Biblical Perspective on Singleness, A

Driving home: If theology is grace, then ethics is gratitude.

Paul's imagery of a burnt offering is used to illustrate the essence of the summons: a life of utter devotedness to God, as completely consumed and set apart as the animal sacrifice.

When the animal was slain and then the animal was given as a sacrifice unto God, whatever else was true of that animal, it was wholly devoted unto God. When it was done with the sacrificial ritual, it was not only dead, it was utterly consumed by the fire that burnt upon the altar upon which it was offered. And under that imagery, Paul says I'm summoning you Roman believers to a life of utter devotedness to God as devoted as the carcass of that animal that was marked out for sacrifice, given up to God, its life taken out of it, and wholly devoted to God and cleansed. Consumed upon an altar. Th...

8:03 - 9:04 Read in full sermon

The point: Don't let this world dictate your perspectives on life in general and on singleness in particular.

The paraphrase 'Don't let the world squeeze you into its mold' vividly illustrates the negative command of Romans 12:2, warning against allowing worldly perspectives to dictate views on life and singleness.

The scripture says that he is the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who works in the sons of disobedience. And as Paul issues this summons to a basic posture before God, he says, you'll never work out the implications of that posture unless you are found engaged in an ongoing duty. And the first part of that duty is negative. Don't let this world squeeze you into its mold.

12:33 - 13:03 Read in full sermon

The point: Don't let this world dictate your perspectives on life in general and on singleness in particular.

The transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly (metamorphosis) is used to explain the positive command of Romans 12:2, emphasizing the need for a continuous, radical change by the renewing of the mind.

We get our word metamorphosis. Metamorphosis from the Greek word. It's a transliteration into English. What happens to the caterpillar when it becomes a butterfly?

13:58 - 14:08 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He explains various reasons for singleness in a fallen world (war, disease, sin, electing grace) and argues that understanding singleness as an abnormality delivers believers from…

Martin imagines Adam's joy and recognition of Eve as his counterpart, highlighting the original design for companionship and the unique fit between man and woman in creation.

Adam takes one of his ribs, makes his counterpart, brings her to Adam, awakens him and beholding her, he sees his counterpart. As I've said to our own people, it's one of those things. I wish I had a tape recorder hidden in Eden. Better yet a camcorder and to have seen the look upon Adam's face and to hear his voice when he said, this is now bone of my bone.

19:01 - 19:25 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He explains various reasons for singleness in a fallen world (war, disease, sin, electing grace) and argues that understanding singleness as an abnormality delivers believers from…

The example of an inequality in the number of available men and women in societies, often due to war or disease, illustrates how the Fall disrupts the natural balance of marriageable partners.

i will make a helper answering to his need and we have every reason to assume had sin never entered every subsequent son and daughter of adam and eve would have had a counterpart in his or her adam or eve each armin had a counterpart even though each of them ultimately 실 Sverige ły aj men men koérer all societies. But there is an inequality of the number of available men and women in almost every society. It doesn't fall out that death evenly cuts at the same time and sweeps one generation after another into the grave. War, which often devastates the male population. God speaks of it

20:41 - 21:52 Read in full sermon

The point: This fact alone will deliver us from false guilt concerning our own prolonged singleness.

The story of the man born blind is used to illustrate how people often default to false guilt (either the man's sin or his parents') when faced with suffering, and how Jesus offered a third alternative: the glory of God.

Or I cannot secure the consent of someone else. Whom I desire. And we get into the dilemma of those people in John 9. You remember that man born blind.

25:15 - 25:25 Read in full sermon

Driving home: This whole condition is a result of the intrusion of sin. And the only fair thing in this moral universe. Is that all of us be roasting in hell.

An extended quotation from Margaret Clarkson's book 'You're Single' is used to powerfully counter self-pity and hard thoughts of God regarding singleness, by reminding listeners of the greater calamities of the Fall and God's mercy.

Just to walk on his ground. Single or in any other state. Is all of mercy. And Margaret Clarkson.

28:03 - 28:11 Read in full sermon

The point: To be delivered from unbelieving fatalism.

The analogy of children whining to parents to get what they want is used to contrast with how one should approach God in prayer for a spouse, emphasizing that God is not impressed by whining but by humble dependence.

And I'm going to wear you down. Maybe you had parents. If you whined enough, you got what you wanted. And that's why you're mad at God, because he doesn't act like your parents did.

34:09 - 34:17 Read in full sermon

The point: Come to God and say, Lord, if it can be good for me and for your church and for your glory, then, Lord, give me the desire of my heart. In your way and time, you give me a husband. You give me a wife.

The terms 'sour old bachelor' or 'sour old maid' are used to describe individuals who adopt a fatalistic, self-pitying attitude towards their singleness, illustrating the negative outcome of unbelieving fatalism.

Then I am delivered from an unbelieving fatalism that says, well, I'm just locked up to my singleness. That's the beginning, middle and end of it and become a sour old bachelor or a sour old maid. I never used the term old maid around here to describe single people. It's a derogatory term, but I used it now because that's the place to use it.

35:09 - 35:31 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The person who makes a miscalculation out of false zeal or subtle asceticism, that he or she is being called to singleness, beyond responsible marriageable age, for the sake of some special task in the kingdom, and God h…

The historical term 'Corinthianized' (meaning debauched and debased) is used to illustrate the extreme immorality of Corinth, providing context for Paul's strong admonitions regarding sexual purity and marriage.

