WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.760 verses 17 through 31. 00:00:03.540 --> 00:00:05.200 Let me ask you to turn there with me. 00:00:06.040 --> 00:00:09.019 It's page 955, I believe, in the Pew Bible, 00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:10.200 if you want to follow along there. 00:00:13.780 --> 00:00:18.519 1 Corinthians chapter 7, verses 17 through 31. 00:00:26.339 --> 00:00:27.699 Let me read this word for us. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.700 Only let each person lead the life 00:00:33.700 --> 00:00:35.480 that the Lord has assigned to him 00:00:35.480 --> 00:00:37.439 and to which God has called him. 00:00:38.380 --> 00:00:40.640 This is my rule in all the churches. 00:00:42.299 --> 00:00:45.399 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? 00:00:46.039 --> 00:00:48.579 Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. 00:00:49.879 --> 00:00:52.519 Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? 00:00:53.039 --> 00:00:54.439 Let him not seek circumcision. 00:00:55.320 --> 00:00:57.439 For neither circumcision counts for anything 00:00:57.439 --> 00:00:58.420 nor uncircumcision, 00:00:58.420 --> 00:01:00.280 but keeping the commandments of God. 00:01:02.240 --> 00:01:03.859 Each one should remain in the condition 00:01:03.859 --> 00:01:04.740 in which he was called. 00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:06.760 Were you a bondservant when called? 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:08.780 Do not be concerned about it. 00:01:09.519 --> 00:01:10.820 But if you can gain your freedom, 00:01:10.980 --> 00:01:12.240 avail yourself of the opportunity. 00:01:13.359 --> 00:01:15.359 For he who is called in the Lord as a bondservant 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:16.540 is a freedman of the Lord. 00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:19.560 Likewise, he who was free when called 00:01:19.560 --> 00:01:20.920 is a bondservant of Christ. 00:01:22.240 --> 00:01:23.480 You were bought with a price. 00:01:23.480 --> 00:01:26.040 Do not become bondservants of men. 00:01:27.700 --> 00:01:30.180 So brothers, in whatever condition each was called, 00:01:30.659 --> 00:01:32.020 there let him remain with God. 00:01:33.500 --> 00:01:34.800 Now concerning the betrothed, 00:01:34.840 --> 00:01:36.700 I have no command from the Lord, 00:01:37.040 --> 00:01:38.380 but I give my judgment as one 00:01:38.380 --> 00:01:39.900 who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. 00:01:39.900 --> 00:01:43.580 I think that in view of the present distress, 00:01:43.820 --> 00:01:46.140 it is good for a person to remain as he is. 00:01:46.800 --> 00:01:48.120 Are you bound to a wife? 00:01:48.660 --> 00:01:50.120 Do not seek to be free. 00:01:50.840 --> 00:01:52.100 Are you free from a wife? 00:01:52.560 --> 00:01:53.780 Do not seek a wife. 00:01:54.480 --> 00:01:56.520 But if you do marry, you have not sinned. 00:01:56.880 --> 00:01:58.100 And if a betrothed woman marries, 00:01:58.180 --> 00:01:58.900 she has not sinned. 00:01:59.760 --> 00:02:01.360 Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:02.300 and I would spare you that. 00:02:02.299 --> 00:02:09.680 This is what I mean, brothers and sisters. 00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:14.319 The appointed time has grown very short. 00:02:16.419 --> 00:02:18.620 From now on, let those who have wives 00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:19.800 live as though they had none, 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:22.300 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, 00:02:23.039 --> 00:02:25.599 and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, 00:02:26.079 --> 00:02:28.479 and those who buy as though they had no goods, 00:02:28.939 --> 00:02:30.360 and those who deal with the world 00:02:30.360 --> 00:02:31.979 as though they had no dealings with it. 00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:34.439 For the present form of this world 00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:36.140 is passing away. 00:02:37.340 --> 00:02:38.000 Let's pray. 00:02:42.580 --> 00:02:45.780 God, we have been thanking and praising you 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:47.480 for your word this morning. 00:02:50.380 --> 00:02:53.900 Lord, we thank you that you have given us 00:02:53.900 --> 00:02:57.280 your word that you have spoken and written it for us. 00:02:57.280 --> 00:02:59.419 And you, 00:03:00.419 --> 00:03:02.099 in your own person, 00:03:02.199 --> 00:03:03.120 by the Holy Spirit, 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:03.620 come 00:03:03.620 --> 00:03:07.599 and cause it to be illuminated in our hearts 00:03:07.599 --> 00:03:09.219 and in our lives and in our communities. 00:03:10.620 --> 00:03:12.599 God, so we pray that that would be the case. 00:03:14.039 --> 00:03:15.420 That you would come and 00:03:15.420 --> 00:03:18.860 rework our minds and our affections 00:03:18.860 --> 00:03:21.240 around the life-giving words 00:03:21.240 --> 00:03:23.120 that you have given us. 00:03:24.260 --> 00:03:24.900 Lord Jesus, 00:03:25.120 --> 00:03:25.400 you 00:03:25.400 --> 00:03:27.600 are the life-giving word, 00:03:28.540 --> 00:03:29.900 and we look to you this morning. 00:03:30.580 --> 00:03:31.460 It's in your name we pray. 00:03:31.700 --> 00:03:31.960 Amen. 00:03:31.960 --> 00:03:32.080 Amen. 00:03:34.680 --> 00:03:35.120 So, 00:03:35.879 --> 00:03:37.060 in our text this morning, 00:03:37.340 --> 00:03:37.740 Paul 00:03:37.740 --> 00:03:39.300 gives us, 00:03:39.439 --> 00:03:40.260 reminds us, 00:03:40.340 --> 00:03:41.379 reminds the Corinthians anyway, 00:03:41.480 --> 00:03:42.379 of a rule 00:03:42.379 --> 00:03:44.219 that as he says 00:03:44.219 --> 00:03:45.140 in verse 17, 00:03:45.480 --> 00:03:46.780 he gives to all 00:03:46.780 --> 00:03:47.860 the churches. 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:50.300 Probably better put, 00:03:50.360 --> 00:03:51.480 we might call it a principle. 00:03:52.600 --> 00:03:53.879 For as we'll see shortly, 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:55.360 it's not a hard and fast law, 00:03:55.360 --> 00:03:57.900 but it's a bit more like a guideline 00:03:57.900 --> 00:03:58.700 or a framework. 00:03:58.960 --> 00:03:59.860 Maybe we could even say 00:03:59.860 --> 00:04:01.260 a hard attitude. 00:04:03.200 --> 00:04:04.520 And what I want to do this morning 00:04:04.520 --> 00:04:05.740 is I just want to walk through 00:04:05.740 --> 00:04:06.700 this passage together 00:04:06.700 --> 00:04:09.680 and focus kind of on three things 00:04:09.680 --> 00:04:11.000 as we look at this principle. 00:04:11.160 --> 00:04:11.460 First, 00:04:11.980 --> 00:04:14.660 I want us to look at the principle itself 00:04:14.660 --> 00:04:17.580 and why we so desperately need it. 00:04:19.220 --> 00:04:19.860 And second, 00:04:19.960 --> 00:04:21.340 I want to look at the three applications 00:04:21.340 --> 00:04:23.220 of the principle that Paul gives 00:04:23.220 --> 00:04:24.960 and really how those map 00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:25.899 onto our life today. 00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:27.939 And then third, 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:28.959 I want to end by looking 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:30.459 at the overarching reason 00:04:30.459 --> 00:04:32.539 why we can and ought 00:04:32.539 --> 00:04:34.180 to take this principle to heart. 00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:36.060 So, 00:04:36.099 --> 00:04:36.500 there we go. 00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:37.060 First, 00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:38.299 let's look at the principle itself 00:04:38.299 --> 00:04:40.240 and why we so desperately need it. 00:04:40.919 --> 00:04:41.219 Well, 00:04:41.240 --> 00:04:41.959 it's easy to see 00:04:41.959 --> 00:04:42.959 what the principle is 00:04:42.959 --> 00:04:45.259 because Paul repeats it three times. 00:04:45.419 --> 00:04:46.399 In verse 17, 00:04:46.599 --> 00:04:47.259 in verse 20, 00:04:47.419 --> 00:04:48.279 in verse 24, 00:04:48.519 --> 00:04:49.399 he says essentially, 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:51.560 remain as you were when called. 00:04:52.259 --> 00:04:53.599 One commentator described 00:04:53.599 --> 00:04:54.199 this paragraph 00:04:54.199 --> 00:04:55.800 as like a club sandwich. 00:04:56.180 --> 00:04:56.939 You've got the bread 00:04:56.939 --> 00:04:57.800 and then a little meat 00:04:57.800 --> 00:04:58.680 and then some more bread 00:04:58.680 --> 00:04:59.319 and then a little meat 00:04:59.319 --> 00:04:59.899 and then the bread 00:04:59.899 --> 00:05:00.959 and the bread is the principle, 00:05:01.139 --> 00:05:01.339 right? 00:05:01.920 --> 00:05:02.620 There it is, 00:05:02.699 --> 00:05:03.360 woven throughout. 00:05:04.180 --> 00:05:05.319 That was Richard Hayes actually 00:05:05.319 --> 00:05:05.839 from Duke. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:06.459 You know, 00:05:06.560 --> 00:05:07.579 he's sort of a smart guy. 00:05:08.279 --> 00:05:09.099 Called it a sandwich. 00:05:09.300 --> 00:05:09.879 We'll go with it. 00:05:10.360 --> 00:05:10.779 If you've been here 00:05:10.779 --> 00:05:11.480 the last few weeks, 00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:12.039 you'll remember 00:05:12.039 --> 00:05:13.099 that Paul's been talking 00:05:13.099 --> 00:05:13.819 about sex, 00:05:14.019 --> 00:05:14.219 marriage, 00:05:14.300 --> 00:05:15.019 and singleness 00:05:15.019 --> 00:05:16.439 in the Christian life. 00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:17.419 But here, 00:05:17.620 --> 00:05:18.939 in verses 17 to 24, 00:05:19.039 --> 00:05:20.139 he's stepping back 00:05:20.139 --> 00:05:20.980 and saying, 00:05:20.980 --> 00:05:22.000 you know, 00:05:22.100 --> 00:05:23.860 here's the deeper principle 00:05:23.860 --> 00:05:25.340 that's at play 00:05:25.340 --> 00:05:26.480 in all of this. 00:05:27.259 --> 00:05:28.560 Some of the single Christians 00:05:28.560 --> 00:05:29.319 in Corinth were thinking, 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:30.040 should I get married? 00:05:30.340 --> 00:05:31.580 Some of the married Christians 00:05:31.580 --> 00:05:32.600 in Corinth were thinking, 00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:34.060 should I get unmarried 00:05:34.060 --> 00:05:35.560 to my non-Christian spouse? 00:05:36.660 --> 00:05:37.740 And after some of his 00:05:37.740 --> 00:05:39.420 careful pastoral counsel 00:05:39.420 --> 00:05:40.640 in verses 1 through 16 00:05:40.640 --> 00:05:41.280 of chapter 7 00:05:41.280 --> 00:05:42.500 that we've looked at 00:05:42.500 --> 00:05:43.319 the last two weeks, 00:05:43.860 --> 00:05:44.879 Paul steps back here 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:45.920 and gives them 00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:47.040 a broad principle 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:47.900 to work with. 00:05:48.900 --> 00:05:50.540 Remain as you were 00:05:50.540 --> 00:05:51.600 when called. 00:05:53.520 --> 00:05:54.000 Now, 00:05:54.040 --> 00:05:54.700 I don't know about you, 00:05:55.620 --> 00:05:56.640 but when I hear 00:05:56.640 --> 00:05:58.180 that principle at first, 00:05:59.460 --> 00:06:01.460 it sounds a bit, 00:06:02.080 --> 00:06:02.960 I don't know, 00:06:04.020 --> 00:06:04.500 boring. 00:06:06.420 --> 00:06:07.580 Here is Paul, 00:06:08.080 --> 00:06:09.740 the uber social conservative, 00:06:10.060 --> 00:06:11.480 remain as you were 00:06:11.480 --> 00:06:12.300 when called. 00:06:13.580 --> 00:06:15.040 Simply just endorsing 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:15.920 the status quo, 00:06:16.020 --> 00:06:16.740 it sounds like. 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:18.500 Remain as you are, 00:06:18.840 --> 00:06:19.700 nothing to see here. 00:06:21.200 --> 00:06:21.640 I mean, 00:06:21.660 --> 00:06:22.879 is this really the same guy 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:23.960 who wrote something 00:06:23.960 --> 00:06:24.580 as radical 00:06:24.580 --> 00:06:25.800 as Galatians 3.28? 