September 2010

Monthly Archive

Thu 30 Sep 2010

Too Little Yabba Dabba Doo!

Posted @ 10:33 am      {Click to post comment} 
Category: myTooSense
 
The Flintstones.jpg
Google brought to my attention that today is the golden anniversary of one of my childhood staples.
 
Fred found himself in many a self-imposed pickle, but you know what?  He loved life and lived it to the fullest no matter what he was dealt.  He was upbeat and optimistic.  Yes, he did some goofy things – but don’t we all.  He laughed at himself and moved on.  He slept well at night.  Life was an adventure.
 
Where’s my Yabba Dabba Doo?
 

Fri 24 Sep 2010

Contentment is Contained in Call

Posted @ 6:00 am      {Click to post comment} 
Category: Studies
 
1 Corinthians 7:17-40
“Contentment is Contained in Call”
Date: 26-Sep-10
Required Resources: The Message excerpt from 1 Corinthians 7:17-40 MP3
Purpose (Why am I teaching this lesson? What effect did the writer expect it to have on the recipients?)
The purpose of this lesson is to re-focus the participant’s life-focus from areas of striving to an understanding of the temporalness of this life.

Theme (What central idea does this passage communicate?)
Contentment in all situations.

Introduction

Review & Homework:
Outline
A. Salutations & Reminders (v1:1-1:9)
B. Divisions within the church (v1:10-4:21)
C. …of conduct unbecoming a believer (v5:1-13) {church discipline}
D. Dealing with offenses in The Body (v6:1-11)
E. The bondage of sexual sin (v6:12-20)
F. Marriage, Divorce & Singleness (v7:1-40)
  1. Marriage and divorce (v1-16)
      a. Marital Relations (v1-7)
      b. To marry, divorce or unequally yoked? (v8-16)
Ü 2. Contentment with what God has called (v17-24)
  3. Advantages of singleness (v25-40)
Homework
  • Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-40 and complete page in study booklet.
  • Share your most thought-provoking title for this section
  • Of all the systems of governments man has created, which is the best and why?

LISTEN to text in The Message
¿: What do you suppose is the underlying question Paul is answering?

WHITEBOARD – Write the ‘underlying question’ on the board to modify as lesson progresses.

The Text
Scripture
Observation
READ
1 Cor. 7:17-24
¿: What message did these verses communicate?
¿: How does this answer the ‘underlying question’?
1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Contentment with what God has called

1 Corinthians 7:17
v17
“place in life” – calling [grk] or assignment

¿: Do you think believers have a tendency to want to change the world around them?
¿: Name some of those things. [government, laws, life status]

1 Corinthians 7:18-19
v18-19
Although this language may be strictly figurative it is easy to see how Paul could be speaking of physical alteration of the body either to:
  • Fit in – via surgery to look the same
  • Stand out as different – by intentionally looking unlike friends/family
- Either way it could be potentially wrong to separate from the world or to work on the outward appearance as a sign of believerhood.

   In Greek culture exercise was in the nude, the Roman bath was a meeting place, etc.  Circumcision was the law of the Jews and popular among the surrounding peoples but under Roman influence it was increasingly less popular.
   It was not uncommon for Jews of the day to undergo a surgical operation to appear ‘less Jewish’ in order to fit into society.  A Jews religious beliefs were very ‘apparent’ in the culture.   As a direct result of this increasing tend within the Roman empire to hide the sign of circumcision, the Jewish rite was altered leaving less for the surgeons to work with.

¿: Why would Paul NOT be advocating becoming circumcised or uncircumcised to show the world that either:
  1. Christians are different (becoming uncircumcised), or
  2. Christians are not saved because of effort (becoming uncircumcised)?

Paul’s point was to remain in whatever state they were in.

If a man was under the law at time of his salvation don’t seek to obliterate that which was. Simply move forward in that call.  God is concerned with the inward and not the outward.

The Christian life is forward looking.  Once God reveals something to a man, He does not intend for us to live in the “what has been.”  The revelation of today is for today, not to beat ourselves up over (or try to change) yesterday.

¿: What should one do if they are living in sin/wickedness when called? [Paul is dealing with things not wrong in and of themselves]
¿: How would you sum up “keeping God’s commands”?

