WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.120 So we're going to press on with the third and final part of our series on 1 Corinthians 7. 00:00:06.400 --> 00:00:11.000 ! Well, let's begin. We have prayed already. Let's dive in. 00:00:11.460 --> 00:00:17.559 We're on the final session of our three-part series on sex, marriage, and singleness. 00:00:17.879 --> 00:00:27.100 Not looking at everything the Bible has to say about that, but taking a more thorough, deeper look at 1 Corinthians 7 and what that teaches us on those topics. 00:00:27.100 --> 00:00:36.539 And if you've not been with us for the series, let me give you a two-minute recap on everything that we have said so far with some qualifications. 00:00:36.800 --> 00:00:43.600 Okay, number one, Paul wants the married and unmarried to hear his instructions to either party. 00:00:44.740 --> 00:00:54.100 So, Paul thinks it's really important, whether you are married or unmarried, that you know what the Bible says to people who are in your position and not in your position. 00:00:54.100 --> 00:01:01.060 Not only because he thinks probably if you're married, there will be a point at which you're unmarried, unless you're dead. 00:01:01.640 --> 00:01:08.920 But also he thinks that in church life, it's really good for us to also not say dumb things to one another. 00:01:09.780 --> 00:01:18.620 And actually, Christians want to encourage and disciple one another by not giving each other bad advice or things that are just plainly wrong. 00:01:18.620 --> 00:01:24.320 So we need to know what the Bible says about sex, marriage and singleness, regardless of what situation we're in. 00:01:24.620 --> 00:01:30.760 Secondly, we saw that God is interested in what we do with our bodies and salvation is not just spiritual, but physical. 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:32.920 This was the misunderstanding of the time, wasn't it? 00:01:33.600 --> 00:01:37.640 So sex is in God's good creation design. 00:01:37.800 --> 00:01:42.700 It's there for the purpose of building strong marriages and the means of filling and subduing the earth. 00:01:42.780 --> 00:01:45.020 God is interested in what we do with our bodies. 00:01:45.019 --> 00:01:53.299 Thirdly, we saw last week that our view of marriage needs to be shaped by these great Bible events of creation, fall and redemption. 00:01:54.159 --> 00:01:56.259 Creation tells us that marriage is good. 00:01:56.519 --> 00:01:57.439 Sex is good. 00:01:57.539 --> 00:01:58.340 It's for marriage. 00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:02.699 The desire for marriage is built into us as humans and is a good desire. 00:02:02.699 --> 00:02:14.840 The fall tells us that marriage is hard, that marriage exposes our sin and exposes us to the sin of another and ends ultimately in death or perhaps. 00:02:15.020 --> 00:02:16.320 Sadly, divorce. 00:02:17.260 --> 00:02:25.480 And thirdly, redemption teaches us that there is a great wedding day to come for all of God's people, married or unmarried. 00:02:25.800 --> 00:02:35.879 And it's that day, not these marriages, that will finally satisfy our desires for intimacy and for love in our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:40.020 And because of that, that needs to shape our view of marriage. 00:02:40.640 --> 00:02:42.300 So that's two weeks in two minutes. 00:02:42.760 --> 00:02:45.140 You might think, Steve, why could you not be so succinct earlier? 00:02:45.719 --> 00:02:47.300 But we are all learning, right? 00:02:48.200 --> 00:02:52.640 So now we're going to get back to 1 Corinthians 7 and we're going to see what it has to say about singleness. 00:02:52.640 --> 00:02:57.540 And the first thing I need to say to you is that the word singleness is not a very helpful word. 00:02:57.539 --> 00:03:04.359 It was pointed out to me by Vanessa this week that Paul's word here is unmarried, not single. 00:03:05.620 --> 00:03:08.639 Singleness implies aloneness. 00:03:09.739 --> 00:03:13.199 And that's not how Paul understands being unmarried. 00:03:13.199 --> 00:03:26.699 Unmarried is the category that all of us will be in or are in at some stage in our lives, either because we've never married or because we're widowed or our partner has left us in the way that's described in the passage. 00:03:26.699 --> 00:03:28.699 So not single, but unmarried. 00:03:29.599 --> 00:03:31.879 So that's a correction to the series title. 00:03:32.819 --> 00:03:34.319 OK, with that in mind, I'm going to start. 00:03:34.659 --> 00:03:37.560 We've done every time by reading 1 Corinthians 7. 00:03:37.659 --> 00:03:38.959 So it's familiar to us. 00:03:38.960 --> 00:03:47.620 So eyes down on the Bible and I will read it to you and maybe have your antenna up, especially for what is being said for those who are unmarried. 00:03:49.420 --> 00:03:55.020 Now, for the matters you wrote about, it is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman. 00:03:55.260 --> 00:04:02.600 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife and each woman with her own husband. 00:04:03.659 --> 00:04:08.520 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife and likewise the wife to her husband. 00:04:08.960 --> 00:04:13.240 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but yields it to her husband. 00:04:13.580 --> 00:04:19.900 In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but yields it to his wife. 00:04:20.420 --> 00:04:26.620 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent for a time so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:32.439 Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:34.980 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 00:04:34.980 --> 00:04:41.100 I wish that all of you were as I am, but each of you has your own gift from God. 00:04:41.379 --> 00:04:43.660 One has this gift, another has that. 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:50.800 Now, to the unmarried and the widows, I say it is good for them to stay unmarried as I do. 00:04:51.439 --> 00:04:56.900 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 00:04:56.899 --> 00:05:01.139 To the married, I give this command, not I, but the Lord. 00:05:01.459 --> 00:05:04.000 A wife must not separate from her husband. 00:05:04.839 --> 00:05:12.219 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband, and a husband must not divorce his wife. 00:05:13.039 --> 00:05:15.759 To the rest, I say this, I, not the Lord. 00:05:15.759 --> 00:05:23.019 If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 00:05:23.620 --> 00:05:29.379 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 00:05:30.060 --> 00:05:36.920 But the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. 00:05:37.539 --> 00:05:41.039 Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:45.000 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. 00:05:45.560 --> 00:05:48.520 The brother or sister is not bound in such circumstances. 00:05:49.360 --> 00:05:51.220 God has called us to live in peace. 00:05:51.780 --> 00:05:53.780 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? 00:05:54.240 --> 00:05:56.780 Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? 00:05:57.780 --> 00:06:06.480 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. 00:06:07.160 --> 00:06:09.520 This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 00:06:09.519 --> 00:06:12.379 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? 00:06:12.819 --> 00:06:14.819 He should not become uncircumcised. 00:06:15.379 --> 00:06:17.419 Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? 00:06:17.519 --> 00:06:19.180 He should not become circumcised. 00:06:20.019 --> 00:06:22.879 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing. 00:06:23.419 --> 00:06:25.560 Keeping God's commands is what counts. 00:06:26.500 --> 00:06:30.219 Each person should remain in the situation they were when God called them. 00:06:30.899 --> 00:06:32.359 Were you a slave when you were called? 00:06:32.500 --> 00:06:36.359 Do not let it trouble you, although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 00:06:36.360 --> 00:06:42.000 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord's freed person. 00:06:42.660 --> 00:06:46.819 Similarly, the one who was free when he was called is Christ's slave. 00:06:47.340 --> 00:06:48.480 You were bought at a price. 00:06:48.840 --> 00:06:50.900 Do not become slaves of human beings. 00:06:51.560 --> 00:06:58.759 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:05.980 Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. 00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:11.219 Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is. 00:07:11.939 --> 00:07:13.159 Are you pledged to a woman? 00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:14.480 Do not seek to be released. 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:16.219 Are you free from such a commitment? 00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:17.659 Do not look for a wife. 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:20.740 But if you do marry, you have not sinned. 00:07:20.779 --> 00:07:23.000 And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:27.879 But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. 00:07:28.699 --> 00:07:31.480 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. 00:07:32.040 --> 00:07:35.339 From now on, those who have wives should live as if they do not. 