THE EFFECTS OF THE GOSPEL ON MARRIAGE (1 OF 2)
by Fred Lowery
Scripture: Ephesians 5:19-33
This content is part of a series.
The Effects Of The Gospel On Marriage (1 of 2)
Fred Lowery
Ephesians 5:19-33
INTRODUCTION: This passage gives a vision of what marriage looks like according to the Bible. Marriage was designed to be a reflection of the saving love of God for us in Jesus Christ.
What God institutes, He also regulates. Marriage was instituted by God, regulated by His Word, blessed by our Lord Jesus.
Main enemy of marriage: sinful self-centeredness.
- Marriage is designed to refine our character.
- "is to create a stable human community for the birth and nurture of children."
#1 Factor concerning marriage - compatibility, above all meant someone who shared a "willingness to take them as they are and not change them." (perfect soul-mate)
Today, marriage is too idealistic, based not on self-denial but on self-fulfillment.
- fulfill their emotional, sexual and spiritual desires
Any 2 people who enter into marriage are spiritually broken by sin, which among other things means to be self-centered.
For this reason, some will decide to remain single or cohabitate. "Reports conclude that cohabitation gives men regular access to the domestic and sexual ministration of a regular girlfriend while allowing them to lead a more independent life and continue to look around for a better partner." STERNBURCH, "A Brutally Candid Oral History."
To avoid marriage simply because you don't want to lose your freedom - that is one of the worst things you can do to your heart.
C.S. Lewis said,
"Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket - safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, unredeemable. The a ...
Fred Lowery
Ephesians 5:19-33
INTRODUCTION: This passage gives a vision of what marriage looks like according to the Bible. Marriage was designed to be a reflection of the saving love of God for us in Jesus Christ.
What God institutes, He also regulates. Marriage was instituted by God, regulated by His Word, blessed by our Lord Jesus.
Main enemy of marriage: sinful self-centeredness.
- Marriage is designed to refine our character.
- "is to create a stable human community for the birth and nurture of children."
#1 Factor concerning marriage - compatibility, above all meant someone who shared a "willingness to take them as they are and not change them." (perfect soul-mate)
Today, marriage is too idealistic, based not on self-denial but on self-fulfillment.
- fulfill their emotional, sexual and spiritual desires
Any 2 people who enter into marriage are spiritually broken by sin, which among other things means to be self-centered.
For this reason, some will decide to remain single or cohabitate. "Reports conclude that cohabitation gives men regular access to the domestic and sexual ministration of a regular girlfriend while allowing them to lead a more independent life and continue to look around for a better partner." STERNBURCH, "A Brutally Candid Oral History."
To avoid marriage simply because you don't want to lose your freedom - that is one of the worst things you can do to your heart.
C.S. Lewis said,
"Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket - safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, unredeemable. The a ...
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