Contentment with what God has called – REPEATED

1 Corinthians 7:20-24
v20-24
Household slaves were freed after 7 years.  It is possible that at this time up to 50% of the population were slaves.  If they were currently a slave, Paul makes it clear that when their obligation ended they were free to change states.

¿: Is Paul saying one MUST free themselves of slavery if they can?

We should not be preoccupied with changing our outward circumstances.
Although we should do ministry, as believers our job IS NOT social reform.
John 18:36 – Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
Luke 19:10 – For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
Likewise, we should not be preoccupied with our personal “social reform;”  our eyes should be kingdom focused.

The Gospel does not seek to destroy governments, society or value systems… rather it seeks to change people producing, as a by-product, better governments, societies and value systems.

Bottom-line: each man, in God, should be in the place in which he is called.
Verses 17-24 are not about circumcision or slavery, it’s about contentment, about not trying to be something or someone else!
READ
1 Cor. 7:25-38
¿: What message did these verses communicate?
¿: How does this answer the ‘underlying question’?

¿: Which is better, being single or married?  From external evidence of the Roman Catholic church, which seems to be better?

Society places a VERY high value on marriage.  “It’s better, faster, stronger…” but it seems when it comes to singles the context is always around “helping them cope.”

¿: What does this say about our view of singleness vs. God’s view?
I Corinthians 7:25-38
Advantages of singleness

1 Corinthians 7:25
v25
“virgins” – male and female who have not been married.  Paul is not stating that this is uninspired; again he refers to no direct teaching from Jesus during His earthly ministry.

1 Corinthians 7:26-28
v26-28
Whiteboard
1st reason a state of singleness was advantageous
“because of the present crisis” – could be xlated “because of the impending crisis”
1 Cor. 4:8 intimates a state of well-being.  No specific crisis mentioned.

Paul possibly refers to a question about a crisis expressed by the Corinthians

“troubles” – pressure, pressed together [grk]

1 Corinthians 7:28-31
v29-31
Whiteboard
¿: What is Paul advocating here?
¿: Are these things bad?
Cf. Luke 14:26 – “hate his father and mother… he cannot be my disciple”

2nd reason a state of singleness was advantageous
A freedom from the concerns of this life and instead a commitment to eternal matters.

“this world in its present form is passing away” – Marriage, sorrow, rejoicing, possessions, and pleasure – all of it as we know it will one day be replaced by something better.

1 Corinthians 7:32-35
v32-35
Whiteboard
3rd reason a state of singleness was advantageous
Undivided attention to the Lord

“to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit” &
“married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world”
¿: Does this mean the unmarried state is more holy?
¿: Does this mean the unmarried are more worldly?

1 Corinthians 7:36-38
v36-38
See other translations.  These verses can either be translated as:
  • referring to a man and his betrothed or
  • a man and his daughter

Or an interesting alternate translation is:
“[There is] no foundation in the text [that this refers] to keeping his daughter’s [virginity, instead it refers to a man to keep] his own virginity, or rather his purpose of virginity.”  (Adam Clark’s Commentary on the Bible)

1 Corinthians 7:36-38 (Darby)
36 But if any one think that he behaves unseemly to his virginity, if he be beyond the flower of his age, and so it must be, let him do what he will, he does not sin: let them marry.
37 But he who stands firm in his heart, having no need, but has authority over his own will, and has judged this in his heart to keep his own virginity, he does well.
38 So that he that marries himself does well; and he that does not marry does better.

¿: In the context of this passage, what do you think these verses are saying?
READ
1 Cor. 7:39-40
¿: What message did these verses communicate?
¿: How does this answer the ‘underlying question’?
I Corinthians 7:39-40
The Proper View of Marriage

1 Corinthians 7:39-40
v39-40
“must belong to the Lord” better translated as “in the Lord”
  • another believer AND
  • in the will of the Lord

“In my judgment”, “in my opinion”
¿: Is Paul speaking on his behalf, or the Lords?

Conclusion
Personal Application:
¿: How does this passage change or support your thinking about how you conduct your life?

Homework:
  • 1 Corinthians 8
 

Thu 23 Sep 2010

Working Harder or Smarter or Not Working At All

Posted @ 10:02 am      {Click to post comment} 
Category: myTooSense
Forbes 400 richest people in America list for 2010 has been released.
 
