Today we're going to turn again, if you would
have your Bibles turned with me, to the book
of 1 Corinthians chapter 7, looking at verses
17 through 24. The title of the sermon today
is, A Call to a Contented Life. God's providence
in your present moment. A call to a contented
life. Begin reading in verse 17. Was anyone called
while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is
nothing. But keeping the commandments of God
is what matters. Let each one remain in the same
calling in which he was called. Were you called
while a slave? Do not be concerned about it.
But if you can be made free, rather use it. For
he who is called in the Lord while a slave is
the Lord's freedman. Likewise, he who is called
while free is Christ's slave. You were bought
at a price. Do not become slaves of men. Brethren,
let each one remain with God in that state in
which he was called. Let's pray together. Father,
thank you for this word. We pray, Lord, that
you would lead us as I expound upon it, Lord.
Pray that you would give me the right words to
say, the right interpretation, Lord. Clear up
any perplexities, Lord. And we pray most of all
that you would speak to us, Lord, that you would
lead us, that you would convict us where we need
convicted, and then encourage us, Lord, where
we need encouraged. We pray that in all, you
would receive all praise and glory. We ask in
Jesus' name. Amen. So in the midst of Paul's
teachings on marriage, on divorce, mixed marriages,
and singleness in chapter 7, Paul here makes
a short diversion to further consider the issue
of calling and contentment in the particular
life situation that Christian believers find
themselves in. Now the immediate context is the
peculiar situation of a believing spouse married
to an unbeliever and the possibility of separation
or divorce. versus staying in the marriage. And
Paul gave instructions about that in the prior
verses. Paul says, but if the unbeliever departs,
let him depart. A brother or a sister is not
under bondage in such cases. But God has called
you to peace. For how do you know, O wife, whether
you will save your husband? Or how do you know,
O husband, whether you will save your wife? And
then he comes to this passage. There is a common
temptation to man to look at life through the
lens of if only. If only my spouse was a Christian
believer, or if only I would have done this,
or if I would have done that, or if I had only
not committed that sin, or would have done that
good thing. Even further down the rabbit hole
are thoughts like, if only I had married that
person instead of the one that I did, or if only
that eloquent or caring pastor could be my pastor,
or if only I could just have the gifts and calling
that this person has. Maybe you think, if only
I'd lived at whatever idealistic time in your
mind you think. Maybe that's colonial times or
Victorian times or the time of the early church
or when Jesus lived on the earth. Maybe you wish
that you would have different physical characteristics
and were taller or shorter or lighter in weight
or had different parents. Discontentment often
comes in three or more forms. One is circumstantial.
If only this circumstance would change, then
everything would be all right or I could do this.
Or surroundings. If only the people around me
were different. Or the other circumstances. Or
the other surroundings. We might wish that our
country were different. Or our politics would
be better. Or our work, that we could do something
else. Or if only we didn't have the family that
we did. Or if only our family would be in this
particular way. Maybe, depending on... On where
you live or the difficulty of racial characteristics,
you might wish that you were a different race
or that the people in your church were different.
Or thirdly, this discontentment might take place
with nostalgic depression. If only I had lived
somewhere else or had been born in a different
time. Now the key to a satisfied and a fulfilled
life is this, as Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy
6, verse 6. with contentment is great gain. And
Paul is going to teach on this in our passage
today. But before I begin... I must answer a
question that will likely come up in your mind
very quickly as we go through this. In fact,
it might even shout at you. A question that could
stop you from hearing the word of God in this
passage. And that question is this. Is Paul saying
here, does the word of God mean that we cannot
change anything in our lives for the better?
That we cannot find another job or move somewhere
else or improve our circumstances? And the answer
is very simple. By no means. God has given us
great freedom to make moves or to change circumstances
or to have ambition and to pursue things. But
all of that can be done while still maintaining
a strong reserve and well of contentment. John
Calvin puts this so well. He says, Paul is only
seeking to check those impulses. uncontrolled
by reason, which drive men thither and hither,
so that they are confused by their own restlessness.
