or the mayor or whatnot, is not going to dictate to you whether things are good or bad and you're not gonna tear down the other person that you do not like. Why? Because now you're living unto the Lord, even though you still live in that context." [38:32] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you are married, remain as you are. It doesn't matter what kind of Christian they are or if they are a Christian. Remain as you are. If you can. Like it said last week, the exceptions to that is if you just can't do it, neither one of you can do it, you can separate, but you remain single then. Or there's those two exceptions, marital unfaithfulness and an unbeliever who abandons the relationship. But other than that, remain as you are." [44:18] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Singleness is a blessing. So whether it's a day, a week, a year, or a lifetime, right? Take the opportunity and devote more of your time and life to Jesus. Because I believe Paul is wise. I believe it will be a, end up to be a blessing." [45:05] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus says this. My prayer is not that you take them, being his disciples, being followers of Jesus, out of the world. Think about that. God, I don't, I'm not asking you to take them out of the world. I'm not asking you to deliver them from the wackiness that is California or the wackiness that is the West or the wackiness that is the world that we live in. But that you protect them from the evil one." [45:41] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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