June Sermon Series Today’s Toughest Issues: Marriage

Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 1 Corinthians 7:8-9

Challenges, Confusion and Misconceptions about Marriage Drudgery Too Idealistic Heaven on earth? Same sex marriage Open marriages No fault divorce Co-habitation Avoid at all costs! Blended families Friends with benefits Starter marriage

Jesus on Marriage Matthew 19:3-6 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,’ and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Jesus on Marriage Matthew 19:7-9 "Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."

Jesus on Marriage Matthew 19:10 The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry." Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

God’s Ideal for Marriage: life-time, committed union between a male and a female characterized by unconditional love and respect, joy, faithfulness, trust, mutually satisfying sex, affirmation, good communication, self-sacrificing for the other’s needs, forbearing, forgiving, reconciliation, mutual delight, adoration, patience, able to yield to the other’s preferences, kindness, understanding, compassion, thoughtfulness = humanly impossible!

Why is it humanly impossible? Imagine a self-centered, controlling person with wounds and baggage trying to make it work with the other self-centered, controlling person who has different wounds, baggage, family background, personality, temperament and is a member of the opposite sex.

Legalism Immorality Indulge desires Try to control desires, live by the rules Marriage: life-time, committed union between a male and a female. Marriage: anything else

Legalism Immorality Indulge desires Try to control desires, live by the rules Marriage: life-time, committed union between a male and a female. Marriage: anything else Freedom in Christ

Becoming the perfect marriage partner! Empowered Freedom in Christ You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Galatians 5:13-15

Becoming the perfect marriage partner! Empowered Freedom in Christ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-26

Becoming the perfect marriage partner! Empowered Freedom in Christ 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! Colossians 1:27... the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Becoming the perfect marriage partner! Empowered Freedom in Christ Ephesians 2:4-5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — Ephesians 3:16-17 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Becoming the perfect marriage partner! Empowered Freedom in Christ 1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

Becoming the perfect marriage partner! Empowered Freedom in Christ 1 John 3:16-17 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 4:7-10 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

June Sermon Series Today’s Toughest Issues: Marriage