Handling The Ups And Downs Of Life
Part 3 - How Do We Handle Marriage?
Gen. 2:18, 24; Pro. 18:22

Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Is marriage all that it is supposed to be? Is it overrated? Is it on its way out? Is it so special?

Why should marriage be important to us?

God made it, it is good. Proverbs 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

It binds and builds society.

It prepares and protects our children.

It commends (honors) and celebrates our Lord.

Yes it is important, even after all these years.

So let us get into the message, How Do We Handle Marriage?

First…
With the intention of permanence

God's plan was one and one, side by side, day by day.
Never giving up, always moving forward, together in unity.
Permanence brings: Commitment and strength
Confidence and stability
Challenge and supremacy Matthew 19:4-6 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

5And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Next, we handle marriage…
With the idea of excellence

We see the… Advantage of marriage - even medical science tells us we live longer
Assistance of marriage - God plan uses our spouse to improve us
Arrangement of marriage - made by God it will help John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

And, we should handle marriage…
With the insistence of romance

Don't let busyness and dull thoughts cheat you

True romance helps prevent: Staleness or boredom
Selfishness
Sore feelings
Straying eyes
Squabbles What is true romance?         Self sacrifice. John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

As partners, we should handle marriage…
With the indwelling of preference

We should place the needs of our spouse above our own.
We should want to spend time with our spouse over others.
We should let others know our spouses are important. [Share attitude by some that changes - and its danger.]

Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

And we all need to handle marriage…
With the intercession of forbearance (forgiveness)

We will all make mistakes - we may not be the one needing forgiveness, but we will eventually

Forgiveness is right - for the party in the wrong and the one right
Forgiveness is not always easy - but it makes things easier
Forgiveness is not always painless - but it heals And…
With the introduction of confidence (trust) There should be no one we trust more than our spouse
Our actions should promote trust
Our confidence encourages our spouse Proverbs 3:27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

And last…
With the ideal of reliance (partnership)

Equality should prevail - true partnership strengthens
You need each other - be complementary not competitive
Two living as one is stronger than two as living as two 1 Corinthians 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
 
 

Marriages should be built on several things:

Christ
Commitment (Love)
Commonality
Cooperation
Confidence Are these part of your life?

Are you handling marriage okay?

Are you handling marriage as God wants?

Are you trying in your marriage or tiring of your marriage?

Is it hers or his marriage, or is it our marriage?

Let me also ask you…

What is your goal as far as marriage is concerned?

To have children?

To raise your children well?

To be yourself blissfully happy?

To help each other reach personal goals in life?

To pool resources and obtain nice houses, cars, retirements, etc.?

To make each other happy (noble, but…)

To enjoy life together?

 All these may be pretty good ideas, but they miss what I feel is God's desire for marriage in our lives.

He wants us…

To help each other know the Lord better

To help each other grow closer to the Lord

To help each other grow close to the Lord

To help point children (if He so blesses) know the Lord (well)

To help neighbors, friends, and family know the Lord

 1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
 
 

So you say, I am not married Bro. Gary. Then I say, care for the Lord!

1 Cor. 7:32-33 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

Serve the Lord with permanence, excellence, true romance or love, preference, he will give you forgiveness, trust and partnership. I say serve the Lord well, He will bless, encourage and help you.

Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 052602am