1 Corinthians #11: Contentment (1 Corinthians 7:17-24)

We live in a society that has schooled us from birth to be discontent. That’s what makes a consumerist culture go ’round. You can’t be satisfied with your life if you don’t have the latest phone, and you certainly can’t be complete if you use the wrong air freshener. We are coaxed day and night to want more and not be satisfied. The Bible, however, invites us to follow a different direction.

This Sunday we’ll be reading 1 Cor 7:17-24 in our study of Paul’s letter. Paul never uses the word directly, but this section has everything to do with contentment in our relationship with Christ.

V17 provides the header – what reason does Paul give for finding contentment in our circumstances?

Paul talks about circumcision, but his use of that word is actually shorthand for being Jewish. Why might there be a temptation to pretend to be, or hide the reality of being Jewish? What does Paul indicate is more important than religious affiliation?

We’re going to spend some time examining and seeking to better understand v 20-22, which is a troubling bit of Scripture to be sure. How might knowing we have been purchased by Christ’s sacrifice for us lead us toward contentment?

I hope you can join us this Sunday as we dive in to this intriguing passage of Scripture!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.