As expected a significant number made their wealth from oil, tech companies, transportation, investments, hedge funds and Walmart.  Unexpected were a few who made their wealth from the likes of chewing gum and salsa.
 
Name
Position on list
Age
Net worth
Source of wealth
William Wrigley
170
46
$2.1 Billion
chewing gum
Christopher Goldsbury
308
67
$1.3 Billion
salsa
 
I have better ideas than salsa!  Why can’t I hit that $1,000,000,000 mark?
 
It’s gotta be my charm.  Maybe next year – better keep your eyes open Forbes.
 

Tue 21 Sep 2010

Double-time, Please

Posted @ 9:27 am      {Click to post comment} (2 posted) 
Category: Personal
In the last 30 days at least 5 solid ideas for personal endeavors have occupied a significant portion of my thinking.  Now understand, I’m not talking about a fleeting idea or ‘daydream’ – I’m talking about thoughts which over several indefinite time periods repeatedly came to mind and I masticated and pondered what it would look like, how it would happen – each of the details to the minute level.
 
I have noticed that these ideas come in spurts of entrepreneurial creativity and usually seem to end the same thought; “I don’t have time for that.”
 
The crazy thing is these are ideas which I am passionate about and seem to have all the drive but they get dropped because they get squeezed out because of life.  I sense that for my own benefit I need to grab hold of one and only one and see it all the way through.
 
The problem is – when?  I do not seem to have the hours in a day or even a week to consistently return to develop the idea.  The idea gets to a point where I feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of it – then I am forced to say goodbye to yet another dream of what could have been.
 
Does anyone else struggle in this same way?
 

Fri 17 Sep 2010

A Digital World

Posted @ 10:22 am      {Click to post comment} (1 posted) 
Category: Rants

Digital

Computers: involving or using numerical digits expressed in a scale of notation to represent discretely all variables occurring in a problem.

 
  • TCP/IP
  • VOIP
  • Digital cell phones
  • Digital TV
  • Compact Dics, DVD’s
  • Hard disk
  • E-books
  • Firmware
  • Software
  • ROM
  • RAM
  • mp3
  • Video games
  • iPad
  • PC
  • Digital cameras
 
Digital, digital, digital.
 
Progress, or is it?
 
Back in the days of analog cell phones, if the reception was poor I recall an ever increasing volume of static.  In most cases my brain could filter out this white noise and interpret the message being communicated to me by the other party.
 
Back in the days before digital TV, if the reception was poor the picture would become increasingly filled with static but my eyes could process out the static and I could interpret the visual image in front of me.
 
Back in the days of vinyl albums and cassette tapes the white noise caused by decaying or damaged media was only a distraction.
 
Now what do I get with progress?
I get a phone call that is completely unintelligible by Albert Einstein.
I watch a picture that is like one of those sliding panel jigsaw puzzles that is a meaningless jumble of colored blocks.
I listen to music that can just cease to exist for seconds then blurt back on like nothing happened.
 
Are we creating a world that adapts to us, or are we supposed to adapt to our created world?
 
If technology had a purpose statement would it say something about the tail wagging the dog?
 

Fri 17 Sep 2010

The Duty of Singleness and Marriage

Posted @ 6:00 am      {Click to post comment} 
Category: Studies
1 Corinthians 7:1-16
“The Duty of Singleness and Marriage”
Date: 19-Sep-10
Required Resources:
Purpose (Why am I teaching this lesson? What effect did the writer expect it to have on the recipients?)
The purpose of this lesson is to cultivate a deeper appreciation for where God has called each in life, fully understanding that with calling come gifts, privileges and responsibilities.

Theme (What central idea does this passage communicate?)
Whether marriage or singleness – it’s a gift from God which should be viewed in light of it’s responsibilities as well as privileges.