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:37.439 Those who mourn as if they did not. 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:39.379 Those who are happy as if they were not. 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:42.279 Those who buy something as if it were not theirs to keep. 00:07:42.660 --> 00:07:45.839 Those who use the things of the world as if not engrossed in them. 00:07:45.920 --> 00:07:48.860 For this world in its present form is passing away. 00:07:49.699 --> 00:07:52.439 I would like you to be free from concern. 00:07:53.139 --> 00:07:55.259 An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs. 00:07:55.360 --> 00:07:56.339 How he can please the Lord. 00:07:56.639 --> 00:07:59.339 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world. 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:00.560 How he can please his wife. 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:02.300 And his interests are divided. 00:08:03.240 --> 00:08:06.579 An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs. 00:08:07.279 --> 00:08:10.959 Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:14.540 But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world. 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:15.759 How she can please her husband. 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:18.240 I'm saying this for your own good. 00:08:18.399 --> 00:08:19.420 Not to restrict you. 00:08:19.420 --> 00:08:23.840 But that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. 00:08:24.780 --> 00:08:31.100 Is anyone worried that he might be acting, not acting honorably towards the virgin he is engaged to? 00:08:31.720 --> 00:08:36.600 And if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. 00:08:36.700 --> 00:08:37.519 He is not sinning. 00:08:38.060 --> 00:08:38.980 They should get married. 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:51.220 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion, but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin, this man also does the right thing. 00:08:51.220 --> 00:08:56.820 So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better. 00:08:57.500 --> 00:09:06.779 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives, but if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:14.340 In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is, and I think that I too have the Spirit of God. 00:09:14.340 --> 00:09:23.460 Now, we're going to try and zoom in on what those verses have to teach us about being unmarried. 00:09:24.139 --> 00:09:26.440 And I think there's lots of ground to cover. 00:09:26.560 --> 00:09:33.800 So I'm trying to summarize it with seven statements, which might not cover absolutely everything, but I hope covers most of it. 00:09:33.879 --> 00:09:40.120 And then we're going to have some opportunity for questions and comments, and then we're going to have an interview at the end as well. 00:09:40.120 --> 00:09:52.440 So number one, the first thing it says, and I think quite a lot of what it says about being unmarried is very countercultural, certainly countercultural in the church culture at least, if not in the world. 00:09:52.740 --> 00:09:55.980 Number one, it is good to stay unmarried. 00:09:56.960 --> 00:09:59.120 Verse eight, Paul says it directly, doesn't he? 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:06.720 Now to the unmarried and the widows, I say, it is good for them to stay unmarried as I do. 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:17.860 In verse seven, he calls being unmarried or being as he is a gift, literally a charisma, a charismatic gift. 00:10:18.700 --> 00:10:25.460 Now, perhaps before we get directly into what he's saying here, we should perhaps pick up on Paul's language here when he says, I say. 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:28.680 Now, to the unmarried and the widows, I say. 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:33.440 You may notice that as I read it, that throughout the chapter, you get these comments, don't you? 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:38.440 I say, not the Lord, or I give this command, not I, but the Lord gives this command. 00:10:39.320 --> 00:10:44.180 Now, that doesn't mean that there are certain parts of this which are part of the Bible, because Jesus said it. 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:46.560 And there are other parts which are Paul's words. 00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:47.820 So they're not really the Bible. 00:10:47.880 --> 00:10:48.960 You don't really have to listen to them. 00:10:49.020 --> 00:10:49.820 That's just Paul's opinion. 00:10:50.340 --> 00:10:51.740 That's not what's going on here. 00:10:52.380 --> 00:10:53.500 We're not allowed to pick and choose. 00:10:53.640 --> 00:10:56.680 All of this is God's word inspired by the spirit of God. 00:10:56.679 --> 00:11:09.039 Rather, the point seems to me that Paul is distinguishing between places where he is relaying the teachings of Jesus that he has received and places where he is speaking with his apostolic authority. 00:11:09.959 --> 00:11:13.959 And you need to read both in the same way, because both of them come with the authority of the scriptures. 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:26.320 But it means that Paul is very conscious as he speaks that Jesus, in his earthly ministry, had a lot to say about being married and being unmarried, a lot to say about sex and divorce and eternity. 00:11:27.960 --> 00:11:32.280 So Paul says that it is good for them to stay unmarried. 00:11:32.279 --> 00:11:38.699 Now, if you've got your theological brain in gear, and it is Sunday evening, and so you might not. 00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:43.159 But if you have, that statement should be really shocking to you. 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:46.980 It is good for them to remain unmarried. 00:11:47.100 --> 00:11:48.799 Why should that be shocking to you? 00:11:50.059 --> 00:11:54.439 Well, because in Genesis 2, God says the exact opposite, doesn't he? 00:11:55.019 --> 00:11:55.179 Right? 00:11:55.179 --> 00:12:03.059 So in Genesis 2, God looks at Adam alone in the garden and says, it is not good for man to be alone. 00:12:03.839 --> 00:12:08.939 And then Paul says, no, it is good for you to be as I am. 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:10.479 So what does he mean? 00:12:11.099 --> 00:12:19.679 Well, it means, doesn't it, that in a world of the fall and redemption, the good of Genesis 2 is not quite the same as the good of 1 Corinthians 7. 00:12:19.679 --> 00:12:25.139 The good of Genesis 2 is to do with the filling and subduing. 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:33.559 So it's not that God is looking at Adam on his own in the garden and goes, oh, poor Adam, he must be really lonely. 00:12:34.519 --> 00:12:35.599 I'll make him a wife. 00:12:36.219 --> 00:12:37.319 It's not that, is it? 00:12:37.320 --> 00:12:45.440 It's rather that God looks at Adam and goes, I have given this man the responsibility to fill and subdue this world. 00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:49.740 And it is not going to be possible for him to do that on his own. 00:12:50.940 --> 00:12:54.180 And so he makes a wife for Adam. 00:12:55.320 --> 00:12:56.320 And you know that's right, don't you? 00:12:56.379 --> 00:13:02.860 Because if it was loneliness that God was trying to solve or a desire for companionship was the big problem in Genesis 2, 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:06.280 then the creation of another man would have been an adequate solution. 00:13:06.279 --> 00:13:10.199 Maybe even the creation of the animals might have been adequate company. 00:13:11.059 --> 00:13:12.819 You know, you can go on a fun dog walk, right? 00:13:13.819 --> 00:13:24.000 But God makes woman, not another man, because he wants the woman to be complementary to Adam in fulfilling the creation mandate. 00:13:25.579 --> 00:13:29.740 But Paul in 1 Corinthians 7 is not just thinking about creation, is he? 00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:33.259 He's thinking about the fall and he's thinking about redemption. 00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:42.919 And he thinks that in the light of the fall and the light of the redemption that we have in Christ Jesus, it is good to remain unmarried. 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:47.659 Being unmarried in that world is a gift, he says. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:50.819 It's not a curse, not a curse to loneliness. 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:54.860 It's not not being able to fulfill the purposes of God. 00:13:55.420 --> 00:13:58.580 It doesn't mean even having no involvement in the lives of children. 00:13:58.740 --> 00:14:01.580 Paul talks a lot about spiritual children all the way through the scriptures. 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:07.540 And so remaining unmarried is not bad when we're part of the family of God. 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:16.519 Now, I'd suggest that that means, doesn't it, at the very least, when churches or Christians talk as if being unmarried is bad, 00:14:16.599 --> 00:14:24.419 or as if being unmarried means that you are inevitably lonely, or as if it's some kind of second rate way to live your life. 00:14:24.839 --> 00:14:28.279 If that's what you think or that's what you say, you are being unbiblical. 