00:06:26.280 --> 00:06:27.340 There's neither Jew 00:06:27.340 --> 00:06:27.879 nor Greek, 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:28.840 there's neither slave 00:06:28.840 --> 00:06:29.320 nor free, 00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:30.720 there's no male and female 00:06:30.720 --> 00:06:31.800 for you are all one 00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:32.700 in Christ Jesus? 00:06:34.160 --> 00:06:34.980 Or who wrote 00:06:34.980 --> 00:06:36.280 2 Corinthians 5, 00:06:36.420 --> 00:06:37.520 16 through 17? 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:39.840 From now on, 00:06:39.900 --> 00:06:40.140 therefore, 00:06:40.259 --> 00:06:41.400 we regard no one 00:06:41.400 --> 00:06:42.300 according to the flesh. 00:06:43.180 --> 00:06:44.100 Even though we once 00:06:44.100 --> 00:06:44.840 regarded Christ 00:06:44.840 --> 00:06:45.700 according to the flesh, 00:06:45.780 --> 00:06:46.800 we regard him thus no longer. 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:47.160 Therefore, 00:06:47.300 --> 00:06:48.280 if anyone is in Christ, 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:49.720 he's a new creation. 00:06:50.300 --> 00:06:51.460 The old has passed away, 00:06:51.579 --> 00:06:51.759 behold, 00:06:51.819 --> 00:06:52.660 the new has come. 00:06:54.300 --> 00:06:54.579 Man, 00:06:54.639 --> 00:06:55.160 whatever you make 00:06:55.160 --> 00:06:55.879 of those verses, 00:06:56.660 --> 00:06:57.280 they're anything 00:06:57.280 --> 00:06:59.439 but boring endorsements 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:00.379 of the status quo. 00:07:00.379 --> 00:07:04.500 So maybe we need to listen 00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:05.579 a little more closely 00:07:05.579 --> 00:07:07.959 to what Paul's principle here 00:07:07.959 --> 00:07:09.219 in 1 Corinthians 7 00:07:09.219 --> 00:07:10.779 is really saying. 00:07:12.779 --> 00:07:13.959 And if we take a moment 00:07:13.959 --> 00:07:14.439 and listen, 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:17.240 this is what Paul's saying to us. 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:20.759 As a member of God's people, 00:07:21.839 --> 00:07:24.399 as a member of Christ's church, 00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:29.719 nothing need now define you 00:07:29.719 --> 00:07:32.959 and nothing need now rule 00:07:32.959 --> 00:07:34.959 your heart and life 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:38.439 more than your status 00:07:38.439 --> 00:07:40.099 in Christ Jesus. 00:07:42.299 --> 00:07:44.459 You don't need to become 00:07:44.459 --> 00:07:45.560 someone else 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:47.759 or go somewhere else 00:07:47.759 --> 00:07:49.399 to be exactly who 00:07:49.399 --> 00:07:52.279 and where God wants you 00:07:52.279 --> 00:07:53.039 to be. 00:07:56.759 --> 00:07:57.879 Eight times 00:07:57.879 --> 00:07:58.819 in this first paragraph, 00:07:59.079 --> 00:07:59.819 we find the language 00:07:59.819 --> 00:08:00.459 of calling. 00:08:01.799 --> 00:08:03.419 What does God's call 00:08:03.419 --> 00:08:05.219 typically mean for Paul? 00:08:06.339 --> 00:08:06.739 Well, 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:07.479 most often 00:08:07.479 --> 00:08:08.259 when Paul speaks 00:08:08.259 --> 00:08:09.899 of God's calling, 00:08:10.459 --> 00:08:12.339 he's talking about 00:08:12.339 --> 00:08:13.519 that moment, 00:08:13.519 --> 00:08:16.219 that heart existential 00:08:16.219 --> 00:08:17.579 spiritual moment 00:08:17.579 --> 00:08:18.979 when the message 00:08:18.979 --> 00:08:20.060 of the gospel, 00:08:20.620 --> 00:08:22.240 of our radical sinfulness 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:23.959 and God's radical love 00:08:23.959 --> 00:08:24.979 for us in Christ, 00:08:25.339 --> 00:08:26.560 when that message 00:08:26.560 --> 00:08:27.699 hits home 00:08:27.699 --> 00:08:28.899 in our hearts. 00:08:30.879 --> 00:08:31.759 In other words, 00:08:31.799 --> 00:08:32.639 it's when the word 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:33.879 of the gospel 00:08:33.879 --> 00:08:34.840 is no longer 00:08:34.840 --> 00:08:35.799 just an idea 00:08:35.799 --> 00:08:36.919 out there 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:37.960 that we can sort of 00:08:37.960 --> 00:08:39.019 take or leave, 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:41.699 but it's when it becomes 00:08:41.700 --> 00:08:43.980 a divine summons 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:45.580 to us personally 00:08:45.580 --> 00:08:47.060 that we can no longer 00:08:47.060 --> 00:08:47.759 refuse 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:50.460 and to which we respond 00:08:50.460 --> 00:08:51.180 in believing 00:08:51.180 --> 00:08:52.460 trust. 00:08:55.020 --> 00:08:56.560 God's call. 00:08:58.960 --> 00:08:59.500 And Paul says, 00:08:59.600 --> 00:09:00.140 if that's happened 00:09:00.140 --> 00:09:00.600 to you, 00:09:01.320 --> 00:09:02.640 if God himself 00:09:02.640 --> 00:09:03.840 has called you 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:05.840 through the proclamation 00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:06.620 of his gospel, 00:09:06.740 --> 00:09:07.860 the gospel of his son, 00:09:09.400 --> 00:09:09.680 then friend, 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:10.600 the cultural group 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:11.600 that you belong to, 00:09:11.700 --> 00:09:13.780 or your social position, 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:15.580 or your marital status, 00:09:15.620 --> 00:09:16.900 these things are no longer 00:09:16.900 --> 00:09:18.320 what really defines you. 00:09:20.800 --> 00:09:21.560 And so, 00:09:21.680 --> 00:09:22.500 they need no longer 00:09:22.500 --> 00:09:23.500 be the source 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:25.640 of restless 00:09:25.640 --> 00:09:26.640 striving 00:09:26.640 --> 00:09:28.480 and anxious 00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:29.480 fretting. 00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:32.420 They need no longer 00:09:32.420 --> 00:09:32.960 be the thing 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:33.820 that keeps you up 00:09:33.820 --> 00:09:34.440 late at night 00:09:34.440 --> 00:09:34.920 worrying 00:09:34.920 --> 00:09:35.600 and plotting 00:09:35.600 --> 00:09:36.360 and scheming 00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:37.300 and even despairing. 00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:38.300 You can remain 00:09:38.299 --> 00:09:40.299 as you are 00:09:40.299 --> 00:09:41.899 without fear, 00:09:42.579 --> 00:09:43.559 without striving, 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:45.759 without a restless heart. 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:49.719 And that, 00:09:49.839 --> 00:09:50.319 it seems to me, 00:09:50.359 --> 00:09:51.120 is why we need to hear 00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:52.079 this principle today. 00:09:53.039 --> 00:09:54.019 Why do we need it? 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:56.059 Because we live 00:09:56.059 --> 00:09:57.359 in such a restless age. 00:09:58.779 --> 00:10:00.259 In my local coffee shop, 00:10:00.259 --> 00:10:03.019 probably five to one, 00:10:04.100 --> 00:10:04.899 the flyers 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:05.840 are about 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:06.360 classes 00:10:06.360 --> 00:10:07.740 or workshops 00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:09.620 or personal consultations 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:11.279 on how I can achieve 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:11.980 wholeness 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:12.700 or wellness 00:10:12.700 --> 00:10:13.639 or inner peace. 00:10:16.939 --> 00:10:17.879 Why so many? 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:20.159 Clearly, 00:10:20.299 --> 00:10:21.159 there's a market for it. 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:23.659 Why is there a market? 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:26.360 Because, 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:26.679 friends, 00:10:26.779 --> 00:10:27.399 we are all, 00:10:27.460 --> 00:10:27.939 all of us, 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:28.879 striving for something 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:30.240 we often know not what. 00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:34.240 Striving for something 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:35.720 that will satisfy us, 00:10:36.820 --> 00:10:37.899 that will bring meaning 00:10:37.899 --> 00:10:38.320 and joy 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:39.000 into our lives. 00:10:39.419 --> 00:10:40.139 Striving for something 00:10:40.139 --> 00:10:40.799 even 00:10:40.799 --> 00:10:43.439 that will justify us, 00:10:44.419 --> 00:10:45.620 that will somehow 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:47.120 make me feel right 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:48.259 in the world. 00:10:50.700 --> 00:10:51.539 And the temptation 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:52.399 for all of us 00:10:52.399 --> 00:10:53.759 is to take something 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:55.419 like some of these things 00:10:55.419 --> 00:10:56.379 that Paul talks about here, 00:10:56.460 --> 00:10:57.700 our cultural ethnic identity 00:10:57.700 --> 00:10:59.580 or our socioeconomic position 00:10:59.580 --> 00:11:00.800 or our marital status 00:11:00.800 --> 00:11:02.120 and elevate it 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:03.180 to an ultimate position 00:11:03.180 --> 00:11:03.800 in our lives 00:11:03.800 --> 00:11:04.140 and say, 00:11:04.640 --> 00:11:05.720 this is what's going 00:11:05.720 --> 00:11:06.540 to satisfy me. 00:11:06.820 --> 00:11:07.920 This is actually 00:11:07.920 --> 00:11:09.340 what's going to justify me. 00:11:12.460 --> 00:11:13.160 And so, 00:11:13.280 --> 00:11:13.980 we obsess, 00:11:14.160 --> 00:11:14.620 don't we, 00:11:14.980 --> 00:11:16.200 over our job 00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:18.160 or over our marriage prospects 00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:19.500 or over whatever 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:20.699 in-group we do 00:11:20.699 --> 00:11:21.779 or don't belong to. 00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:24.000 We obsess. 00:11:26.079 --> 00:11:27.559 And if we don't get it, 00:11:27.799 --> 00:11:30.059 we turn down despondent 00:11:30.059 --> 00:11:30.699 or cynical 00:11:30.699 --> 00:11:31.579 or angry. 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:34.980 But if we do get it, 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:39.299 something almost just as bad happens. 00:11:40.199 --> 00:11:40.819 Sooner or later, 00:11:40.899 --> 00:11:42.360 we realize that it doesn't satisfy. 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:44.279 And so, 00:11:44.379 --> 00:11:45.460 we go on to something else. 00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:47.419 Thinking that maybe 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:48.580 that will be the thing we need. 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:51.759 And if that doesn't work, 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:53.019 we go on to another 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:54.379 and another 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:55.580 and another. 00:11:56.840 --> 00:11:57.419 And of course, 00:11:57.500 --> 00:11:58.800 we realize that this is 00:11:58.800 --> 00:12:00.320 the definition of insanity. 00:12:00.820 --> 00:12:01.960 We're doing the same thing 00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:02.800 over and over again 00:12:02.800 --> 00:12:04.480 expecting the exact same results. 00:12:05.019 --> 00:12:05.820 Expecting different results. 00:12:06.039 --> 00:12:06.820 What's the definition of insanity? 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:07.379 That's it. 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:08.320 Different results. 00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:10.540 And yet, 00:12:11.540 --> 00:12:12.720 even though we acknowledge 00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:13.480 that it's lunacy, 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:14.680 we still can't get ourselves 00:12:14.680 --> 00:12:15.680 off the hamster wheel. 