2. A Long Lasting Relationship Church of Christ at Medina December 20 th, 2015

3. The Marriage Relationship The Basic Requirements Love Love is a requirement for both the husband and the wife. (Ephesians 5:25-33, Titus 2:4) Love is the grandest of all characteristics. (1 Corinthians 13:13) Love is the bond that holds all things together. (Colossians 3:14) Love is not necessarily an emotional connection. However, it is always a decisive action. (1 John 3:17-18)

4. The Marriage Relationship The Basic Requirements Communicate Communication is essential for a relationship to grow. (Ephesians 4:15,25) Spend Time Together It is closely related to communication. If we want to stay together, we must spend time together. (Proverbs 5:18, Ecclesiastes 9:9)

5. The Marriage Relationship The Basic Requirements Forgive Each Other It is absolute – we will make mistakes and we will make each other angry. Therefore, we need to be ready to forgive each other often, deeply and fully. (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:12-13, Mark 11:25) Commit to Each Other God requires that spouses “forsake all others”. This means that a commitment must be made. (Genesis 2:23-24)

6. The Christian Relationship The Basic Requirements Love God He has already shown His love for us. (John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:4-7, 1 John 3:1, 1 John 4:16) Christians God has always wanted us to love Him. (Deuteronomy 10:12, Psalm 31:23, 2 Thessalonians 3:5, Jude 21) In short, we must love God in return for His love. (1 John 4:12, 19)

7. The Marriage Relationship The Basic Requirements Communicate God God communicates to us through His word. (1 Thess. 2:13) Christians We communicate through study. (Eph. 4:18, Ps. 119:104) We speak to God through prayer. (Philippians 4:6-8) Spend Time Together God & Christians We spend time together with God when we worship Him. It helps to maintain the bond. (John 4:24, Hebrews 10:24)

8. The Marriage Relationship The Basic Requirements Forgive Each Other God has already shown a willingness to forgive. (Psalm 103:1-3) We must be willing to repent. (Acts 3:19-21) Commit to Each Other God has shown the ultimate level of commitment by sending His Son to die in our stead. What are we willing to commit to Him? Time? Resources? Life? Don’t delay!