9/27 Snooze Button BFC "Blurred Lines- Marriage"

Introduction

• There was a woman who gave her life to Christ.  She was happy, and so was her husband.  However two weeks later she came to the office of her church in tears. She said that her marriage was about to be over. Her husband was not happy with her and she said it was all because she became a Christian.  The preacher asked the woman, “Why is he mad at you” and she answered, “Because I won’t, well you know.”  The preacher was confused and remarked, “No, I don’t know.”  She replied, “I won’t you know, do anything with him. Since I’m a Christian now I know that I’m not supposed to and he doesn’t understand that.”  The preacher realized quickly what she was talking about and informed here that, well you know, isn’t wrong and was actually created by God. It is meant to be apart of a marriage and a vital part of that marriage.  She left with a skip in her step, and 20 years later, they are still married and going strong.
• We have a wrong view of sex in our churches that says that it is a bad thing, but in fact, it is not. It’s important, it’s a gift from God. However, the ability to contain it and understand it’s uses can get us in trouble.  The Corinthian church faced a similar problem and it is what kicks off our new series “Blurred Lines: When the world and the Word don’t match up”.

Lesson

• Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-7. Verses 1-3, Paul just tells everyone that you shouldn’t get married.  Actually, Paul starts a new stage in his letter to the Corinthians, and it is focusing on answering some questions that the Corinthians had asked him. This question is obviously about marriage. He notes that there is nothing wrong with marriage, but to be very careful about it. Verses 4-9, Some of the people in Corinth thought like the lady in our opening story.  Paul tells them that this is not right, and that sex is to be enjoyed inside the bonds of marriage.  He says that no one has the right to demand sex, and no one has a right to withhold it. However, if they do abstain from sex, they need to be careful, because sinful temptations my arrive and compromise the marriage.
• Read 1 Corinthians 7:10-16. Like today, Corinth was a place that was steeped in divorce and remarriage. Now all of a sudden a new Gospel is being preached and they are faced with the question of whether they should do what is acceptable in culture or commanded by God. What was acceptable grounds for divorce for Paul?
• Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. Paul uses slavery and circumcision to illustrate the fact that when you become a Christian you stay in the state you are in; when you are converted you do not leave your unconverted wife or husband. You try to bring them along with you in your spiritual journey.
• Read 1 Corinthians 7:25-31. Paul notes that he would prefer if the Corinthians would remain in their present state due to a crisis and the coming of Christ.  There was a great food shortage in this time.
• Read 1 Corinthians 7:32-40. Does Paul say that you cannot be married and serve God? No, in the present case, he is simply giving advice to the people as they are faced with this food shortage and with being a Christian. The underlying theme in this passage is that God comes first! Paul’s advice is good here when talking about rushing into marriage. Do not rush into it, simply allow it to happen and make sure that you are the right fit.

 Blurred Lines

• Where does Paul’s commands and guidance here in 1 Corinthians stand in contrast to what the world says?