00:12:18.040 --> 00:12:19.280 And our restless hearts 00:12:19.280 --> 00:12:20.180 keep on striving 00:12:20.180 --> 00:12:21.420 and running, 00:12:21.940 --> 00:12:23.040 looking for the next thing 00:12:23.040 --> 00:12:24.200 or the next thing. 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:29.100 But here it comes, 00:12:29.160 --> 00:12:29.740 like a voice 00:12:29.740 --> 00:12:31.280 from a totally different world. 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:33.760 Here comes Paul saying, 00:12:34.140 --> 00:12:35.340 remain where you are. 00:12:36.340 --> 00:12:38.300 Be at peace. 00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:38.720 Peace. 00:12:40.660 --> 00:12:42.160 You don't have to keep striving 00:12:42.160 --> 00:12:43.540 wishing you were someone else, 00:12:43.900 --> 00:12:44.700 somewhere else, 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:46.120 with somebody else. 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:49.580 God is calling you, 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:51.100 summoning you 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:54.000 to stop placing your worth 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:54.820 and significance 00:12:54.820 --> 00:12:55.560 in those things 00:12:55.560 --> 00:12:56.900 and to put it in his son 00:12:56.900 --> 00:12:58.060 who loved you 00:12:58.060 --> 00:12:59.560 and gave himself for you. 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:03.520 After all, 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:03.720 you know, 00:13:03.760 --> 00:13:04.360 think about it. 00:13:05.800 --> 00:13:07.160 Who pays the cost 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:09.039 of the new status 00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:09.559 you get 00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:11.500 if you want to become 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:12.299 circumcised, 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:13.000 as it were? 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:15.759 Who pays the cost 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:16.879 for you to move up 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:18.059 the socioeconomic ladder? 00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:19.939 Who pays the cost 00:13:19.939 --> 00:13:20.939 for you to get married? 00:13:23.839 --> 00:13:24.459 You do. 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:26.980 You're the one 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:28.139 who has to go under the knife. 00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:32.500 You're the one 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:33.319 who has to slave away 00:13:33.319 --> 00:13:33.939 at the office. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:36.779 You're the one, 00:13:37.199 --> 00:13:37.840 or if you're lucky, 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:38.539 your parents 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:39.939 are the ones 00:13:39.939 --> 00:13:40.439 who have to pay 00:13:40.439 --> 00:13:41.600 the exorbitant fees 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:42.919 of the modern wedding industry. 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:46.659 You pay the cost 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:47.480 for that status 00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:50.360 in the hope 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:51.819 that it will satisfy you 00:13:51.819 --> 00:13:52.799 and justify you, 00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:53.759 which it never does. 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:57.340 But friends, 00:13:57.399 --> 00:13:58.039 in the gospel, 00:13:58.779 --> 00:14:01.000 here's the one 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:02.059 status 00:14:02.059 --> 00:14:04.700 that actually 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:05.799 does satisfy 00:14:05.799 --> 00:14:07.939 and really 00:14:07.939 --> 00:14:08.960 does justify 00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:10.659 the status 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:11.799 of being known 00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:13.080 by the living 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:13.819 and true God 00:14:13.819 --> 00:14:14.720 and being called 00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:15.439 his own. 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:17.919 And who pays 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:18.360 the cost 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:19.419 for that status? 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:21.819 Not you. 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:23.319 Him. 00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:26.580 Christ pays it 00:14:26.580 --> 00:14:27.840 through his death 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:28.300 on the cross 00:14:28.300 --> 00:14:28.700 for you. 00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:31.379 And Christ being raised 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:32.400 offers it to you 00:14:32.400 --> 00:14:33.560 freely as a gift 00:14:33.560 --> 00:14:35.720 and calls you, 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:36.720 summons you 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:38.640 to turn 00:14:38.640 --> 00:14:39.500 and take it. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:43.840 Now maybe Christianity 00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:44.940 strikes you as strange 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:45.480 this morning. 00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:47.620 That God would give you 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:49.140 a perfect status 00:14:49.140 --> 00:14:49.860 before him 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:50.920 through his son 00:14:50.920 --> 00:14:52.240 holy as a gift. 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:55.860 But friends, 00:14:55.900 --> 00:14:57.120 is that any less strange 00:14:57.120 --> 00:14:58.120 than believing 00:14:58.120 --> 00:14:59.340 that some finite 00:14:59.340 --> 00:15:00.160 status, 00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:01.400 a job 00:15:01.400 --> 00:15:02.400 or a marriage 00:15:02.400 --> 00:15:03.240 can fill 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:04.400 the infinite longing 00:15:04.400 --> 00:15:05.140 of our hearts? 00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:09.660 St. Augustine 00:15:09.660 --> 00:15:10.420 famously said, 00:15:10.520 --> 00:15:10.820 God, 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:12.820 you have made us 00:15:12.820 --> 00:15:13.820 for yourself 00:15:13.820 --> 00:15:15.660 and our heart 00:15:15.660 --> 00:15:16.480 is restless 00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:18.180 until it rests 00:15:18.180 --> 00:15:19.180 in you. 00:15:19.179 --> 00:15:22.519 perhaps Christianity 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:24.319 is not so strange 00:15:24.319 --> 00:15:24.919 after all. 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:29.059 So there's the principle 00:15:29.059 --> 00:15:30.759 and why we need it. 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:32.439 Second, 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:33.179 let's briefly look at 00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:34.359 how Paul applies 00:15:34.359 --> 00:15:34.919 the principle 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:36.500 and how that might map 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.539 onto our life today. 00:15:39.099 --> 00:15:39.500 First, 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:40.199 in verses 18 00:15:40.199 --> 00:15:40.799 through 19, 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:41.620 he talks about 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:42.359 circumcision 00:15:42.359 --> 00:15:43.699 and uncircumcision. 00:15:44.079 --> 00:15:44.679 In other words, 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.439 in the church, 00:15:45.839 --> 00:15:46.779 Jews shouldn't try 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:47.659 to become Gentiles 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:48.679 and Gentiles 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:49.399 shouldn't feel 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:49.779 like they need 00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:50.459 to become Jews. 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:51.299 What counts 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:52.059 isn't the cultural 00:15:52.059 --> 00:15:53.079 family or group 00:15:53.079 --> 00:15:54.120 that you're a part of. 00:15:54.339 --> 00:15:54.939 What counts 00:15:54.939 --> 00:15:56.319 is keeping God's commands. 00:15:57.059 --> 00:15:57.539 And if you're thinking 00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:58.120 to yourself, 00:15:58.319 --> 00:15:59.439 how does someone 00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:00.319 who's circumcised 00:16:00.319 --> 00:16:01.699 get uncircumcised? 00:16:02.719 --> 00:16:03.819 They actually had 00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:04.459 surgeries in the 00:16:04.459 --> 00:16:04.919 first century 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:05.659 that tried 00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:07.240 to remove 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:07.659 the marks 00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:08.399 of circumcision. 00:16:08.919 --> 00:16:09.519 You can imagine 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:10.500 how fun that was. 00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:15.399 what counts 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:15.879 is keeping 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:16.679 God's commands. 00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:17.460 Now, 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:18.679 Paul's clearly 00:16:18.679 --> 00:16:19.720 being a little provocative 00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:21.120 in verse 19, 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:21.559 isn't he? 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:23.399 He knows 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:23.960 full well 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:24.759 that circumcision 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:25.580 in the Old Testament 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:26.899 is a command. 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:29.600 But, 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.659 for Paul 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:31.519 and for the rest 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.860 of the earliest Christians, 00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:35.500 the Old Testament 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:37.879 needed to be read 00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:38.679 and applied 00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:39.500 through the person 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.799 and work of Christ 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:42.679 who fulfilled 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:43.620 the Mosaic Law 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:45.219 and inaugurated 00:16:45.219 --> 00:16:45.979 what they spoke of 00:16:45.979 --> 00:16:47.439 as the New Covenant. 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:49.739 And read 00:16:49.739 --> 00:16:51.379 through that lens, 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:53.459 it meant that 00:16:53.459 --> 00:16:54.539 many of the ceremonies 00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:55.419 and the regulations 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:56.559 and the boundary markers 00:16:56.559 --> 00:16:57.479 of the Mosaic Law 00:16:57.479 --> 00:16:58.679 were no longer binding. 