Interwoven For Singleness & Marriage

It could be argued that Christianity is the first religion to affirm the goodness of singleness. In the ancient world, one was often defined by your family of origin, your children, or your spouse. Instead, we are reminded that God defines us by our relationship to Him as children of God and heirs in Christ. Being married is a gift, but it comes with certain anxieties like caring for your spouse and children. Paul argues that Christian singleness offers the benefit of being “undivided and devoted to the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:35). In the passage we’re going to be studying on Sunday, Paul says that the Lord can be at work in whatever situation we are in so that we may represent the gospel and grow in holiness. Those situations can include singleness, being married to an unbeliever, and dealing with difficulties in our marriages. Paul helps us to think through what it means to follow Christ regardless of our “present crisis/distress” (1 Corinthians 7:26). Paul uses singleness and marriage as an example of how our lives can be used to share the gospel, build up other believers and make disciples. As we continue in our sermon series called Interwoven, we’re going to be exploring how God calls the church to engage all of their members. While Christianity may have been the first faith to affirm singleness, we know that the tendency is to focus on marriages, families, and children. So how do we encourage every member to see every person as valuable in the eyes of God?