04 - Handout - Marriage Basics

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                                   Taking the Next Step With Joy
                                 In Our Marriage & Family – Part #4

Introduction:
* Each week we want to keep emphasizing the reasons for this series:
   #1: To glorify God in our marriages and families
   #2: Strong Marriages and Strong Families = Strong Churches!


I. Marriage Was Given by God - Gen. 2:18 “And the Lord said . . .”
II. Marriage Fulfills a Basic Need or Purpose.


III. Marriage Is a Growing Relationship.
   A. Marriage involves "leaving" your parents.
              T = Temporary
              P = Permanent
              T = Temporary

   B. Marriage involves "cleaving.”
      1. “Cleave” = welding together
      2. “Cleave” = learning to love

 Titus 2:3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor
  enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4. so that they may encourage the young women to
  love their husbands, . . . so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

 Matthew 6:19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and
  where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither
  moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is,
  there your heart will be also.”

       3. “Cleave” = a commitment to God and to each other

 Proverbs 2:17 That leaves the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God. For
  her house sinks down to death and her tracks lead to the dead; none who go to her return again,
  nor do they reach the paths of life.

 Malachi 2:14 "Yet you say, 'For what reason?’ “Because the LORD has been a witness between
  you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have deal treacherously, though she is your
  companion and your wife by covenant.”


“The Lord’s reaction to this widespread unfaithfulness was threefold. First, He refused to accept the
 sinners’ offerings, even when they wailed & lamented over His displeasure (v. 13). Second, He
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 urged them to come to the senses and return to their wives (v. 15b, 16b). Third, He declared His
 hatred of divorce, which He characterized as a violent deed (v. 16a).” – Robert B. Chisholm (Jr.), Interpreting the
 Minor Prophets, p. 285




                    Love is NOT:              Love IS:
                Feeling               Deliberate choice

                Convenience           Obedience

                Blind Chance          Covenant

                Compatibility         Welding together


                  1 Cor. 13:8 Love never fails.

            * All this happens in spite of changes that occur over time.

    C. Marriage involves "weaving."
       ‘weaving’ = becoming ‘one flesh’
         * God’s view: 1 + 1 = 1

         1. When people get married, you have 2 unique people (w/many differences).
              *Key ingredient to this process: Humility

                 Proverbs 13:10 By pride comes nothing but strife (NKJV)
                 Proverbs 28:25 An arrogant man stirs up strife … (NAS)

         2. Because of the affects of the curse of sin, we have to recognize the fact that adjustments
            will need to be made.

V. Marriage Is a picture.
   A. Of a marriage in Heaven - Rev. 19.
   B. Of how the church should obey God - Eph. 5:22-24
   C. Of the way Christ loves - Eph. 5:25-26

Conclusion: PRAYER TIME!!