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:01.479 That God had opened up 00:17:01.479 --> 00:17:02.199 something new. 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:03.939 And so, 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:04.419 what matters 00:17:04.419 --> 00:17:05.460 isn't the outward sign 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:06.179 of circumcision 00:17:06.179 --> 00:17:07.179 or belonging to this 00:17:07.179 --> 00:17:07.679 or that 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.960 cultural family 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.640 or group, 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:10.500 but what matters 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.380 is now living 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:12.140 a life 00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:13.299 by God's grace 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:14.120 that pleases 00:17:14.120 --> 00:17:15.120 God. 00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.539 It's easy 00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:20.560 to be captivated 00:17:20.560 --> 00:17:22.220 by an in-group, 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:23.320 isn't it? 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.460 Whether it's 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.180 the cool kids 00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:28.299 in your middle school 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.720 or the elite 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:30.380 inner circle 00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:31.360 of your profession. 00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:34.699 I remember 00:17:34.699 --> 00:17:35.599 being in middle school 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:37.679 and all of my friends 00:17:37.679 --> 00:17:39.079 had Nike t-shirts, 00:17:39.719 --> 00:17:40.939 the ones with a really 00:17:40.939 --> 00:17:41.740 big swoosh 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:42.339 on the front. 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:43.699 And I just thought, 00:17:43.939 --> 00:17:44.240 man, 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:44.879 if I could get 00:17:44.879 --> 00:17:45.779 one of those, 00:17:46.119 --> 00:17:47.939 then I'd be in. 00:17:48.199 --> 00:17:49.119 I'd have it. 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.079 Then I could be 00:17:51.079 --> 00:17:51.839 one of the group. 00:17:53.219 --> 00:17:53.859 And of course, 00:17:53.899 --> 00:17:54.500 we look back at that 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:54.719 and we think, 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:55.539 that's kind of silly. 00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:56.740 And then we look 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.319 at our lives today 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:57.879 and we realize 00:17:57.879 --> 00:17:58.159 that we do 00:17:58.159 --> 00:17:59.000 the exact same thing 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:00.139 in every other social environment 00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:00.960 that we're a part of. 00:18:04.100 --> 00:18:04.560 C.S. Lewis 00:18:04.560 --> 00:18:05.640 once described this 00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:06.640 as the draw 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:08.580 of the inner ring. 00:18:09.300 --> 00:18:10.080 To be in that 00:18:10.080 --> 00:18:10.660 inside, 00:18:10.800 --> 00:18:11.180 privileged, 00:18:11.360 --> 00:18:12.200 exclusive group, 00:18:12.320 --> 00:18:13.280 to have their approval, 00:18:13.600 --> 00:18:15.100 to feel superior 00:18:15.100 --> 00:18:16.300 to those outside, 00:18:17.120 --> 00:18:17.880 even if we wouldn't 00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:18.820 quite put it that way 00:18:18.820 --> 00:18:19.480 out loud. 00:18:21.820 --> 00:18:22.400 And yet, 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.140 for Christians, 00:18:24.100 --> 00:18:25.220 the status 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.080 that we have 00:18:26.080 --> 00:18:27.020 in Christ 00:18:27.020 --> 00:18:28.060 changes 00:18:28.060 --> 00:18:28.740 how we feel 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:29.620 about all of that 00:18:29.620 --> 00:18:29.940 or at least 00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:30.500 it should. 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.440 After all, 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.460 was not Christ 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:34.400 the ultimate 00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:35.240 insider 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:38.500 who went outside 00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:39.460 for us 00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:42.500 to bring us 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.320 outsiders 00:18:43.320 --> 00:18:45.080 inside to God? 00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.400 And so, 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:48.600 friends, 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:49.200 we know 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.380 that true, 00:18:50.580 --> 00:18:51.340 real life 00:18:51.340 --> 00:18:52.440 isn't found 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:53.200 in trying to get 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.299 into some inner ring. 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:56.900 If anything, 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.860 knowing this, 00:18:58.859 --> 00:19:00.259 Christ compels us 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:02.000 to go outside 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:04.959 or better yet, 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:07.299 to remain 00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:08.059 where we are 00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:09.979 and to see 00:19:09.979 --> 00:19:10.519 everyone 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:12.119 as an outsider 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:14.079 in need of God's grace 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:16.479 regardless of 00:19:16.479 --> 00:19:17.079 whether they happen 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:17.659 to be in 00:19:17.659 --> 00:19:18.139 or out 00:19:18.139 --> 00:19:18.979 in the world's eyes. 00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:20.380 God's grace 00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:23.620 is found 00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:24.240 in verses 20 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:24.900 through 23. 00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:27.180 And now, 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:27.740 this one 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.960 to our modern ears 00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:30.000 is a bit harder 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:30.500 to, 00:19:30.620 --> 00:19:31.200 I think, 00:19:31.360 --> 00:19:32.279 come to grips with. 00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:34.500 Look down 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.019 at those verses 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:35.900 and I think 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:36.539 the immediate thing 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:37.200 you think, 00:19:37.640 --> 00:19:37.980 or at least 00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:38.460 that I think 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:38.900 when I read 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:39.240 those verses 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.500 is, 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:40.180 man, 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.860 is Paul saying 00:19:41.860 --> 00:19:42.599 that slavery 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:43.620 is okay 00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:44.640 in these verses? 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:47.860 If you're a bondservant, 00:19:48.040 --> 00:19:49.100 don't worry about it. 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:51.980 Well, 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:52.920 okay, 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:54.100 we need to keep 00:19:54.100 --> 00:19:55.140 two things in mind 00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:56.180 when we run across 00:19:56.180 --> 00:19:57.660 these kinds of passages. 00:19:58.360 --> 00:19:58.960 First, 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.740 when we hear 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.180 the word 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:02.100 slavery, 00:20:03.100 --> 00:20:04.160 what do we 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:05.380 immediately think of? 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.920 We immediately 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:07.620 think of what 00:20:07.620 --> 00:20:08.300 took place 00:20:08.300 --> 00:20:09.440 in the antebellum 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.300 American South, 00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:11.720 a kind of slavery 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:12.800 that was race-based, 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.680 lifelong, 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:16.139 and unbelievably cruel. 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:18.960 A horrible 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:20.960 human institution. 00:20:25.139 --> 00:20:26.279 In Paul's day, 00:20:27.379 --> 00:20:27.919 slavery 00:20:27.919 --> 00:20:29.879 was actually 00:20:29.879 --> 00:20:30.339 quite a very 00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:30.940 different thing. 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:33.579 It wasn't race-based. 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:34.879 It wasn't 00:20:34.879 --> 00:20:36.000 necessarily lifelong. 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:38.059 Dale Martin, 00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:39.079 a professor here at Yale, 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.359 has written a whole book 00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:41.139 on this topic 00:20:41.139 --> 00:20:41.759 published a number 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.319 of years ago. 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:44.059 But he showed 00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:44.500 that for many 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.500 in the first century, 00:20:45.899 --> 00:20:46.659 becoming a slave 00:20:46.659 --> 00:20:47.539 or a bondservant, 00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:48.180 as the ESV, 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:48.759 I think helpfully 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.559 translates it here, 00:20:50.099 --> 00:20:50.579 becoming a slave 00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.480 provided not only 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.000 for many 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:53.200 economic security, 00:20:53.639 --> 00:20:55.480 but also upward mobility. 