Introduction

Review & Homework:
Outline
A. Salutations & Reminders (v1:1-1:9)B. Divisions within the church (v1:10-4:21)
C. …of conduct unbecoming a believer (v5:1-13) {church discipline}
D. Dealing with offenses in The Body (v6:1-11)
E. The bondage of sexual sin (v6:12-20)
F. Marriage, Divorce & Singleness (v7:1-40)
Ü 1. Marriage and divorce (v1-16)
a. Marital Relations (v1-7)
b. To marry, divorce or unequally yoked? (v8-16)
2. Contentment with what God has called (v17-24)
3. Advantages of singleness (v25-40)
Homework
1. Read and complete a page in your study booklet for 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

2. Research the history of marriage.  Bring interesting tidbits to include such ideas as:
  • the purpose of marriage
  • the origins of marriage
  • what the marriage relationship has looked like over the millennia
  • arranged marriages
  • polygamy
  • Marriage contracts
  • Vows to remain single
  • and just about anything else you think will be interesting

Thus far Paul has talked about divisions in the church, church discipline, lawsuits and most recently something unique about the sin of sexual immorality in all its forms, all in the context of alarming reports he had heard.

Now he begins to address questions the church had asked of him.  He begins by talking about a cause for divisions in the home by bringing up the “topic of the day,” sex.  Paul is evidently countering a serious misunderstanding regarding the physical relationship between a husband and wife.

Today we’ll explore aspects of the most intimate relationship God has created and its place within the context of marriage.  We’ll also look at the breaking of the marriage relationship, remaining single, and marriage to an unbelieving spouse.

Marriage:
IS FOR
    • Partnership – “not good for man to be alone” – cf. Gen. 2:18
    • Procreation – “be fruitful and multiply” – cf. Gen. 1:28
    • Pleasure – “rejoice in the wife of your youth” – cf. Prov. 5:18; Song of Songs
    • Picture of Christ – “…two one flesh.  This is a profound mystery” – cf. Eph. 5:31-32
    • Purity – “marriage bed kept pure” – cf. Heb. 13:4

    ROMAN LAW and CUSTOMS (4 states of marriage)
      • Man & woman slave could be allowed by master to live together for only as long as the master desired
      • Common law (live together for > 1 year)
      • Father sold daughter
      • Similar to modern day marriage – was typically only done by nobility
      Ü Divorce common and a man and woman may have been married 20 times or more

      JEWISH VIEWS
        • Marriage was expected (it seems to have been a requirement to be on the Jewish ruling council).
        • Singleness was frowned upon because of God’s command to be fruitful and multiply
        • A wife accepted marriage in one of three ways (normally all three, but only one was required to be binding):
              1. Nominal amount of money (typically lowest denomination) – low enough that it would not be considered “purchase” but instead a symbolic gesture of acceptance by woman.
              2. Contract
              3. Sexual relationship
              • A marriage contract, called a ketubah, spelled out the terms of the marriage (like a prenuptial)
              • Marriage was not solely, or even primarily, for procreation
              • Both spouses had martial obligations
              • No civil or religious ceremony was required since it was a private contract
              • Financial promise (purpose was provision in case of divorce or death – equal to 1 to 2 years wages) – not a purchase of wife!  Served as a constant reminder that divorce would be costly.

              READ text
              ¿: What topic(s) are discussed in this passage?
              ¿: What do you think is the underlying question(s) that Paul was asked?

              The church in Corinth was probably comprised of all combinations of marriages, divorce situations and singles.  A number of people were abstaining for sex in order to steer clear of immorality in any form.

              The Text
              Scripture
              Observation
              1 Corinthians 7:1-7
              MARITAL RELATIONS

              1 Corinthians 7:1-2
              v1-2
              “Now for the matters you wrote about” – Up to this point Paul was responding to the distressing reports of others.

              “to marry” = “to touch a woman” [grk] = “fasten oneself to” – compare to other xlations
              ¿: From the context of the passage which phrase would you use, and why?

              ¿: Is Paul advocating celibacy? [affirms it vs. advocating that it’s the best]
              ¿: Is Paul stating that the purpose of marriage is to prevent fornication?

              1 Corinthians 7:3-5
              v3-4
              In the secular world it was tradition on the wedding day to declare to the bride that when her husband committed adultery it was not a sign that he did not love her, but simply a way of gratifying his passions.

              Physical relations were not just a privilege and pleasure, they were also a duty.  Paul clearly states that it is not optional.
              ¿: Does this seem outdated?  Especially in this culture of “rights to my body?”
              ¿: How does reviewing 1 Cor. 6:15-17 inform your views of a holy God-sanctioned union within marriage? (do you think something happens at a spiritual or emotional level in addition to the physical act?)
              v5
              “Do not deprive” – interestingly the NASB translates as “stop depriving”
              ¿: What difference does this make?

