Lesson #1 - The Sanctity of Marriage

Terry Siverd
05/06/18 - Sun AM

LESSON #1 – THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE

INTRODUCTION

While some may choose to live a celibate life, marriage was ordained by God and is a good thing.

Gen.1:27-28 / “And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female…

And God blessed them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply’…”

Marriage became the God-sanctioned means whereby the multiplication process would express itself.

Gen.2:18, 22 & 24 / “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make a helper for him’...

And the Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man…

For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”

MARRIAGE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

  Jesus reiterated God’s plan - - cf. Mt.19:4-6 and added, “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

  The apostle Paul exhorted, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled” (Heb.13:4).

  In view of the distresses and extreme difficulties that were brought on by tribulations and persecutions associated with the  last days of Judaism, Paul also warned of the challenges that would accompany those choosing to marry.  cf. 1Cor.7:25-38.

~ Paul also affirmed, “It is better to marry than to burn” (1Cor.7:9).

~ Paul warned of latter-day false teachers who would “forbid marriage” (1Tim.4:3).

IS MARRIAGE FOR EVERYBODY?

Some may opt for a life of celibacy (both Jesus and Paul did - - 1Cor.7:7-8).

Yet Paul also argued that he, like the brothers of the Lord and the apostles, had a right to marry if he so chose (1Cor.9:5).

Some choose to be single for life and are happy in doing so with every intention of being a vessel for honor (2Tim.2:22).

HAS MARRIAGE BECOME DEVALUED?

  What is meant by term, “the sanctity of marriage”?

~ In what sense does the union of a man and woman become “holy matrimony”?

~ Marriage “a sacred covenant”!

  Why do you think marriages have become more and more disposable?

~ Is it okay to ”use it” but “lose it” if marriage becomes uncomfortable and too hard?

~ Have some (many) been guilty of speaking their vows too lightly?

  Mal.2:6 declares, “God hates divorce!”

STICKING, STUCK OR STOPPED?

In his book, The Heart Of Commitment, Dr. Scott Stanley discusses the importance of the permanence & beauty of marriage.

Most of us dream of journeying through life with the one person who knows how to make us smile, believe in ourselves, hold us close, and treasure us always.

  How do we go about fulfilling our covenantal commitment?

~ Starting right (with a firm resolution) is vital.  We need to weed out any and all easy-escape options.

  We need to learn to relish sticking together.

~ Discuss the diametrically opposed options of “cleaving” versus “leaving”.

~ How sad it would be to go through marriage led by this thought:  “you’ve made you choice, now live with it.”

  How important is good communication for the short term and the long haul? 

~ How can we enhance our communication skills?

~ How does one cope with disappoint, resentment, anger, and a hosts of other challenges?

  While it may sound unromantic, it’s not unrealistic to realize that a good marriage comes with hard work on many levels.