00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:59.119 It was a totally 00:20:59.119 --> 00:20:59.960 different reality 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:01.119 than what we think of. 00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:04.599 Something maybe 00:21:04.599 --> 00:21:05.339 even more akin 00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:05.839 to what we would 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.220 think of as 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.259 indentured servitude, 00:21:07.419 --> 00:21:07.859 although there's 00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:09.180 not perfect analogies 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:10.019 between those two. 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:13.319 So slavery 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:13.660 was kind of 00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:14.279 a different thing 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:15.139 in Paul's day. 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.500 We need to acknowledge 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.039 the historical 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.779 difference there. 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:19.319 However, 00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:20.379 just acknowledging 00:21:20.379 --> 00:21:20.660 that, 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:21.700 that doesn't mean 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.779 that Paul was 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.920 for or 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:24.619 against it. 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:27.839 In the letters 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:28.619 we have of Paul, 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.759 he's not reflecting 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:31.220 on the first century 00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:32.079 institution of slavery 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:33.000 as such. 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.660 He's never sort of 00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:34.639 taking a step back 00:21:34.639 --> 00:21:35.059 and saying, 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:36.000 let's think about 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:36.779 the cultural institution 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.299 of slavery 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.059 and let's make 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:38.619 a judgment call 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:38.980 about it 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:39.700 based on the gospel. 00:21:39.919 --> 00:21:40.700 He never does that 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.159 in his letters. 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:42.399 Slavery was such 00:21:42.399 --> 00:21:43.339 a pervasive reality 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:43.859 of his world 00:21:43.859 --> 00:21:44.559 that in his letters 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.579 he's trying to help 00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:46.440 Christians live 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.919 faithfully in that world. 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.500 Imagine finding 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:51.440 a few letters 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:54.259 written by an army 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:54.720 chaplain 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:56.680 in the field of combat 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:57.779 to soldiers 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.559 under his care. 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.839 My guess is 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:02.519 you wouldn't be able 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.740 to necessarily tell 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:05.220 where that army 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:06.039 chaplain stood 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:07.220 with respect 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:07.980 to pacifism 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:08.960 or just war theory 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:10.319 based on the counsel 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:10.940 he was giving 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.859 his troops, 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:12.460 his men 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:12.899 in the middle 00:22:12.899 --> 00:22:13.440 of battle. 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:16.680 His letters 00:22:16.680 --> 00:22:17.000 were probably 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:17.599 more concerned 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:18.019 with helping 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:18.440 those men 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:19.079 in the situation 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:19.680 they were in. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.579 I guess what 00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:23.279 I'm trying to say 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:23.899 here is that 00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:24.500 we can't just 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:24.940 sort of look 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:25.639 at this text 00:22:25.639 --> 00:22:26.539 carte blanche 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:26.980 and say, 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:27.619 oh, 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:29.119 Paul in the New Testament 00:22:29.119 --> 00:22:30.440 was for slavery. 00:22:30.859 --> 00:22:31.819 That's just not 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.740 a careful reading 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:33.299 of the text. 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.139 In fact, 00:22:34.619 --> 00:22:35.359 I think if you read 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:36.240 the rest of verse 21 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:36.779 through 23, 00:22:36.979 --> 00:22:37.719 you actually get 00:22:37.719 --> 00:22:38.839 the opposite sense. 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.519 Here's what I mean. 00:22:41.899 --> 00:22:43.299 As soon as Paul says, 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.779 don't freak out 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:46.919 if you're a slave, 00:22:48.199 --> 00:22:49.099 Paul immediately says, 00:22:49.179 --> 00:22:49.919 but if you can gain 00:22:49.919 --> 00:22:50.459 your freedom, 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.759 be sure to do it. 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:53.479 And then, 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:55.159 he totally deconstructs 00:22:55.159 --> 00:22:56.479 the freed-slave dichotomy 00:22:56.479 --> 00:22:57.259 in light of the gospel. 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:57.659 Look, 00:22:57.719 --> 00:22:58.240 the bondservant 00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.259 is really free in the Lord. 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.539 The free is really 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.079 a bondservant 00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:01.639 of the Lord. 00:23:02.699 --> 00:23:03.679 The power dynamics 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.700 are totally turned 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.320 on their head 00:23:05.320 --> 00:23:06.200 in light of the Lordship 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:06.700 of Christ. 00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:07.880 And then he says, 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.440 flat out, 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:09.060 to conclude it all, 00:23:09.120 --> 00:23:09.500 by the way, 00:23:09.640 --> 00:23:10.860 don't become bondservants 00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:11.340 of men. 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:12.920 Add on top of that 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:13.420 the fact 00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:16.820 that all of the things 00:23:16.820 --> 00:23:17.880 in which we think of 00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:18.420 that would have fallen 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:19.220 under our modern 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:20.080 conceptions of slavery, 00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:20.580 the Bible would have 00:23:20.580 --> 00:23:21.180 looked at those things 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.220 and condemned them. 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:24.539 Friends, 00:23:24.600 --> 00:23:25.840 whatever Paul is doing here, 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:26.799 he's not supporting 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:28.039 slavery as an institution. 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.060 In fact, 00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:30.140 many commentators 00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:30.779 look at these verses 00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:31.720 and see that Paul's 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.539 sowing the seeds here 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.240 that's eventually going 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:34.440 to undo the institution 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:35.039 of slavery 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:37.420 in due time. 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:41.279 Well, 00:23:41.639 --> 00:23:43.099 how do we think 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:43.940 about applying all this 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:44.740 to us today? 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:47.759 Well, 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.619 I think it's very easy 00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:49.700 for us to think 00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:52.160 that real flourishing 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:52.980 is found 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:55.200 if we could just 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:56.180 get into a different 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:57.859 socioeconomic status. 00:23:57.859 --> 00:24:01.559 if I had a different job, 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:03.699 if I made more money, 00:24:04.199 --> 00:24:05.359 if I belonged 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:06.299 to a more respected 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:06.939 profession, 00:24:07.399 --> 00:24:08.479 if I only owned 00:24:08.479 --> 00:24:09.279 my house, 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.419 if I only lived 00:24:10.419 --> 00:24:11.059 in such and such 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:11.699 a neighborhood, 00:24:12.199 --> 00:24:12.799 then 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:15.779 I'd really be able 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.219 to live. 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:19.839 Now, 00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:21.059 again, 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:21.879 notice how careful 00:24:21.879 --> 00:24:22.959 Paul's advice is here 00:24:22.959 --> 00:24:24.039 and how it's actually 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.699 a little nuanced 00:24:24.699 --> 00:24:25.579 for each thing 00:24:25.579 --> 00:24:26.379 he's talking about. 00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:27.620 Notice Paul's advice 00:24:27.620 --> 00:24:28.260 to the bond servants. 00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:28.480 Look, 00:24:28.520 --> 00:24:29.400 if you can get your freedom, 00:24:29.600 --> 00:24:30.000 do it. 00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:31.400 Paul is not against 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.800 socioeconomic improvement 00:24:32.800 --> 00:24:33.940 either for the individual 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:34.860 or for communities, 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.700 just the opposite. 00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:37.040 And the Bible as a whole 00:24:37.040 --> 00:24:38.040 has a lot to say 00:24:38.040 --> 00:24:38.720 about justice 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.360 and righteousness 00:24:39.360 --> 00:24:39.980 for the poor 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.720 and for the marginalized. 00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:42.320 However, 00:24:44.520 --> 00:24:44.940 friends, 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:46.840 if the ruling desire 00:24:46.840 --> 00:24:48.080 of our hearts 00:24:48.080 --> 00:24:49.560 is to climb 00:24:49.560 --> 00:24:51.600 the socioeconomic ladder, 00:24:53.340 --> 00:24:54.560 if that's what drives 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.359 our thoughts 00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:56.259 and our hearts 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:57.339 and our aspirations, 00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:58.839 if that's what we find 00:24:58.839 --> 00:24:59.740 ourselves waking up 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.480 and thinking about, 00:25:00.659 --> 00:25:01.259 if that's where we're 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.740 sort of placing fullness 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:04.319 in the shape of our life, 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:09.159 if that is the case, 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:09.980 then we're missing 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:11.679 an important way 00:25:11.679 --> 00:25:13.899 in which the gospel 00:25:13.899 --> 00:25:14.859 applies to us. 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:17.480 Because the status 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.859 that we have in Christ 00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:20.220 frees us 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:22.720 from seeing ourselves 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.920 solely through the lens 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.960 of social class. 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.579 That our dignity 00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:28.160 and our worth 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:29.579 doesn't ultimately come 00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:30.720 from our job title 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:32.579 or our salary amount 00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:34.400 or our housing situation. 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.240 Friends, 00:25:36.360 --> 00:25:38.400 Christ was infinitely wealthy 00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:39.880 and became utterly poor 00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:40.519 for us 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:42.299 so that we who were 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.000 spiritually poor 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:43.620 might become 00:25:43.620 --> 00:25:45.519 spiritually rich 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.480 toward God. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:49.860 and if you know 00:25:49.860 --> 00:25:50.360 that you have 00:25:50.360 --> 00:25:52.200 that status, 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:54.220 yes, 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:55.079 you'll seek improvement 00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:55.559 and the improvement 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:56.579 of those around you, 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:58.779 but you'll know 00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.839 that that's not your life 00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:00.559 and it's okay 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:01.360 to remain 00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:02.440 where you are. 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.200 Instead, 00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:05.400 you can be open 00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:06.920 to how the Lord 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.900 might be using you 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:08.519 for his kingdom 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.740 right there, 00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:10.819 right where God 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:11.839 has you. 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:14.319 And in fact, 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:14.599 friends, 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.559 I would contend 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:17.700 that it's not 00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.779 until we find 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:20.379 that deep contentment 00:26:20.379 --> 00:26:21.619 with where we are 00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:22.480 that we can actually 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:24.220 work in a good way 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.919 for social change. 00:26:28.919 --> 00:26:30.279 Without vindictiveness, 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:33.139 without an unhealthy 00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:34.359 animosity and hatred, 00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:35.579 we can actually do it 00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:36.859 from a place of strength 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:37.700 and peace, 00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:38.879 which is what the world 00:26:38.879 --> 00:26:40.059 so desperately needs. 00:26:40.059 --> 00:26:45.940 Third application. 00:26:48.419 --> 00:26:49.919 Verses 25 through 28, 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.299 Paul deals with 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:52.139 marital status. 00:26:53.139 --> 00:26:53.799 And this actually 00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.359 brings us back 00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:54.940 to the main theme 00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:55.500 of the chapter, 00:26:55.679 --> 00:26:56.099 doesn't it? 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:57.139 Paul's sort of gone 00:26:57.139 --> 00:26:58.379 on a bit of a loop 00:26:58.379 --> 00:26:59.740 and now he's come home. 00:27:01.119 --> 00:27:01.819 Now next week, 00:27:01.879 --> 00:27:02.500 Matt's going to pick up 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.179 in verse 25 00:27:03.179 --> 00:27:03.679 and take us through 00:27:03.679 --> 00:27:04.379 the rest of the chapter 00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:05.039 and he's going to preach 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:05.659 a whole sermon 00:27:05.659 --> 00:27:06.379 on singleness. 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.519 So I don't want to 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.339 take too long here, 00:27:08.339 --> 00:27:09.799 but the point I want us 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:12.240 to see is that 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:13.099 marital status 00:27:13.099 --> 00:27:14.459 is not ultimate 00:27:14.459 --> 00:27:15.819 for believers. 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:18.439 Just like cultural background, 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:21.379 just like socioeconomic class 00:27:21.379 --> 00:27:23.059 aren't ultimate either. 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.359 Friends, the church 00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:27.459 should not be making 00:27:27.459 --> 00:27:29.220 an idol of marriage 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:31.579 and the church should not 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:32.399 be making an idol 00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:33.059 of singleness. 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:38.139 Now since Jesus 00:27:38.139 --> 00:27:40.200 didn't give specific commands 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:41.319 about what Paul's 00:27:41.319 --> 00:27:41.960 going to talk about 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:43.619 during his earthly ministry, 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.799 during Jesus' earthly ministry, 00:27:45.139 --> 00:27:45.879 Paul then proceeds 00:27:45.879 --> 00:27:47.619 to give some apostolic advice. 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.099 And it's this, 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:49.919 if you're single 00:27:49.919 --> 00:27:50.819 and you want to marry, 00:27:51.079 --> 00:27:51.419 do it. 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.279 It's not a sin. 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.299 Marriage is a good thing. 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:55.000 But if you're single, 00:27:55.139 --> 00:27:56.179 consider that there are benefits 00:27:56.179 --> 00:27:56.960 to that as well. 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.779 In verse 26, 00:27:58.899 --> 00:27:59.379 Paul mentions 00:27:59.379 --> 00:28:00.659 the present distress. 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:02.940 What does he mean by that? 00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:05.259 Well, I think what Paul 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.079 has in mind here 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:07.059 is probably some sort of 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:08.119 trial or difficulty 00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:08.759 that the church 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.339 or the city 00:28:09.339 --> 00:28:10.379 or maybe even the region 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:11.079 was going through. 00:28:11.139 --> 00:28:11.779 A lot of commentators 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:13.179 think Paul might be referring 00:28:13.179 --> 00:28:13.899 to a famine 00:28:13.899 --> 00:28:15.240 that afflicted Corinth 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:16.659 during this time. 00:28:17.919 --> 00:28:19.339 Our present struggles 00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:20.039 and trials. 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:22.919 Whatever it was, 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:23.559 in Paul's mind, 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:24.480 it would have made marriage 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.539 and providing for a family 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.220 very difficult. 00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:27.659 Keep in mind, 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.599 in the first century, 00:28:29.419 --> 00:28:29.819 birth control 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:30.779 wasn't super reliable. 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.779 So, 00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:33.299 getting married 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:33.920 probably meant 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:34.220 you were going 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:34.839 to have a family. 