And in the very beginning of that chapter, in language that is almost course, and seems so utterly devoid of anything romantic, that some have been offended by it. But Paul was a great realist. And in that immoral city of Corinth, where if you wanted to say someone was debauched and debased, you said he was Corinthianized. A word was coined.

40:47 - 41:11 Read in full sermon

The point: Maybe some of you, you ought not so much to be praying for a husband or wife as praying for wisdom and discernment, to know the special service to which God is calling you in your state of singleness.

Martin refers to two single women in his own congregation who render tremendous service, illustrating how the gift of singleness can be embraced for God's glory and the church's good.

From those places where no man could honor and nourish and cherish a wife, and at the same time be preaching the gospel. Where are the women prepared to render service commensurate with their God assigned role of non leadership in the church and yet many spheres of service within the church and on behalf of the church. I think of two single women in our own assembly and everyone in this congregation will know who I'm referring to in the tremendous, service they render to this whole congregation because they've accepted their gift of singleness unto God. Well, there's a third assertion. Time's ...

46:58 - 47:49 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The third assertion is that singleness can be a divinely imposed trial of faith, not a gift for service, but to demonstrate the sufficiency of God's grace, drawing parallels to…

Paul's experience with the 'thorn in the flesh' is used as an extended analogy for singleness as a divinely imposed trial, showing how God uses weakness to foster dependence and display His power.

And then a second text. You need to really lay to heart and pray. The Holy Ghost will burn into your heart is second Corinthians 12 9. Paul faced a situation.

52:35 - 52:45 Read in full sermon

The point: You must cease fighting the thing which is God's very instrument to bring you safely home to glory.

Joni Eareckson Tada's quadriplegic state is used as an example of a debilitating disease or handicap that, like singleness, can be a trial from which other graces and comfort for others can flow.

If he's going to use prolonged singleness beyond responsible marriageable age as a divinely imposed trial of faith, then you must cease fighting the thing which is God's very instrument to bring you safely home to glory. Just as some do not choose a debilitating disease, a radical handicap, the loss of an arm. I made reference to Johnny Erickson, Tata and her quadriplegic state out of these trials, come other graces in abundance, not only to the glory of God, but to the good of his people. Second Corinthians, one of the Paul says, God who comforts us in all our tribulation, why that we may be ...

56:02 - 57:12 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin presents the fourth assertion: prolonged singleness can result from worldly and sinful attitudes, perspectives, desires, and patterns of life, specifically addressing men's…

The anecdote of King Lemuel's mother teaching him what to look for in a worthy woman (Proverbs 31) is used to emphasize character over physical appearance, contrasting biblical wisdom with worldly priorities.

Verse 10. A worthy woman who can look for a worthy woman. Why do I look for? Because this is a mama talking to her son.

60:17 - 60:35 Read in full sermon

Driving home: A beautiful woman without discretion, without spiritual nobility is like a gold ring in a swine's snout.

The proverb comparing a beautiful woman without discretion to a gold ring in a swine's snout is used to humorously but pointedly illustrate the incongruity and undesirability of prioritizing physical beauty over spiritual nobility.

And that's my testimony. Young women don't attract me. I've lived with a worthy woman for 35 years. The prettiest girl here.

61:59 - 62:14 Read in full sermon

The point: Can it be that your own prayers are being frustrated by your worldly and sinful perspectives? And you need to deal with it and ask God to mortify them in your heart.

The story of his aunt rebuking his single uncle Bert for his unrealistic expectations of a wife (comparing her to Betty Grable) is used to illustrate how women can have worldly and unreasonable expectations for a husband.

I had an aunt who had an uncle of mine who was single and died single. And one of his problems was there. And it was back in the days when, again, shows my age, when Clark Gable and Betty Grable, they were the real good-lookers, you see. And he came home from one time spending a little time with a certain woman and was talking to my aunt about it.

67:31 - 67:55 Read in full sermon

The point: Doing the best with what God gave you is your responsibility, both men and women. Why? Because you're an image bearer of God and you're to reflect His image. And you are to seek under God to be as attractive as you can i…

The example of a man wearing an outdated jacket with 7-inch lapels is used to illustrate how laziness in appearance can be a turn-off for godly women, suggesting that practical self-presentation is not unspiritual.

And you are to seek under God to be as attractive as you can inwardly and outwardly. But it's your own laziness. It's your own laziness that keeps you frumpy and dowdy in your appearance. And I don't blame a girl if she says, How can I be proud of a guy that comes with a jacket that goes back 15 years with 7 inches lapels on it?

69:29 - 69:54 Read in full sermon

The point: There is no double standard of entire devotedness to Christ for every Christian, single or married.

The analogy of Imelda Marcos' closet full of shoes is used to illustrate the self-indulgence of some singles who believe their marital status grants them license to spend excessive time and money on themselves.

As a single person I've got more time to myself more money to spend for myself more energy to expend. Therefore I'm free to use that time and money and energy on myself. I can be a fashion hound fill my closet so it looks like Imelda Marcos' with all the shoes. Three pairs to match every outfit.

77:59 - 78:20 Read in full sermon

The point: There is no double standard of entire devotedness to Christ for every Christian, single or married.

The phrase 'suck my single thumb' is used as a metaphor for the self-indulgent attitude of some singles who believe their marital status justifies spending time and money on themselves, rather than denying themselves for Christ.

I'd be denying my wife and kids things but I'm single. This is the way I suck my single thumb. It's a kind of thumb sucking. Self-indulgence.

78:31 - 78:43 Read in full sermon