Gods Calling Transcends Vertical Assignments Paul has already made that case in marriage and singleness, then in circumcision and uncircumcision. We do have assignments from the Lord, but the important thing is that call. Between the bottom two pieces are verses 2123 where the principle is applied to slavery and freedom. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. These questions plague us.This passage doesnt establish our circumstances as unalterable. This, then, is a very important principle for new creations in Christ. In whatever place of life we were in, at that time when we were called by God to place our faith in Jesus and trust Him as our Savior, we are to remain there as if with God. It may be that He calls us to that place for the initial stages of our walk with Him; and all so that He can train us for what He has for us in the future. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 New International Version Concerning Change of Status 17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. Its taking the objective teaching of scriptures and applying it to the specifics of our lives. Dont be anxious about your assignment in life. We can paraphrase the verses to show the difference between the general call and the effective call: Paul says, "We call everyone to believe in Christ crucified, but many Jews find this call to be a stumbling block, and many Gentiles find this call to be foolishness, but those who are called (that is, powerfully and effectively drawn to Christ) find the gospel call to be the power and wisdom of God.". For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy (1 Corinthians 7:12-14). They are new creations. You have to look at what the scriptures teach, and you have to ask for Gods illumination to see how that relates to what is in front of me. I have to think, do those things line up? Let's read 1 Corinthians 7:1724. 17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. Do you notice how he was able to say how thankful he was for his calling? While on his third missionary journey, the apostle Paul wrote the letter of 1 Corinthians to a fractioned church in the city of Corinth in Ancient Greece around A.D. 54. Stay Where You're Called (1 Corinthians 7:17-24) In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. (2) If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast aboutbut not before God. If you were converted as a Jew, don't try to become a Gentile. Never mind. In both of those cases, Paul is saying remain in your assignments, whatever they may be as you await the hope of glory when Christ returns. Notice verse 17, "Let everyone lead the life which the Lord assigned to him, and in which God has called him." We are going to see three sections in our study of this text. It is, in fact, a principle for all those who believe on Jesusand in all the churches that belong to Him. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. We dont need to find an island that we can settle in and populate that is just for Christians, sealed off from the rest of the world. Those are the vertical, the authority, differentials. If instead we are looking to serve, theres always opportunity. A life that is lived in faith to Jesus and the way the he appoints for believers to live in. Between the top two pieces are verses 18 and 19 where the principle is applied to the issue of circumcision and uncircumcision. He made application to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a contemplative and spend the rest of his life in the monastery. There were people that were preaching that in order to be a Christian you had to first be circumcised. But it may be, as Jesus predicted in Matthew 10:34ff., that the rebellion and unbelief of the unbelieving spouse will turn Christianity into a sword that severs, instead of a peaceful balm that heals. Seized By Temptation - 1 Corinthians 10:13. An opportunity we are going to see is a lawful and properly available path where we might change our circumstances. We are located at the top of the intersection of NW 185th Avenue and Germantown Road. Most practically, how do we evaluate opportunities that present themselves? And note one more thing. Follow Desiring God on Facebook . The Bible tells us that. When Paul says in verse 17, "Let everyone lead the life . First Corinthians 7:17-24 expands on Paul's rule of thumb: that Christians should remain in whatever situation they were in when they came to faith in Christ. Again, in verse eleven Now, in actual fact, the whole section - from verse 17 through to the end of the chapter, at vs40, really ought to be . What does that mean? He told his story in 1 Timothy 1; and he was thankful for how God used the place of life he was in when he was called. Now, notice that later on in verse twenty-one, God doesnt prohibit slaves from leaving their circumstances. You were bought with a price. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24: Christianity and Staves: E. Hurndall : 1 Corinthians 7:20-24: Pulpit Commentary Homiletics. For the scriptures to frame how we are looking at this question. Instead, wherever we are, we can be content. There is no clear objective rule on this. Now I want to start this morning by defining three terms that we will be using. Stated as a prayer, the main point today is: Father, grant to us all the grace to be conscious of your presence at our work and to obey your commands in all our vocational relationships. If you are married and you have an opportunity to divorce your spouse and go after someone else, the Bible tells you that is sin and you may not do it. He applies it like this: if you were converted as a Gentile, don't try to become a Jew. The people group that God assigned you by your birth is in no way a hinderance to believing the gospel and following after the call of Jesus Christ to believe in him. Are you feeling and sensing Jesus Christ drawing you to himself through his spirit? Sermon Discipleship is a Process by Brian Bill. God had providentially called them from within that particular relationship in order that He might use them as a witness to their unbelieving husband or unbelieving wife. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.1 Corinthians 7:17-24, ESV 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. Were not automatically required to leave our families when we come to know Jesus Christ. This sermon (1 Corinthians 1: 10 - 17) was preached at West Ewell Evangelical Church, Surrey, on Sunday 15 March 2015. Theme: We are to walk as a faithful Christian in the place of life where God has called us to Himself. These three statements of Paul's principle divide the text into two parts. Part 1: Is He the Christ? Am I doing the right thing? God looked upon us when we were dead in our sins and trespasses, when we were nonresponsive to God. In chapter 1, verse 9, Paul says, "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." This is my rule for all the churches. This is why we look for a word of the Lord, you dont need a word from the Lord, you already have it. But Jesus came by one day and paid a call on Zacchaeus. Paul is not saying that a professional thief or a Corinthian cult prostitute should stay in the calling in which they were called. Now obviously, staying in that place in which He called us assumes that it is not an inherently sinful place. This is my rule in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? Then verse 24, "So, brethren, in whatever state each of you was called, there let him remain with God." Paul could have given the very same theological reason for this position as he did in verse 19. The Holy Spirit living in us helps us to walk through life in a new way. The Bible is an objective word; and it speaks objectively to some situations.There are other situations that are subjective. Thats the most important thing. The real contrast, it seems to me, should be expressed as: "Don't let your slavery make you anxious, but instead use it." "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established" (Proverbs 19:21). And Paul's answer is: You don't need to abandon your vocation if you can stay in it with God. Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 67 As theyve had to search the scriptures and see the various principles and how the light of Gods word shone into their lives by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. As one commentator, Lenski, writes, Paul is taking the minor idea of these assignments that we have, and he is including them with the major blessing to the call to faith in Jesus Christ.. 1. 4 For the Now; if you have never placed your faith in Jesus and trusted Him as your Savior, I believe He is offering a call to you right now. One of the questions that they asked had to do with their marriages. What should you do? . "The lot is cast in the lap, but the decision is wholly from the Lord" (Proverbs 16:33). The word that occurs in each statement of the principle and nine times altogether in this paragraph is the word "call." In verse 23, Paul said, You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. And that is the true condition of a new creation in Christ, whether they are a slaves or freedmen. Let him not become uncircumcised. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Live as You Are Called 17 Only let each person lead the life3 lthat the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. The Bible tells you to love your neighbor as yourself and that looks different in different relationships. We want the Bible to give us clear answers. 17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. But the apostles and church leaders met together, and prayed together, and declared from the Lord that this was not necessary. Do you remember the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector in Luke 19? Not for an answer, but for the wisdom that other believers, who are further along in the faith perhaps, have gained through the Holy Spirits illumination in their lives as they have been faced with similar questions. Understand that ancient slavery, the kind that Paul was familiar with at this time, was very different than the kind of slavery that was practiced in the United States until the Civil War. 29. In the minds of most Jewish people, he was something close to a gangster. We will have confidence when Jesus Christ returns. Never mind. In other words, coming to faith in Christ does not make a person want to abandon relationships appointed by God, but to sanctify them. verse 15), but also because Scripture depicts and approves such changes. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? For those principles from your word, for the clear teaching of your word to so saturate everything we think and do that your Holy Spirit can illuminate our responsibilities, our vows, our promises, the needs of others around us in a way that accords with what you have taught in your word. This is my rule in all the churches. So, Paul then gives a principle. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. So the principle that the apostle follows is: stay in your God-ordained relationships; do not seek to abandon them or destroy them. Repent from your sins and ask God to forgive you for what you have done in rebellion against him. If everything on the inside is new, should we then completely get rid of every aspect of the outside life and start over? We belong to Him wherever He calls us; For, as Paul tells us in verses 22, he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lords freedman. But otherwise, the believer is to remain in the place where God had called them to Himself; and they should continue walking faithfully with Him there, and allow Him to use them as His witnesses for the kingdom of Jesus. The second is opportunity, I see this word in verse twenty-one. The Bible doesnt say yes it will or no it wont. 