1. #3 – Cords of Love In Love for Life Building or Rebuilding a Great Marriage Mike Mazzalongo

2. Ecc. 4:9-12 9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

3. Book of Ruth

4. Cords of Love 1. Cord of Kindness – 1:1-15

5. Kindness is what gives a relationship staying power.

6. Cords of Love 1. Cord of Kindness – 1:1-15 2. Cord of Loyalty – 1:16-22

7. Ruth 1:15-18 15 Then she said, “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister-in- law.” 16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.” 18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.

8. Nothing strengthens a relationship more than a show of loyalty at a critical moment.

9. Cords of Love 1. Cord of Kindness – 1:1-15 2. Cord of Loyalty – 1:16-22 3. Cord of Hard Work – 2:1-23

10. Best way to “Stir Up” a relationship: Communicate honestly

11. Best way to “Stir Up” a relationship: Communicate honestly Do things together

12. Best way to “Stir Up” a relationship: Communicate honestly Do things together Share Spiritual things

13. A relationship based on Christ has hope not only for this life but for the next one as well.

14. Cords of Love 1. Cord of Kindness – 1:1-15 2. Cord of Loyalty – 1:16-22 3. Cord of Hard Work – 2:1-23 4. Cord of Patience – 3:1-4:12

15. Patience Teaches you… Listen to difficult advice Some problems take time to settle Flawed people have flawed relationships Patience pays dividends

16. Patience is what enables us to love despite the unlovely things we eventually see in our partners.

17. Cords of Love 1. Cord of Kindness – 1:1-15 2. Cord of Loyalty – 1:16-22 3. Cord of Hard Work – 2:1-23 4. Cord of Patience – 3:1-4:12 5. Cord of Faith – 4:13-22

18. Boaz – Ruth David Joseph Jesus

19. Cords of Love Cord of Kindness – Build it up

20. Cords of Love Cord of Kindness – Build it up Cord of Loyalty – Binds it

21. Cords of Love Cord of Kindness – Build it up Cord of Loyalty – Binds it Cord of Hard Work – Develops it

22. Cords of Love Cord of Kindness – Build it up Cord of Loyalty – Binds it Cord of Hard Work – Develops it Cord of Patience – Balances it

23. Cords of Love Cord of Kindness – Build it up Cord of Loyalty – Binds it Cord of Hard Work – Develops it Cord of Patience – Balances it Cord of Faith – Transforms it

24. Love Kindness Loyalty Work Patience Faith

25. Next Lesson: Holy Sex - Part 1