1. Ephesians 5:22-25 Happiness In Marriage

2. Last week we discussed the idea of happiness We understood from that lesson that Gods greatest concern is not my ultimate happiness Gods will is more important than things in this world that I think might bring me happiness Following Gods will provides the means to find true happiness

3. Happiness In Marriage When do we often hear the statement, God just wants me to be happy? It usually comes when one is trying to justify an action that is seemingly contrary to Gods will The reasoning is that God is a loving God who would not wish or will purposely that someone be unhappy

4. Happiness In Marriage One of the primary times we hear this is when it comes to ones marriage relationship We know divorce is rampant in our society and it has leaked over into the church Part of the problem is that we have church leaders telling people that it is okay to do They teach that God just wants us to be happy

5. Happiness In Marriage When God designed marriage He designed it to make men happy The problem is that man has come along and changed what God originally set forth as His plan for marriage So what was Gods plan for giving us happiness through marriage?

6. Companionship Gods plan for mans happiness centered around giving him a companion God saw that it was not good that man was alone (Gen. 2:18), so He decided to fix that In other words, God had a plan to make man happy So God created woman (Eve) to be that helper

7. Companionship He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord (Prov. 18:22) A virtuous wife is spoken of in Proverbs 31 There the Bible tells of the great worth of a good companion Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

8. Companionship Its obvious that God had a great plan to bring man happiness with a companion Man has taken Gods original plan and declared it no good when he uses a woman as an object or a tool to simply fulfill his pleasures Gods purpose is good, we need to follow it as He has set it forth

9. Stability Gods plan was more than just having a mere companion The idea was for man to have one companion that lasted for a lifetime In Genesis 2:24 the Bible says that the two (male and female) shall become one flesh Gods plan involved two that would become inseparable

10. Stability This provides man the stability in life that he longs for Matthew 19:4-6 God joined them together and man is not allowed to separate that bond However, it is a daily occurrence for man to separate the marriage unit

11. Stability God recognizes a separation in 2 cases: God separates because of death (Rom. 7:1-3; Matt. 22:23-30) God separates because of sexual immorality (Matt. 19:8-9) The original plan included one man for one woman for one lifetime

12. Stability Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered (I Pet. 3:7) God intended for a husband and wife to stay together and help one another to heaven

13. Satisfaction God also had a plan for man and woman to experience physical satisfaction within the bonds of marriage Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge (Heb. 13:4) God planned for exclusivity in marriage (I Cor. 6:9; Gal. 5:19)

14. Satisfaction Paul mentions fulfilling this need in marriage as well (I Cor. 7:1-5) Notice that the Bible tells us that this is intended for a man and a woman (Matt. 19:4-5; Gen. 2:22, 24) Man has also twisted what God created and established and has taken it beyond marriage

15. Heritage (Children) Another means of happiness in marriage is Gods blessing of children Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of ones youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them (Ps. 127:3-5)

16. Heritage (Children) Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table (Ps. 128:3) God told man to be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:28) Jesus himself spoke highly of children (Matt. 18:1-6; 19:13-15)