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:37.360 You are contradicting what Paul thinks here, because he thinks in a world of a fall and redemption that's ours in Christ Jesus, belonging to the church family, 00:14:38.079 --> 00:14:41.220 actually, it is good to remain unmarried. 00:14:42.079 --> 00:14:43.379 That's point number one. 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:48.939 Point number two, it's not always good to remain unmarried. 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:53.259 You've got to get this with 1 Corinthians 7. 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:58.500 You can't just take half of it and run away with it and not grab the other half. 00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:03.460 In case we go to an extreme and get this all muddled up, Paul is really clear, isn't he? 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:04.700 Verse 9. 00:15:05.799 --> 00:15:10.279 There are some situations in where it should be good to be married, he says. 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:18.159 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:23.839 Now, I'm told by the boffins that this word, burn with passion, is only one word. 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:26.379 The word passion has been added by our English translators. 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:28.219 It's very difficult to translate. 00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:31.480 I'm no Greek whiz, right? 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:37.019 So all I can do is read what the boffins say and have a think about it myself and try and pass it on to you. 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:46.899 But it does seem to me, from what I've read, that Paul is not so much saying that if you don't think you can cope without sex, you should get married, right? 00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:50.439 It is not the desire for sex that should fuel the desire for marriage. 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:52.559 That isn't it, I don't think. 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:56.799 That would seem a really, really unwise motive for marriage, right? 00:15:57.319 --> 00:16:02.439 Not least because there's a lot more to being married than having sex, which Paul seems to know about here too. 00:16:03.459 --> 00:16:15.539 Rather, it seems to be that the burning here is associated with an unmarried couple who are falling in love and are perhaps ashamed or guilty in knowing that their relationship has gone or is going beyond friendship. 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:20.559 And if that's the case, the unmarried couple should marry. 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:25.659 And that's similar to what he says in verse 36, which we'll come to in a moment. 00:16:26.599 --> 00:16:28.579 Again, this is so helpful, right? 00:16:29.079 --> 00:16:39.879 Remaining unmarried, whilst also flirting or leading someone along, is not obedience to 1 Corinthians 7 instruction to remain unmarried. 00:16:40.339 --> 00:16:43.079 It's disobedience to its instruction to get married. 00:16:43.080 --> 00:17:02.420 You know, if in God's providence you are with someone that you are attracted to, where you have not just a friendship connection, but also a physical desire for one another, and you're not prohibited from marriage, either because you're of the same sex or because they're an unbeliever or because they're already married, then Paul says you should marry. 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:20.500 Now, Paul is not prescriptive here about how this should work in practice, but I think you can probably make a pretty good argument from 1 Corinthians 7 that Paul does not think that having like super long engagements or really strung out dating or playing the field is really a very good way to go about this. 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:29.920 Either you're in a relationship, either you're in a relationship, either you're in a relationship, either you're in a relationship which is heading towards marriage, in which case all things being equal, get on with it, or it is not, in which case stop. 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:33.339 That seems to be the distinction that he is making. 00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:39.419 Number three, contentment should be cultivated. 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:50.019 It's interesting, the instructions for contentment are not exclusive to the unmarried, and it's interesting that he picks up a whole load of different case studies, doesn't he, in this. 00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:55.059 So circumcision is one, and slavery is another. 00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:59.039 And we pointed out in the very first week that he is not commending slavery in any way. 00:17:59.139 --> 00:18:04.279 In fact, he says, don't become slaves and do avail yourself of freedom if you can. 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:08.940 But what he is saying is that God is sovereign over the position that you find yourself in. 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:16.399 And I think it's implied in verses 24, 26, and 27 that that also goes for your marriage status as well. 00:18:16.659 --> 00:18:23.779 So end of verse 24, if you look at it, remain in the situation you were when God called you. 00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:28.720 In verse 26, he is to remain as he is. 00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:33.139 And at the end of verse 27, he is instructed to not look for a wife. 00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:36.419 Again, be clear, Paul is not forbidding marriage. 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.299 We've seen that. 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:40.299 Nor is he saying that it is wrong to desire to be married. 00:18:40.919 --> 00:18:44.980 Nor do I think is he prohibiting all attempts to seek a husband or a wife. 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:48.740 Rather, he's concerned for contentment. 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:50.919 We don't get this out of proportion. 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:59.320 Marriage, says Paul, in a world of fall and redemption does not answer all of your problems. 00:19:00.380 --> 00:19:13.060 So it's really important if you are unmarried that you do not think or behave in such a way that makes you believe that marriage would solve your problems. 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:17.819 It won't. It might solve some of them, but it would bring you other ones, as Paul. 00:19:18.639 --> 00:19:21.539 So be content and cultivate contentment. 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:25.379 If you are unmarried, don't put your life on hold until you marry. 00:19:26.679 --> 00:19:28.220 Because your life is not on hold. 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:36.659 You are able, according to Paul here, to live a fulfilled and fruitful gospel-shaped life in the service of the Lord Jesus. 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:42.980 So trust the Lord that he is more than capable of changing your circumstances in his time. 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:50.000 Live life and enjoy the particular blessings that come with being free from a husband or wife, which we're going to look at in a moment. 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:54.300 Don't imagine that marriage will solve all your problems. 00:19:55.620 --> 00:20:02.120 Number four, the unmarried is spared, are spared, I think that should be, a certain kind of suffering. 00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:06.319 Now we saw this last week, so I'm not going to spend a huge amount of time on it. 00:20:07.099 --> 00:20:09.539 Verse 28 is very clear, isn't it? 00:20:10.239 --> 00:20:15.179 That Paul thinks that marriage comes with a particular kind of problem. 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:23.599 Instructions on marriage are not designed to spoil life for the unmarried, but to spare them suffering. 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:37.699 Paul wants the church to understand what it means to be unmarried because he wants people not to enter into difficult marriages, which would bring suffering to the church, which they would be spared if they didn't. 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:40.000 It's really fascinating, isn't it? 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:46.519 In the Corinthian culture, which sort of thinks sex is quite a small thing because God's not really interested in our bodies. 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:51.420 So there's lots of sex in that city going on in all sorts of different places, right? 00:20:51.819 --> 00:21:02.420 He thinks, right, the way to organize this is through marriage, but not through lots of bad marriages, which will actually make the situation worse. 