The Covenant of Marriage I. What is Marriage? A. Marriage is like… B. Marriage is the coming together of a man and a woman for the purpose of establishing a new home for the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose (Gen. 2:24).

1. This process involves a leaving of father and mother. a. Leaving father and mother has nothing to do with severing relationship with one’s parents or moving great distances from them. b. Leaving father and mother involves making this new marriage relationship the priority relationship of one’s life.

2. This process involves a cleaving of one to the other. a. Cleaving to one another means that this new relationship is based on a lifelong commitment. b. Cleaving to one another means that this new relationship is based on an understanding that that the commitment level will be tested. c. Cleaving to one another means that we are committing ourselves to one marriage partner for life whatever happens.

C. Marriage is a lifelong partnership built on a commitment to meet each other’s needs and to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives together.

II. Marriage is a Covenant (Mal. 2:14- 16; Pro. 2:16-18). A. A covenant is a formal, solemn and binding agreement or contract, usually under seal, between two parties. 1. The word “covenant” in the Hebrew actually comes from a word meaning “bond” or “fetter” (Ezek. 20:37). 2. It literally means to bind two people together—the two become one.

B. We are living in an age where people do not fulfill their covenant commitments (II Tim. 3:4). C. God Himself has entered into many covenants with man. 1. Examples include covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and David. 2. All of God’s covenants have five common elements that parallel the marriage covenant.

God’s Covenants Marriage Covenants Description of Elements of Covenants PromisesVows This is where commitments are made that form the basis of the covenant. BloodshedDeath to Self A symbolic death must take place to ratify the covenant between parties. Seal or SignThe Ring An enduring seal is used to reflect the enduring nature of the covenant. FeastFeasting A time of rejoicing to celebrate the new relationship that is formed. SanctuaryThe Home A place of relationship where the promises of the covenant are fulfilled.

III. God has provided the pattern for entering into all covenant relationships. A. God’s approach (I Th. 5:23): When God enters into covenant relationship with man, He has an approach that produces life.

God’s Order: Spirit → Soul → Body 1. God begins His relationship with man by inhabiting the spirit of man (I Cor. 6:17). 2. God proceeds from the spirit of man to sanctify the soul of man (Rom. 12:1-2). 3. God’s salvation will eventually involve the redemption of the body of man (Rom. 8:23; I Cor. 15:42-44).

B. Satan’s approach: When Satan enters into covenant relationship with man, He has an approach that produces death.

Satan’s Order: Body → Soul → Spirit 1. Satan begins his relationship with man by tempting him in the physical or sense realm. 2. Satan desires to establish strongholds in the mind of people. 3. Ultimately he desires to inhabit or possess the spirit of man.

C. God wants us to build and establish marital relationships according to His pattern. 1. This means that we start with a union of our spirit. 2. Then we move to a unity in our soul realm of mind, will and emotions. 3. Finally we become one flesh in marriage.

D. Covenant partners must first of all be one in the spirit. 1. This eliminates the idea of Christians marrying the unsaved. 2. Before husband and wife are anything else, they are brothers and sisters in Christ.

IV. Relationships that do not follow God’s covenant pattern face problems. When our relationship is based on physical attraction, there are some negative things that can occur as times goes on. A. The relationship will decline as physical beauty declines. B. The couple will experience a low level of communication.

C. The relationship will be open to more serious moral attack. D. It will hinder the development of true spiritual union.

V. The Solution to the problem is to repent and do what should have been done at the first. A relationship that is based on covenant love will take seriously all of God’s admonitions regarding brother and sister relationships. A. We must maintain peace between each other (Jam. 5:9; 4:11; Rom. 14:23).

B. We must always seek the best interest of the other (Rom. 12:10; Phil. 2:3). C. We must look for ways of serving each other (Gal. 5:13c; I Pet. 5:5b). D. We must always seek to strengthen one another (Rom. 14:19).

E. In addition, we should: 1. Bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2). 2. Exhort one another (Heb. 10:21). 3. Provoke one another to do good works (Heb. 10:24). 4. Comfort one another (I Th. 4:18). 5. Pray for one another (Jam. 5:16).

6. Submit one to another (Eph. 5:21). 7. Use hospitality one to another (I Pet. 4:9). The prerequisite for covenant relationship must be a spiritual union.

Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may [unanimously] with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). Romans 15:5-6, Amp. Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may [unanimously] with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). Romans 15:5-6, Amp.