I. Introduction
A. The Modern Family
1. In 1970, 67% of Americans ages 25-49 were living with their spouse and one or more children younger than 18.
2. Over the past five decades, that percentage has dropped to 37%.
3. The picture of the American family is changing.
4. This month, I am going to focus on equipping ourselves as a family unit to glorify God.
B. Background
1. Paul begins to make practical application to the idea of walking in love as he begins examining the relationships that mean the most to us or affect us the most.
2. The first relationship he discusses is the most important relationship we have with another human being: marriage.
3. He quotes from Genesis 2:24, which we find a few times in Scripture, almost all of which are discussing matters crucial to marriage.
4. He spends quite a bit of time speaking to wives and husbands about God’s design and desire for marriage.
5. What does it look like to walk in love within the marriage covenant?
6. This morning, we’ll focus on following God’s design for marriage.
II. From Two to One-God’s Design for Marriage
A. Relationship-
1. God’s design for marriage is one and one for as long as they are both living.
a. A covenant differs from a contract in that there are not only legal concerns, but also moral concerns involved.
b. In the Bible, God is involved in making covenants.
2. Concerning the covenant of marriage, Jesus gives us God’s design when He answers a question in Matthew 19; Jesus returns to the garden for God’s original intention for the marriage (Matthew 19:3-6). When we alter that design, we create division (Jesus calls it separation) where God intended connection.
3. This relationship is so unique that Paul compares it to the relationship between Christ and the church.
4. If the marriage is that important to God, it should be to us. Paul characterizes some of that importance in describing the relationship:
a. – true love is sacrificial
b. – a husband/wife should set aside their marriage as special and unique
c. – marriage is designed to nourish (ἐκτρέφω (ektrephō) each person in the relationship
d. – a husband/wife should cherish (θάλπω (thalpō) their spouse; they should be your best friend (knows you best…weaknesses, quirks, habits, temptations, etc.)
5. A good marriage is one that constantly strives to follow God’s design and treat the marriage in the special manner God has prescribed.
B. &
1. The roles and responsibilities that God has set forth are meant to create a relationship that glorifies Him.
2. Having differing roles does not make either male or female less valuable. Both have been created to complement one another.
3. Leadership
a. Husbands are to lead and set the for the home.
b. They are not the dictators of their homes, just as Jesus is not a dictator of the church.
c. Good leaders listen to those they lead.
d. We are living in a society that has started to picture the husband/father as a doofus who is disconnected from their family or not present at all.
e. Men are to lead their homes so that their wives are nourished and cherished, and that what is best for the family as a whole is what dictates what is important.
4. Wives
a. Wives glorify God when they use their influence, skills, talents, and abilities to help their families grow .
b. Wives are to live in submission to faithful, Christian husbands. Submission does not equal being dominated or dismissed.
c. Let me make this clear: in a healthy home, the wife has a voice, and it should carry weight in the decision-making of the home.
5. One thing that these roles show us is that God meant for the marriage relationship to be one that complements each other; it’s meant to be a partnership.
C.
1. God designed the marriage covenant to be a partnership.
2. One flesh carries the idea of not just a physical connection, but also a sense of moving forward as one entity. Teamwork makes the dream work!
3. The wife’s role as a helper is not to be belittled, demeaned, or dismissed. She is of equal value to God.
a. The Hebrew word for helper in Genesis 2:18 is not demeaning.
b. In his commentary, Grasham states that the word “means anyone who assists a person, group, or nation in doing something that could not be done alone.”
c. The word is used of God in Deuteronomy 33:7,26,29; Psalm 33:20.
d. The church is viewed as a helper to Christ.
4. When we examine what Paul says to husbands, he shares things that are meant for the husband to help his wife grow and mature.
5. The marriage covenant has been designed to help a family grow in their through the journey of life on their way to .
III. Conclusion
A. Covenant
1. Marriage is a covenant that is meant to glorify God when we follow His design.
2. Like all designs, they can be hard to follow at times. Some designs have flaws, but not God’s.
B. Invitation