00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:05.240 Now the implications of this are really clear, aren't they? 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:08.460 We must not idolize marriage. 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:10.700 It's easily done, isn't it? 00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:17.140 Churches especially do this, where creches bulging and people are getting married. 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:20.880 But the Bible is really clear, marriage is not salvation. 00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:29.660 And whilst it's a gift, even a desirable gift, perhaps a gift that you would love to have, it is not the key to a happy and fulfilled life in a fallen world. 00:21:30.580 --> 00:21:35.799 And so really churches are meant to be the best place to be unmarried. 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:46.399 Right. Making sure that marriage is not the secret key to fitting in at church or the only way to find friendship and companionship in church. 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:53.639 Because although there's suffering associated with being unmarried, there is also suffering involved in being married. 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:58.940 And Paul thinks that's significant and we should spare people from it. 00:21:58.940 --> 00:22:08.120 Number five, I couldn't quite work out how to put this, but I've just gone for this, but the unmarried life is less emotionally complex. 00:22:08.360 --> 00:22:14.100 I don't know whether that's really a fair summary of verses 32 to 34, but you can write a different heading if you like. 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:16.559 We looked at that in a bit of detail last week. 00:22:16.820 --> 00:22:22.940 Paul seems to suggest that devotion to the Lord is simpler for the unmarried person. 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:29.920 Listen, the unmarried is not having to negotiate the complexities of marriage and the emotional needs of a husband or a wife. 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:33.799 So it is easy, not as in it's easy. 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:39.000 I don't think Paul's saying, listen, if you're unmarried, a Christian life is really straightforward. 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:42.600 You're going to be really, really holy because it's dead straightforward. 00:22:42.660 --> 00:22:43.340 He's not saying that. 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:47.019 He is saying it's easier as in it's less complicated. 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:52.019 I think this is perhaps counterintuitive. 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:57.740 Vanessa and I have done quite a lot of marriage prep and a bit of marriage counseling. 00:22:57.900 --> 00:23:10.180 And I think it's common for Christian couples to marry, assuming that what's going to happen when they get married is that their desire to spend time with the Lord and pray is going to double. 00:23:11.139 --> 00:23:15.879 What they're imagining is that they will both bring their desire to read God's word together. 00:23:16.379 --> 00:23:19.519 And actually, that will make it more likely rather than less likely. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:32.359 But what they don't account for is the fact that both people are sinners and they're combining also their sinfulness as well as their newfound Christian lives. 00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:37.379 And so what actually they find is that it is half as likely, not twice as likely. 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:49.360 Because you don't only have to sort of resist and pin down your own sinful desire not to spend time with the Lord and pray, but also someone else's as well. 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:51.340 And that's really difficult. 00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:57.419 And so you get married and you think we're going to just be reading the Bible and praying together. 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:59.500 It's going to be really easy, but actually find it's really difficult. 00:24:00.059 --> 00:24:01.939 It's the same with attendance at church. 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:07.320 When you're married, it's not just one of you that wants to go to church. 00:24:07.380 --> 00:24:10.080 You both have to want to go in order to be able to go together. 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:13.360 Both of you have to want to serve on the youth road and not just one of you. 00:24:13.640 --> 00:24:18.900 Both of you have to be willing to forego your Monday nights for one of you to attend a leaders meeting. 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:19.980 Not just one of you. 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:23.340 And Paul says, rightly, doesn't he, that's complex. 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:29.000 That brings a complexity to the Christian life, which makes it more difficult. 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:35.460 And so it's simpler, he says, less emotionally complex to be unmarried. 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:40.460 Number six, it is to be chosen and not compelled. 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:43.779 Again, have a look at verses 36 and 37. 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:44.819 Let me read them to you. 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:51.880 If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably towards the virgin he is engaged to, 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:56.819 and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. 00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:57.599 He's not sinning. 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.440 They should get married. 00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:59.980 And that's similar to what we looked at before. 00:25:00.820 --> 00:25:06.360 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion, 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:11.140 but has control over his will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin, 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:13.660 this man also does the right thing. 00:25:14.900 --> 00:25:18.640 Here notice that being unmarried is not to be compelled upon somebody. 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:32.600 In other words, it is wrong for churches or for us in our discipleship of Christians to ban marriage or prevent marriage or stand in the way of Christian marriage. 00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:37.159 It sounds crazy, doesn't it, when you put it like that, but it does happen, doesn't it? 00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:45.180 And while it should not be compelled, still, says Paul, it is possible for people to choose to remain unmarried. 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:47.340 In other words, it's a choice. 00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:49.820 You can choose to remain unmarried. 00:25:50.560 --> 00:25:53.400 You can't always choose to marry, can you? 00:25:54.100 --> 00:25:57.100 At least two people have to agree on that. 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:59.840 But you can choose to remain unmarried. 00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:09.799 And Paul says the complexities of living this side of the fall and subject to the plan of redemption mean that remaining unmarried is a good choice. 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:20.099 Certainly a better choice than choosing to marry just any old person, especially if that person is an unbeliever or someone who you know will take you away from living for the Lord. 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:23.519 Now, I think this is probably the most difficult part, right? 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:27.259 Because I think probably there's some of you in the room who are unmarried. 00:26:27.439 --> 00:26:29.579 You might not feel like you've chosen it. 00:26:30.399 --> 00:26:34.079 In fact, if you had a choice, this is not something you would choose for yourself. 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:36.539 And that's the pain and the difficulty. 00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:39.859 And we're going to talk some more about that in a few moments. 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:52.159 But we do know, don't we, that the ideal husband or wife that we have in our imagination, who we would love to choose to marry, the one who is perfect, right? 00:26:52.160 --> 00:27:02.000 The one who makes us a better person, the one who is unfailing in their attention, who loves us graciously and forgiving. 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:08.900 You know, don't you, that that person is the Lord Jesus and no other person. 00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:13.120 And that marriage is yours in the gospel, right? 