CHAPTER 9

Isaiah 56:1-7 - Thus says the Lord: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come, And My righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, And the son of man who lays hold on it; Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And keeps his hand from doing any evil.” Do not let the son of the foreigner Who has joined himself to the Lord Speak, saying, “The Lord has utterly separated me from His people”; Nor let the eunuch say,
“Here I am, a dry tree.” For thus says the Lord: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, And choose what pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant, Even to them I will give in My house And within My walls a place and a name Better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name That shall not be cut off. “Also the sons of the foreigner Who join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him, And to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants—Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My covenant— Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

1. God promises blessings to those who are single in Christ

2. (vs. 4,5) Even without marriage or children, these covenant-keeping eunuchs get a name and a memorial better than sons and daughters 

3. Children are born into God’s family and receive their inheritance not by marriage and procreation but by faith and regeneration 

If you are single in Christ, it is your responsibility to show the following: 

1. that the family of God grows not by propagation through sexual intercourse, but by regeneration through faith in Christ 

2. that relationships in Christ are more permanent and precious than relationships in families 

3. that marriage is temporary and finally gives way to the relationship of Christ and the church

4. that faithfulness to Christ defines the value of life.  All other relationships get their final significance from this.  The ultimate relationship is to Christ. 

CHAPTER 10

1 Peter 4:7-11 - But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

• Jesus says to show simple kindness to people precisely because they are followers of Jesus 

• God made bodies and material thing because when they are rightly seen and used, God’s glory is more fully known and displayed 

1 Timothy 4:1-5 - Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

• Everything created by God is good

• Nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving and made holy by the word of God and prayer 

• 1 Peter 4:7-11

  • (vs. 7) We are in the last days, so we should cultivate a personal relationship with Christ

  • (vs. 8) Love is needed in the last days, because of the stresses and tribulations of the times

  • (vs. 9) Show love and hospitality without grumbling

  • (vs. 10) Every Christian is a steward of God’s grace

• Romans 15:7 - Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

1. Since we have received Christ’s saving hospitality by faith, we should extend that hospitality to others.

2. Married couples should plan their hospitality to includes singles also

3. Single people should show hospitality to both singles and married couples