LIVING in the Light of the Gospel Big Idea  If we are going to live for Christ, the Gospel must function as the central core that informs and fuels every area of our lives.

The Centrality of the Gospel The Gospel Gospel Connections Gospel Conduct

Cultivating a Gospel Identity Last week’s Big Idea  Because of the Gospel, we are one body in Christ and each member belongs to all the others.

How does this impact our core relationships?  How does the Gospel impact how I view & relate to my spouse?  How does the Gospel impact how I view & live in my singleness?  How does the Gospel impact how I view & parent my children?  How does the Gospel impact how I view & live in childlessness?

Singleness? (1 Cor. 7:6-9) 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all of you were as I am. (Singleness preferred) But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. (Not all Gifted) 8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. (Singleness preferred) 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. (Not all able to do this)

Singleness? (1 Cor. 7:25-28) 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. (Living for Christ now is a battle) 27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. (Remain in your assignment for the Gospel) But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. (It is a battle to stay single-minded for Christ)

Marriage? (1 Cor. 7:10-16) 12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. (Stay together for the Gospel - if possible) 13 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. (Stay together for the Gospel - if possible)

Marriage? (1 Cor. 7:10-16) 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. (Gives spouse a chance to get the Gospel) Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. (Gives kids a chance to get the Gospel)

Marriage? (1 Cor. 7:10-16) 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. (Default towards peace for the Gospel) 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? (Default towards peace for the Gospel)

Marriage? (1 Cor. 7:32-35) 32 I would like you to be free from concern. (Goal is freedom from dividing concerns) An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. (Unmarried man can be undivided) 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. (Married man has more potential for division)

Marriage? (1 Cor. 7:32-35) An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. (Unmarried woman can be undivided) But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. (Married woman has more potential for division) 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. (Goal is undivided devotion to the Lord for all)

Marriage? (1 Cor. 7:39-40) 39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. (Stay together for the Gospel) But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. (Death of spouse brings freedom to re-marry in the Lord) 40 In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is… (Singleness can bring single-mindedness)

Is this crazy? (1 Cor. 7:29-31) 29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. (Time is short…Christ is returning) From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. (This world’s arrangements are temporary) For this world in its present form is passing away. (Time is short…invest wisely)

Is this crazy? (1 Cor. 7:29-31) 29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. (Time is short…Christ is returning) From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. (This world’s arrangements are temporary) For this world in its present form is passing away. (Time is short…invest wisely) If the Gospel is really true, then living with zealous fervency for the LORD is not crazy…it is the most sane investment we can make with our money, time, marriages, families -- our very lives!!!

What is Paul NOT saying? That marriage will definitely hinder your ministry That singleness will definitely advance your ministry That it is evil or sinful to want to be married

What is Paul’s BIG POINT? Everything must be filtered through the Gospel… every relationship must be impacted by the Gospel… every event or opportunity must be seen through the lens of the Gospel!!!

Singleness? Two basic stations of singleness:  Those called to singleness for the Gospel (minority)  Those who long to be married (majority) Both need to embrace some realities:  Because of the Gospel you are NOT a second class citizen in the body of Christ.  Singleness can be advantageous to the Gospel.  Ultimate identity must be rooted in adoption  Deep investment in the body & discipleship is the best training for healthy relating

Married? The center of your marriage must be the Gospel:  Not just lip-service  Together growing in experiencing the Gospel  Together growing in living as members of the body of Christ  Together making the core of your marriage about advancing the Gospel If spouse is not a believer:  Still called to pour yourself into the Gospel  Creates unavoidable tension points…which God will often use to draw spouse to Christ

Parents? The center of your parenting must be the Gospel:  Must see commitments through Gospel lens Not - “Will they enjoy X?”, but - “Will X help/hinder their experience of the Gospel and life in the body of Christ?” Not - “Are they good at X?”, but – “Does X run the risk of controlling their lives & shifting their core identity away from the Gospel?” Not – “What is everybody else doing?”, but – “What does the Gospel have to say about this category?” Not – “What feels best right now?”, but – “What are we going to wish we would have valued with and for our kids 20 years from now?”

Parents? The center of your parenting must be the Gospel:  Must see commitments through Gospel lens Not - “Will they enjoy X?”, but - “Will X help/hinder their experience of the Gospel and life in the body of Christ?” Not - “Are they good at X?”, but – “Does X run the risk of controlling their lives & shifting their core identity away from the Gospel?” Not – “What is everybody else doing?”, but – “What does the Gospel have to say about this category?” Not – “What feels best right now?”, but – “What are we going to wish we would have valued with and for our kids 20 years from now?” The core thing we will pass on to our kids is our manner of life…our values that we don’t just state with our mouths, but which they see us embody & actually live out…

Non-Parents? Grieve well for the sake of the Gospel…  Open your heart to others who can care & also counsel/give direction  Strongly resist the root of bitterness Vision is to get to the place where even infertility can be used for the sake of the Gospel  Pressing the Gospel deeper into your own hearts  Receiving this from God & making self available to His direction…

What is Paul’s BIG POINT? Everything must be filtered through the Gospel… every relationship must be impacted by the Gospel… every event or opportunity must be seen through the lens of the Gospel!!!