John Piper - Single in Christ: A name better than sons and daughters

1/18/14

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvhsYU1p3a8&list=PLAcB0f-21Xj26CR8Nc1FAo8dGccTuiFmQ&feature=share&index=8)

4 Truths that shine more clearly through life of devoted singleness than through marriage:

1) the family of God grows not by propagation of sexual intercourse but by regeneration through faith in Christ (and begin having children in Christ)

2) relationships in Christ are more permanent/precious than relationships in families

3) marriage is temporary and finally gives way to the relationship to which it was pointing all along, namely Christ and the Church

4) faithfulness to Christ defines the value of life and all other relationships get their significance from this. (no family relationship is ultimate; relationship to Christ is ultimate)

--> biblical theology of singleness

Isaiah 56:4-5 "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant- to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off."

Blessings that are better than those of sons and daughters - those who remain single will have better blessings than those who marry and have children.

God is building his covenant through the mechanism of procreation from Abraham until now. (paramount importance for Israel people, preservation of name/inheritance): Genesis 2:18 (be fruitful, multiply, a helper fit for him)

Perpetuation of the seed/name through children (Boaz/Ruth)

--> physical offspring crucially mattered, in God's way and time.

Where is this pointing? Isaiah 53:10 "Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him (Jesus Christ) and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand."

Jesus had no offspring? What does this mean?

This is another kind of offspring. When Jesus died for sinners, we become his children, and the children of God.

Isaiah 54:1 ""Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband," says the LORD."

A whole new way of thinking & growing a family in Jesus.

"I'm here to marry/have children/have family!" we say, but we are sons/daughters of God through faith already.

Single people have zero disadvantages in front of God, but in many ways have so many advantages.

Another example: Paul the apostle

1 Corinthians 4:15 "Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel." 

1 Thessalonians 2:7 "but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children." --> that's a single man talking "I'm your father/mother"

Bible is not sentimentalizing about singleness, to make single people feel good? NO: temporary/secondary nature of marriage/family against primary nature of Christ(bridgegroom) and church, the family of God. This is not trivial.

We settled into the culture and idolized the family/marriage. We're here like vapor and then we're gone. Whatever here will be minor after resurrection.

Radical/biblical truth: being in a family does not guarantee you are blessed/will be blessed.

When Jesus' mother and brothers came and asked to see him, Jesus said "who is my mother? who are my brothers? THESE are my family" what a radical statement! --> the followers of Jesus are his family.

Do not elevate natural processes (procreating/childbearing/marriage) into more than what they are- they are temporal/physical and when Jesus comes they will all fade away.

Do we want many family/children? Be part of the resurrection and join the family of God!

What should we say to marriage? Matthew 19:12 "For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

Some people choose by calling a life of devoted singleness.

Paul picked it up. 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 "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. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife-- 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."

What about both? Can't we have both kinds of blessings?

1) we need to know that being with Christ in heaven is so far superior than having a family and children. we need to see Christ and heaven before asking this question.

2) both marriage and singleness present us with unique opportunities/trials for the sanctification process. and there are unique rewards for each, and what is better depends on how we perservere it, not which of the two state we choose.

Summoning singles to a radical devotion to Jesus Christ: grow up, be a single at 25 if God wills.

Strongest single is one stays virgin til death.

The world will say "it's a waste", but what is your world view?

Covenant bonding with people through relationships/friendships - all temporary! remember.

To Him be glory in the Christ-exalting drama of the single life.