SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES Gen. 2:24 [Ron Halbrook, Steven Deaton]

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES Introduction: God’s Word: build good marriages, save troubled ones Apply lessons for stable, secure, happy homes—not seek divorce

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES Introduction: 3. Gen. 2:24 leads to good marriage, happy home, eternal salvation! 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES I. Put God First

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship A. Gen. 2:18-23 Background to Marital Companionship Vs. 18 Man needs a companion 18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship A. Gen. 2:18-23 Background to Marital Companionship Vv. 19-20 Animal no companion

19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. Vv. 19-20 Animal no companion

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship A. Gen. 2:18-23 Background to Marital Companionship Vv. 21-23 God created a perfect companion

Vv. 21-23 God created a perfect companion 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Vv. 21-23 God created a perfect companion

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship A. Gen. 2:18-23 Background to Marital Companionship Purpose of marriage: Fulfill need for companion, share all experiences of life

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship B. Gen. 2:24 Covenant of Committed Companionship 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship B. Gen. 2:24 Covenant of Committed Companionship Leave father & mother Parent-child relation close: form attitudes & values for life New relationship supersedes old

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship B. Gen. 2:24 Covenant of Committed Companionship Leave father & mother Initiate independent home New home: strong, stable, secure

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship B. Gen. 2:24 Covenant of Committed Companionship Cleave unto his wife Cleave: cling, keep close, glue—loyal, devoted, affectionate Man leads: unselfish, her welfare 1st, protect & provide

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship B. Gen. 2:24 Covenant of Committed Companionship Cleave unto his wife Create peace, security, & stability Relationship deep, close, & strong Permanent companionship

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship B. Gen. 2:24 Covenant of Committed Companionship One flesh Complete companionship: unite as one Intimate, tender, loving sexual union

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship B. Gen. 2:24 Covenant of Committed Companionship One flesh Children for committed companions Sexual union unselfish, mutual giving: not selfish demands & instant gratification

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship B. Gen. 2:24 Covenant of Committed Companionship One flesh God’s gift, not “necessary evil” Companionship enriched by patience & adjustment

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship C. Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship Mal. 2:14-16 Marriage vows: sacred covenant of companionship

Mal. 2:14-16 Marriage vows: sacred covenant of companionship 14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

Mal. 2:14-16 Marriage vows: sacred covenant of companionship 15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

Mal. 2:14-16 Marriage vows: sacred covenant of companionship 16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship C. Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship Mal. 2:14-16 Marriage vows: sacred covenant of companionship Sacred: God primary witness to certify marriage valid, make two one by His law

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship C. Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship Mal. 2:14-16 Marriage vows: sacred covenant of companionship Treacherous divorce no release: “yet is she thy companion…wife”

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship C. Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship Mal. 2:14-16 Marriage vows: sacred covenant of companionship Human tactics not hide treachery of divorce from God

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship C. Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship Vows of bridegroom & bride

Vows of bridegroom Do you, ____, desire, & promise to take the one ____ to become your lawful wedded companion; to love, honor, & cherish her in sickness as in health, in adversity as in prosperity; and forsaking all others become and be such a husband as God directs that you should, until death do you part?

Vows of bride Do you, ____, desire, & promise to take this man, ____, to be your lawful wedded husband; to cling to him, honor him, continue faithfully to love & be true to him according to all the laws of God; and forsaking all others become and be such a wife as God desires & commands that you should, so long as you both shall live?

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship C. Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship Vows emphasize commitment & companionship Vows made before God & man Fidelity: enrich character, bless mate Infidelity: curse character & mate

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship D. Committed Companionship Based on Biblical Love Love guided by knowledge of marital duty

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship D. Committed Companionship Based on Biblical Love Love sharing emotional affection Man made in God’s image: love, joy, pity, patience, anger, sorrow

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship D. Committed Companionship Based on Biblical Love Love sharing emotional affection Rom. 12:15; 1 Cor. 12:25-26; Tit. 2:4; 1 Pet. 3:7 Companions share not hide deep emotions

Rom. 12:15; 1 Cor. 12:25-26; Tit. 2:4; 1 Pet. 3:7 Companions share not hide deep emotions Rom 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 1Cor 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Rom. 12:15; 1 Cor. 12:25-26; Tit. 2:4; 1 Pet. 3:7 Companions share not hide deep emotions Tit 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 1Pet 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship D. Committed Companionship Based on Biblical Love Love secured by commitment Vow private & public Vow before God & man

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship E. Restore This Principle If Lost Remember the vow & covenant made before God & man Matt. 5:23-24 Correct failure with God & man

Matt. 5:23-24 Correct failure with God & man 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

SECURING & SAVING MARRIAGES II. Remember Our Marriage Vows: Committed Companionship E. Restore This Principle If Lost Matt. 3:8 Resolve to be a true companion! 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: