Topical Sermons Power Point Show
Scripture Reading: Genesis 2:18-25
Marriage: Designed by God for Success
Intro.
1. Biblical truth and values of marriage and the home have faced withering attacks in our faithless, godless society and from false doctrines of men.
2. Enemies include: Humanism, worldliness, materialism, selfishness.
a. 1974 survey: 1 of 3 college students considered marriage obsolete.
b. 1988: Over 2.5 million Americans living together outside marriage.
c. 2000: Increased to 5.5 million; an eleven fold increase since 1960 (The Broken Hearth, Wm. J. Bennett, 13). More than half of all marriages now preceded by a period of living together (Ibid).
d. 1998: Only 45% of all teenagers (ages 13-18) live with married biological parents.
e. Same-sex marriages, abortion, no fault divorce, etc.
3. Satan has always cast doubt on God’s will (including marriage), Gen. 3:4-5.
4. When marriage (home) is destroyed, society is destroyed, the church is destroyed and souls are destroyed.
I. THE NATURE OF MARRIAGE, Gen. 2:18-25.
A. Ordained by God, Matt. 19:4-6. (Bible: Marriage did not grow out of civilization; civilization grew out of marriage; Fundamental faith.)
1. Covenant (oath) made before God, Prov. 2:17; Mal. 2:14 (Ezek. 16:8, 59).
2. Honorable and to be honored by all, Heb. 13:4.
3. Regulated and judged by divine law, Rom. 7:1-3.
B. Universal in Scope, Gen. 2:21-22 (Matt. 19:4).
C. Provides Companionship, Gen. 2:18-20 (Prov. 2:17).
D. Prevents Immorality, Gen. 2:25; 1 Cor. 7:1-2 (Prov. 5:15-20).
II. DESIGNED FOR SUCCESS, Gen. 2:24 (Matt. 19:5-6).
A. Marriage is Permanent (leave) (for life, Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:39).
1. Marriage is the primary, fundamental relationship of man and woman.
2. Permanency of marriage breeds endurance, steadfastness and stability.
B. Marriage Thrives On Mutual Commitment (cleave).
1. Oath to “hold fast” (be glued to) each other, cf. Deut. 10:20.
2. Permanency produces commitment, which engenders faithfulness (1 Cor. 6:18), respect and understanding (1 Pet. 3:5-7), trust and security (Prov. 31:10-12), contentment and joy (Eccl. 9:9).
C. Marriage is the Union of Two Lives into One.
1. No longer two…one flesh, Matt. 19:6.
2. No longer independent, but co-dependent; yoked together, 1 Cor. 7:4. If you cannot live in this atmosphere of unselfishness, then do not get married!
3. Christ and the church are illustrated by one flesh union of marriage, Eph. 5:22, 28-32.
III. BUILD AN UNBREAKABLE MARRIAGE, Eccl. 9:9.
A. Is Your Marriage in Trouble? (Examine yourself, 2 Cor. 13:5)
1. Common warning signs ("Keys to a Loving, Lasting Marriage," McGinnis, Alan Loy, Reader's Digest, August, 1990, 159-164):
a. You no longer laugh together or surprise each other
b. You confide in others and fantasize about having an affair
c. Your mate brings out the worst in you
d. You never reminisce or talk about your beliefs
e. You stop cultivating common interests
f. You avoid your spouse
2. Commitment solutions: Communication, cooperation, and character.
a. Communication: James 1:19; Col. 3:8-9; 4:6.
b. Cooperation: 1 Pet. 3:7 (joint-heirs of life); Prov. 21:9, 19 (the harm of constant complaining, accusing and bitterness cannot be overstated).
c. Character: Col. 3:12-15 (kindness, consideration, forgiveness, love, ruled by the peace of God) (Eph. 4:31-32), Matt. 7:12.
B. Keep Christ at the Center of Your Marriage, Eph. 5:21-25.
1. “Christ is the Head of this house, the unseen Guest at every meal, the silent Listener to every conversation.”
2. “Marriage Takes Three” (Peter Tanksley).
Conclusion
1. Satan wants to destroy your love, marriage and home; your soul; “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
2. Your marriage can thrive…it can be better today than it was yesterday…it can be a haven of peace and joy in a world of trouble.
3. Your marriage can be all these things and more, because…
a. God designed marriage for success;
b. God has shown us what love is (in His Son);
c. God teaches us what marriage is;
d. God is forgiving, and we can forgive one another;
e.
You choose to honor your marriage (each other) and be different from the world.
By Peter Tanksley
I once thought marriage took
Just two to make a go,
But now I am convinced
It takes the Lord also.
And not one marriage fails
Where Christ is asked to enter
And lovers come together
With Jesus at the center.
But marriage seldom thrives
and homes are incomplete
Till He is welcomed there
To help avert defeat.
In homes where Christ is first,
It's obvious to see,
Those unions really work,
For marriage still takes three.