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:36.799 And if you lived 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:37.180 in a time 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:38.639 of severe economic hardship, 00:28:38.879 --> 00:28:39.859 that was going to be 00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:41.119 a hard thing to take up. 00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:44.359 And so, 00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:45.000 Paul advises, 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:45.559 you know, 00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:46.099 it's good 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:47.259 if you can remain 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:47.839 as you are. 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:50.059 You'll experience 00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:51.079 a lot less worldly trouble 00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:51.539 that way, 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:52.700 as he says in verse 28. 00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:55.559 But of course, 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:56.079 there's nothing wrong 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:56.660 about marriage. 00:28:56.899 --> 00:28:57.500 You have the freedom 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.319 to do that as well. 00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:58.919 So, 00:28:58.919 --> 00:29:00.639 if you want to marry, 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:00.980 go, 00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:01.519 get married. 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:01.980 It's good. 00:29:04.399 --> 00:29:04.799 Friends, 00:29:04.839 --> 00:29:05.500 isn't it surprising 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.659 how open Paul is 00:29:06.659 --> 00:29:07.659 toward either option? 00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:08.599 Yes, 00:29:08.619 --> 00:29:08.980 he's leaning 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:09.859 toward singleness here. 00:29:09.939 --> 00:29:10.599 He's commending it 00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:11.319 as a way of life. 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:11.579 But you know, 00:29:11.599 --> 00:29:12.339 when you step back 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:12.859 for Paul, 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:14.439 marriage or singleness 00:29:14.439 --> 00:29:15.879 wasn't the be-all, 00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:16.579 end-all 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:18.039 of a Christian's existence. 00:29:21.179 --> 00:29:22.359 Because there's a status 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:23.279 that means infinitely 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.299 more than that 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:26.359 and brings infinitely 00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:27.139 more comfort, 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:27.819 freedom, 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.799 and significance. 00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:31.159 And it's our status 00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:32.039 in Christ. 00:29:33.839 --> 00:29:35.119 The one who loves us 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:36.159 with an everlasting 00:29:36.159 --> 00:29:38.419 spousal love 00:29:38.419 --> 00:29:38.940 and who will remain 00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:39.819 faithful to us 00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:40.700 all the way 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.279 to the end. 00:29:45.919 --> 00:29:46.799 And as we take in 00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:47.359 all three of these 00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:47.839 applications, 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:48.599 it would seem 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:50.539 that what Paul is saying 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.680 is don't obsess 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:53.619 over what you don't have. 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:56.619 Instead, 00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:58.139 realize who you are 00:29:58.139 --> 00:29:58.940 in Christ 00:29:58.940 --> 00:29:59.899 and as a member 00:29:59.899 --> 00:30:00.759 of his church 00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:02.180 which far outstrips 00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:03.139 any of these 00:30:03.139 --> 00:30:05.000 finite worldly statuses. 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.119 So, 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:06.559 brother and sister, 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:07.039 this morning, 00:30:07.159 --> 00:30:07.839 if you're tempted 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:08.639 to envy 00:30:08.639 --> 00:30:10.839 what others have, 00:30:14.159 --> 00:30:15.779 remember that you, 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:16.859 you, 00:30:17.859 --> 00:30:18.740 have been purchased 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:19.440 by the Lord 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:22.859 and that his steadfast love 00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:23.980 to you will not fail. 00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:27.359 Or, 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:27.899 if you're tempted 00:30:27.899 --> 00:30:29.059 to pine away 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:29.919 with regret 00:30:29.919 --> 00:30:31.319 over what might have been, 00:30:31.379 --> 00:30:31.839 you're not looking 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:32.879 at others and thinking 00:30:32.879 --> 00:30:34.440 I wish I had what they had, 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:34.919 but you're looking 00:30:34.919 --> 00:30:35.659 at your past 00:30:35.659 --> 00:30:36.099 and thinking 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:37.099 I've lost it. 00:30:37.399 --> 00:30:37.940 I wish I had 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:39.000 something else there 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:40.500 and now I'm in a position 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:40.799 that, 00:30:41.139 --> 00:30:41.619 ugh, 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:42.879 just isn't where 00:30:42.879 --> 00:30:43.779 I wish I was. 00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:47.019 Friends, 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:48.220 instead of pining away 00:30:48.220 --> 00:30:48.859 after those things 00:30:48.859 --> 00:30:49.519 with regret, 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:52.680 you can be confident 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:55.940 that your sovereign 00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.779 and gracious 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:57.859 loving God 00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:59.339 has you in a place 00:30:59.339 --> 00:31:00.940 where he can advance 00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:01.819 his kingdom 00:31:01.819 --> 00:31:03.019 through you. 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:06.160 God's not making mistakes 00:31:06.160 --> 00:31:07.019 with your life 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:09.879 and your mistakes 00:31:09.879 --> 00:31:10.879 aren't so big 00:31:10.879 --> 00:31:12.480 that he won't turn them 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:13.559 for your ultimate good 00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:16.000 and for his kingdom's glory. 00:31:19.139 --> 00:31:20.099 Remain where you are 00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:20.679 with peace, 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.419 with confidence, 00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:22.539 with a restful heart 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:23.460 and trust 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.319 that God has you there 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:25.019 for a reason. 00:31:25.879 --> 00:31:27.159 You might not be here forever, 00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:29.460 but make the most of it 00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:30.139 while you are 00:31:30.140 --> 00:31:32.360 and don't wonder 00:31:32.360 --> 00:31:33.660 whether God 00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:35.120 could or can 00:31:35.120 --> 00:31:35.940 or might be able 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:36.700 to use you. 00:31:38.840 --> 00:31:39.940 As Paul told the Corinthians 00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:41.020 back in chapter 1, 00:31:42.540 --> 00:31:43.200 God delights 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:44.720 to choose the weak things 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:45.740 in the world's eyes 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:47.300 to shame the strong 00:31:47.300 --> 00:31:49.140 and to choose 00:31:49.140 --> 00:31:49.920 the foolish things 00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:50.580 in the world's eyes 00:31:50.580 --> 00:31:51.480 to shame the wise 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:51.960 and the low 00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:52.940 and the despised things 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.600 in the world's eyes 00:31:53.600 --> 00:31:54.460 to bring to naught 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.560 the things that are. 00:31:58.180 --> 00:31:59.259 So maybe you're not 00:31:59.259 --> 00:31:59.820 a part of the 00:31:59.819 --> 00:32:00.359 in crowd 00:32:00.359 --> 00:32:00.899 at school 00:32:00.899 --> 00:32:01.599 or at work. 00:32:01.939 --> 00:32:02.419 Maybe you don't have 00:32:02.419 --> 00:32:03.639 a flashy job 00:32:03.639 --> 00:32:04.720 or a profession. 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:05.839 Maybe you wish 00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:06.799 your marital status 00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:07.619 was different, 00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:08.359 but friends, 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:09.319 don't be afraid 00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:10.919 to remain where you are. 00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:11.799 Be at peace. 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.579 For ultimately, 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:16.639 God is with you. 00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:19.679 Notice the end 00:32:19.679 --> 00:32:20.519 of verse 24 00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:23.220 where Paul summarizes 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:24.539 this church-wide principle 00:32:24.539 --> 00:32:25.439 he's been laying out. 00:32:25.639 --> 00:32:26.179 What does he say? 00:32:26.379 --> 00:32:28.099 Remain with God. 00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:30.480 With God. 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:33.539 That's what matters. 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:37.119 Being with God. 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:40.819 Because one day, 00:32:41.359 --> 00:32:44.279 God is going to remake 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:46.679 and renew this world 00:32:46.679 --> 00:32:48.220 from the top 00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:49.639 to the bottom. 00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:53.820 And that brings us 00:32:53.820 --> 00:32:54.280 to the third 00:32:54.280 --> 00:32:55.140 and final point. 