1. Strive To Honor God
1 cor 7:1-9

2. "As conscience grows more passive and the evil spirit supplies his guidance, some Christians begin to lower their moral standard - thinking they henceforth live according to a higher life principle, and therefore treat immoral matters as not quite so immoral any more." (Watchman Nee)

3. 1 Cor. 7:1-9 NKJV
1Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
6 But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment.
7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.
8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am;
9 but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

4. Corinth
Wealth
Wisdom
Culturally diversity
Sexual immorality
Idolatry

5. Context Replying to their inquiries on matters relating to Celibacy
Abstinence
Marriage
Divorce

6. Singleness
Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. (1 Cor. 7:1 NKJ)
‘touch’ - euphemism for sexual relations

7. Marriage & Sex
Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. (1 Cor. 7:2 NKJ)
Marriage is God’s only provision for sexual fulfilment
sexual immorality: (porneia), generally, of every kind of extramarital, unlawful, or unnatural sexual activities

8. Principle of Mutual Sexual Responsibility
Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. (1 Cor. 7:3 NKJ)
Render – fulfil
Due – duty, obligations

9. Principle of Mutual Sexual Responsibility
The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. (1 Cor. 7:4 NKJ)

10. “The Gift”
“Paul is explaining that sex in marriage is designed for the fulfilment of each partner. The husband is the only one God has designed to be able to fulfil his wife. The wife is the only one able to fulfill her husband. Each one, Paul says, has the right and responsibility to give to his or her mate the fulfillment of sexual desires as a gift, and each one’s responsibility is not just to the mate but to the Lord in doing so.”
- Jeremiah Study Bible

11. Do not deprive one another
Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (1 Cor. 7:5 NKJ)
But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. (1 Cor. 7:6 NKJ)

12. Gift of singleness or marriage
For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.
8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am;
9 but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. (1 Cor. 7:7-9 NKJ)

13. Case for Marriage God instituted Be fruitful and multiply (Gen 1:28)
It is not good that man should be alone (Gen 2:18)
To prevent sexual immorality (1 Cor 7:2)
Marriage is honorable to all (Heb 13:4)

14. Principles to Strive to Honor God

15. 1.Discipline
training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character’
Knowing God’s law
Corresponds with your love to God
Danger of going with the flow

16. Israelites scattered in the wilderness
1 Cor 10: 1-5
God was not pleased with most of them

17. Preparing the mind for action
Gird up the loins of your mind…as obedient children (1 Pet 1:13,14)

18. Daniel’s discipline
Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself (Dan. 1:8 NAS)

19. 2. Love one another Commandment of Jesus
Selfishness is the biggest threat to love and relationships
"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (Mat 7:12)

20. “Greatest Gift” – Love (1 Cor 13:4-7)
What it is
What it is not
Suffers long
Kind
Rejoices in the truth
Bears all things
Believes all things
Hopes all things
Endures all things
Does not envy
Does not parade itself
Not puffed up
Does not behave rudely
Does not seek its own
Is not provoked
Thinks no evil
Does not rejoice in iniquity

21. Summary Don’t be a passive Christian Disciplined life (inward state)
Love one another (expression of heart)