In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul affirms both singleness and marriage as good options for Christians. But when he is asked about issues of separation and divorce, Paul applies the teaching of Jesus and the heart of God in a way that offers both grace and truth. There is hope for every marriage to stay together, there is hope for victims, and there is hope for life after divorce.

The sermon today is titled "Body Matters." It is the twelfth installment in our series "City Lights: Bearing Witness To A Culture In Crisis." The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 7:8-15 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 17, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Coffman, James Burton. 1 Corinthians. Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible.
• Hays, Richard B. “Divorce and Remarriage,” in The Moral Vision of the New Testament, pp. 347-78, NY: HarperOne, 1996.
• Instone-Brewer, David. Divorce and Remarriage in the Church: Biblical Solutions for Pastoral Realities, Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2006.
• Adams, J. E. Marriage, Divorce, & Remarriage in the Bible: A Fresh Look at What Scripture Teaches, Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1980 / Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.
• Grudem, Wayne, Heimbach, Daniel R., Mitchell, C. Ben, & Mitchell, Craig. “Divorce and Remarriage,” in ESV Study Bible, pp. 2545-47, Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008.
• Collier, Gary D. “Rethinking Jesus on Divorce,” RQ 37/2 (1995): 80-96.
• Lightfoot, Neil. “Paul on Marriage & Divorce (1 Cor 7).” ACU lectures 1982. (Audio)

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