StudentKnowingGod Spring 2014
The gift of
MARRIAGE Why talk about marriage?
“Married for God” The pattern of marriage Purpose (Genesis 2:18)
God said “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make ________________
! DOESN’T mean that guys are ___________________ I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, and then Eve. (1 Timothy 2:12-‐13)
! Means that guys are ___________________
The motto in Genesis 2 is sex in the service of God. The man and the woman go out into the garden to work together. God’s purpose for marriage is that those who are married serve him in and through their marriages (just as those who are single serve him in their singleness. (Ash, p39)
" Do I want to get married to be served or to serve? " Would marrying him/her help us both serve God better? ! Do we help each other grow in godliness? (Eph 5:25-‐27) ! Do we have the same idea of what life is for? ! Do I want him/her to be the parent of my children?
desiringgod.org/articles/topics-‐for-‐conversation-‐when-‐a-‐man-‐and-‐a-‐woman-‐are-‐considering-‐marriage
Definition (Genesis 2:24)
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother…” “… and be united to his wife…” The LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. (Malachi 2:14) “… and they will become one flesh.”
“What did you expect?” The realities of marriage Marriage is fallen
To the woman he said, “I will greatly increase your pain in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” (Genesis 3:16)
Marriage is temporary
At the resurrection, people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. (Matthew 22:30)
Marriage is limiting
An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs – how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world – how he can please his wife – and his interests are divided. (1 Corinthians 7:32-‐34 – v34 says the same about a woman!)
“The Love of Christ” The fulfilment 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. (Ephesians 5:31-‐32)
Today…
The wife is taken with all her debt, and made partaker of the honours and riches of her husband. Whatever he has is hers, and he stands answerable for all her debts… Whatever he has, he has taken us into the fellowship of it; so that his riches are ours, and likewise, whatever is ours that is ill, he has taken it upon himself, even the wrath due to us. Let us often think of this nearness between Christ and us, if we have once given our names to him, and not be discouraged for any sin or unworthiness in us. Who sues a wife for debt, when she is married? Therefore answer all of Satan’s accusations: “Go to Christ!” If you have anything to say to me, go to my husband. He that exhorts us to bear with the infirmities one of another, and has enjoined the husband to bear with the wife, as the weaker vessel (1 Peter 3:7), will not he bear with his church as the weaker vessel, performing the duty of a husband in all our infirmities? His desire is to make her better, and not to cast her away for that which is amiss.
One day…
Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready… I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. (Revelation 19:7, 21:2)
“Boy meets girl” Some thoughts on “dating” What? Why? When? Who? How?
Married for God – Christopher Ash, IVP What did you expect? – Paul David Tripp, IVP The Love of Christ – Richard Sibbes, Banner of Truth Boy meets Girl – Joshua Harris, Random House