1. Godly Homes in an Ungodly World (2) The Act of Marriage

2. In our last study Why this study The home in our society Characteristics of a godly home? TODAY – The Act of Marriage

3. What is Marriage? “ a. A social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc. b. a similar institution involving partners of the same gender.” Random House Dictionary

4. What is Marriage? Legal: “the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a legal, consensual, and contractual relationship recognized and sanctioned by and dissolved only by law.” Webster’s Legal Dictionary (1996)

5. What is Marriage? Biblical: “the union of a man and a woman as husband and wife, which becomes the foundation for a home and family.” Nelson’s Bible Dictionary

6. What is Marriage? Biblical: “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." Matt. 19:5-6, cf. Gen. 2:24

7. What is Marriage? Instituted by God – ordained by Him. As the home goes, so goes society & the church It is a covenant – an agreement entered into willingly & seriously The beginning of a new home unit

8. The Purpose of Marriage  To provide needed human companionship Gen. 2:18-25 – not good that man be alone. One of basest needs of society – Eccl. 4:9-12

9. The Purpose of Marriage  To provide needed human companionship The marriage relationship develops a bond that fulfills this need abundantly. Is your home lonely?

10. The Purpose of Marriage  To propagate the human race Gen. 1:28 “Be fruitful and multiply” Society today does not see marriage as important to accomplish this. Consider homosexuality – Rom. 1:26-27

11. The Purpose of Marriage  To prevent sexual immorality We have a sexual desire. It is God given and good. BUT it is reserved for marriage! Heb. 13:4, 1 Cor. 7:2-5

12. The Purpose of Marriage  To prevent sexual immorality What about premarital relations? While society promotes such – it is SINFUL and FILTH! Heb. 13:4, Eph. 5:5, 1 Cor. 6:15-20

13. The Purpose of Marriage  To develop an atmosphere for rearing children Prov. 22:6, Eph. 6:4, Titus 2:4-5 The “ideal” home environment is a father and mother

14. The Purpose of Marriage  To develop an atmosphere for rearing children This too is under assault in our society. 40% of children being raised without a father. No father – 70% of long-term prison inmates raised without a father. 3 times more likely to fail school, need psychiatric treatment, commit suicide. Horn & Bush, Fathers, Marriage and Welfare Reform, 1997. Marriage provides a stable environment for raising children and drastically increases the chance of success!

15. The Purpose of Marriage  To help each other develop spiritually We need help getting to heaven If marriage is founded upon a relationship with Christ, we will be closer to one another God Wife Husband The closer we are to God The closer we are to one another

16. The Purpose of Marriage  To help each other develop spiritually Many marriages do not begin with this goal. 2 Cor. 6:14-15, Eph. 5:22- 32, 1 Pet. 3:7

17. May we seek to build healthy marriages that magnify God!