Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV)
Genesis 2:18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (NIV)
Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. (NIV)
1 Corinthians 7:8 So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows—it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I am. (NLT)
1. DISCOVER THE GIFT OF SINGLENESS
1 Corinthians 7:7–8 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. (NIV)
2. DESIRE FOR MARRIAGE DOES NOT HAVE TO EQUAL DISCONTENTMENT IN LIFE
1 Corinthians 7:28 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. (NIV)
2A. RECOGNIZE THAT DESIRE AND CONTENTMENT ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS
Philippians 4:11-13 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content WHATEVER the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (NIV)
2B. SEE GOD’S GOODNESS IN YOUR SINGLENESS, NOT APART FROM IT
3. DISCERN THE ADVANTAGES OF SINGLENESS
3A. FREEDOM
1 Corinthians 7:32-33 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— (NIV)
3B. FLEXIBILITY
3C. FOCUS
1 Corinthians 7:34–35 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. (NIV)
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