FTGC-37 1 CORINTHIANS 7 & ONLY MARRIAGE'S INTIMACY--AS GOD DESIGNED IT TO BE

These are amazing days of EVERYTHING changing all around us. Morals are ERODED. Conscience seems to be VANISHING. The Family as God designed it to be is being ERASED. So, what is--GOD'S DESIGN FOR SEX & MARRIAGE, CONTENTMENT, and DIVORCE. Summary: Christ's church was born into a sin-warped, sin-darkened world of mixed-up marriages, sin-scarred lives, and confused families. But men and women who were gloriously saved did not automatically become great wives and mothers, or husbands and fathers. When they came to Christ and were forgiven, God graciously gave them everything they needed to become godly wives, mothers, husbands, and fathers. But, they needed something else. They needed worship services that taught them to believe correctly, and then they needed small group discipleship times to learn how to behave correctly. These new believers needed coaching, training, modeling, and encouragement in a one-on-one relationship. Godly behavior is a series of choices, and those men and women had to be nurtured in daily skills that would lead to loving marriages and families. So, God prompted Paul to write some words that can reach across the centuries and revitalize any marriage, and family, and any home. The key is found in the call for not only Spirit-prompted agape love that is within the heart of every born-again believer—God also wanted each marriage and family to be trained in phileo love. God wants wives to practice the constant improvement of an emotional love of friendship, companionship, and of a shared life with their husbands. This love that glues husbands to their wives is a love that is chosen, and a love that is modeled, and a love that can be learned. Lessons: 1. 1 Corinthians 7:1—Paul explains that the power of sexual attraction is so powerful we need to be very careful. 2. 1 Corinthians 7:2-4—mutual loving companionship is God’s plan, with mutual submission. 3. 1 Corinthians 7:5—not to show physical affection is to deprive one another and open a door to Satan’s attacks. 4. 1 Corinthians 7:6-9—Paul was gifted with singleness, not wanting to be married, most are not. 5. 1 Corinthians 7:8,10,25—Paul describes three states of believers: unmarried (divorced); married; virgins (never married). 6. 1 Corinthians 7:10-16—stay married if at all possible. If wed to pagan, the sanctifying power touches the (v. 14) children. 7. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24—a call to not constantly want somethings else. Be content. 8. 1 Corinthians 7:25-40—Paul says to be undistracted in ministry if called to singleness; but if married, we have a priority to care for our partner. Application Prayer: Lord, teach me how to love Bonnie as You love me. I want to be her best friend, closest of all on Earth to her, and loving her as You, my Savior, love me. Help me not allow Satan a place to tempt me. Teach me this contentment in life and marriage, so I can show others how to follow Your way by my example. Amen Join the LAND OF THE BOOK channel to get access to weekly video releases over the next year totaling 50+ EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS that feature weekly in-depth Bible Study lessons with John & Bonnie. Plus all the assigned HOLY LAND STUDY RESOURCES, and John's two most loved books--David's Spiritual Secret & Living Hope for the End of Days at:    / @dtbm   Here are links to the 52 Greatest Chapters Bible Study Resources we are using: 1. William Carey: https://amzn.to/2U3aft7 2. George Muller: https://amzn.to/3vXcNGs 3. C.T. Studd: https://amzn.to/3dkhqDR 4. Jim Elliot—Shadow of the Almighty: https://amzn.to/3A8fDf6 5. John Paton: https://amzn.to/361u4ng 6. Hudson Taylor: https://amzn.to/3dq8Bst 7. The Romans Road Tract: https://amzn.to/2UrM2Nn 8. Billy Graham’s “I Am the Way” Tract: https://amzn.to/3ha3Hkv 9. Alcorn’s “How Can We Know” Tract: https://amzn.to/3qfPG8O 10. The Bridge Gospel Tract: https://amzn.to/2UqD3fo 11. The MacArthur Study Bible I use: https://amzn.to/33vqwsm 12. Grudem Systematic Theology: https://amzn.to/3y1M1iu 13. The Best Cross-Reference Guide to the Bible: https://amzn.to/3vtFqLU 14. Here are the Navigator Verse Cards that Bonnie & I use: https://amzn.to/3wCWvDv 15. The ESV Audio Bible: https://amzn.to/3bJ4WF5 16. The NKJV Audio/Dramatized Bible: https://amzn.to/3u4BqA3 17. The KJV Audio Bible: https://amzn.to/3hHEnny This is the personal-sized Bible I take with me everywhere as I travel, and that you see in the videos: https://amzn.to/3tM11ha 21. This is the Daily Bible that Bonnie & I read from for 15 minutes each day so we as a couple go through the Bible once each year: https://amzn.to/3ucDFl6 “As an Amazon Associate, I earn income to support us in ministry from qualifying purchases.” Donate to the ministry: https://discoverthebook.org/donations... For more of Dr. John Barnett's Bible teaching messages go to: https://discoverthebook.org/    • FTGC-37 1 CORINTHIANS 7 & ONLY MARRIAGE'S ...