Ever the insightful and shepherding pastor, Calvin
puts his finger right on the thing that was troubling
the Corinthians regarding marriage, regarding
gifts, and other matters, and this so often troubles
us as well, and that is our restlessness. Our
restlessness, that stirring of the heart, the
complaining and the murmuring, or that drive
which is unsettled, it is disturbed, dissatisfied,
discontented, and not at peace. Just like the
restless waves of the sea roaring within, or
like Solomon describes in Ecclesiastes when he
says, therefore I hated life. Because the work
that was done under the sun was distressing to
me. For all is vanity and grasping of the wind.
Grasping of the wind. Go out to the 20 and 30
and 40 mile an hour winds that we had last night.
And try to grasp it. And you cannot. And that
is how he felt about life. Restlessness. Restlessness
is a scourge that will steal your joy. It will
diminish your enjoyment of life. And it will
leave you dissatisfied and empty. Always seeking
the next best thing and never able to find it.
Just like that mythical pot of gold at the end
of a rainbow. The answer to godly contentment
and the ceasing of restlessness is found in our
passage today. And Paul emphasizes it most emphatically.
He repeats himself three times in these eight
verses. Three times. So let's hear the word of
God as he expounds it. The governing principle
of this passage is walk in the calling that God
has assigned to you. And this is in verse 17.
As God has distributed to each one, as the Lord
has called each one, so let him walk. And so
I ordain, Paul says, in all the churches. Let's
break this apart. God has distributed This is
stated by this very matter -of -fact statement.
God has distributed to every man as the Lord
has called anyone, and so we are to walk. Now
Paul, on his journey from Berea to Corinth, stopped
by the city of Athens. And he went to a central
place in the city. It was called the Areopagus.
And it was the public place where the city council
would meet and where notable speakers would come
and would expound or propound new ideas. And
there he was preaching to the Epicurean and the
Stoic philosophers. And he made this very profound
statement. He said, God, who made the world and
everything in it, since he is Lord of heaven
and earth, does not dwell in temples made with
hands. Nor is he worshipped with men's hands,
as though he needed anything, since he gives
to all life, breath, and all things. And then
hear this. And he has made from one blood every
nation of men to dwell on all the face of the
earth and has determined their pre -appointed
times. And the boundaries of their dwellings.
Their times and their dwellings. God gave you
life. He gave you breath. He gave you all things.
And determined in his own sovereign inscrutable
will. That you would be here today. That you
would live in this particular time. in the United
States of America, in the home where you dwell,
with the parents that you have, and the children
that you have born. This is all by the hand of
Almighty God, who has appointed it so. This is
the doctrine of God's providence, which is brought
to life in our passage today. For the principle
in this passage is not only about marriage, what
came before, the immediate context. No, this
principle applies to every area of life. And
Paul then is going to go on and deal with two
circumstances that were very pertinent to the
Corinthians. The circumstances of circumcision
and slavery. We're going to consider that in
a moment. Then he says the Lord has called each
one. So this distribution from God includes a
call from the Lord. Now here's a question. Is
Paul, is this passage referring to God's call
of salvation? Or is he speaking of our vocation,
the particular gifts and opportunities that are
given to us? Paul does not say specifically,
but I think he's referring to both. It seems
like the first part of the passage is speaking
of God's call of salvation. But then Paul also
tells us to remain in the same calling in verse
20, which would indicate the life situation and
the vocation that we have. So let's consider
each one. God has called us, first of all, by
the gospel to salvation and to sanctification.
Paul tells the Thessalonians in 2 Thessalonians
2, verse 13 to 15, he says, But we are bound
to give thanks to God always for you, brethren
beloved of the Lord, Because God from the beginning
chose you for salvation. Through sanctification.
By the spirit and belief of the truth. To which
he called you by our gospel. For the obtaining
of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore
brethren stand fast. And hold the traditions
which you were taught, whether by word or our
apostle. So as we consider this call to salvation,
Paul is emphasizing here how that God chose you
for your salvation. You did not initially choose
God. Rather, you responded to him because he
chose you for salvation and he called you by
his name. gospel for the obtaining of glory.
This is quite a statement. Now this is what is
generally called the doctrine of election. That
is the gracious choosing of people to be saved
in Christ. And they are given faith. They are
justified and sanctified and glorified. For this
call is according to God's purpose for you. Paul
expands on this in Romans. Romans chapter 8 verse
28 and 30. He says, and we know that all things
work together for good to those who love God.
God get this to those who are the called they
are the called according to his purpose for whom
he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed
to the image of his son that he might be the
firstborn among many brethren moreover whom he
predestined Those he also called. Again, we see
this call that comes here. Whom he called, these
he also justified. And whom he justified, these
he also glorified. Now there are many other scriptures
that could attest to this glorious fact. But
I'm not going to take the time to develop this
further. Simply the point here is that there
is a call to salvation that comes from God. And
it quickens the dead and makes them come alive.
And they trust in him and believe in him and
they have faith. and walk it out and work it
out. So, in this passage... God's call to salvation
is definitely the backdrop, but this call, this
text then also refers to God's call more particularly
to you in how you work it out, how you walk it
out. That is working out your salvation, but
also experiencing his call in your vocation.
That is the calling that you have to the earthly
condition or your station in life, the life situation.
including your ordinary occupations and roles.
God gave you the gifts that you have, the opportunities
that you have, the abilities you have, even determined
the sex that you are and the abilities that he
created you with. I cannot help it that I will
never be able to bear a child because I am not
a woman. God made me a man. And to you women
who are here, God gave you that gift. It comes
from him and was determined by him. Paul then
says, so let him walk. Walk according to this
call. So every person is to walk according to
God's distribution. That's his providence. And
also according to the Lord's call in salvation
and in vocation. To walk here is to make one's
way. It is to progress in life, to make due use
of opportunities that God sovereignly brings
your way. It is to regulate your life so that
you conduct yourself in a way that makes use
of the gifts and the abilities that God has given
to you to work it out. The purpose of this is
that God is glorified in your walk and with your
gifts. Peter says, as each one has received a
gift, minister it to one another as good stewards
of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks,
let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone
ministers, let him do it as the ability which
God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified
through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory
and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. That's
in 1 Peter 4, verse 10 and 11. Thus, Paul in
Romans chapter 12, he says, of the gifts differing
according to the grace that is given us, let
us use them. Romans 12 verse 6. We find the same
truth in the parable of the talents that Jesus
gave, as well as many other illustrations in
the word of God. So this truth is not unique
to the Corinthians. It is universal to all of
us. Now we know that, but Paul already makes
a special point of it. He says, I command this.
In all of the churches, I'm telling all the churches
wherever I go, this self -same thing, this very
thing, they are to abide in God's call and God's
distribution. There are times when God pours
out special gifts on people. They might become
famous or maybe renowned. Perhaps they have great
responsibilities or weighty decisions. Maybe
they have the responsibility of nations or of
churches or of denominations or of worldwide
business that lie on their shoulders. God poured
out His Spirit in unique ways on the Apostle
Paul and the other apostles. Unique things that
no one else has had like it. He's done so, he's
poured out his spirit on great men of the past
and the present. But by the same spirit, he calls
most Christians to live a normal Christian life.
A normal Christian life. God calls husbands to
faithfully love their wives. Wives to love and
reverence her husband. to care for the children,
to do the many normal tasks of life. Some might
say, well, this sounds almost boring. I want
to do something great for God. I want to be noble,
something that is renowned. No, to most everybody,
you do the normal things of life that God has
given to you. Love your wife, love your husband,
care for them. The fact that God calls most Christians
to exactly this kind of life. For this is the
active and faithful walking with God in the place
that he has set before you. You get up in the
morning and sometime during the day you read
the word of God and you pray or you minister
to your children and to your wife or to your
husband. If you're a husband and a father, you
love your wife and you pray with her or you wash
her in the word. You minister to your household
and you lead them well and then you work diligently
at your job. You show hospitality as God gives
you opportunity. You pray for others. You attempt
to shepherd well those whom God has placed in
your care. You seek to be a wise steward of your
finances and you build relationships with the
hope of furthering Christ's kingdom and making
disciples. And wise with a few difference you
do likewise in fulfilling your calling and responsibilities.