              Some Jewish teachers of the time wanted to formulate laws on the maximum time to abstain from marital relations – ranged from 1 week to 2 weeks.  Paul clearly left this up to the couple’s discretion.

              Paul makes it clear this IS NOT to be a unilateral decision.

              Conditions if they must abstain:
              1) mutual consent
              2) agreed timeframe – in advance
              3) in order to devote themselves to prayer

              It is clear from this verse sex was not only given for procreation, but also for recreation

              ¿: How would this help prayer?
              Ü What types of prayers might be significant to warrant? [serious sin, God-given burden, grief; cf. Exodus 19:9-15]

              ¿: What are some possible reasons the Corinthian believers may have been abstaining from sex? [the last days; or the sexual relationship was not in keeping with holiness]

              Unless it is by mutual consent, for a specific prayer need and for a brief period of time, sexual abstinence can become a tool of satan.  It is never to be used for spiritual superiority or as a means of intimidation or manipulating one’s spouse.  Physical love is to be a normal and regular experience shared by both marriage partners alike, as a gift from God. [John MacArthur; The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 1 Corinthians; 1984; pg 158]

              1 Corinthians 7:6-7
              v6
              “this as a concession” –
              ¿: What is THIS referring to, allowing abstinence for a time or allowing sex because of lack of self-control?

              Paul is permitting, not requiring these periods of abstinence, he was not recommending this as a course of action
              v7
              Paul wanted no stigma attached to the single state, in fact Paul thought it was excellent

              Accept the gift Gad has given.
              Don’t try to exercise a gift God has not given – it will fail.
              1 Corinthians 7:8-9
              STAYING SINGLE?

              1 Corinthians 7:8-9
              v8-9
              Paul advocates that the proper place to exercise “passion” was only within the context of marriage

              ¿: How can someone know if they are to be celibate or not?  Paul answers with a test… if they lack self-control God did not gift them in this.

              “unmarried” = agamos [grk] meaning “not married”  This word is only used 4 times in NT.  All in this chapter.  It is difficult to determine exact meaning…
              Ü The question is: what is meant by unmarried?  (single only or does it include widow(er)s and divorce?)
                • v8 says “unmarried AND widows” therefore does not include widow(er)s
                • v34 says “unmarried AND virgins” therefore does not include virgin
                • v11 says “must remain unmarried” therefore can mean divorced
                Ü Therefore it seems possible that unmarried might mean divorced (note he launches into divorce immediately after this, adding more credence).
                • ¿: Could Paul’s instruction be only for “previously” married groups?
                • If this is the case, this could imply Paul was married at one time?
                1 Corinthians 7:10-11
                BECOMING SINGLE?

                1 Corinthians 7:10-11
                v10-11
                “not I, but the Lord” = Paul is saying this came directly from the teaching of Christ

                Christians should not divorce but be reconciled

                ¿: Besides irreconcilable differences, why else might believers want to divorce? [devote themselves fully to the Lord]
                1 Corinthians 7:12-16
                UNEQUALLY YOKED

                1 Corinthians 7:12-16
                v12-13

                “I, not the Lord” – Paul is NOT saying this is ‘less inspired’ – he is saying Christ’s earthly teaching did not touch directly on the subject.

                ¿: How do you reconcile this with 1 Cor. 6:15? (wouldn’t being unequally yoked be like uniting in immorality?)
                v14
                Under Roman law the children went to the father in a divorce.  As Christian wife would lose the ability to influence her children in godliness

                ¿: In this context, what does sanctify mean? (Can a believer “save” members of their family?)

                Any blessings of God to the Christian would affect the entire family
                v15
                “not bound” = free to remarry
                v16
                It’s not a guarantee that spouse will be saved

                Conclusion
                Personal Application:
                ¿: How does this passage inform your understanding of how to respond if you or someone else is:
                Ü Single (and unhappy with that situation)
                Ü Widowed
                Ü Divorced (or headed toward)
                Ü Married (or moving into)

                Homework:
                • Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-40
                 

                Tue 14 Sep 2010

                4 8 15 16 23 42

                Posted @ 7:41 am      {Click to post comment} 
                Category: Entertainment
                 
                In my May 25th post, End of an Era, I stated that I was mulling whether 6 years culminated in a feeling of being full.  I also expressed a few obvious questions.
                 
