Truly Content

Theme: Content in Christ

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 7:1–40

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: God desires us to find contentment in Him no matter our circumstances.

Think: View my circumstances as opportunities to serve and worship God.

Do: Cultivate a spirit of contentment in all circumstances.

Notes and questions:

B1 1 Corinthians 7 deals mainly with marriage topics.

B2 Marriage views regarding sacraments (brief Christian)

C1 Roman Catholic view

D1 “To understand the Sacraments, it may help to start at the beginning.  What are the Seven Sacraments?  They are:

1. Baptism
2. Confirmation
3. The Eucharist
4. Penance and Reconciliation
5. Anointing of the Sick
6. Matrimony
7. Holy Orders

The Church further groups them in this way:

• The Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist)
• Sacraments of Healing (Penance/Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick)
• Sacraments at the Service of Communion (Holy Matrimony and Holy Orders)”

D2 An outward sign of inward grace, a sacred and mysterious sign or ceremony, ordained by Christ, by which grace is conveyed to our souls...

In every sacrament three things are necessary: the outward sign; the inward grace; Divine institution.

Link

The purpose of the sacraments is to make people holy, to build up the body of Christ, and finally, to give worship to God; but being signs, they also have a teaching function. They not only presuppose faith, but by words and object, they also nourish, strengthen, and express it; that is why they are called "sacraments of faith." The sacraments impart grace, but, in addition, the very act of celebrating them disposes the faithful most effectively to receive this grace in a fruitful manner, to worship God rightly, and to practice charity. Link

C2 Lutheran view: That we may obtain this faith, the Ministry of Teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted. For through the Word and Sacraments, as through instruments, the Holy Ghost is given, who works faith; where and when it pleases God, in them that hear the Gospel, to wit, that God, not for our own merits, but for Christ’s sake, justifies those who believe that they are received into grace for Christ’s sake. Source: Triglota Book of Concord English Article V: Of the Ministry page 25. And same source Article XIII: Of the Use of the Sacraments they teach that the Sacraments were ordained, not only to be marks of profession among men, but rather to be signs and testimonies of the will of God 2] toward us, instituted to awaken and confirm faith in those who use them. Wherefore we must so use the Sacraments that faith be added to believe the promises which are offered and set forth through the Sacraments.

C3 Calvinists (those using the Westminster Confession (WCF)): Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace, immediately instituted by God, to represent Christ, and his benefits; and to confirm our interest in him: as also, to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the church, and the rest of the world; and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to his Word.  See Chapter 27 of WCF.

C4 Free Will Baptists: The word, sacrament, does not exist in the Free Will Baptist Treatise.

C5 The point of this is if you are single for whatever reason, you have as much of God’s love and God’s grace as someone who is married. A person is not more holy being single or being married.

B3 Contentment

C1 Which one illustrates contentment the best?

C2 Or this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQru8LBQaKY

B4 1 Corinthians 7:1–16,

C1 The Corinthians had many questions about marriage. They wanted to know what Jesus instructed and commanded. Paul works to teach them.

C2 Marriage is not more holy than singleness.

C3 Singleness in not more holy than marriage.

C4 Marriage is blessed by God.

C5 Sex is egalitarian. The wife can say, “No,” so can the husband. It is to be mutual. The passage is referring to some married couples where one believed in celibacy. The Apostle states this is wrong.

C6 Marriage is NOT a master–slave relationship.

C7 Marriage, especially Christian marriage, is a team, oneness, going through life together in love facing joys and difficulties together, serving the Lord Jesus, and finally resting together in heaven waiting for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. People are not married in heaven. The Church of Jesus Christ is the bride and the Lord Jesus is the bridegroom.

D1 2 Corinthians 11:2 NKJV  For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

D2 Revelation 19:7-9 NKJV  Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."  8  And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.  9  Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."

C8 Marriage is not about me; it is about us.

C9 Marriage is a ministry to each other and others.

C10 Marriage is about giving to each other, not selfish actions.

C11 Marriage is about contentment—together.

C12 Marriage is a oneness in body, soul, and spirit.

C13 Jesus is Lord of the family, not the husband, not the wife.

C14 God’s rules about marriage and in marriage are the best and only way to live.

C15 If one is a Christian and the other is not, then

D1 If they want to stay married, OK. It is a ministry to the unsaved spouse.

D2 If the unsaved wants to leave, let them leave, and you’re free to marry again.

B5 1 Corinthians 7:17–24,

C1 Contentment whether Jewish or Gentile background (1 Corinthians 7:17–19).

D1 If a Jew and circumcised, do not change.

D2 If a Gentile and uncircumcised, do not change.

D3 How do we apply this today?

E1 What if a person was saved while a Pentecostal or Church of Christ?