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Putting the two applications of Paul's principle together, the teaching seems to be this: Obeying the commands of God (v. 19) and enjoying his presence (v. 24) are so vastly more important than what your culture or your job is that you should feel no compulsion to change your position. Sermon . Trending: The Cost of Discipleship. Lets have enough confidence in Gods call upon us to trust Him in it, and to let Him use it, and to even thank Him for it. in which God called him," and when he says in verse 24, "In whatever state each was called, there let him remain with God," he is referring to a divine call by which we were drawn to believe in Christ. It was to be a follower of the traditions of the Jewish people. Christianity is a message that the calling of God transformations whatever you are doing so that you can remain there. 28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears, we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.1 John 2:28, ESV Once the person came the sign gave way to a reality. We wonder if life would be greener somewhere else, but Christians have this additional element where we are thankful for the green pastures that our good shepherd has led us. Circumcision was an old covenant symbol and the purpose of the picture was to point to a person, the person of Jesus Christ and out of the Jewish circumcised people came the Lord Jesus Christ. Let him not seek circumcision. He wrote; But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. This is seen most clearly in 1 Corinthians 1:23, 24, where Paul says, "We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. And for those of us who have already trusted Him, lets walk as a faithful Christian in the place of life where God has called us to Himself. Paul is saying that circumcision has nothing to do with this. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 A Sermon By Scott Lindsay We are continuing this morning in our study of Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, picking up at verse 17 of chapter 7 and working through to verse 24 of that same chapter. He has kept those relations in place for a reason. Even so, we know that they are a sinner and you are a sinner. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.1 Corinthians 7:23, ESV Imagine you had an opportunity to work as a low-level staffer at the White House of, pick your president I dont want to get into politics, whichever president you would most like to work for past or present, think about that person and lets not get into politics. The first word is assignments, I see this in verse seventeen. This idea of effectual calling when we are drawn out of our sin to Jesus Christ, that is included in the assignments in which the calling finds us. To every person. Gods Calling Teaches Us to Abide with God In verse 18, he wrote Was anyone called while circumcised? 2. Paul gives a resounding no in verse 3. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? It seems wholly out of place between these to say, "If you can gain your freedom, do it." We areeach of usto remain with God in that state in which we were called. What do we mean by this? Heaven is open, as St. Stephen saw it open (Acts 7:55); and we hear God when He addresses us in Baptism, in Holy Communion, in confession, and in His Word as it proceeds from the mouth of the men who proclaim His message to the people." --Martin Luther (1/19/1538 [LW 22:202])-- Send Pastor Mark Schlamann an email. I think that the greatest explanation of what Paul meant is found in Romans 2. Jesus Is Wounded By The Dividing Of Church Contributed by Lay Man on May 28, 2015 . I believe this is the word of God for us today, and I would like to unfold it for a few minutes from 1 Corinthians 7:1724. Let me give you an illustration of what this might look like. Rather, the Jewish follower of the Jewish traditions who came to Christ was encouraged to remain in the cultural traditions in which he was called, and to live faithfully for Jesus in it. This is my rule in all the churches. That would have been a true statement. Romans 4:1-5 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? The time may come when we may do something different, as long as it is lawful and properly available. February 17, 2020. you should give the resounding answer: "His will is that I maintain close fellowship with him and devote myself to obeying his commandments." The idea of abiding in a situation while you are awaiting something bigger, we see most clearly in 1 John 2:28 Before we can move onto anything else, respond to the call of God in Jesus Christ. And to a certain degree, that new inner life also has an impact on the outer life. There are times when we should avail ourselves of opportunities. That place that we were in when He called us was no accident. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him Learn more about Desiring God Ways to Follow. Either way, we belong completely to Jesus as His new creations. a. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Sermon Trusting God to Work it Out by Brian Bill. As a declaration it would be: How you fulfill the demands of your vocation is an essential part of Christian discipleship. Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Is yours a menial job? This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Luke 1:26-45 Study Guide: What did Mary Know? The Bible tells us that there are two elements of this. When we read this and we have to ask, okay I have this job opportunity in front of me. That has to do with our outward mode of lifethe place of life in this world that God has granted to us. Let no man enslave your soul. This may be correct, but I find it hard to accept since the principle he is illustrating is expressed in v. 20 as "Everyone should remain in the state in which he was called," and in verse 24 as "In whatever state each was called, there let him remain with God." He showed Zacchaeuas love and mercy; and He even went to Zacchaeus house for dinner. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Paul then wrote a letter to the Christians at Corinth warning them "to have no company with sexual sinners" (1 Corinthians 5:9), but that letter has been lost to us. God alone rules each circumstance of life. Why is this? The Bible tells us that He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:7). This is absolutely imperative to grasp lest we create a new legalism. Let him not become uncircumcised. To be circumcised, of course, was to bear upon ones self the covenant sign of Israel. Its in that context that you can serve your master, because you arent serving your master suddenly you are in an assignment where the calling of Jesus Christ is intersected. All of us are prone to asking whether or not the grass may be greener somewhere than where we are living our lives right now. 17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. 1 Corinthians 7:17,20 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. As a Jewish man, he would never have been indifferent to the covenant sign that God gave to his ancestor Abraham. If she wanted to marry, and her father would not allow her to do so, she might disgrace her father and ruin her own testimony by marrying the wrong person. How do you know if they are good or if you should pursue them? The things we used to love to do, we no longer want to do. It was a sovereign on purpose; and was guided and arranged by Him for the manifestation of His glory in and through us. And do you remember what Zacchaeus did? Do you have to become a member of a different people group? Having discussed the principle of staying in the God-ordained relationship of marriage when you become a Christian, Paul now discusses this principle in two other connections. The Sermon below tackles about the Biblical teachings about marriage, marital relationship and divorce. We pray. "A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). The new legalism would say, "You can't be circumcised if you want to be saved. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 New American Standard Bible 17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this way let him walk. Old sinful habits and practices begin to be set aside. Paul is saying that in the new covenant the separation of people groups by national entities is no longer important. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:22-24. With God! Very simply the call of God that comes to a person in his vocation is the power of God converting the soul through the gospel. (a member of the Sanhedrin would have What matters is not whether our job is high or low in man's eyes. "So brethren," Paul concludes in verse 24, "In whatever state each was called, let him remain with God." "Were you a slave when called? We will pervert Paul's teaching and miss his intention if we take the sentence, "Let the uncircumcised not be circumcised" (verse 18), and make it an absolute prohibition of cultural adaptations. Text: Acts 19:1-20 Sermon Series: On Mission. . Stay where you are and obey God. Yet if you are in the condition of a bondservant, understand you dont need to seek a change from that either. Paul then learned of divisions . It declares to us how much it is that Jesus transforms the life of whoever trusts in Him. There were some Jewish Christians who insisted on that, however. 24 and are . Father make us steeped in the scriptures, not so we can just spit out the right answers without thinking to complicated questions, but so that you can frame the way that we are thinking and wrestling with you in prayer. 1 Corinthians. It means to remain or endure in a situation, specifically with the idea of awaiting something else. Not only that, but this translation does not do justice to all the words in the Greek ("even" and "rather") which come out in the alternative translation: "Were you called as a slave? Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. But if you translate it as a command to seek freedom, the true point of the passage is obscured. They would find his favor to be life and his loving kindness to be better than life.. John 7:14-24 Study Guide What's the Deal with Jesus? We are to go to the same job or the same schoolbut were to now do it all as before God, and as His servants, and with trust in Him, and as unto His glory. Sermon Central Share a Sermon; Try PRO Free; Help; Sign In; Sermon . 8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.1 Corinthians 7:8, ESV What if you are dating? This calling is the Holy Spirit's pull into fellowship with Christ. We need to think long and hard about whether what we communicate to our children about success is biblical or just American. The moment any woman or man or young person places their faith in Jesus Christ, they become completely born-again in Him. Theme: We are to walk as a faithful Christian in the place of life where God has called us to Himself. Confirming the Witness of Christ. You are where you are by divine assignment, even if you got there by fraud. 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.