And so the apostle speaks and commands in all
the churches. So important is this to Paul as
he is teaching that he repeats this command twice
more. Verse 20, let each one remain in the same
calling in which he was called. And then again
in verse 24, brethren, let each one remain with
God in that state in which he was called. One
would think he's really driving this point home.
But then he gives two illustrations. We're going
to look at both of them. The first illustration
is that of circumcision versus uncircumcision.
He says, was anyone called while circumcised?
Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone
called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is
nothing, but the keeping of the commandments
of God is what matters. So he says, was anyone
called while circumcised? Let him not become
uncircumcised. Now one might ask, how does one
become uncircumcised? After all, historically
though, in the time of the New Testament writings,
there was a surgical procedure that attempted
this. Because all Jews were circumcised, and
because of the way, the lifestyle that they lived
with the bathhouses and the gymnasiums and races.
One state of being circumcised or uncircumcised
was rather obvious sometimes. So what happened
is that Hellenistic Jews, who were Jewish people
in the ancient times, who spoke the Greek language
and lived outside of Judea in a kind of adopted
Greek culture, they then would undergo a procedure
to make them appear uncircumcised. And so this
is why Paul would say this is actually a fact
here. They wanted not to be obviously Jewish.
But on the other hand, there were some who were
teaching that Christians should become Jews and
they should be circumcised. This actually was
the thing that sparked the very first great church
council in Acts chapter 15 and verse 1. And certain
men came down from Judea and taught the brethren,
unless you are circumcised, you cannot be saved.
And again, chapter 15, verse 5. Some of the sect
of the Pharisees who believed rose up saying
it is necessary to circumcise them and to command
them to keep the law of Moses. And so the apostles
and the elders came together to consider this
matter. And they concluded that no, this is not
necessary for them to be circumcised. They can
remain Gentiles. This is the big issue in the
early church, especially as it progressed from
initially being primarily Jewish. Until the Gentiles
were grafted in and then the gospel permeated
Gentile society and the Christian faith became
much more cosmopolitan, much more widespread
and less distinctively Jewish. Paul then says
this, he makes this very shocking statement.
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is
nothing. So he illustrates God's calling in this
way. If you're a Jew, don't seek to become a
Gentile. If you're a Gentile, Don't become a
Jew. External markers like this do not enhance
or diminish one's standing before God. Neither
seeking circumcision nor seeking to reverse it
carries spiritual weight. Instead, what really
matters is the keeping of the commandments of
God. That is, obedience to God's law and word
in the whole Bible as progressively revealed
from Old Testament to New Testament and flowing
from the new identity in Christ. We see this
so clearly and yet it was such a big thing. It's
this restlessness again that I described earlier.
Oh, if only I would be this way. To the Hellenistic
Jew is only if I could be a Gentile and act like
them and be like them. So I'm going to do what
I can so that I can fit in. Or the other way
around. No, it didn't matter. He says, it is
nothing. Of course, Paul repeats this to the
Galatians in chapter 6, verse 15. He says, for
in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision
avails anything but a new creation. And as many
as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy
be upon them and upon the Israel of God. Now
we can certainly take this and apply it to other
areas in our life as well. Things that might
really matter. For example, we could talk about
the issues of race. Some might wish, oh, I would
be more acceptable to God if I were this particular
race or that particular race or whatever it is.
And yet we're all created in the image of God.
And so again, it is nothing. Be thankful for
where you were born. Be thankful for the blessings
and the privileges that you have that God has
specifically granted to you. But don't sweat
it. Don't long to be, oh, if only I were this
or that. No, you trust in the Lord that he has
made you in the way that he has. And so also
it was with circumcision and uncircumcision.
The second illustration that Paul uses, Is that
of slavery or freedom? Verses 21 to 23. He says,
Let each one remain in the same calling in which
he was called. Were you called while a slave?
