1. THE PERMANENCY OF MARRIAGE I. GOD’S PART IN MARRIAGE, Matt. 19:3-6 A. God joins in marriage, v. 6 A. God joins in marriage, v. 6 B. God commands the husband and wife to “cleave” B. God commands the husband and wife to “cleave” to one another, v. 5 to one another, v. 5 C. These facts are seen in Rom. 7:2-3; Mk. 6:17-18; C. These facts are seen in Rom. 7:2-3; Mk. 6:17-18; Jno. 4:16-18 Jno. 4:16-18 D. God alone can loose one from marriage, Rom. D. God alone can loose one from marriage, Rom. 7:2-3; Matt. 19:9 7:2-3; Matt. 19:9 I. GOD’S PART IN MARRIAGE, Matt. 19:3-6 A. God joins in marriage, v. 6 A. God joins in marriage, v. 6 B. God commands the husband and wife to “cleave” B. God commands the husband and wife to “cleave” to one another, v. 5 to one another, v. 5 C. These facts are seen in Rom. 7:2-3; Mk. 6:17-18; C. These facts are seen in Rom. 7:2-3; Mk. 6:17-18; Jno. 4:16-18 Jno. 4:16-18 D. God alone can loose one from marriage, Rom. D. God alone can loose one from marriage, Rom. 7:2-3; Matt. 19:9 7:2-3; Matt. 19:9

2. THE PERMANENCY OF MARRIAGE I. GOD’S PART IN MARRIAGE, Matt. 19:3-6 II. BENEFITS OF THE MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP A. Loving companionship, Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4; Matt. 9:15; 22:2-3; Gen. 23:1-2 A. Loving companionship, Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4; Matt. 9:15; 22:2-3; Gen. 23:1-2 B. Sexual satisfaction, Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 7:2-5 B. Sexual satisfaction, Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 7:2-5 C. The proper relationship for the birth and raising of children, Gen. 1:28; Eph. 6:4; 1 Tim. 5:14 C. The proper relationship for the birth and raising of children, Gen. 1:28; Eph. 6:4; 1 Tim. 5:14 D. The relationship in which to grow old, Gen. 23:1-2 D. The relationship in which to grow old, Gen. 23:1-2 E. For the general good of husband and wife, Gen. 1:26-28, 31; 2:18 E. For the general good of husband and wife, Gen. 1:26-28, 31; 2:18 I. GOD’S PART IN MARRIAGE, Matt. 19:3-6 II. BENEFITS OF THE MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP A. Loving companionship, Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4; Matt. 9:15; 22:2-3; Gen. 23:1-2 A. Loving companionship, Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4; Matt. 9:15; 22:2-3; Gen. 23:1-2 B. Sexual satisfaction, Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 7:2-5 B. Sexual satisfaction, Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 7:2-5 C. The proper relationship for the birth and raising of children, Gen. 1:28; Eph. 6:4; 1 Tim. 5:14 C. The proper relationship for the birth and raising of children, Gen. 1:28; Eph. 6:4; 1 Tim. 5:14 D. The relationship in which to grow old, Gen. 23:1-2 D. The relationship in which to grow old, Gen. 23:1-2 E. For the general good of husband and wife, Gen. 1:26-28, 31; 2:18 E. For the general good of husband and wife, Gen. 1:26-28, 31; 2:18

3. THE PERMANENCY OF MARRIAGE I. GOD’S PART IN MARRIAGE, Matt. 19:3-6 II. BENEFITS OF THE MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP III. WHY DO MARRIAGES FAIL? A. Because marriage is viewed as a purely human arrangement A. Because marriage is viewed as a purely human arrangement B. Because of a failure to recognize God intended for marriage to be permanent, Matt. 19:4, 6 B. Because of a failure to recognize God intended for marriage to be permanent, Matt. 19:4, 6 C. Because the marriage is based on something other than love, Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4 C. Because the marriage is based on something other than love, Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4 D. Because of sexual problems, Heb. 13:4 D. Because of sexual problems, Heb. 13:4 E. Materialism; financial problems, 1 Tim. 6:6-10 E. Materialism; financial problems, 1 Tim. 6:6-10 F. A failure to keep courting F. A failure to keep courting I. GOD’S PART IN MARRIAGE, Matt. 19:3-6 II. BENEFITS OF THE MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP III. WHY DO MARRIAGES FAIL? A. Because marriage is viewed as a purely human arrangement A. Because marriage is viewed as a purely human arrangement B. Because of a failure to recognize God intended for marriage to be permanent, Matt. 19:4, 6 B. Because of a failure to recognize God intended for marriage to be permanent, Matt. 19:4, 6 C. Because the marriage is based on something other than love, Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4 C. Because the marriage is based on something other than love, Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4 D. Because of sexual problems, Heb. 13:4 D. Because of sexual problems, Heb. 13:4 E. Materialism; financial problems, 1 Tim. 6:6-10 E. Materialism; financial problems, 1 Tim. 6:6-10 F. A failure to keep courting F. A failure to keep courting