E2 What if a person was baptized as a Methodist or an Amish/Mennonite?

D4 In 1 Corinthians 7:19, Paul states that what is important is to keep the commandments of God. Does this refer to the 10 Commandments, the ~613 Old Testament commandments, or the commandments given by Jesus and His Apostles? It must be noted that keeping God’s commandments is not just outward keeping but also inward keeping. Consider:

E1 1 Samuel 15:22 NKJV  So Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

E2 Luke 6:46 NRSV  "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you?

E3 John 14:15 NKJV  If you love Me, keep My commandments.

C2 1 Corinthians 7:20–24,

D1 Does God approve of slavery?

D2 What socio-economic status, job, position, etc. can we stay in and which must we leave? Can we continue to own a saloon?

B6 1 Corinthians 7:25–40,

C1 1 Corinthians 7:25–28,

D1 Does this mean that young women are forbidden to marry?

D2 What key phrase is in 1 Corinthians 7:26 that helps us to interpret this passage correctly?

D3 Is getting married a sin? Is not getting married a sin? These were serious questions from the Corinthian Christians because of the level of persecution.

C2 1 Corinthians 7:29–31,

D1 Are we to give away all our possessions?

D2 What does it mean?

D3 What is a better investment—business, stocks, bonds, etc. or spiritual investments? How do we invest in spiritual things?

C3 1 Corinthians 7:32–35,

D1 What remark teaches us something about how we are to treat our wives? Does that mean we are to be doting men?

D2 Can one who is married still serve the Lord?

C4 1 Corinthians 7:36–38: Does this passage teach it is better, more godly, to be single than married?

C5 1 Corinthians 7:39–40,

D1 Does this mean that there are no causes for divorce?

D2 Why should Christians only marry Christians?

B7 Questions

C1 What is the difference between contentment and lackadaisical?

C2 What is more important—serving the church or taking care of our family?

C3 Finding contentment

D1 Having the foundation of salvation and living a Christian life.

D2 Having spiritual, Biblical, principles to live by.

D3 Having an attitude that others may be more important than my wants.

D4 Knowing that money will not buy contentment or happiness.

D5 1 Timothy 6:11-12 NRSV  But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.  12  Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

D6 What else can you add to this list?

B8 Next week:

C1 Free to Love

C2 Theme: Freedom in Christ

C3 Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 8:1–9:23

Pure in His eyes

Theme: Purity in Christ

Scriptures:

• 1 Corinthians 5:1-13
• 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: God desires His church to be pure, withdrawing fellowship from those who continue in sin.

Think: Live with the awareness that purity is vitally important, both in my life, and in the church.

Do: Repent of personal sin, and support the church’s efforts to encourage repentance in others who profess Christ.

Notes and questions:

B1 Which are pure?

C1 Depends on the definition.

C2 Is this a definition?

C3 There is a blessing: Matthew 5:8 NRSV  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

C4 Our actions may be pure, but God considers the attitude and motivation as well. We may give to others but if our attitude is wrong, say, to bring honor to ourselves, our gift will not be considered good. God can still use such gifts, but it is not a pleasing sacrifice. Proverbs 16:2 NRSV  All one's ways may be pure in one's own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.

C5 Philippians 1:9-11 GW  I pray that your love will keep on growing because of your knowledge and insight.  (10)  That way you will be able to determine what is best and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.  (11)  Jesus Christ will fill your lives with everything that God's approval produces. Your lives will then bring glory and praise to God.

D1 Prayer that love will continue to grow.

D2 Growing because of increase of knowledge and insight (understanding, discernment).

D3 With that love (for God) from spiritual growth,  it will result in a greater ability to make a decision that pleases God.

D4 When we do what pleases God, it leads into purity and being blameless.

D5 Doing things God’s ways and in honor to Him will bring spiritual blessings.

D6 This brings God glory and praise.

C6 So we need a definition and a standard of purity.

D1 What would be a good definition?

D2 What would be a good standard?

B2 2 Corinthians 5:1-13,

C1 Based on this passage, how have these individuals and church not met the good standard of God?

C2 Why is fornication wrong in God’s view?

D1 Love is

E1 a choice

E2 loyalty, faithfulness

E3 commitment

E4 a oneness

F1 The oneness between spouses is different than

F2 Oneness as Christians with God: John 17:20-23 NKJV  I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  (21)  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  (22)  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  (23)  I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

D2 Fornication

E1 Usually is based on fleshly desires, not love.

E2 In the case in 1 Corinthians 5, there are loves that are not lawful before God, and most governments, as incest.

E3 The Bible has this relationship to be adultery

F1 Father living: Genesis 35:22 GW  While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went to bed with his father's concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had 12 sons.

