Singlehood: Biblical Theology of Singleness

I am listening to an amazing message given by John Piper on the Biblical Theology of Singleness. Just thought I would outline it. I will unpack it in pieces in future posts. It is rich and gets my mind soaring.

Sermon Point:

"God promises those who remain single, blessings that are better than those that are of marriage and children." and "He calls singles to display, by your devotion, trues that shine more clearly the message of Christ and His kingdom."

1 Family of God grows not through sex, but faith in Christ
Isaiah 56:4-6
Old Testament Background:
God build kingdom on procreation. Genesis 1:28, Genesis 2:18
Abraham's offspring formed a nation. Genesis 26:3
Must continue the name through offspring and marriage.
Isaiah- Eunuchs will be given better than offspring and name that cannot be cutoff.
Isaiah 53:10 Jesus after giving Himself as an offering, He will see offspring.
There is a new way of bringing offspring.
Isaiah 54:"Shout for joy, O barren one, you who have borne no child; Break forth into joyful shouting and cry aloud, you who have not travailed; For the sons of the desolate one will be more numerous than the sons of the married woman," says the LORD.
Galatians 3- Those who are of faith are the sons of Abraham.
"Single people in Christ have zero disadvantage in baring children for God and in many way, significant advantages."

2 Relationships in Christ are more permanent & more precious than relationships in families
Nature and family is temporary and secondary to the primary and eternal nature of the church/the family of God. We have idolized marriage. This life is but a vapor and it is gone.
Matt. 22:30 - "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven."

3 Marriage is temporary and gives way to the relationship of Christ and church
Matt 19:12 - "For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it."
Made themselves eunuchs- does not mean physically made it
To them is made a memorial

4 Faithfulness to Christ defines the value of life, and all other relationships get their significance from that
How about both?? marriage children and eternal blessings
1- Blessings of being with Christ are superior to marriage... it looses it's force. Keep it in perspective.
2- Both offer unique trials for sanctification therefore both have unique rewards. It is not based on which is better... but how you responded to each.

WOW! What do you think about this quote: The strongest most Christlike single is the one who is virgin til death. What a glory, what a reward. The world will tell you "that's a waste, they don't know anything".

Here is a link to the blog where you can go hear or see this sermon for yourself: http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/610_this_weeks_sermon_on_singleness/
and here is an article:
http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/611_a_biblical_perspective_on_singleness/