00:32:56.020 --> 00:32:57.800 The overarching reason 00:32:57.800 --> 00:32:59.560 why we can take 00:32:59.560 --> 00:33:00.660 all of this to heart 00:33:00.660 --> 00:33:04.200 because God's future 00:33:04.200 --> 00:33:05.280 is coming, 00:33:05.620 --> 00:33:05.920 friends. 00:33:07.380 --> 00:33:08.560 In verses 29 00:33:08.560 --> 00:33:09.180 through 31 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:10.180 at the end of our text, 00:33:10.320 --> 00:33:11.080 Paul says, 00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:12.060 in essence, 00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:13.839 don't cling 00:33:13.839 --> 00:33:15.240 too tightly 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:16.000 to the things 00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:17.159 of this life. 00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:18.779 Live as though 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:21.019 you don't really have them. 00:33:22.799 --> 00:33:23.559 In other words, 00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:25.419 don't sink 00:33:25.419 --> 00:33:27.019 your identity 00:33:27.019 --> 00:33:28.059 too deeply 00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:29.220 in those roots. 00:33:29.399 --> 00:33:30.039 Don't rest 00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:30.919 your whole heart 00:33:30.919 --> 00:33:31.679 on them. 00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:33.600 because even 00:33:33.600 --> 00:33:34.820 your most intimate 00:33:34.820 --> 00:33:35.940 human relationship, 00:33:36.060 --> 00:33:36.740 like the relationship 00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.340 between a husband 00:33:37.340 --> 00:33:37.880 and a wife, 00:33:38.120 --> 00:33:38.519 as Paul says 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:39.080 in verse 29, 00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:40.519 is only a reflection, 00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:41.600 a glimmer 00:33:41.600 --> 00:33:42.400 of the intimacy 00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:43.400 of what's to come. 00:33:45.720 --> 00:33:46.299 And soon, 00:33:46.400 --> 00:33:47.200 your mourning 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:48.380 will give way 00:33:48.380 --> 00:33:48.920 to joy 00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:50.880 and your joys 00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:51.420 will give way 00:33:51.420 --> 00:33:51.980 to bliss 00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:53.720 and your business 00:33:53.720 --> 00:33:55.299 and your busyness 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:56.480 will soon give way 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:57.200 to a kingdom 00:33:57.200 --> 00:33:58.420 that cannot fade 00:33:58.420 --> 00:33:59.539 and a feast 00:33:59.539 --> 00:34:00.720 that does not end. 00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:04.259 Paul's not saying 00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:04.920 that this life 00:34:04.920 --> 00:34:06.039 is of no importance. 00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:07.900 It matters 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:08.800 deeply. 00:34:10.019 --> 00:34:10.940 But this life 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:11.680 is not 00:34:11.680 --> 00:34:12.880 an end 00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:13.820 in itself, 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:14.320 you see. 00:34:18.240 --> 00:34:19.519 And the present form 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.119 of this world 00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:21.480 is not the final word. 00:34:23.320 --> 00:34:24.700 The ethnic divisions, 00:34:25.820 --> 00:34:27.099 the class distinctions, 00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:28.500 all the ways 00:34:28.500 --> 00:34:29.320 in which our world 00:34:29.320 --> 00:34:30.360 is fractured 00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:31.559 and divided 00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:33.420 these things 00:34:33.420 --> 00:34:33.920 aren't going 00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:35.199 to last forever. 00:34:36.519 --> 00:34:37.719 The present form 00:34:37.719 --> 00:34:38.500 of this world 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:39.980 is passing away 00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:41.860 and a new creation 00:34:41.860 --> 00:34:42.500 is dawning. 00:34:45.380 --> 00:34:46.159 Now, yes, 00:34:46.199 --> 00:34:47.840 it's been 2,000 years 00:34:47.840 --> 00:34:49.320 since Paul wrote 00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:50.019 these words. 00:34:51.679 --> 00:34:52.860 But when he says 00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:54.259 that the appointed time 00:34:54.259 --> 00:34:56.059 has grown very short, 00:34:56.759 --> 00:34:57.980 he's not thinking 00:34:57.980 --> 00:34:58.880 about regular 00:34:58.880 --> 00:35:00.740 chronological time, 00:35:01.240 --> 00:35:02.160 a certain number 00:35:02.160 --> 00:35:03.280 of days or hours 00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:04.260 that pass off 00:35:04.260 --> 00:35:04.840 as the clock 00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:05.599 spins round. 00:35:05.740 --> 00:35:06.619 This sort of empty, 00:35:06.740 --> 00:35:07.380 neutral time 00:35:07.380 --> 00:35:08.220 that we can fill up 00:35:08.220 --> 00:35:09.039 like space. 00:35:09.559 --> 00:35:10.220 No, friends. 00:35:11.160 --> 00:35:12.579 The appointed time. 00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:15.420 Here it's the Greek word 00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:16.599 kairos. 00:35:18.220 --> 00:35:19.340 This is time 00:35:19.340 --> 00:35:20.140 if you will have it 00:35:20.140 --> 00:35:22.059 from God's own perspective. 00:35:22.059 --> 00:35:24.380 This is time 00:35:24.380 --> 00:35:25.420 that is imbued 00:35:25.420 --> 00:35:26.699 with God's 00:35:26.699 --> 00:35:28.400 redemptive purposes. 00:35:31.340 --> 00:35:33.079 And in that sense, 00:35:33.340 --> 00:35:34.599 for the entire 00:35:34.599 --> 00:35:36.099 church age, 00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:38.960 the appointed time 00:35:38.960 --> 00:35:40.519 has grown very short. 00:35:40.519 --> 00:35:44.920 we, too, 00:35:45.039 --> 00:35:45.699 with Paul, 00:35:46.259 --> 00:35:47.739 wait on the edge 00:35:47.739 --> 00:35:48.780 of the drama 00:35:48.780 --> 00:35:49.860 of redemption 00:35:49.860 --> 00:35:50.880 knowing 00:35:50.880 --> 00:35:52.519 that the next act 00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:53.960 is the finale. 00:35:55.679 --> 00:35:57.519 And if the next act 00:35:57.519 --> 00:35:58.480 is the finale 00:35:58.480 --> 00:35:59.739 and if the curtain 00:35:59.739 --> 00:36:00.940 is already beginning 00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:01.659 to sway 00:36:01.659 --> 00:36:03.420 and if the orchestra 00:36:03.420 --> 00:36:04.139 is tuned 00:36:04.139 --> 00:36:04.780 and poised 00:36:04.780 --> 00:36:05.259 and ready 00:36:05.259 --> 00:36:06.539 to strike up the music 00:36:06.539 --> 00:36:07.780 for that final scene, 00:36:08.079 --> 00:36:08.380 then, friends, 00:36:08.440 --> 00:36:09.259 why are we wasting 00:36:09.260 --> 00:36:10.180 any time fussing 00:36:10.180 --> 00:36:10.660 and fretting 00:36:10.660 --> 00:36:11.620 over whether I'm 00:36:11.620 --> 00:36:12.500 in seat B7 00:36:12.500 --> 00:36:13.440 or B8 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:15.460 or whether I'm 00:36:15.460 --> 00:36:16.340 circumcised or not 00:36:16.340 --> 00:36:16.820 or whether I'm 00:36:16.820 --> 00:36:17.700 a bondservant or not 00:36:17.700 --> 00:36:18.100 or whether I'm 00:36:18.100 --> 00:36:18.800 single or not? 00:36:18.880 --> 00:36:19.460 Why struggle 00:36:19.460 --> 00:36:19.980 and strive 00:36:19.980 --> 00:36:20.580 and let your heart 00:36:20.580 --> 00:36:21.280 be consumed 00:36:21.280 --> 00:36:22.780 with being somewhere else 00:36:22.780 --> 00:36:23.980 or someone else 00:36:23.980 --> 00:36:25.020 or with somebody else 00:36:25.020 --> 00:36:25.620 if the Lord 00:36:25.620 --> 00:36:26.420 has called you 00:36:26.420 --> 00:36:27.440 and here you sit 00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:28.080 on the cusp 00:36:28.080 --> 00:36:29.040 of redemptive history? 00:36:30.060 --> 00:36:30.700 Those things 00:36:30.700 --> 00:36:31.660 don't have to define 00:36:31.660 --> 00:36:32.300 you any longer. 00:36:32.400 --> 00:36:33.300 You're the Lord's. 00:36:35.320 --> 00:36:36.100 And the present form 00:36:36.100 --> 00:36:36.520 of this world 00:36:36.520 --> 00:36:37.400 is passing away. 00:36:37.580 --> 00:36:38.600 God's new creation 00:36:38.599 --> 00:36:39.380 is imminent. 00:36:40.279 --> 00:36:40.739 The renewal 00:36:40.739 --> 00:36:41.619 of all things 00:36:41.619 --> 00:36:42.279 and thus you need 00:36:42.279 --> 00:36:43.000 not cling 00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:44.500 to this world, 00:36:44.799 --> 00:36:45.380 its joys 00:36:45.380 --> 00:36:46.239 and its sorrows, 00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:47.139 its business 00:36:47.139 --> 00:36:48.079 and its busyness. 00:36:48.500 --> 00:36:49.039 Be faithful 00:36:49.039 --> 00:36:49.839 where you are. 00:36:51.739 --> 00:36:52.559 Don't grasp 00:36:52.559 --> 00:36:53.099 and claw 00:36:53.099 --> 00:36:54.159 for something else 00:36:54.159 --> 00:36:55.639 as if that's going 00:36:55.639 --> 00:36:56.539 to justify you 00:36:56.539 --> 00:36:57.679 or satisfy you. 00:36:59.239 --> 00:37:00.079 Christ has already 00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:00.940 done that, friends. 00:37:03.559 --> 00:37:04.199 And soon, 00:37:04.299 --> 00:37:04.579 the curtain 00:37:04.579 --> 00:37:05.119 will open. 00:37:05.119 --> 00:37:07.480 And like we read 00:37:07.480 --> 00:37:08.579 earlier from Zephaniah, 00:37:09.059 --> 00:37:10.619 we will see the Lord God 00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:11.319 in our midst, 00:37:12.339 --> 00:37:13.000 a mighty one 00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:13.679 who will save 00:37:13.679 --> 00:37:15.699 and he will rejoice 00:37:15.699 --> 00:37:16.859 over you with gladness 00:37:16.859 --> 00:37:18.579 and he will quiet you 00:37:18.579 --> 00:37:19.400 by his love 00:37:19.400 --> 00:37:20.960 and he will exalt 00:37:20.960 --> 00:37:21.299 over you 00:37:21.299 --> 00:37:22.139 with loud singing 00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:23.900 and he will gather 00:37:23.900 --> 00:37:24.719 those who mourn 00:37:24.719 --> 00:37:25.420 for the festival 00:37:25.420 --> 00:37:27.259 and we will suffer 00:37:27.259 --> 00:37:28.279 reproach no more. 00:37:29.859 --> 00:37:30.519 Let's pray. 00:37:30.519 --> 00:37:30.579 Amen. 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:38.699 Oh Lord, 00:37:39.400 --> 00:37:42.639 make us a people 00:37:42.639 --> 00:37:43.739 who are so 00:37:43.739 --> 00:37:45.559 enraptured 00:37:45.559 --> 00:37:47.900 with you 00:37:47.900 --> 00:37:50.940 and who we are 00:37:50.940 --> 00:37:51.679 in Christ. 00:37:52.119 --> 00:37:53.099 Help that reality 00:37:53.099 --> 00:37:54.840 sink so deep 00:37:54.840 --> 00:37:55.759 down in our hearts, 00:37:55.759 --> 00:37:56.179 God, 00:37:56.759 --> 00:37:59.079 that we can sit loose 00:37:59.079 --> 00:38:04.719 to the worldly statuses 00:38:04.719 --> 00:38:06.219 that so often 00:38:06.219 --> 00:38:08.380 pull and push 00:38:08.380 --> 00:38:10.019 and tear us apart. 00:38:11.159 --> 00:38:11.719 God, 00:38:11.799 --> 00:38:12.259 give us 00:38:12.259 --> 00:38:13.599 that deep 00:38:13.599 --> 00:38:14.579 wellspring 00:38:14.579 --> 00:38:15.579 of contentment 00:38:15.579 --> 00:38:16.380 in Christ. 00:38:24.900 --> 00:38:25.559 And Lord, 00:38:25.639 --> 00:38:25.900 help us 00:38:25.900 --> 00:38:26.599 to keep our eyes 00:38:26.599 --> 00:38:27.000 on you 00:38:27.000 --> 00:38:29.440 and help us 00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:30.019 to be faithful 00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:30.559 for the coming 00:38:30.559 --> 00:38:31.119 of that day. 00:38:32.900 --> 00:38:34.199 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:38:34.380 --> 00:38:34.599 Amen.