00:27:13.119 --> 00:27:23.819 And so it's not that Paul is saying in choosing to remain single, you are choosing to deny yourself all of the brilliant things about marriage. 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:28.539 Because all of the brilliant things about marriage will be yours in the Lord Jesus. 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:34.279 And all the brilliant things about marriage don't necessarily belong to every married couple in church either. 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:38.160 Because of difficulties and challenges that they might face in their marriage. 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:43.619 And even one day, they will be robbed of them when one of the partners dies. 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:52.559 So Paul says just what Jesus says, doesn't he, in Matthew 19, that choosing to remain unmarried is for some a wise option. 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:56.460 But it must be their choice and must not be forced on them. 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.899 That's number six. 00:27:58.900 --> 00:28:00.660 Number seven. 00:28:02.080 --> 00:28:05.000 Happiness is not excluded for the unmarried. 00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:07.880 We've touched on this already, but Paul says it directly. 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:08.660 Verse 39. 00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:14.300 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. 00:28:15.420 --> 00:28:20.259 But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes. 00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:22.280 But he must belong to the Lord. 00:28:22.360 --> 00:28:24.920 Let me just say a bit about that before I read the next sentence. 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:28.440 Marriage in the Bible is an institution, okay? 00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:31.040 It's not something that we are free to invent. 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:37.120 But marriage is given to us by God as an institution which binds us to one another, right? 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:39.960 So it is a loss of your freedom. 00:28:40.100 --> 00:28:43.940 You are binding yourself to one another as long as you live, right? 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:45.400 That's what marriage is. 00:28:45.540 --> 00:28:47.060 Marriage is not something that we invent. 00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:49.440 It's something that we enter into that God has designed. 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:49.820 Okay? 00:28:50.120 --> 00:28:51.019 That's verse 39. 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:57.960 In my judgment, he says, talking about the widow, she is happier if she stays as she is. 00:28:58.480 --> 00:29:01.440 And I think that I too have the spirit of God. 00:29:02.559 --> 00:29:09.720 Now notice that he doesn't say it is, you know, it's probably possible that she might at some point experience happiness. 00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:14.480 He says, no, she will be happier, right? 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:17.120 Again, greater happiness will be hers. 00:29:18.120 --> 00:29:20.140 Again, that might be really counterintuitive. 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:20.980 We might think, really? 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:22.900 Is it actually possible? 00:29:23.660 --> 00:29:34.240 But I think what Paul is saying here is that actually lots of the blessings of marriage and of family are ours in the church and ultimately in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:41.980 And if we are longing for and looking forward to those things, happiness and joy can be ours in Christ in that way. 00:29:42.660 --> 00:29:45.559 Okay, so those are seven things that Paul says. 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:50.059 I'm going to have an interview in a minute, but I wanted to give you opportunity for questions and comments. 00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:58.019 Do we think, maybe, it's quite difficult for you to yell them out to me? 00:29:58.019 --> 00:30:03.759 Why don't you talk to the person next to you and then you can shout out what they say? 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:08.940 We'll use the Clifford and Hilda rule, as we call it. 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.799 So yeah, go for it. 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.700 Talk to the person next to you. 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.619 What stands out from there? 00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:13.379 What do you agree with? 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:14.200 Maybe disagree with? 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:14.920 What have I missed? 00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:23.000 Okay, let's feedback. 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:30.680 Any comments or questions that you think would be helpful for us all? 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:30.980 Rebecca? 00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:40.380 Well, I guess maybe you could ask him. 00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:44.339 I doubt that he's being snippy, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:52.480 I think that's what he's pointing out, that he has the spirit, he's writing in the spirit. 00:30:53.839 --> 00:31:02.960 I think, I wonder whether maybe because he's, it's sort of a bit like a highlighter, isn't it? 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:06.359 That says, actually, this is really, this is really true. 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:16.000 And maybe, maybe with some of the things here, more than anything, you know, married people read verse 28, right? 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:19.420 And they go about the trouble, they go, oh yes, that's right, right? 00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:27.920 But maybe some of the stuff in that we've looked at this evening on unmarried people, you read some of the stuff and go, no, that's not actually, I didn't choose this. 00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:29.680 I didn't, you know, this isn't great. 00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:36.360 And so he's trying to underline that, yeah, he's not just making this up, I think. 00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:39.600 Any other question? 00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:41.279 Amy? 00:31:41.940 --> 00:31:47.640 I disagree with it with number five, the in my life is last motion complex. 00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:48.240 Right. 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.240 Yeah. 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:55.359 From personal experience, I think, I felt like more anxious when I was single. 00:31:55.620 --> 00:31:55.920 Okay. 00:31:56.079 --> 00:32:05.259 Because I'm kind of, kind of disappointed in a way, because within the church, it seemed like everything was good for marriage and family. 00:32:05.859 --> 00:32:07.640 And being a single person was very hard. 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:12.400 And it seemed like there were more single women in the church than single men. 00:32:12.400 --> 00:32:17.320 So after some friends around got married and stuff, that became quite difficult. 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:22.540 And I think, yeah, it was more emotionally challenging for a single woman. 00:32:22.540 --> 00:32:22.759 Yeah. 00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:27.740 Let me try and summarise that so that people who are listening online can follow along. 00:32:28.080 --> 00:32:35.280 So we're saying that a slight disagreement with number five, that actually being unmarried in church as a woman was difficult. 00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:41.579 It was difficult because church was often set up for married couples. 00:32:42.319 --> 00:32:44.220 And there's people around them getting married. 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:50.059 And then not as many men in the church and anxiety and those kind of things. 00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:51.819 Yeah, I think you're right. 00:32:51.899 --> 00:32:55.399 That's why I'm not, like, super sure that that's a good way of putting it. 00:32:55.859 --> 00:33:04.259 I think what I'm, and I didn't want to just, I wanted to kind of broaden it out to say, so he's not saying, which I think is, this is the common mistake. 00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:09.839 I think he's not saying, if you're unmarried, you can be, like, really, really fruitful in gospel ministry. 00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:13.240 And if you're married, you're just not going to be fruitful in gospel ministry. 00:33:13.339 --> 00:33:14.339 I don't think that's what he's saying. 00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:15.900 And that doesn't really scan either. 