THE RICHNESS OF OUR FAITH “Wives and Husbands…The Marriage Covenant” Part 2 of 3 Ephesians 5:22-33

The Marriage Covenant  Marriage is a human object lesson of a divine relationship!  Therefore we have to see Christ in this object lesson; God’s purpose.

Ephesians 5:22-33 Wives, husband Therefore, 22 Wives, submit [to your own husbands,] as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love [your wives,] just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, (Goals that His sacrificial death had as a blessing) 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

Ephesians 5: that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

III. The Purpose of Marriage: THE GOAL OF MARRIAGE: Oneness Matthew 19:4-6; [Gen 1:24] 1. LEAVING: The only time a son is instructed to leave his father and mother is for the purpose of marriage: Definition: Definition: “to loosen, to commit oneself, to relinquish; to be loosed from the bands that once held it down; a servant set free; a beast relieved from its burden.

Christ in Leaving: Christ’s Example: Phil 2:5-7  Being sent by the Father into Humanity: Phil 2:5-7 Matt 24:36-44  Being sent to retrieve His bride: Matt 24:36-44

III. The Purpose of Marriage: THE GOAL OF MARRIAGE: Oneness Matt 19:4-6; [Gen 1:24] 2. CLEAVING: Both parties do the following to develop the bond of cleaving: a. Initiated with a VOW (a solemn promise of trust and commitment) b. Wife is to honor her husband; husband is to love his wife. c. Intimacy; sexual union d. Oneness of mind, will and emotion. Definition: “to cling; to adhere; to abide securely. To follow hard after, to overtake. In Matthew 19:5 Jesus used a word, which means, to glue, to adhere, to have a strong attachment to.”

Christ’s purpose in Cleaving: Christ’s Example:  God’s pledge to Israel even though Israel adulterated herself to other nations and god’s.  Christ’s engrafting in of the Church as the bride of Christ; making the Jews and Gentiles one.

III. The Purpose of Marriage: THE GOAL OF MARRIAGE: Oneness Matt 19:4-6; [Gen 1:24] 3. ONE FLESH: Eph 5:31-33 a. This a “great mystery”; the concept has THE GOD FACTOR; it is a spiritual mystery; b. Marriage is honorable: Hebrews 13:4 You are honored by God. c. In marriage you obtain favor: Proverbs 18:22 d. You are an heir of the grace of life: I Peter 3:7 e. The full integration of the other’s body, soul and spirit into one person: Eph 5:28 “love your wife as your own body”

Christ’s Purpose in One Flesh Christ’s Example: Ephes 3:6  Ephes 3:6; Gentiles as co-heirs Ephes 5:26-30  Ephes 5:26-30

III. The Purpose of Marriage: THE GOAL OF MARRIAGE: Oneness Matt 19:4-6; [Gen 1:24] 4.COVENANT: “to cut; a compact made by passing between two pieces of flesh; the formation of a binding agreement by blood. a. A bond in blood: b. A life and death agreement; death breaks the covenant. {Christ’s death broke the O.T. Covenant thereby making a new way to God through Christ. c. Initiated by the man; who assumes the greater responsibility to fulfill its terms; required vows, witnesses and seals (rings) d. The terms: leaving, cleaving and joining, one flesh are all covenant terms. e. Death to self; married people take on new identities.

Christ’s Example in Covenant: Christ’s Example:  5:23 “He is the Savior of the Body”  5:25 “He loved her and gave Himself for her”  5:26 “That He might sanctify and cleanse with the washing of the Word”  5:27 “That He might present her to Himself a glorious Church; not having spot or wrinkle”  5:28 Husbands love your wives as your own bodies”  5:29 Nourish and cherish  5:30 We are members of His body, His flesh and of His bones.”  5:32 This is a spiritual mystery.