                Several of my questions were answered in the form of ‘bonus material’ on the season 6 DVD’s.  Kudos for a well thought out answer to why Dharma shipments were still being dropped decades after no communication with The Island.  Still, am I to believe that the ‘men in the know’ on the Dharma Initiative ALL lived on the island and thus ALL were killed in The Purge?
                 
                I now know more about the HurleyBird, I now know why Dr. Pierre Chang, aka Dr. Marvin Candle, aka Dr Mark Wickmund, aka Dr. Edgar Halliwax or Miles’ father had various names.
                 
                But there is still so much more unanswered.  ’The End’ as the final episode was titled did not wrap anything up.  Gathering the losties for a final episode is not my idea of conclusion.  Therefore I have decided that 6 seasons – no matter how engaged I was in spouting Lost mythos to all those around me – was not well spent.
                 
                I sincerely expected a real conclusion from such excellent writers.  The crash survivors might just as well have each awakened the morning of the flight and each had a premonition of what might be.  They all cancel their flight plans and life goes on.
                 
                So, after 112 days of deliberation, I have decided that the number 108 has only minor significance.
                 
                Signing off with…
                 

                Sat 11 Sep 2010

                The Flirt

                Posted @ 8:53 am      {Click to post comment} 
                Category: Two Living as One
                to Flirt
                to court triflingly or act amorously without serious intentions; play at love

                 
                In it’s most glorious context the flirt is a dance between spouses.  Flirting is one way in which to fall in love all over again.
                 
                Flirting makes my spouse feel like the center of my world.  Isn’t that the other-centeredness that gets lost in the business of life?  Somewhere along the line two people forget the dreams of a shared life.  Flirting is a subtle (or not so subtle) reminder of what’s really important.
                 
                Some common verbal expressions in the dance called flirt:
                  • Come live in my heart, and pay no rent.
                  • It’s not my fault that I fell for you, you tripped me!
                  • Oops! I lost my mobile number! Could I have yours?
                  • Are you lost ma’am? Because heaven is a long way from here.
                  • I have had a really bad day today and it always makes me feel better to see a pretty girl smile. So, would you please smile for me?
                  • If your heart was a prison, I would like to be sentenced for life.
                  • You’re so sweet there’s a wanted poster for you at the candy store.
                  • Let make it short and simple, I love you.
                  • You remind me of my next girlfriend.
                   
                  Some common non-verbal expressions in the dance called flirt:
                    • Smile
                    • Glance (short darting)
                    • Head nod
                    • Whisper
                    • Parade
                    • Play
                    • Pout
                    • Knee touch
                    • Thigh touch
                    • Hand hold
                    • Coy smile
                    • Palm
                    • Request dance
                    • Hug
                    • Face to face
                    • Buttock pat
                    • Kiss
                    • Caress (face/hair)
                    • Eyebrow flash
                     
                    A text message was just sent, which said: “You remind me of my next girlfriend.”  Who says people with different busy schedules can’t do a little maintenance now and again.
                     

                    Fri 10 Sep 2010

                    Saving Ourselves for The Lord

                    Posted @ 6:00 am      {Click to post comment} 
                    Category: Studies
                    1 Corinthians 6:12-20
                    “Saving Ourselves for The Lord”
                    Date: 12-Sep-10
                    Required Resources: Gods-Chisel video; The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 1 Corinthians
                    Purpose (Why am I teaching this lesson? What effect did the writer expect it to have on the recipients?)
                    The purpose of this lesson is to motivate the class to set aside ungodly actions and replace with ones that honor God.

