Single and secure

Topics: contentment, awareness, devotion

I. Be content

* Be content in your worth as a beloved child of God!

1. Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you (1 Corinthians 7:25-28).

2. I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am (Philippians 4:11b).

II. Be aware

* Be aware of the times and what really matters in this life!

1. But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away (1 Cor. 7:29-31).
2. But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth (1 Timothy 4:1-3).

III. Be devoted

* Be devoted to the Lord and seek to please Him!

1. But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:32-35).
2. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father (Colossians 3:17).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, June 25^th, 2023

Life group flow and discussion questions

Single and secure

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Every individual can experience true security whether single, married, divorced, widower or widowed. The key is focusing on our Lord. Life Groups are designed to help every person keep that focus.

Getting Started:

1. What does it mean to you to be a beloved child of God (1 John 3:1-3)?
2. How can we stay content in our worth and earnestly passionate about growing and maturing spiritually?

Discussing Truths:

1. How can we "learn to be content in whatever circumstances" we find ourselves (Philippians 4:11-13)?
2. Why do you think that single people are often made to feel like second-class individuals within many church settings?
3. Paul seems to remind single people that no spouse is better than the wrong spouse! What condition does Paul place on those who choose to remarry (1 Cor. 7:39)?
4. What advantages does a single person have over a married person?
5. What are some common things that distract people from eternal values?
6. In view of "the present distress" (1 Cor. 7:26), do you think we're living in the last of the last days?
7. How can you stay focused on becoming a godly person and secure undistracted devotion to the Lord?

Now What? Application:

1. What actions are needed for you to become a fully devoted follower of Christ?
2. Part of our devotion to the Lord is to minister to our OIKOS - what will you do this week?