The Beauty of Singleness
These are the notes for Sunday morning’s message on Sunday February 5th. We are in a series called “Love & Marriage” and the first week’s message is entitled “The Beauty of Singleness”.
————-
A series about love and marriage - why are we talking about singleness?
There is a lot of angst in our culture when it comes to marriage. In Christian culture especially there is almost an idolatry around marriage. Don’t believe me? Here are some things you have probably heard or said in the past.
Young and single? Perfect, get married. It’s time.
Old and single? Perfect, get married.
Feeling alone? Get married.
Divorced? When will you get remarried because you need a mate?
Widowed? When do you think you’ll me ready for marriage again?
You think you’re gay or lesbian? You just need to get married. Those feelings will go away.
Why is is the only time we tend to talk about singleness in the church is in as much as it applied to being prepared to get married?
We tend to militarize the following account in Genesis when we are talking about why everyone needs to get married:
24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked, but they were not ashamed.
Genesis 2:24-25
The fast is Marriage is a form of glory but it is not the ultimate glory.
Now for my response concerning the issues you’ve asked me to address. You wrote saying, “It is proper for a man to live in celibacy.” So let me say to the unmarried and those who have lost their spouses, it is fine for you to remain single as I am. But if you have no power over your passions, then you should go ahead and marry, for marriage is far better than a continual battle with lust.
1 Corinthians 7:1,8-9 TPT
Paul makes a recommendation here: If you are single and have control over your sexual passions, stay single.
25Now let me address the issue of singleness. I must confess, I have no command to give you that comes directly from the Lord. But let me share my thoughts on the matter, as coming from one who has experienced the mercy of the Lord to keep me faithful to him. 26Because of the severe pressure we are in, I recommend you remain as you are. 27If you are married, stay in the marriage. If you are single, don’t rush into marriage. 28But if you do get married, you haven’t sinned. It’s just that I would want to spare you the problems you’ll face with the extra challenges of being married.
1 Corinthians 7:25-28 TPT
Disclaimer: If you are married, you don’t get to feel called to singleness.
Marriage isn’t the solution to your problems.
And the single woman is focused on the things of the Lord so she can be holy both in body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the things of the world and how she may please her husband. 1 Corinthians 7:34
Paul eludes to a close communion with the Father that might not exist within the confines of Marriage.
17May all believers continue to live the wonderful lives God has called them to live, according to what he assigns for each person, for this is what I teach to believers everywhere. 24Brothers and sisters, we must remain in close communion with God, no matter what our situation was when we were first called to follow Jesus.
1 Corinthians 7:17,24
Because of this, we need to live as free from anxiety as possible. For a single man is focused on the things of the Lord and how he may please him. 1 Corinthians 7:32