Do not be concerned about it. But you can be
made free, if you can be made free. Rather, use
it. For he who is called in the Lord while a
slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise, he who
is called while free is Christ's slave. You were
bought with a price. Do not become slaves of
men. So Paul addresses here slavery and freedom
as another illustration. Again, this was very
real. Slavery being quite commonplace in the
Roman and the Greek empires. Many slaves had
come to be part of the Christian church. Now
some of the slavery was horrific. Chained gangs
working in mines with beatings and minimal food.
short life expectancies only to be replaced again
as soon as they were dead. Large farms and ranches
used chained field gangs. Runaways were hunted,
and recaptured slaves could be branded on their
faces or on their foreheads, or they could be
collared or flogged or even crucified. Galley
slaves were rowers chained to benches in the
ships and driven by the whip with high mortality
from exhaustion. and disease and battle. Some
of the slaves were trained as gladiators. Sexual
exploitation was a feature of the slave system.
But some slaves were also trusted slaves where
they worked as secretaries or teachers or accountants
or even doctors. And yet, Paul says, were you
called while a slave? Don't be concerned about
it. Do not be anxious about your social status.
Even in slavery, there could be contentment without
the restlessness. However, if there was a possibility
of freedom, he encouraged them to take it, that
they should, if possible, to take it. Alistair
Begg gives this illustration and he says, some
slaves could buy their freedom. They were able
to work side jobs, give a percentage to the owner,
and then they would deposit the rest at the temple.
Once the market rate for the slave was deposited,
then the slave would take the master to the temple.
The master then would receive the money from
the temple, and the slave would become free from
the master, but a slave to the God, to the God
of the temple. In essence then, buying his freedom.
By becoming a slave of the God, they became free.
Well, Paul uses this thing that was happening
there, and he shows how this works spiritually
with Christ. That is, he who is called in the
Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise,
he who is called while free is Christ's slave.
We respond to Christ. We are under his authority,
yes. But slavery to Christ actually brings great
freedom. Great freedom. Freedom in Christ was
not dependent on their circumstances of being
a slave or of getting their freedom. This was
indeed revolutionary teaching, and it set the
slaves free to serve the Lord with a cheerful
heart, even while serving their masters, but
also to make use of the opportunities for freedom
as they came. Slaves were full members of the
Christian church. Sometimes they would actually
worship together with their masters, with other
free people. There are many, many of the epistles
have references and instructions to slaves and
to servants as well as masters. Ephesians 6 verse
5, bond servants be obedient to those who are
your masters according to the flesh with fear
and trembling and sincerity of heart is unto
Christ. And then verse 9, and you masters do
the same things to them. Giving up threatening,
knowing that your own master also is in heaven
and there's no partiality with him. Same in Colossians
chapter 3 verse 22. Bond servants, obey in all
things your masters according to the flesh, not
with eye service as men pleasers, but in sincerity
of heart, fearing God. And then chapter 4 verse
1. Masters, give your bond servants what is just
and fair, knowing that you also have a master
in heaven. Things like this were repeated in
1 Timothy chapter 6, verse 1 and 2, in Titus
chapter 2, verse 9 and 10, and in 1 Peter 2,
verse 18. Paul makes the point here that you
were bought with a price. That is the precious
blood of Christ, verse 23. This points back to
his statement in chapter 6, verse 20 of 1 Corinthians.
You were bought at a price, therefore glorify
God in your body and in your spirit, which are
God's. Therefore, even if you are a slave, refuse
to become enslaved to human masters or human
system in a way that compromises loyalty to the
Lord. For again, there is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither slave nor free, there is neither
male nor female, for you are all one in Christ
Jesus. He says, do not care about or be concerned
about it, but then use freedom if you can. And
then again emphasizes, let each remain with God
in that state in which he was called. And this
is the final restatement in verse 24. The command
is personal and communal. Brethren, I speak to
you, brethren. But here he gives the key qualifier,
and that is with God. Let each one remain with
God. If we're going to learn to be content. And
to quiet that restlessness within us, we must
be with God. Where we have committed our way
to Him, and we will trust Him that He will help
us to either accept the circumstances or to bring
about something else in His own good time. But
this is hard. I know. You're in a difficult circumstance.
