You can download this .mp3.

Healthy, Strong, Godly marriages are not the norm today.
root issue = we’re not living w/in God’s design for marriage

Goal:

1. Show us God’s design of marriage
2. Show us God’s design for men and women
3. Define love according to God’s standards

These apply to all relationships, not just marriage

Eph 5, Christ is the groom and we are all the bride (church, people, etc)

Betrothal: 2 Cor 11:2, Eph 5:24
Ceremony Rev 19:7-9, 21:1-2

Marriages created to edify both men and women, Gen 2:18,24

• Edified through companionship 1 Cor 7:1
• Edified through pursuit John 17:20-23
  • event to lifetime of actions
• Edified sexual relations 1 Cor 7:3-5

Matthew 22:37 – companionship; pursuit; mind and soul

Marriage created to glorify God

• Adam & Eve – Gen 2:22-24
• Christ & the Church – Rev 19:6-9

2 Cor 11:2 – Our marriages are to serve to the world, an intimate picture of Christ’s relationship to the Church.

Eph 5:22:33 – Marriage is a sacred covenant equal to Christ giving his life for us.

Hebrews 13:4-5 – God’s design is for women and men to observe abstinence until marriage so the blood covenant can be maintained.

Marriage is foundational for all of society
contract vs convenant

• contract – formal agreement between two people, legalistic
• covenant – binding agreement relational, value each other

God’s word always deals in covenant NOT contracts – Romans 4:14-15

Gen 9:8-11
Heb 9:11-15
Gen 2:22-24

lifelong covenant between Himself, one woman and one man Ecc 4:9-12

Tags: abstinence, bride, Christ, companionship, contract, covenant, Loveland Christian Church, marriage glorify God, marriage God, marriage rebuilding, relationships, sacred, sermon, submission