Singles
November 24, 2023

Genesis 2:18 where God says “It is not good for the man to be alone.”

I Corinthians 7:7 I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. 8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Being single is circumstantial.
Celibacy is a vocation.

As Christians, being single includes both being unmarried and sexual abstinence.

I Corinthians 7:25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

I Corinthians 7:32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs —how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord

Myths:

One myth is that being single is too hard
Second myth is that single people cannot experience intimacy
Third myth is that single have nothing but time
Fourth myth is that single have failed in life

Doing Church and Life Together:
First, stop segregating singles
Second, allow singles leadership roles in the church
Third, be willing to learn from them
Fourth, we are equals