Marriage can only be fruitful when it lived out the way God prescribes in his Scriptures. In the first two parts of this sermon series, Paul dedicated his teaching to the topics of marital conjugal rights, single people, divorced, and mixed marriage (i.e., a believer with an unbelieving spouse). He now continues his teaching on marriage by diving into the following areas:

· Engagement (betrothed) as relates to marriage and wedding vows.

· What are realistic expectations for a married couple in dealing with the troubles of this life in how it impacts marriage and service unto God.

Paul provides an eternal perspective on how to live for God regardless of one’s marital status.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7: 25-31

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There is a common societal proverb that has endured through the generations of humanity. It is this, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Paul continues his teaching on idolatry, which is defined as worship of, or honor paid to someone or something other than God as though it were God. This ruinous sin is on display in our lives when we obey and place more trust in creation than the Creator. Remember, God does not share glory with anyone (or anything) for sovereign rule over us. Either we will rule on the throne of our lives, or He will. We cannot serve two masters (Mt 6:24).

Idolatry was growing like cancer within the congregation at Corinth. It was spreading to all areas of their community living with one another. Paul continues his warnings against this by offering several examples from Israel’s history that remain instructional to the church today. Paul’s primary objective in examining the mistakes of the past, is that we (NT church) see our own reflection (like looking into a mirror) in the OT saints that we may learn its lessons to benefit our present.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:6-10

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What does it mean to have faith? It is this: to trust God wholly with our provisions, protection, and providence. It is to be assured of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Heb 11:1). Faith is in operation in our lives when we look to our Heavenly Father and place complete confidence in this Word through Jesus Christ in all things. The Bible exhorts that this is the standard way of life for a Christian (Rom 1:17). However, we still struggle with trusting God in various seasons of our lives. We are guaranteed to stumble in faith when we place our confidence in anything but Him. Sometimes, we even live in a duplicitous way. Meaning, we give lip service of worship declaring our faith in God, yet our lifestyles reflect that we trust more in:
· Human abilities

· Earthly provisions

· People

· Governments and politicians

When we have displaced God’s throne in over lives for other things, idolatry is present. We can see the fruits of its sinful operation in our hearts we show more reverence and adoration for things that are created over the Creator. The point is that we worship what we place our faith in.

In this sermon series, Paul reminds the church of the dangers of unbelief by surveying the Biblical history of the Israelites continual cycles of distrust in God (despite the many miracles, signs and wonders he performed delivering them out of Egypt). He wants the church to learn from the saints of old. He wants us to clearly see the perils of unbelief and the disciplining judgment of God it invites into our lives. Remember, man has been created for worship. We will worship something. We will either place our faith in living God or idols invented by vain human imaginations.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians: 10:1-5

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