And maybe sometimes what can even make it harder
is you're in this circumstance because of your
own sin. And so now you're having to deal with
the consequences of that sin. And you know, God's
providence still is at work in you despite that
sin. So what's so amazing about God's providence
is that he's still watching over you and he's
guiding your life even though you're experiencing
the results of your sin. God does this. in an
amazing and marvelous way. We must remain with
God. Remaining is not some stoic endurance, but
it's remaining in fellowship with God in the
place that he has assigned, because external
change is secondary, but abiding communion with
God in the present calling is primary. Now this
is very important to note. The three verses here
that emphasize this command do not mean, Just
a passive resignation. Oh, well, what can be?
I just have to accept it. What will be, will
be, or que sera, sera. No, it's not that. The
verses emphasizing this command do not mean mere
passive resignation, but rather an active, faithful
walking with God in the place that he has set
for you, accepting his will in the matter. It's
an active and a faithful walking with God, an
active trust, walking with the Lord in obedience
to his word. Let's consider just a few applications
here as I bring this to a close. Where is your
calling and how do you fulfill it? In almost
every case, it's right here where you are right
now. It's what's right before you. It's where
God has assigned to you. Now, sometimes God will
lead you in a different direction. It might be
now or it also might be several years down the
road. And that's okay. You don't need to figure
it out right now. God uses the journey to shape
you in ways that you can't even imagine. So then
we must ask, what does ordinary faithfulness
look like in your life right now? What does it
look like? Through ordinary, or even one might
say boring, faithfulness that establishes deep
roots. It's a multi -generational vision. Something
that is long -lasting. faithfulness to God's
calling for you. It might seem so commonplace
to regularly work at your job or to care for
your household, to show up on time at church
week after week after week, to minister to those
whom God has placed around you. And all of that
can seem kind of humdrum sometimes if you compare
that with some exciting new venture or you read
a story about this work that this... person did
is renowned person and how God worked in an incredible
way. And you think, what am I missing? No, the
majority of life is doing the ordinary duties
before God and loving one another and putting
down deep roots and being faithful in every area
that God has called you to. Ordinary faithfulness
that establishes deep roots. So in light of that,
here's my counsel. Before you act on your desire
to change your circumstances, be much in prayer
about it. Don't be reactionary, but rather proactive.
What is God teaching me through this difficulty,
or this affliction, or even this unpleasantness?
Am I seeking a change of circumstance because
I believe that it's the right thing for me to
do before God? Or is it because... I just want
to get out of this circumstance because I don't
like it and it's uncomfortable. My learning to
serve Christ faithfully right where he has placed
me. Before you make big decisions, seek wise
counsel and take your time before making a major
move. Husbands, seek the counsel of your wife
and whenever possible, be in agreement together
before making a major decision. especially one
that will affect your family. Remember 1 Peter
3 verse 7. Husbands, likewise, dwell with your
wives with understanding, giving honor to the
wife as to the weaker vessel and as being heirs
together of the grace of life that your prayers
may not be hindered. Remember the old adage,
the grass is greener on the other side of the
fence. And that simply means that something can
look so advantageous. Especially because it would
get me out of this uncomfortable situation that
I'm in right now. But so often we are enamored
with it and we fail to see the downsides or the
other things that will happen. This principle
is not a ban on all change. Paul here allows
freedom to the slave if available. Later he permits
remarriage for widows. But it's a guard against
the notion that a change in one's marital or
social or religious status is necessary for greater
holiness and usefulness. God has you right here,
right now. Trust in Him. Look to Him. And be
satisfied and chase away the restlessness with
contentment that God has you right where He wants
you right now. And if the Lord opens up other
doors in the future, then you will look back
and rejoice at what you have learned during this
time. So let's pray. Our Father, we thank you.