Cross City Church - North
May 9, 2021 / It's Complicated / Single With Questions
When it comes to relationships, life is complicated, not by design but by our choices and our humanity. The Bible brings clarity to our lives, not confusion. In our new series "It's Complicated" we will continue to apply the truth in God's Word in 1 Corinthians to our complicated lives today.
Locations & Times
Cross City North
2902 Sam School Rd, Westlake, TX 76262, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
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SINGLE WITH QUESTIONS:
Misconceptions about Singleness...
- That I’m automatically miserable.
- That there’s something wrong with me.
- That I must have a wild life outside of this.
- That I’m lonely.
- That I hate all happy couples...that Valentines should be "SingleAwarenessDay" instead.
- That I’m dumb when it comes to love.
- That this life isn’t the one I want or the one God has for me.
Misconceptions about Singleness...
- That I’m automatically miserable.
- That there’s something wrong with me.
- That I must have a wild life outside of this.
- That I’m lonely.
- That I hate all happy couples...that Valentines should be "SingleAwarenessDay" instead.
- That I’m dumb when it comes to love.
- That this life isn’t the one I want or the one God has for me.
1 Corinthians 7:1...
1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.
1 Corinthians 7:7-9...
7 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. 8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.
1 Corinthians 7:7-9...
7 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. 8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
LAST WEEK:
TALKING ABOUT MARRIAGE...
1. SEX outside of MARRIAGE is never God’s best.
2. TEMPTATION is not the only reason to get MARRIED – but it is a good one!
3.When you say, “I DO” – it’s for life. You became ONE flesh.
TALKING ABOUT MARRIAGE...
1. SEX outside of MARRIAGE is never God’s best.
2. TEMPTATION is not the only reason to get MARRIED – but it is a good one!
3.When you say, “I DO” – it’s for life. You became ONE flesh.
1. Your status of being SINGLE is outweighed by your IDENTITY OF BEING GOD'S KID.
1 Cor. 7:1 & 7...
1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.
7 I wish that all were as I myself am.
Things to consider...
- Paul is writing this as a single man.
- Paul is the greatest apostle in Scripture.
- Paul was believed to have once been married.
+ His writing at this time gives evidence he wasn’t married here
- Paul is saying it’s better to not have sex as a single.
1 Cor. 7:1 & 7...
1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.
7 I wish that all were as I myself am.
Things to consider...
- Paul is writing this as a single man.
- Paul is the greatest apostle in Scripture.
- Paul was believed to have once been married.
+ His writing at this time gives evidence he wasn’t married here
- Paul is saying it’s better to not have sex as a single.
2. Your status of being SINGLE & CELIBATE is a SPECIAL CALLING & GIFT OF GOD.
1 Corinthians 7:7...
But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
Things to consider...
His status:
- Was good enough to wish it on others.
- Was good enough to not be distracted to pen most of the New Testament.
- Was good enough to see all of the craziness in the church that had to do with sex.
- Was good enough to have the time to address this kind of behavior in the church.
My single status:
- Was able to give so much more time to the church & students back then
- Was undivided in my ministry for God
- Was able to see more fruit from my labor
- Was able to spend more quality time with people
Your single status:
- What are you doing with it?
- Are you spending more time pleasing you or pleasing God?
1 Corinthians 7:7...
But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
Singleness is a gift just like marriage is a gift.
Single for a time or single for forever...either way...it’s a gift.
What you do with that gift matters in either case.
1 Corinthians 7:7...
But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
Things to consider...
His status:
- Was good enough to wish it on others.
- Was good enough to not be distracted to pen most of the New Testament.
- Was good enough to see all of the craziness in the church that had to do with sex.
- Was good enough to have the time to address this kind of behavior in the church.
My single status:
- Was able to give so much more time to the church & students back then
- Was undivided in my ministry for God
- Was able to see more fruit from my labor
- Was able to spend more quality time with people
Your single status:
- What are you doing with it?