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:29.539 What I think he's saying is that there is a sense of responsibility for your, the well-being of another adds a layer of complexity to living for the Lord, which is complicated. 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:35.460 If you, if this is why verse 39 is really important as well, isn't it? 00:33:35.819 --> 00:33:36.639 Marrying in the Lord. 00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:47.019 If you marry someone who loves the Lord and who sees their job as praying for you and encouraging you and building you up, that's brilliant, isn't it? 00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:49.960 Often people don't marry like that, do they? 00:33:50.039 --> 00:33:52.240 And actually that makes it really difficult and challenging. 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:54.379 But yeah, I think you're right. 00:33:54.660 --> 00:34:00.319 And I think probably the other answer is that churches shouldn't be set up for married couples. 00:34:00.639 --> 00:34:00.740 Yeah. 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:02.599 We really need to resist that. 00:34:05.819 --> 00:34:06.259 Okay. 00:34:07.319 --> 00:34:08.039 Matt, go on. 00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:08.719 Last one. 00:34:08.719 --> 00:34:09.159 Yeah. 00:34:09.159 --> 00:34:18.219 I think what this also does is, is, is, um, want to marry people or single, um, single people who want to be married. 00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:21.839 The reality of what it is to be married, like you said. 00:34:22.339 --> 00:34:30.879 If you look at, look at, you know, this is also what married people are going to, uh, go, uh, go about. 00:34:31.000 --> 00:34:38.139 So it's almost like when you become married, you'll find your, it's almost your one and there's, your two, your two become, your two becoming one. 00:34:38.139 --> 00:34:42.079 It's almost, you'll find, you'll, you'll, you'll have a new identity and everything within that. 00:34:42.579 --> 00:34:47.440 So I think that's, that's, um, he's not, he's, he's not mentioned, he's not mentioning that. 00:34:47.779 --> 00:34:47.940 Yeah. 00:34:48.059 --> 00:35:01.900 But being someone who's married and seeing, being what, what he's, what he's saying, it's almost, he's, and the struggle he's talking about, it's almost like, uh, like, yeah. 00:35:02.039 --> 00:35:03.259 I mean, I, I get that. 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:03.619 Yeah. 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:05.440 Yes. 00:35:05.539 --> 00:35:06.639 I think, I think you're right, Matt. 00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:14.079 So I think it's really important for married people in the church to understand what it is to be unmarried and have a good theology of being unmarried. 00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:23.779 Because it's really easy for married people in the church to, to look at the unmarried people in the church and say, the big thing that they need is to get married. 00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:26.139 The big thing they need is Jesus. 00:35:27.079 --> 00:35:27.219 Right. 00:35:27.839 --> 00:35:29.119 We all need, yeah. 00:35:29.239 --> 00:35:31.940 We should have your hand up. 00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:33.420 Was it, was it a fast one? 00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:33.799 Quick one. 00:35:34.039 --> 00:35:34.639 Last one. 00:35:35.039 --> 00:35:35.359 Yeah, good one. 00:35:35.360 --> 00:35:36.360 Okay. 00:35:36.360 --> 00:35:54.720 We talked a bit about this last week, whether the present crisis was something just unique to Corinth or whether it was carrying on. 00:35:54.719 --> 00:36:04.439 So I think, and we decided the answer was probably both because, so the present crisis could be something specific in Corinth and might well be. 00:36:04.779 --> 00:36:08.559 But he goes on to say that time is short, verse 29. 00:36:08.559 --> 00:36:13.519 And he goes on to say, verse 31, for this world in its present form is passing away. 00:36:14.239 --> 00:36:16.559 So I don't, I don't think it's... 00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:20.219 He does think it to singleness or whatever. 00:36:20.219 --> 00:36:23.980 For this world in fact, to be a gift. 00:36:23.980 --> 00:36:25.219 Yeah. 00:36:25.219 --> 00:36:33.439 Is the gift something you really know as other gifts or how is the connection there? 00:36:33.440 --> 00:36:44.579 Well, I think the gift part in verse 7 is, you know that you have the gift of being unmarried or the gift of being married because that is the status in which you're in, I think. 00:36:44.579 --> 00:36:44.840 Yeah. 00:36:44.840 --> 00:36:53.179 Because you know, oftentimes what happens is people end up being single and then they live miserably or not, but most of the time it's what we hear. 00:36:53.579 --> 00:36:54.819 And that shapes their lives. 00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:57.199 And I think that's what he's encouraging, is that contentment. 00:36:57.420 --> 00:36:57.679 Yes. 00:36:57.920 --> 00:36:58.139 Yes. 00:36:58.139 --> 00:37:00.379 And he gets to that point and then you realise, oh yeah, I'm a woman. 00:37:01.079 --> 00:37:01.400 Yes. 00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:06.639 And so on, it's a sidekick, but then you live miserably because they're not knowing you and have that gift. 00:37:06.900 --> 00:37:07.139 Yeah. 00:37:07.420 --> 00:37:07.799 Yes. 00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:08.199 Okay. 00:37:08.299 --> 00:37:08.599 Yes. 00:37:08.739 --> 00:37:08.960 Yeah. 00:37:09.199 --> 00:37:10.519 So he's encouraging contentment. 00:37:11.059 --> 00:37:12.579 We are going to have to move to the interview. 00:37:12.719 --> 00:37:13.980 Is that your question or is it not? 00:37:14.000 --> 00:37:15.019 I just have a question on my mind. 00:37:15.039 --> 00:37:15.239 Go on. 00:37:15.239 --> 00:37:22.199 I mean, someone said, what's he said about, it's not just romantic, it's a person, because he's 00:37:22.199 --> 00:37:23.759 reference to the time of faith. 00:37:24.440 --> 00:37:27.819 This talk is all being about, so Paul is talking about, 00:37:27.820 --> 00:37:39.480 Oh, wow. 00:37:40.559 --> 00:37:42.280 So we've got like five minutes left. 00:37:42.280 --> 00:37:52.320 I think you have to say that 1 Corinthians 7 in the Bible is not just specific to the 00:37:52.320 --> 00:37:56.840 Corinthian context, but is teaching us truth about being married and unmarried. 00:37:57.200 --> 00:38:03.920 And you can say that both because it mirrors what Jesus says in various passages, like in 00:38:03.920 --> 00:38:05.240 Matthew 19 and other places. 00:38:05.239 --> 00:38:10.839 So I don't think that he would say now, oh, everyone should get married because we live 00:38:10.839 --> 00:38:11.659 in a really woke culture. 00:38:11.859 --> 00:38:12.699 I don't think that's right. 00:38:14.899 --> 00:38:16.579 Anyway, interesting question. 00:38:16.839 --> 00:38:17.639 I am going to ask. 00:38:17.639 --> 00:38:22.879 So Jen has agreed for me to ask her a few questions about being unmarried and in church and what 00:38:22.879 --> 00:38:23.420 that's like. 00:38:24.079 --> 00:38:31.059 And so Jen has been very generous to me in helping me out because I do feel like it's helpful 00:38:31.059 --> 00:38:33.679 for us to hear someone's experience on these things. 00:38:33.799 --> 00:38:34.599 So thanks, Jen. 00:38:35.179 --> 00:38:36.379 Come and join me at this microphone. 00:38:36.380 --> 00:38:41.460 So I have. 00:38:41.720 --> 00:38:51.360 Before he starts, I should just say I am not the poster person for being unmarried. 00:38:52.740 --> 00:38:56.360 Being unmarried, you could be single, never married. 00:38:56.820 --> 00:38:59.180 You could be single with children. 00:38:59.760 --> 00:39:02.980 You could be single because you're divorced. 00:39:03.420 --> 00:39:04.980 You could be single because you're widowed. 00:39:04.980 --> 00:39:07.840 So I think that's important for myself. 00:39:08.380 --> 00:39:11.519 I'm single, never married, no children. 00:39:12.480 --> 00:39:12.920 Is that right? 00:39:13.019 --> 00:39:13.320 That's it. 00:39:14.260 --> 00:39:16.059 Just so you know, I could only talk. 00:39:16.420 --> 00:39:20.119 Sorry, I can only speak for my context and not anyone else's. 00:39:20.460 --> 00:39:22.599 You have loads of spiritual children, don't you? 00:39:22.760 --> 00:39:26.800 Lots of lots of you've been involved in the lives of lots of children. 00:39:27.420 --> 00:39:28.480 Yes, that's true. 00:39:29.500 --> 00:39:34.420 I just wonder whether you could tell us a little bit, Jen, about your your experience 00:39:34.420 --> 00:39:36.800 of being an unmarried woman in church. 00:39:36.940 --> 00:39:37.920 What have been the challenges? 00:39:38.240 --> 00:39:39.039 What have been the blessings? 00:39:39.780 --> 00:39:42.800 And maybe just touch on how that's changed over the years as well. 00:39:44.099 --> 00:39:47.099 I wasn't quite certain how to answer this question. 00:39:47.099 --> 00:39:51.539 But there's two things that I suppose grounded me. 00:39:52.019 --> 00:39:58.400 And one I heard from a Christian answer question and answer session when I was about 18, 19. 00:39:59.039 --> 00:40:04.039 And it was the idea of loving God before all others, even my desire. 