                    Introduction
                    View ‘God’s Chisel’ skit

                    Review & Homework:
                    Outline
                    A. Salutations & Reminders (v1:1-1:9)
                    B. Divisions within the church (v1:10-4:21)

                    C. …of conduct unbecoming a believer (v5:1-13) {church discipline}
                    D. Dealing with offenses in The Body (v6:1-11)
                    Ü E. The bondage of sexual sin (v6:12-20)
                    1. Does it have eternal advantage? (v12-14)
                    2. Uniting with the Lord (v15-18)
                    3. Honoring the price paid (v19-20)
                    Homework
                    • Complete page in study booklet for 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
                    • Explain what it means when Paul says, “All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18)

                    In these verses Paul addresses the issue of rampant sexual immorality in Corinth while introducing several topics to be covered in more detail in subsequent chapters.
                      • Liberty (v12) is expanded upon in a general way in chapters 8-10
                      • Christians relationship to food (v13) is opened up in chapter 8
                      • Resurrection (v14) is later expanded upon in chapter 15
                      • The body of Christ (v15) analogy is used throughout chapter 12
                      • Sanctity of the sexual relationship and marriage (v16) occupies the discussion on chapter 7

                      Throughout the epistles Paul often speaks of freedom in Christ.  This passage challenges us to use our liberty to enhance, not exploit, Christian ethics.

                      The Text
                      Scripture
                      Observation
                      1 Corinthians 6:12-14
                      DOES IT HAVE ETERNAL ADVANTAGE?

                      12 “Everything is permissible for me“—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
                      13 “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food“—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
                      14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
                      v12
                      “Everything is permissible for me” – a possible saying in the liberated society of ancient Corinth.

                      ¿: Is this statement true of the believer?

                      Two principles are outlined here.
                      • I can do anything I want (of things which are morally indifferent) but not everything will give me advantage
                      • Some things may be lawful, yet they may enslave me

                      Philosophers used various tests for whether a person should do an act, such as lawfulness, permissible or profitable.  Many philosophers excused relieving their sexual appetites with prostitutes or by publicly stimulating themselves, explaining they were in complete control of their own emotions.  [Craig S. Keener; The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament; 1993; pg 464]

                      ¿: Paul talks about “permissible” and being “mastered” in the same sentence, in what way can freedom be slavery?
                      v13
                      “Food for the stomach and stomach for food” – a common way to argue by analogy that sex is for the body and the body is for sex.  Paul also uses the stomach metaphor in Philippians 3:19.

                      Much Greek philosophy considered everything physical, including the body, to be basically evil and therefore of no value.  What was done with or to the body did not matter.  Food was food, the stomach was the stomach, and sex was sex.  Sex was just a biological function like eating, to be used just as food was used, to satisfy their appetites.  The argument sounds remarkably modern.  [John MacArthur; The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 1 Corinthians; 1984; pg 146]
                      Don’t live as if the greatest thing in life is to gratify your appetites.

                      When God created our human body it is certain He never intended it be used for wickedness and impurity.  He planned that it’s use would bring glory to Himself.

                      God is interested in the welfare of our body and it’s use.  (Cf. Romans 12:1)
                      v14
                      The Greeks did not believe in the resurrection of the flesh, therefore we are done with any use for the body at death.

                      God’s design for our bodies does not end at death.  He has immortal purposes.  We will not be disembodied spirits for all eternity.  Our spirit and soul will be reunited with our body.
                      1 Corinthians 6:15-18
                      UNITING WITH THE LORD

                      15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
                      16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
                      17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
                      18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.
                      v15
                      “Do you not know” – 3x (6 times in chapter 6)
                      ¿: What does this tell you about the importance of how we treat our body?
                      v16
                      Cf. Gen 2:24 – union of man to wife.  The Jewish belief was that marriage was sealed by the union of husband and wife – and also broken with the union to another.

                      In the pagan culture prostitution was often considered a useful deterrent to adultery.
                      v17
                      God is joined with the believer.
                      Ü Jeremiah 50:5 “They will bind themselves to the Lord”
                      Ü Hosea 4:17 “Ephraim is joined to idols”
                      Ü Zechariah 2:11 “Many nations will be joined with the Lord”
                      v18



















                      HOMEWORK
                      “Flee from” – don’t dabble, don’t loiter near, don’t leave slowly!
                      Ü Genesis 39:12 – Joseph & Potiphar’s wife – Joseph did not even leave time for discussion or explanation
                      “Sexual immorality” – porneia [grk]
                      Ü often translated fornication
                      Ü has a narrow meaning and a more broad meaning (most common in scripture)
                        • narrow meaning = sexual relations between unmarried people
                        • broad meaning = any unlawful sexual union to include adultery, sodomy and any other unions
                        Ü from the context, it is very likely that the broad meaning is to be accepted (relations with a prostitute)

                        “All other sins” – ‘other’ is not in the original language
                        ¿: Why do you think the NIV/NASB/ESV translators added ‘other’?