4. THE PERMANENCY OF MARRIAGE (II): WHAT WILL HELP PRESERVE MARRIAGE?

5. “…Quarrelsome couples were punished in such manner until harmony was once again restored to their household.” (Criminal Museum, Rothenburg ob der Tauber)

6. WHAT WILL HELP PRESERVE MARRIAGE? I. REMEMBER THAT MARRIAGE IS FROM GOD, Gen. 2:24; 1 Pet. 3:1, 7; Eph. 6:4; Josh. 24:15 II. PUT YOUR MATE ABOVE EVERY OTHER HUMAN BEING, Matt. 19:5 III. BUILD EACH OTHER UP, Rom. 14:19; Prov. 31:28 IV. CONSIDER AND MEET YOUR MATE’S NEEDS TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY, Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4; 1 Cor. 7:1-5 V. COMMUNICATION

7. Communication Helps: Focus on what is right or the best course instead of on winning the argumentFocus on what is right or the best course instead of on winning the argument Listen to understandListen to understand Spend time discussing problems and issues you each think are importantSpend time discussing problems and issues you each think are important Be sincereBe sincere Don’t let anger influence how you speak to your mateDon’t let anger influence how you speak to your mate Recognize that arguments are a legitimate way to communicateRecognize that arguments are a legitimate way to communicate

8. WHAT WILL HELP PRESERVE MARRIAGE? VI. LEARN TO SAY “I’M SORRY” AND “PLEASE FORGIVE ME,” Eph. 4:32; Mk. 11:25-26; Prov. 18:19; 19:22 VII. LEARN TO LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS, 1 Tim. 5:8, 14; 1 Cor. 4:2 VIII. LEARN HOW TO HAVE FUN TOGETHER! Eccl. 9:9; Prov. 17:22 IX. COMMITMENT, Matt. 19:4-6, 9

9. Author and business leader Fred Smith: “One of my treasured memories comes from a doughnut shop in Grand Saline, Texas. There was a young farm couple sitting at the table next to mine. He was wearing overalls and she a gingham dress. After finishing their doughnuts, he got up to pay the bill, and I noticed she didn't get up to follow him. But then he came back and stood in front of her. She put her arms around his neck, and he lifted her up, revealing that she was wearing a full-body brace. He lifted her out of her chair and backed out the front door to the pickup truck, with her hanging from his neck. As he gently put her into the truck, everyone in the shop watched. No one said anything until a waitress remarked, almost reverently, ‘He took his vows seriously.’” (from David J. Riggs, http://www.public.usit.net/ driggs/brief.htm) http://www.public.usit.net/

10. WHAT WILL HELP PRESERVE MARRIAGE? I. REMEMBER THAT MARRIAGE IS FROM GOD, Gen. 2:24; 1 Pet. 3:1, 7; Eph. 6:4; Josh. 24:15 II. PUT YOUR MATE ABOVE EVERY OTHER HUMAN BEING, Matt. 19:5 III. BUILD EACH OTHER UP, Rom. 14:19; Prov. 31:28 IV. CONSIDER AND MEET YOUR MATE’S NEEDS TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY, Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4; 1 Cor. 7:1-5 V. COMMUNICATION

11. WHAT WILL HELP PRESERVE MARRIAGE? VI. LEARN TO SAY “I’M SORRY” AND “PLEASE FORGIVE ME,” Eph. 4:32; Mk. 11:25-26; Prov. 18:19; 19:22 VII. LEARN TO LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS, 1 Tim. 5:8, 14; 1 Cor. 4:2 VIII. LEARN HOW TO HAVE FUN TOGETHER! Eccl. 9:9; Prov. 17:22 IX. COMMITMENT, Matt. 19:4-6, 9