00:40:04.519 --> 00:40:08.179 Because it was a question about dating and whether you should be married or not. 00:40:08.179 --> 00:40:11.839 And it's a question that came up every single year. 00:40:12.579 --> 00:40:18.679 And if as a unmarried person, I was thinking more about that than God, I knew that was wrong. 00:40:19.339 --> 00:40:27.559 And I think it sunk into me that I should be I should love God more than my desire to be married. 00:40:27.919 --> 00:40:33.539 And I think that helped me as I got older through the years, just having that in my mind. 00:40:33.539 --> 00:40:36.460 It wasn't just get married and get married to anyone. 00:40:36.880 --> 00:40:40.759 I had an advice from one of the ladies in the church years ago. 00:40:41.039 --> 00:40:42.840 She said, well, there's no guys in the church. 00:40:42.940 --> 00:40:44.820 You go out there and get one and bring them in. 00:40:45.119 --> 00:40:46.679 And then you marry that person. 00:40:47.159 --> 00:40:48.500 That was stupid advice. 00:40:48.880 --> 00:40:49.900 But, but, but. 00:40:50.099 --> 00:40:51.539 It was an older lady, right? 00:40:51.639 --> 00:40:53.039 So you have to listen. 00:40:53.739 --> 00:40:56.380 You have to listen and take it from there. 00:40:56.699 --> 00:40:58.019 So that was the first thing. 00:40:58.019 --> 00:41:03.820 The other thing is about if God saves me and he can keep me. 00:41:04.940 --> 00:41:15.139 And so that in my mind, there is no, it's a no brainer that he can keep me as an unmarried person on this earth and in heaven. 00:41:15.860 --> 00:41:21.780 So if I trust God to save me, then I trust God to keep me as an unmarried person. 00:41:21.780 --> 00:41:30.620 And those two things, I suppose, has grounded me in this thought and being unmarried. 00:41:31.280 --> 00:41:31.840 Does that make sense? 00:41:31.980 --> 00:41:32.480 Yeah, that's right. 00:41:32.840 --> 00:41:33.180 Okay. 00:41:33.460 --> 00:41:34.140 I keep going. 00:41:34.380 --> 00:41:34.940 Challenges. 00:41:35.600 --> 00:41:35.780 Right. 00:41:35.780 --> 00:41:46.080 The big one, the challenges in the church, not so much out of the church, was that I had missed the mark for not being married. 00:41:47.140 --> 00:41:54.519 And you felt that because it was always the question was, are you going to get married? 00:41:54.600 --> 00:41:57.540 When I was younger, I obviously thought I was going to get married. 00:41:57.539 --> 00:42:01.579 And a lot of people were saying to me, are you going to get married? 00:42:02.079 --> 00:42:03.739 Or isn't it your turn next? 00:42:04.099 --> 00:42:05.800 Like Anna's got a wedding coming up. 00:42:06.179 --> 00:42:07.340 Single people, you know this. 00:42:07.480 --> 00:42:08.739 You know what's going to happen. 00:42:09.059 --> 00:42:09.619 You're at the wedding. 00:42:09.759 --> 00:42:11.659 Someone's going to say, it's your turn next. 00:42:11.800 --> 00:42:12.460 Who are you seeing? 00:42:12.699 --> 00:42:13.619 What's going on? 00:42:13.759 --> 00:42:15.619 And that is a bit awkward. 00:42:15.619 --> 00:42:22.059 And then I would also have people saying, let me pray for you so that you can have a husband. 00:42:22.380 --> 00:42:30.500 This has happened on several occasions, but people are praying for me for that in a way that's not quite appropriate. 00:42:31.319 --> 00:42:39.880 And then so the blessing is in all of this is that when I pass the age when people thought I should be married, I'm going to say, praise the Lord. 00:42:39.960 --> 00:42:41.980 They stop asking me those stupid questions. 00:42:42.460 --> 00:42:44.159 Because it needs to stop. 00:42:44.159 --> 00:42:47.359 So that wasn't as good. 00:42:48.480 --> 00:42:51.099 Like socializing with friends that are married. 00:42:51.579 --> 00:43:02.000 When you're younger, I suppose it's easier because I think our church, all the churches generally make an effort to help people to be included. 00:43:03.099 --> 00:43:06.000 But as you get older, how do you fit in? 00:43:06.839 --> 00:43:09.619 And this is where the struggle was. 00:43:10.019 --> 00:43:13.460 When you're in a family, you get invited to family occasions. 00:43:13.460 --> 00:43:16.079 And you get invited because you're part of the family. 00:43:16.079 --> 00:43:22.539 But in the church, it seems as if married people get invited to certain things. 00:43:22.900 --> 00:43:26.819 And if you're in a group of people serving, the married people will go out. 00:43:27.319 --> 00:43:30.880 And if you happen to be the only single person, you're left on your own. 00:43:30.880 --> 00:43:36.180 And so that bit isn't helpful within the church. 00:43:37.860 --> 00:43:39.780 And so it could be better. 00:43:40.000 --> 00:43:41.039 That's the best way of putting it. 00:43:41.280 --> 00:43:42.039 I'm reading quickly. 00:43:44.039 --> 00:43:44.599 Blessings. 00:43:44.599 --> 00:43:48.860 Knowing this is the blessing as well that has grounded me. 00:43:49.380 --> 00:43:56.779 And that didn't come until 35, 40, that age. 00:43:57.779 --> 00:43:58.920 This is what happened. 00:43:59.259 --> 00:44:04.119 Knowing what God has called me to do and then doing it. 00:44:04.500 --> 00:44:06.339 That is the blessing that I've got. 00:44:06.340 --> 00:44:10.680 And it's been the biggest change in my life over the years. 00:44:11.380 --> 00:44:15.700 And that's been the change within me, not within the church. 00:44:15.920 --> 00:44:19.519 Because the church has just about stayed the same in that context. 00:44:21.300 --> 00:44:22.960 And I can stop there. 00:44:23.900 --> 00:44:25.740 Well, I think that relates to the next question, doesn't it? 00:44:25.800 --> 00:44:30.760 About whether being unmarried has been something you felt called to or not. 00:44:30.760 --> 00:44:33.820 Yeah, which this is another question that I thought was weird. 00:44:34.760 --> 00:44:35.940 I thought, what? 00:44:36.100 --> 00:44:36.740 Called to? 00:44:37.100 --> 00:44:38.200 Okay, right. 00:44:39.800 --> 00:44:41.840 It's yes and no. 00:44:41.980 --> 00:44:46.940 Because when you're younger, you always feel as if you're going to get married and have children. 00:44:47.900 --> 00:44:50.520 So when does that change? 00:44:51.000 --> 00:44:51.980 I have no idea. 00:44:52.400 --> 00:44:55.000 But in another sense, I think maybe yes. 00:44:55.580 --> 00:44:58.320 I'm called to it because that's my situation now. 00:44:58.320 --> 00:45:07.880 But also, but over the years, I see that I'm called to it because God has brought contentment and self-control. 00:45:08.380 --> 00:45:11.660 So I think that has helped me over the years. 00:45:11.800 --> 00:45:12.860 And it's useful. 00:45:13.580 --> 00:45:15.500 And another sort of practical thing. 00:45:16.240 --> 00:45:22.480 It just seems as if people, ladies, especially not guys so much, they're always asking me about singleness. 00:45:23.180 --> 00:45:24.980 How do you cope at that age? 00:45:25.140 --> 00:45:26.059 How do you cope at the same? 00:45:26.360 --> 00:45:27.280 And what do you do? 00:45:27.280 --> 00:45:31.560 So maybe I'm called to it. 00:45:31.900 --> 00:45:33.000 I can say that now. 00:45:33.440 --> 00:45:35.400 Because people were seeking you for advice. 00:45:35.600 --> 00:45:36.920 That's a sign. 00:45:37.120 --> 00:45:38.120 Yes, maybe. 00:45:39.860 --> 00:45:48.220 Just help us out with Paul's vision of the life of the unmarried person in 1 Corinthians 7. 00:45:48.440 --> 00:45:50.740 There's some things that are surprising in there for us. 00:45:50.739 --> 00:45:57.079 How can we as churches honor that and kind of reflect the 1 Corinthians 7? 00:45:59.679 --> 00:46:01.759 Every question he asks I thought was weird. 00:46:02.899 --> 00:46:03.039 Right. 00:46:03.039 --> 00:46:05.239 You don't have to say that. 00:46:05.599 --> 00:46:06.179 Oh, sorry. 00:46:06.599 --> 00:46:08.019 You can tell me that afterwards. 00:46:08.779 --> 00:46:09.119 Sorry. 00:46:09.659 --> 00:46:10.059 That's fine. 00:46:10.059 --> 00:46:13.920 This idea of the church honoring the single people. 00:46:14.119 --> 00:46:15.940 I'm not quite certain that's quite right. 00:46:15.940 --> 00:46:17.940 Why not honor the married people? 00:46:17.940 --> 00:46:22.820 So it's not so much about honoring them. 00:46:22.820 --> 00:46:27.100 It's more about acknowledging the situation that they're in. 00:46:27.099 --> 00:46:34.699 And that they should live as an unmarried person as long as they're in that position. 00:46:34.699 --> 00:46:40.559 And so live like that, serve like that, and keep moving. 00:46:40.980 --> 00:46:47.319 And also live in a righteous way with the undivided devotion to God. 00:46:47.519 --> 00:46:49.379 And I think that is important. 00:46:49.480 --> 00:46:57.119 Because when you're torn between wanting to be married but thinking I need to be here. 00:46:57.379 --> 00:47:01.980 So that tension and that emotional conflict is real. 00:47:01.980 --> 00:47:06.000 So I do agree with you, Amy, with the comments you made. 00:47:06.639 --> 00:47:08.059 It is very real. 00:47:08.420 --> 00:47:11.840 And it's not as straightforward as this is the right thing to do. 00:47:12.320 --> 00:47:14.139 Both are the right thing to do. 00:47:14.260 --> 00:47:16.119 But where does the Lord want you to be? 00:47:16.519 --> 00:47:18.039 And what does he want you to do? 00:47:19.079 --> 00:47:19.699 Does that make sense? 00:47:20.800 --> 00:47:21.780 It's really helpful. 00:47:23.119 --> 00:47:24.699 One last weird question. 