- Are you spending more time pleasing you or pleasing God?
1 Corinthians 7:7...
But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
Singleness is a gift just like marriage is a gift.
Single for a time or single for forever...either way...it’s a gift.
What you do with that gift matters in either case.
3. A burning PASSION to do the work of God is GREAT. But if sex is a burning DESIRE, MARRIAGE is God’s only answer.
1 Corinthians 7:8...
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Things to consider...
Why do you think he says this here?
- He may be reminded of the great work he’s doing in keeping the church from completely missing the mark.
- He may be reminded that God’s call on someone’s life isn’t contingent on being married.
What can God do in and through single people?
- Lead churches.
- Write books of the Bible.
- Lead strong ministries.
- Whatever He wants to do through you is what He can do.
- The same things He can use married people to do minus one thing.
Why is self-control such an issue today?
- Instant gratification ruins great lives.
- Impatient people make irrational decisions.
- Inability to withstand temptation
- Incapable of hearing God’s voice or answering His call.
1 Corinthians 7:8...
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Things to consider...
Why do you think he says this here?
- He may be reminded of the great work he’s doing in keeping the church from completely missing the mark.
- He may be reminded that God’s call on someone’s life isn’t contingent on being married.
What can God do in and through single people?
- Lead churches.
- Write books of the Bible.
- Lead strong ministries.
- Whatever He wants to do through you is what He can do.
- The same things He can use married people to do minus one thing.
Why is self-control such an issue today?
- Instant gratification ruins great lives.
- Impatient people make irrational decisions.
- Inability to withstand temptation
- Incapable of hearing God’s voice or answering His call.
SINGLE PEOPLE IN the BIBLE...
Mary Magdalene...bound by demons & healed by Jesus
Martha of Bethany...served Jesus in her home
Mary of Bethany...Martha’s sister...she worshipped Jesus in her home
Miraim...Moses’ sister helped him get to safety in Pharoah’s house
Jeremiah...recorded God’s prophecies...he was a trusted/committed prophet
Lydia...used her wealth to serve those in ministry
Ruth...a young widow, took Naomi, her Mother-in-Law as her Mom, eventually provided her another husband in Boaz
John the Baptist...prepared the way for Jesus & lost his head for Him
Jesus...proved to all of us that you don’t have to be married to do great things
Mary Magdalene...bound by demons & healed by Jesus
Martha of Bethany...served Jesus in her home
Mary of Bethany...Martha’s sister...she worshipped Jesus in her home
Miraim...Moses’ sister helped him get to safety in Pharoah’s house
Jeremiah...recorded God’s prophecies...he was a trusted/committed prophet
Lydia...used her wealth to serve those in ministry
Ruth...a young widow, took Naomi, her Mother-in-Law as her Mom, eventually provided her another husband in Boaz
John the Baptist...prepared the way for Jesus & lost his head for Him
Jesus...proved to all of us that you don’t have to be married to do great things
“God loves giving gifts. Some get the gift of singleness. It’s not a curse, it’s a gift. Some get the gift of marriage. It isn’t the better gift, it’s just a gift. Sex is also an incredible gift. It’s true that this gift is best inside of marriage. But don’t waste your whole life thinking marriage is better because of sex. Marriage is great but not if God hasn’t called you to it.”
What do I do with any of these gifts?
Romans 12:1-2...make sure you are right where you need to be
1 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
2 Corinthians 6:14-16...to those about to date/marry
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God.
Song of Solomon 3:5...to the young singles
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem...that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.
1 Timothy 5:9-10...to the widows
Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.
Psalm 37:4...all who are wanting something different than what you have now
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Romans 12:1-2...make sure you are right where you need to be
1 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
2 Corinthians 6:14-16...to those about to date/marry
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God.
Song of Solomon 3:5...to the young singles
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem...that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.
1 Timothy 5:9-10...to the widows
Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.
Psalm 37:4...all who are wanting something different than what you have now
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
