Divine Design Four Part Series God’s Amazing Creation of Man and Woman God’s original design for man and women The Marriage Covenant Why God created marriage and the roles of husband and wife within a Godly marriage The Beauty and Purpose of Sex The purposes of sex and male and female sexuality Dating God’s Way What the Bible says about dating and how to follow Godly dating principles into today’s society.

Part Two- The Marriage Covenant Divine Design Part Two- The Marriage Covenant

Society views marriage as: A social contract based on self-gratification In some cases, a lease based on convenience A legal document with an escape clause

By God's design, the two most intimate and sacred relationships: Our relationship with God (through salvation) Marriage They are both entered into and maintained on the basis of covenant

Contract vs. Covenant Contractual Attitude Covenantal Attitude As long as we both shall love As long as we both shall live Leverage Love Signing a paper Merging of hearts You had better do it! How may I serve you? What do I get? What can I give? It’s not my responsibility I’m happy to do it! It’s not my fault I accept responsibility I’ll be faithful for now I’ll be faithful always It should be 50/50 I’ll give 100 percent If you do this… THEN I will do that! I will fulfill the role that God has called me to regardless!

God Given Roles – Ephesians 5:21-33 21 We are called to mutual submission out of reverence for Christ. Submit: To place in order, to yield to another 22-24 Wives submit to your husbands Submission does not mean: A wife is her husband’s subject A wife does not have influence or any decision making power A wife must obey her husband’s commands A wife is less intelligent or competent Women are to submit to all men

God Given Roles – Ephesians 5:21-33 21 We are called to mutual submission out of reverence for Christ. Submit: To place in order, to yield to another 22-24 Wives submit to your husbands Submission does mean: A husband and wife are equal with complementary roles Wives are to submit to their husbands like Jesus does to the Father Husbands are servant leaders to their wives Marry a man you can follow

God Given Roles – Ephesians 5:21-33 25 Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Philippians 2:3-8 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…

God Given Roles – Ephesians 5:21-33 25 Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Philippians 2:3-8 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

God Given Roles – Ephesians 5:21-33 A man A woman Designed to feed, provide care, security, and protection Designed to need/crave love and care Created to need/crave nurturing and respect Created to nurture and honor 28-29 31-33

God Given Roles – Ephesians 5:21-33 The first times God describes Himself in Scripture, He reveals Himself as the provider of these very needs! Gen 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." shield; protector- removes fear

God Given Roles – Ephesians 5:21-33 The first times God describes Himself in Scripture, He reveals Himself as the provider of these very needs! Gen 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. El Shaddai means the all sufficient God “shad” means “breast” in Hebrew. Means “all sufficient, able, more than enough breast” -- able to nurture

God Given Roles – Ephesians 5:21-33 We are privileged in our roles as husband and wife to reflect Christ’s relationship with the church! Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.