Having a Spiritual Marriage

Introduction:
The last chapter dealt with sexual expression outside the marriage relationship. Chapter 7 covers the flip side of the coin. Is celibacy to be preferred? What of celibacy while married? Should we separate from unbelieving mates? Should daughters and/or widows be prohibited from marriage? The Spirit covers all this and more as He, through the apostle, merges marriage, self-control, and spirituality.

I. Is Celibacy To Be Preferred? 1 Cor. 7:1-9
    A. Self-control definitely has its advantages - 7:1, 7-8
        1. vv. 26, 28 - in view of distressing situations
        2. vv. 32-34 - to be free of pressing concern
        3. v. 35 - to be undistracted
        4. (vv. 6-7) - yet even Paul knew it as a gift, no command here
    B. Marriage also is a good thing - Gen. 2:18, from the beginning
        1. vv. 2-5 - because of immoralities (vv. 4-5 - responsibility here)
        2. v. 9 - because of different distractions; passion

II. Here Are Spirit’s Instructions To The Married - 1 Cor. 7:10-16
    A. v. 10 - Do not consider divorcing - This is a life long relationship
        1. Lord’s instruction - Mt. 19:9 - no divorce, save for immorality
        2. Romans 7:2-3 - Wife/husband bound for life
    B. v. 11 - What if spouse does leave? Will happen, damage control - not permission
        1. Remain unmarried or be reconciled, why? Rom. 7:2-3
    C. vv. 12-13 - What about “mixed” marriages? Jesus didn’t deal with it, Paul does
        1. Same law - no divorce - don’t consider it - don’t send them away
            a. v. 14 - believer may bring unbeliever to salvation (v. 16)
            b. also completes family relationship - makes it acceptable
        2. v. 15 - What if unbeliever leaves? Can’t stop them, their choice, be at peace
            a. not under the bondage of (v. 3) “duty” (v. 14) leadership (v. 32) concern
    D. Note: No hope, promise, mention, or word of re-marriage
        1. In fact - context opposes such. v. 11 - no mention except to remain unmarried
            a. v. 39 - life long commitment - death breaks bond, not desertion
                1) re-marriage OK if all are “free”

III. Lastly, There Are Things That Baptism Doesn’t Change - 1 Cor. 7:17-28
    A. vv. 17-20 - circumcision or not
    B. vv. 21-24 - slave or free
    C. vv. 26-28 - married or not (29-38 - pros & cons)
        1. Addresses the notion that baptism makes an adulterous marriage right
    D. If baptism won’t change relationships, we need to consider them before entering
        1. Who are our friends? Who do we date? Any spirituality in the relationship?
        2. Spiritual marriage begins with spiritual people
        3. We can be spiritual people whether married or not. Are you?

Thanks to Carl McMurray of Brownsburg, IN who wrote the above outline.



Having a Spiritual Marriage Introduction: The last chapter dealt with sexual expression outside the marriage relationship. Chapter 7 covers the flip side of the coin. Is celibacy to be preferred? What of celibacy while married? Should we separate from unbelieving mates? Should daughters and/or widows be prohibited from marriage? The Spirit covers all this and more as He, through the apostle, merges marriage, self-control, and spirituality. I. Is Celibacy To Be Preferred? 1 Cor. 7:1-9 A. Self-control definitely has its advantages - 7:1, 7-8 1. vv. 26, 28 - in view of distressing situations 2. vv. 32-34 - to be free of pressing concern 3. v. 35 - to be undistracted 4. (vv. 6-7) - yet even Paul knew it as a gift, no command here B. Marriage also is a good thing - Gen. 2:18, from the beginning 1. vv. 2-5 - because of immoralities (vv. 4-5 - responsibility here) 2. v. 9 - because of different distractions; passion II. Here Are Spirit’s Instructions To The Married - 1 Cor. 7:10-16 A. v. 10 - Do not consider divorcing - This is a life long relationship 1. Lord’s instruction - Mt. 19:9 - no divorce, save for immorality 2. Romans 7:2-3 - Wife/husband bound for life B. v. 11 - What if spouse does leave? Will happen, damage control - not permission 1. Remain unmarried or be reconciled, why? Rom. 7:2-3 C. vv. 12-13 - What about “mixed” marriages? Jesus didn’t deal with it, Paul does 1. Same law - no divorce - don’t consider it - don’t send them away a. v. 14 - believer may bring unbeliever to salvation (v. 16) b. also completes family relationship - makes it acceptable 2. v. 15 - What if unbeliever leaves? Can’t stop them, their choice, be at peace a. not under the bondage of (v. 3) “duty” (v. 14) leadership (v. 32) concern D. Note: No hope, promise, mention, or word of re-marriage 1. In fact - context opposes such. v. 11 - no mention except to remain unmarried a. v. 39 - life long commitment - death breaks bond, not desertion 1) re-marriage OK if all are “free” III. Lastly, There Are Things That Baptism Doesn’t Change - 1 Cor. 7:17-28 A. vv. 17-20 - circumcision or not B. vv. 21-24 - slave or free C. vv. 26-28 - married or not (29-38 - pros & cons) 1. Addresses the notion that baptism makes an adulterous marriage right D. If baptism won’t change relationships, we need to consider them before entering 1. Who are our friends? Who do we date? Any spirituality in the relationship? 2. Spiritual marriage begins with spiritual people 3. We can be spiritual people whether married or not. Are you? *Thanks to Carl McMurray of Brownsburg, IN who wrote the above outline.*