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THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE
Marriage is…
By God’s Design
For God’s Display
THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE
Marriage Is by God’s Design
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. (Gen 2:18-19 NIV)
God forms the womanas a unique counterpartto man
“Ezer” – a word of strength military reinforcements
“Like – Opposite”
Marriage is by God’s Design
The Strength of“Like – Opposites”
There has always beena “strangeness” betweenman & woman which leads to struggle
This struggle isultimatelyto bringyou into confrontationwith yourself
In marriage2 people grow up
THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE
Marriage Is by God’s Design
God brings the woman to man for a covenantalrelationship which God forms
"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh‘ So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.“ (Matt.19:4-6)
Marriage has lost its sacredness & seriousnessbecause it has become a consumer relationship
THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE
Marriage Is by God’s Design
Marriage has lost its sacredness & seriousness because a covenant relationship has been replaced by a consumer relationship
As consumers we want a…
Customized product…meets our needs & requires little change
Low maintenance…requires little work
Thrill(“Romance”)
We’ve created a relational design that cannot bear the weight of these expectations
THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE
Marriage Is by God’s Design
Why God’s design of covenantal permanence is so important
At a wedding a baby is born……a one flesh relationship
Child-raising requires SACRIFICE,steadfastness, perseverance…a covenant relationship
The first child, you enter unknown, uncertain territory
So with marriage…”you never know whom you marry,you just think you do” (Stanley Hauerwas, Duke)
THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE
Marriage Is for God’s Display
This is the ONE great reality that will restore thesacredness & seriousness of marriage!!!
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church. (Eph. 5:31-32)
The ultimate reason God designed marriage is to be aflesh & blood DISPLAY of the covenant-keeping love
between Christ & His church.
Marriage is a momentary gift that looks forward to an eternal reality….This is why there is no marriage in heaven
THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE
Marriage Is for God’s Display
The ultimate reason God designed marriage is to be aflesh & blood DISPLAY of the covenant-keeping love
between Christ & His church.
This reality of Christ’s ultimate spousal loveis the energy that sustains commitment
Because my ultimate spouse, Jesus, keeps loving me faithfully thoughI wrong Him daily, I can bend that love toward my spouse inforgiveness, faithfulness, patience, perseverance and hope
THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE
Marriage Is for God’s Display
