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Paul gives advice regarding how to approach marriage and singleness during seasons of persecution. What made Paul's advice worth more than anyone else's was the fact he was speaking under inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's advice was that both are good options, but all of the positives and negatives need to be carefully considered. 1. The Holy Spirit is the Author of Scripture. 2. Wisdom is the ability to make good decisions with whatever knowledge you have. 3. Jesus could come for us in the Rapture, or we can go to Him through physical death.

Paul continues addressing the greatest sources of stress we will experience in this life. From Divorce and being abandoned by a spouse to coping with enslavement and false doctrine. The answer to them all is understanding where your priorities are at before these things ever come our way. 1. God has called and equipped us for the lives we can live to honor Him. 2. You can't control anything in life apart from your attitude towards it. 3. Your life can be a pursuit of approval from God or men. Not both.

David learns from his mistake regarding the first attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. He waits to hear from God. He carefully consults God's Word. He surrounds himself with Godly people. And he enjoys the blessing when the opportunity comes. This is contrasted by Michal, who was so burdened by her past and the ways other people have treated her that she turned an opportunity to enjoy a relationship with God into the destruction of her relationship with her husband. 1. Learning from your past is the only way to enjoy your present. 2. People who wait to hear from God and rest accomplish a lot more than people who insist on making the same mistakes. 3. Your future is determined by your goal. To enjoy God more or to be disappointed by something less.

Paul lays out God's perspective on marriage, divorce and remarriage. Because marriage is a model of something He takes very seriously, it is not to be handled lightly. The union is a picture of His nature. He doesn't like it when that image is misrepresented, abused, or used to take advantage of people. 1. Marriage is intended to be a model of God's commitment to us. 2. Divorce is a last resort in the context of adultery, abandonment, or domestic violence. 3. God doesn't stop a work in a family with just one member of it.

David's kingdom is established as a result of his choices to trust God. This wasn't at a time where he was making all the right decisions. It wasn't even a time where David wasn't dealing with any problems. He was simply given the opportunity to trust God when it mattered and saw the results He promised. 1. Opposition from the world isn't a sign that God is through blessing you. 2. It is better to pray first for direction than pray later for forgiveness. 3. The Christian life is never lived well on autopilot.

To reveal the, contrary to God, attitude of the religious leaders in Israel, Jesus shares this little parable of the Shephard who looks and finds the one lost sheep. Upon finding that sheep, rejoicing is heard amongst the heavenly host in joy inexpressible. This parable no doubt showed how a darkened heart does not see the joy in one’s salvation, nor the awesomeness of the God who pursues mankind. The complaining heart of a human is a sure sign of a spiritual problem. As the religious leaders chose not enter into the joy of salvation, they continued to pursue power and reputation at the expense of Jesus. Do we too, forget what we are called to do and instead pursue things that will never satisfy or fulfill us? Are we loving to see people turn to God as the heavenly kingdom does?

David makes a huge spiritual mistake when he approaches the things of God with less respect and regard for His word than what's due to Him. If we want to serve God in a way where we don't end up making a bigger mess, we need to recognize who God is or that reality will hit us in ways that we won't enjoy. 1. There is a difference between seeking counsel and looking for people to agree with us. 2. Approaching God should be done on His terms. 3. Humility is an honest view of yourself and others.

Paul goes from addressing how the world gets sex wrong and moves onto how to approach the topic from a biblical worldview. Despite the stereotype of treating sex as a necessary evil, God introduced the concept to be enjoyed regularly and perfectly within a covenant that models His own commitment and care towards us. 1. The purpose of marriage is to model the heart of God. 2. The attitude both spouses should emulate in marriage is Jesus' towards the church. 3. The gift of singleness is when you want to be single and enjoy Jesus where you're at.

The organization and motivation of David's armies are a fascinating insight into spiritual warfare. Like David's military, it was a risky balancing act of trusting God and dealing with people. And like David's ministry, it was a victory God saw through as they remained faithful in their callings and the next generation. 1. The people who are most useful to God are those seen to be useless by everyone else. 2. God is as capable of moving your heart to trust Him and He is preventing others from undermining you. 3. People who trust and invest themselves in the promises of God are never disappointed.

Paul addresses the Corinthian church’s struggles with sexual immorality. Instead of just telling them no, he reminds them of the fact that a better option is available. The more you involve and intend the things in this life as an opportunity to glorify and reflect God’s character, the less opportunities you’ll find those things are able to be done through things like prostitution and pornography. 1. Knowing things about God doesn’t mean you’re living in light of those truths. 2. Saved people still sin. 3. Our sexuality can be an incredible blessing that honors God. It can also be abused to do the opposite.

The chronicles of Ezra continue with deeper insight into the lives and reputations of David's inner circle and military champions. The accounts parallel some of what we read in 2 Samuel, but also include details that parallel the ministry of Jesus and the way the kingdom of God functions as well. 1. The best way to pursue joy is to trust Jesus is directing you towards it. 2. The people closest to us influence us the most. Choose those influences carefully. 3. God remembers and treasures the things we do in this life for and through Him.

Paul addresses the cultural assumptions that the Corinthians were bringing into their newfound Christian worldview. It is a common mistake in Christian circles to read their own culture into the bible instead of challenging their culture in light of God's Word. The key is to recognize when you are being influenced and being willing to factor Jesus' resurrection into more than just where you end up after you die. 1. It's harder to unlearn what the world has taught us than it is to receive what God has revealed. 2. God's opinion of how you live your life matters. 3. This life is preparation for eternal life.

The legacy and life of Israel's first king is a tragedy. While he did good things, he is a sharp contrast to men like David because of his unwillingness to own up to his mistakes and seek restoration from God. He is a fine example of what not to do if you are called to be a godly politician. 1. The people who deserve power don't want it. 2. The difference between Saul and David was their desire for a relationship with God. 3. We are all Mephibosheth in the house of Jesus.

Paul provides a contrast between the believers in Corinth and those who don't know God. In a conversation where they were choosing to make the world the standard for how they treated and saw each other, Paul brings their attention back to Who Jesus is and what He's done that sets them apart from the world at all. The answer isn't that they are morally superior, but are called to be influenced by something better than the things they have always known. 1. Who you choose to follow means you are going where they are headed. 2. The only difference between believers and non is what they have done with Jesus' offer of mercy. 3. It is never too late to change your choice of who or what is influencing you.