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:
- Show us God’s design of marriage
- Show us God’s design for men and women
- 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