00:47:25.440 --> 00:47:26.659 No, this one was good. 00:47:26.840 --> 00:47:27.019 Oh. 00:47:28.159 --> 00:47:29.179 This one was good. 00:47:29.179 --> 00:47:33.039 You've touched on this already in some ways, haven't you? 00:47:33.099 --> 00:47:35.619 But what should we be avoiding as churches? 00:47:36.500 --> 00:47:36.940 Okay. 00:47:37.539 --> 00:47:46.039 The big thing is sort of speaking as if marriage is the only good thing that God gives when it comes to relationship. 00:47:46.879 --> 00:47:47.579 It's not. 00:47:47.579 --> 00:47:50.179 But we speak as if it is. 00:47:50.519 --> 00:47:53.819 And that's where the conflict comes within a person. 00:47:54.340 --> 00:47:55.460 Because you see it. 00:47:55.579 --> 00:47:56.940 And it is especially in the church. 00:47:57.900 --> 00:48:02.440 Because the idea is that every young person growing up, they should be married. 00:48:02.920 --> 00:48:03.759 You hit 20. 00:48:04.259 --> 00:48:05.059 Hang on, what's going on? 00:48:05.079 --> 00:48:05.759 You hit 30. 00:48:06.380 --> 00:48:07.960 And people are getting married later. 00:48:08.019 --> 00:48:09.719 So it's not as bad as 30. 00:48:10.000 --> 00:48:11.639 But you get much older than that. 00:48:11.860 --> 00:48:13.259 They're thinking, what's going on? 00:48:13.260 --> 00:48:16.020 And it does seem a bit unfair. 00:48:16.160 --> 00:48:17.620 So they should avoid that. 00:48:18.020 --> 00:48:23.420 And I do like the fact that the passage we're looking at, 1 Corinthians 7. 00:48:24.140 --> 00:48:31.360 It's the Christian way it says that it's better for them if they don't marry. 00:48:31.560 --> 00:48:33.120 And also that the person is happier. 00:48:33.119 --> 00:48:37.920 Because it never appears to be that way in the church. 00:48:38.539 --> 00:48:41.420 You're not a happy person if you're unmarried. 00:48:42.059 --> 00:48:44.460 Which does seem weird and strange. 00:48:44.940 --> 00:48:47.699 It's a good thing I was talking to Vida for this. 00:48:47.859 --> 00:48:51.119 It does seem just crazy that that doesn't... 00:48:52.339 --> 00:48:52.719 I don't know. 00:48:52.779 --> 00:48:53.960 People don't understand that. 00:48:54.359 --> 00:48:57.440 You are happy as an unmarried person. 00:48:57.440 --> 00:48:59.059 It's not that you're unhappy. 00:48:59.420 --> 00:49:07.360 You're just trying to work out how does your emotions fit, your desire fits with what God wants you to do. 00:49:07.960 --> 00:49:09.240 And that's the tension. 00:49:09.659 --> 00:49:12.880 And I don't actually think a lot of people can help you with. 00:49:13.099 --> 00:49:15.000 I think that is something between you and the Lord. 00:49:15.760 --> 00:49:17.079 You can ask for advice. 00:49:17.240 --> 00:49:18.559 And I think that would be a good thing. 00:49:18.800 --> 00:49:20.639 To ask for advice and help. 00:49:22.960 --> 00:49:23.639 What more? 00:49:23.639 --> 00:49:27.139 And I was just going to say. 00:49:28.920 --> 00:49:30.199 Since you've been here. 00:49:30.839 --> 00:49:33.859 I've heard us speak about this subject. 00:49:34.239 --> 00:49:36.420 One in a sermon and one in this discussion group. 00:49:36.659 --> 00:49:37.199 Just twice. 00:49:37.359 --> 00:49:38.440 Including this time. 00:49:39.279 --> 00:49:40.679 And previous to that. 00:49:42.039 --> 00:49:45.519 I can only really remember one other person. 00:49:46.319 --> 00:49:48.599 As application of a sermon. 00:49:49.659 --> 00:49:53.059 Mentioning that if it wasn't for all the single people. 00:49:53.059 --> 00:49:54.099 That we had serving. 00:49:54.880 --> 00:49:56.480 We wouldn't be able to run our ministry. 00:49:56.940 --> 00:49:58.900 That was the only time I've heard. 00:49:59.940 --> 00:50:00.920 Being single. 00:50:01.099 --> 00:50:02.000 Being unmarried. 00:50:02.420 --> 00:50:04.340 That's a good thing for the church. 00:50:04.659 --> 00:50:08.299 Because we're able to have so many ministries taking place. 00:50:08.900 --> 00:50:09.440 And so. 00:50:09.920 --> 00:50:11.380 That bit is weird. 00:50:11.860 --> 00:50:13.599 And I had three things. 00:50:13.840 --> 00:50:14.139 That we should. 00:50:14.519 --> 00:50:15.199 If you want to pray. 00:50:15.639 --> 00:50:17.519 For those of us that are unmarried. 00:50:18.380 --> 00:50:18.920 One thing. 00:50:19.199 --> 00:50:20.659 Live a devoted life to the Lord. 00:50:20.659 --> 00:50:22.079 Pray that that's what we do. 00:50:22.079 --> 00:50:24.880 And we don't get it twisted in our mind. 00:50:24.960 --> 00:50:25.900 Or in our emotions. 00:50:26.380 --> 00:50:28.219 We live wholeheartedly for the Lord. 00:50:29.059 --> 00:50:29.460 Also. 00:50:29.900 --> 00:50:31.059 Pray about our relationships. 00:50:31.739 --> 00:50:33.059 Our relationships at work. 00:50:34.059 --> 00:50:34.900 At home. 00:50:35.079 --> 00:50:35.819 And in the church. 00:50:36.539 --> 00:50:37.139 Because. 00:50:37.639 --> 00:50:38.500 When you're. 00:50:39.960 --> 00:50:40.960 Everyone works. 00:50:41.420 --> 00:50:42.599 And so most of your time. 00:50:42.699 --> 00:50:44.480 Are spent with those people at work. 00:50:44.480 --> 00:50:45.519 So. 00:50:45.519 --> 00:50:46.960 It's a witness. 00:50:47.539 --> 00:50:47.920 But also. 00:50:48.099 --> 00:50:49.199 You still have to be careful. 00:50:49.619 --> 00:50:50.780 To who you get close to. 00:50:51.440 --> 00:50:53.079 Because if they're not a Christian. 00:50:54.179 --> 00:50:55.300 It's still dangerous. 00:50:55.420 --> 00:50:56.980 Because you're mixing with them all day. 00:50:57.059 --> 00:50:59.000 So please pray about the relationship. 00:50:59.760 --> 00:51:00.240 But also. 00:51:00.360 --> 00:51:02.260 Even if they say that they're a Christian. 00:51:03.000 --> 00:51:03.860 We all know this. 00:51:03.920 --> 00:51:04.699 Christian and Christians. 00:51:04.860 --> 00:51:05.699 And how people live. 00:51:05.699 --> 00:51:06.419 So. 00:51:07.059 --> 00:51:09.039 Even that you have to be careful with. 00:51:09.239 --> 00:51:10.839 With your desire to be married. 00:51:10.839 --> 00:51:12.739 Just because someone says that they're a Christian. 00:51:12.939 --> 00:51:13.139 You think. 00:51:13.379 --> 00:51:14.519 Well that is a person. 00:51:15.419 --> 00:51:17.019 There's an attraction there. 00:51:17.299 --> 00:51:18.039 Both ways. 00:51:18.619 --> 00:51:20.219 But it doesn't mean that it's. 00:51:20.379 --> 00:51:20.579 Correct. 00:51:21.299 --> 00:51:22.179 Before the Lord. 00:51:22.500 --> 00:51:23.299 That's the second thing. 00:51:23.579 --> 00:51:24.500 And the last thing. 00:51:24.960 --> 00:51:25.639 Which is good. 00:51:26.259 --> 00:51:27.139 To be content. 00:51:27.599 --> 00:51:28.619 In your situation. 00:51:29.399 --> 00:51:30.799 Just ask the Lord to help you. 00:51:31.719 --> 00:51:32.659 That's all my notes. 00:51:32.659 --> 00:51:34.199 Thanks so much Jen. 00:51:34.199 --> 00:51:34.819 That's great. 00:51:39.899 --> 00:51:40.839 Turn to the person. 00:51:40.839 --> 00:51:42.139 That you've been talking to. 00:51:42.359 --> 00:51:42.980 And just pray. 00:51:43.319 --> 00:51:44.119 Pray for one another. 00:51:44.980 --> 00:51:46.019 Pray for our church. 00:51:46.539 --> 00:51:47.659 Let's commit these things to the Lord. 00:51:47.940 --> 00:51:49.000 And then I'll close in prayer. 00:51:49.219 --> 00:51:50.379 In about three minutes. 00:51:51.960 --> 00:51:53.379 Father we thank you so much. 00:51:53.559 --> 00:51:54.779 For what we've been able to learn. 00:51:54.859 --> 00:51:55.879 Over these last three weeks. 00:51:56.000 --> 00:51:56.659 We thank you. 00:51:57.219 --> 00:51:57.960 For the clarity. 00:51:58.319 --> 00:51:58.920 And the honesty. 00:51:59.139 --> 00:51:59.739 Of your word. 00:52:00.359 --> 00:52:01.259 We thank you for what. 00:52:01.319 --> 00:52:02.599 Jen was able to share with us. 00:52:02.599 --> 00:52:03.039 As well. 00:52:03.039 --> 00:52:03.420 And we. 00:52:04.019 --> 00:52:04.719 We thank you. 00:52:04.799 --> 00:52:06.039 For your work in her life. 00:52:06.179 --> 00:52:07.460 And for just the way. 00:52:07.579 --> 00:52:08.199 That we see. 00:52:09.319 --> 00:52:10.219 You in her. 00:52:10.299 --> 00:52:11.440 As she pursues. 00:52:11.539 --> 00:52:12.079 The Lord Jesus. 00:52:12.420 --> 00:52:13.779 And longs to live for him. 00:52:14.000 --> 00:52:15.259 Pray that we'd all be doing that. 00:52:15.819 --> 00:52:16.579 Whatever our. 00:52:17.380 --> 00:52:18.980 Status that we find ourselves in. 00:52:19.079 --> 00:52:19.860 Married or unmarried. 00:52:19.960 --> 00:52:21.079 That we would be. 00:52:21.400 --> 00:52:22.219 Pursuing Christ. 00:52:22.339 --> 00:52:22.980 And living for him. 00:52:23.019 --> 00:52:23.519 And his glory. 00:52:24.179 --> 00:52:24.819 We want to ask. 00:52:25.019 --> 00:52:25.360 As well. 00:52:25.440 --> 00:52:26.400 Especially that you'd help us. 00:52:26.420 --> 00:52:26.900 To be a church. 00:52:26.940 --> 00:52:27.920 Which helps one another. 00:52:28.759 --> 00:52:30.299 That encourages one another. 00:52:30.759 --> 00:52:31.940 That doesn't make unhelpful. 00:52:31.940 --> 00:52:32.880 Assumptions. 00:52:32.880 --> 00:52:33.980 Or statements to one another. 00:52:34.159 --> 00:52:35.559 But encourages each other. 00:52:35.740 --> 00:52:36.579 To pursue Jesus. 00:52:37.260 --> 00:52:39.480 And to find all our hope and joy in him. 00:52:40.320 --> 00:52:40.700 Amen. 00:52:41.099 --> 00:52:41.399 Amen. 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:41.399 00:52:41.400 --> 00:52:41.559 Amen.