Marriage & Singleness Redefined - Redefined Pastor Kile Baker - March 5th, 2023 All people need love, and we need to do all we can to love them well. We need to be as kind as possible in what we say, as clear as possible in what we mean, and as compassionate as possible in how we act. Genesis 2:18-24 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him.” The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the sky, and to every wild animal; but for the man no helper was found corresponding to him. This one, at last, is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called “woman,” for she was taken from man. This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh. Both the man and his wife were naked, yet felt no shame. Let’s talk about sex. Let’s talk about becoming one flesh, 1 Corinthians 6:12-13; 7:1 “Everything is permissible for me” — but not everything is beneficial. Are my sexual attitudes, attractions or actions beneficial to my relationship with God? “Everything is permissible for me” — but I will not be mastered by anything. Will my sexual attitudes, attractions or actions become my new lord and replace God? “Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food” — and God will do away with both of them. Is sex just just an appetite I must feed? “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” — each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman should have sexual relations with her own husband. Is sex something I should avoid altogether? In society today, we are trained and encouraged to chase our desires for something over devotion to someone. If you can’t be emotionally, relationally, mentally, and theologically naked with someone to the degree that you can be vulnerable with them for life;  then you should not become physically naked with them and expose the most vulnerable parts of yourself to them even for a moment. Sex shouldn’t be seen as the first thing we want to get from someone we are attracted to. It should be the last thing we give to someone based on the attractiveness of spending our entire lives with them. Sex is not: Supposed to be a major portion of our identity. Supposed to take up a major portion of our activity. Supposed to be used as a form of currency. Supposed to be avoided as a topic conversationally. Supposed to be inflicted upon us harmfully. 1 Corinthians 7:1-28 Wisdom & Warnings in Singleness It can be a gift from God. (1 Cor. 7:7) It can also be a great burden. With self control, you can avoid a lot of trouble.  (1 Cor. 7:28) Without self control, you’re asking for a lot of trouble.  (1 Cor. 7:9) You can focus more diligently on your relationship with God. (1 Cor. 7:32,34) You can become distracted trying to find the right person. (1 Cor. 7:35) Wisdom & Warnings in Marriage It can be a gift from God. (1 Cor. 7:7) It can also be a great burden. Your marriage may save your unbelieving spouse. (1 Cor. 7:16) Marrying a non-believer may split your values and priorities. You can honor God by serving your spouse. (Eph. 5:22-23) You can substitute your spouse for God.  (1 Cor. 7:33-34)  Next Steps Whether single or married, see your situation as a gift and make your relationship with God your 1st priority. If you’re single and looking for someone:  become the person that the person you’re looking for, is looking for. If you’re married: think about how your relationship serves or can possibly save your spouse.