F2 Father living or dead: Leviticus 18:8 GW  Never have sexual intercourse with your stepmother. She is related to you through your father.

F3 Probably living: Leviticus 20:11 GW  Whoever has sexual intercourse with his father's wife has violated his father's marriage. Both he and his father's wife must be put to death. They deserve to die.

F4 Father living or dead: Deuteronomy 27:20 LEB  'Cursed be the one who lies with the wife of his father, because he has dishonored his father's bed.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'

D4 This relationship is later recorded that he Corinthians and the individuals repented: 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 NRSV  For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it (though I did regret it, for I see that I grieved you with that letter, though only briefly).  (9)  Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance; for you felt a godly grief, so that you were not harmed in any way by us.  (10)  For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death.  (11)  For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves guiltless in the matter.

C2 Does this passage mean that he will be damned by God? 1 Corinthians 5:5 NKJV  Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

D1 No

D2 It is for discipline.

D3 It is my understanding that this was done with Apostolic authority. We can’t do this today. 1 Timothy 1:20 NKJV  Of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

D4 Is there a place for church discipline for impurity today?

D5 When a church disciplines today, what attitude are we to have?

C3 How do we avoid situations like the Corinthian church faced?

C4 How does this illustration by Ironside (in his comments on 1 Corinthians 5:5) help us?

The story is told of a man who wanted to hire a coachman. He lived in a mountainous region and the road to his home ran along a precipice. A number of men applied for the position. He said to one of them, "Tell me, are you an adept at handling fractious horses?"

"Yes, I am," he said.

"Can you drive a six-horse team?"

"Yes."

"How near can you drive to the edge of the cliff without going over?"

"I have a steady hand and my eye is pretty true; I can get within a foot of it and not go over."

"You step outside," said the man, and he called another and asked him the same questions.

He said, "I am an expert in handling horses; I can drive right along the edge and not go over."

"Step outside," and he called another and asked the questions.

"If you want a man to drive on the edge of the precipice," said this man, "you do not want me. When I drive, I keep as far away from the edge as I can."

"You are the man I want. I will take you."

Christian, be careful of the edge of the precipice. Do not get near it, for the first thing you know you will go over, and this will mean not only the ruin of your own testimony, but the sad thing is, you are liable to drag others over with you. Keep away from the edge, and do not resent it if those who watch for your souls as those who must give account try to impress upon you the solemnity of these things.

C5 What can we follow in our lives from this verse? Psalms 1:1-6 NKJV  Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;  (2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.  (3)  He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.  (4)  The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.  (5)  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  (6)  For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

C6 Consider: Hebrews 2:18 NKJV  For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. What other verses can you think of?

C7 How do we know true from false repentance?

D1 Tears?

D2 Promises?

D3 King Manasseh is probably the best example of Biblical repentance. In 2 Kings 21, Manasseh was doing these: offered his son to be burned up as a sacrifice, killed lots of innocent people, and apparently other stuff so evil it is not recorded except to say he was more wicked than those who lived in the land before Israel came. In 2 Chronicles 33, the Assyrian king came into Judah, captured this evil beast, put a hook through his nose, made him walk to Assyria, and threw him into the dungeon where he prayed to God to forgive him. God restored him to his kingdom where he rid the land of all the evil things he could find. Then, he never did the evil again, which must be the standard of repentance.

C8 What can we learn about purity from this picture?

B3 1 Corinthians 6:9-11,

C1 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NKJV  Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,  (10)  nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  (11)  And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

C2 What is the warning?

C3 What can we be thankful for in this passage?

C4 Are believers being judgmental and intolerant to point out errors?

B4 James 5:19-20 NKJV  Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,  (20)  let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

B5 Purity is required

C1 For public things as

D1 Paying taxes

D2 Employment and business

D3 Obey the law (as much as possible, for if the government passes a law that Christians must renounce Jesus, we must not).

D4 Drive according to the law

D5 Live at peace with all people as much as possible

D6 Do not deny Christ

D7 Not be ashamed of the Lord Jesus and following the rules He established

C2 For private things

D1 How we treat our family

D2 How we treat our spouse

D3 How we treat our animals

D4 How we act at home

D5 For devotions, etc.

C3 For personal things

D1 How we think

D2 What we look at on the internet, etc.

B6 A few verses about honor for all of us

C1 John 5:44 NKJV  How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?

C2 Romans 13:7 NKJV  Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

C3 1 Timothy 5:3 NKJV  Honor widows who are really widows.

C4 1 Timothy 5:17 NKJV  Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

C5 1 Peter 2:17 WEB  Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

C6 1 Peter 3:7 NLT In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

B7 Next week

C1 Truly Content

C2 Theme: Content in Christ

C3 Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 7:1-40