1 Corinthians 7:17-24

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1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Live the Life the Lord Assigned

May 28, 2023 • Joe Burrows • 1 Corinthians 7:17–24

Paul just finished advising Christian husbands and wives to remain in their marriages if their spouses are unbelievers and are willing. This is because those circumstances do not hinder God’s grace from bringing unbelieving spouses into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, Paul hits on the point again that earthly circumstances do have an impact on God’s saving grace. In fact, when God calls someone into a relationship with Himself that person is to live out his calling wherever God has sovereignly placed him.

“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches” (1 Corinthians 7:17). Paul lays out two examples of earthly circumstances that may be causing some division within the Corinthian church: circumcision versus uncircumcision, and bondservant versus freedman.

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

February 12, 2023 • Joe Burrows • 1 Corinthians 1:1–9

Though the church of Corinth has some major issues that must be addressed, Paul begins his letter with some encouraging words. To center the entire letter of 1 Corinthians upon the gospel, Paul’s first words to the Corinthians are not rebukes but reminders. Paul wants the Corinthians to know that despite the messiness of their church, God’s grace hasn’t changed. These believers are being sanctified and sustained by Jesus for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

February 19, 2023 • Joe Burrows • 1 Corinthians 1:10–17

After addressing the church of Corinth with a warm greeting, Paul now directs his attention to a major problem that exists within the church. The warmth of his welcome is over, and his stern rebuke will now be heard. As a rope becomes unraveled when its cords are disunited, so the church in Corinth is on the verge of unraveling because of disunity. Paul addresses this now, and the other things he brings up in the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians all stem from this topic. Therefore, it is best to view this section as somewhat of an introduction to the first part of the letter (1 Corinthians 1:10-4:21).

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

February 26, 2023 • Joe Burrows • 1 Corinthians 1:18–25

God’s chosen Messiah being crucified on a criminal’s cross is the greatest scandal in the history of the universe. Such a scandal cannot be understood or believed by the natural mind. That is why in 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul tells the church that when it comes to hearing and responding to the gospel, there are only two groups of people. Some find it to be useless—those who are perishing. And to some, the gospel is the power of God—those who are being saved.