SINGLES SERVE THE LORD
I. God's concept of those serving Him is a feast.
A. God specified that Adam and Eve eat of the trees which He provided; God communed with them.
Genesis 2:8-17, 3:6-11
B. The children of Israel were fed manna and quail. Exodus
C. Nehemiah and 5,000 Jews who returned to Jerusalem from captivity held a feast of thanksgiving
for 7 days. Nehemiah 3:10-18, 8:5-6
D. The Jews held a special feast to celebrate their relationship with God. Isaiah 25:6-9
E. Jesus refers to this feast in Matthew 8:5-13 where He says that Gentiles can sit at the Lord's table.
F. Jesus said that His family that sits at His table are those who do His will. Matthew 12:46-50
II. God's family includes everyone who does His will; everyone is needed. I Corinthians 12
III. The Bible has examples of great singles.
A. Some singles were older before they married.
1. Isaac was 40 years old.
2. Jacob was 80 years old.
3. Esau was 40 years old.
4. Moses was 40 years old.
B. Some singles were single again.
1. Jeremiah was a widower most of his life.
2. Anna the prophetess had been a widow more than 80 years.
C. Some singles were mothers.
1. Hagar who was Sarah's handmaid.
2. The Shunamite widow.
D. Some widows remarried.
1. Ruth
2. Bathsheba
E. Some singles never married.
1. Paul
2. John the Baptist
3. Young servant of Naiman's wife
4. Daniel, Meshak, Shadrack, Abednigo
5. Elijah, Elisha
IV. Reasons to be single
A. Haven't found the right person yet.
B. Single for the kingdom's sake. I Corinthians 7, Matthew 19:10-13
C. The loss of a mate; marriaage is temporary. Matthew 22
V. Take Homes.
A. Everyone is single sometime.
B. Singles can do great things for God.
C. God wants singles as a part of His great feast. Luke 14:16-24