                        v18 IS NOT referring to sins which directly harm the body because drugs, alcohol and gluttony are in that class and yet not addressed.  Therefore it seems as if something is specific about sexual sin.


                        Review HOMEWORK – Explain what 1 Corinthians 6:18 means.


                        Read The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 1 Corinthians, pg 151 beginning at ¶5 “Paul does not elucidate …”

                        Commentator’s opinion on “All [other] sins a man commits are outside the body”
                        There are two basic camps.
                        1. Those who believe this is yet another slogan the Corinthians were familiar with
                        2. Or those who believe this is a statement of teaching

                        Ü If this IS NOT a slogan then Paul is saying there are two types sin (sexual and non-sexual).  Therefore:
                        1. even bodily sins like gluttony or drunkenness are not “against the body”.
                        2. sexual sins do something to the body that we don’t full understand

                        Ü If this IS a slogan then Paul is using the Corinthian saying to refute their thinking – the widespread Greek belief that the body was simply flesh and of no real value.  Therefore:
                        1. what I do is of no account
                        2. sex of any kind, in any context, is purely a physical act and nothing more – like brushing teeth or putting on shoes

                        To view this passage as:
                        Ü A teaching (non-slogan) requires the addition of “other” for clarification and leaves open an explanation of what exactly Paul is referring to
                        Ü A slogan see the statement after “but” as a refutation of that belief.  However, this leaves open why Paul hones in on this sin “class” as he makes the important point of uniting members of Christ is a prostitute.

                        Proverbs 9:17-18 warns us of the deceitful pleasures of sexual sin and the path in which it leads.

                        In context, this verse could deal with more than sin.  Paul may be giving us insight into spiritual union with God (as well as another person).
                        1. The body is sacred
                        2. God will resurrect our physical bodies
                        3. Defiling the body by joining in an unholy union is akin to uniting sin to God (actually bringing it into His presence)

                        The mystery of the two becoming one could be a concept called Soul Ties. Although not mentioned directly in scripture we see the results of un-holy soul ties in scripture.  When the “two become one flesh” something happens in the spiritual/emotional realm.  This much can be observed.

                        Note Song of Solomon “Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires” (cf. Song 2:7, 3:5, 8:4)
                        ¿: What does the phrase mean?
                        ¿: Why does she repeat it?

                        There are those that consider sex to be generally evil – they are as skewed in their perspective as those that see no evil with any sex.  God created sex and He created it good.  In it’s intended context it is beautiful and wonderful.  Sin has tainted everything in this world and sex is not exempt.  We need to be careful not to throw out the baby with the bathwater.
                        1 Corinthians 6:19-20
                        HONORING THE PRICE PAID

                        19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
                        20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
                        v19
                        Cf. 1 John 3:24 “he lives in us”

                        Our body is not our own
                        v20
                        What we do with our body needs to honor God

                        Conclusion
                        Personal Application:
                        • ¿: If we should guard our bodies for eternal purposes in regards to sexual sins, how them should we treat it when it comes to drugs & alcohol, food, exercise, movies, entertainment, etc.?

                        Homework:
                        • 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

                         

                        Tue 7 Sep 2010

                        Clearing the Air

                        Posted @ 10:05 am      {Click to post comment} 
                        Category: Two Living as One
                        Up until recently I understood the idiom we express as clearing the air to mean that the two parties must sit down together and discuss differences and reach some resolution.  It seemed that anything short of resolution was burying their heads in the sand.
                         
                        Ignoring an issue meant, in my thinking, that it would be like a festering wound waiting to become a fully inflamed infection.  In the end that was ALWAYS worse then dealing with the initial issue.
                         
                        Sometimes, when all else is floating above water, it is simply helpful to air the mutual grievances in a mode of active listening.  Sometimes all we need is not a solution but for someone to walk in our shoes, someone to see life through our eyes.
                         
                        This recent exercise was enlightening.  When exercised in all caution and grace it can be fully rewarding.  Of course, when not utilizing all the wisdom that can only come from The Lord above this can be a recipe for a raging fire.
                         
                        Some things aren’t issues of resolution.  Some issues relate more to an understanding partner.
                         

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