Marriage

Marriage

Introduction: The first time a number of people have any teaching on marriage is at their wedding. They hear the "preacher" say some things about marriage, their responsibilities, and some promises they are to make to each other. Unfortunately we tend to not remember a whole lot about what we promise afterward. I want us to take the time this morning to understand what marriage is.

I) Marriage is a Divine Relationship, Matthew 19.4-6

A) Divine – it was created by God

1. Everything God created in the beginning was good, suitable, for the purpose intended. Genesis 1.

2. God created man and woman, Genesis 1.27

B) Chapter 2 gives us more information about Adam/Eve and their relationship

1. Why was Eve created? Genesis 2.18

    a. No creature was suitable for Adam, Genesis 2.21

    b. She was created to be a companion to Adam

2. Eve was comparable to Adam and yet different

    a. She possessed a soul, body of flesh, a free will

    b. The roles of husband and wife is not meant to demean to reduce the value of either party, Galatians 3.28-29

    c. Even was different in her body and purpose, 1 Peter 3.7; 1 Timothy 2.15

II) Marriage is a Union Between a Man and Woman, Matthew 19.4-6

A) Regulated by God’s law, Genesis 2.24

1. Homosexuality, bestiality, adultery, fornication, and all other types of "alternative lifestyles" are condemned in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 6.9-10

2. Jesus going back to Genesis to answer the Jews question on marriage shows the original intention of God is still His intent for marriage.

B) One man and one woman

1. Can not consist of 2 men and 1 woman, or 2 women and 1 man; or some other combination

2. Man has tried to change the combination of having "open marriages" but God intended marriage to be an exclusive relationship

3. Marriage involves a man and a woman, not a boy and a girl; people mature enough to take on the responsibilities of marriage.

    a. Age by itself does not determine if a male is a boy or a man; or if a female is a girl or a woman.

    b. We are talking about maturity; before you get married to need to make sure you are capable of fulfilling your responsibilities and the other person is likewise.

III) Marriage is a Lifetime Commitment, Matthew 19.6b

A) Marriage is to endure until physical death, Romans 7.2-3

1. A woman marrying another man while her husband lives is an adulteress, only when her husband dies is she allowed to marry another man.

2. This goes back to one woman for one man.

B) Death ends the marriage, Romans 7.3.

1. The Law of Moses stipulated what was to happen if a man died without having a child.

2. His wife was to marry his next of kin.

3. Jesus was asked whose wife she will be in the resurrection, Matthew 22.30

IV) Marriage is A Covenant Relationship

A) A Divine contract between God and man

1. Other covenants:

    a. God’s covenant with Abram, Genesis 17.

    b. Israel’s agreement to the covenant at Mount Sinai, Exodus 24.1-8

2. In order to enter the covenant man must:

    a. Obey the laws of God (have a right to enter the marriage)

    b. Obey the civil laws, Romans 13.1

B) The terms of the Covenant Are Determined by God

1. Man agrees to the conditions set by God’s word (those conditions are binding even if we try to change them)

2. God joins or binds the couple together, Matthew 19.6b

3. They are bound by God’s law, Romans 7.2

V) Marriage Is Honorable, Hebrews 13.4

A) There is a difference between living in adultery and living in marriage

1. Adultery is unlawful, without authority, not sanctified by the law of God

2. Marriage is lawful; one has the right to be in that relationship

3. By what authority does man enter into marriage?

    a. God gives man and woman the right to be married, Matthew 19.4-6

    b. God gives a surviving spouse the right to marry another, 1 Corinthians 7.39; Romans 7.3

    c. A person that puts away, divorces their spouse, for sexual immorality, Matthew 19.9

    d. A married couple reconciling, Matthew 19.9

B) Honorable – proper place for the sexual relationship, Genesis 2.25

Conclusion: God’s Law applies to everybody. Jesus went back to the Garden of Eden to answer their question, not Mount Sinai. God’s law applies to Jew and Gentile, slave and free, Christian and non-Christian. Christ’s Law applies to everyone, Matthew 28.18.

D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 05.06.07

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