INTRO
- POPULAR OPINION
- 50% of all marriages end in Divorce in the US.
- 18% of all marriages end in divorce in India.
- Gen Z says that they don’t believe in marriage and that living-together relationships are better.
Heb 13:4 – Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
- GOD INSTITUTED MARRIAGE
Gen 2:18 – God looked at a perfect man in a perfect world and said, “It is not good for this man to be alone.” So He made him a suitable life partner.
After creating Adam God says, “it is good”. But after he is married, God says, “Very good!” Gen 1:31
Mat 19:6 – “…Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” – God is the one who instituted marriage, therefore it is good.
Statistics:
- Married men are healthier than single men.
- They live longer than single men
- Married men are more financially stable
- Married men develop stronger communication and people-management skills through their relationships, making them good managers.
- A Bachelor’s home is transformed after marriage
KEY TAKEAWAY 1 – Blessed marriages are based on God’s good purposes.
- THE 5 PURPOSES OF MARRIAGE
(1) To expand your life and talents
KEY TAKEAWAY 2 – Marriage is a covenant that was designed to expand the life & talents of both the husband & the wife.
Gen 2:20-23 – Adam began to sing poetry when he met Eve – Man was all about work before Eve came. He doesn’t have anyone to share his journey with – He bursts into poetry when he sees his wife. He starts living only after the wife arrives!
Gen 2:15 Vs. Gen 1:28 – Adam was given only the garden first, but after Eve entered, He blessed them to have dominion over all the earth. Man’s anointing increases – Adam had dominion over all the earth after Eve came.
Deut 32:30 – One can chase a thousand and two can chase a ten thousand.
(2) To enjoy life with your spouse
Ecc 9:9 – In this world full of pain and instability: Enjoy life with your wife
Prov 5:18 – Rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
The first miracle Jesus did was in a wedding.
What about Paul’s advice?
1 Cor 7:26 – “suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress— that it is good for a man to remain as he is” (a virgin).
This is in reference to the persecution in the early church – many were going to be martyred. Paul chose to remain unmarried so that he would not have to endure the pain of seeing his own family face such persecution.
(3) To bear godly offspring
Mal 2:14-15 – …But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring…”
Gen 1:28 – Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it..”
(4) To fulfill a kingdom-assignment together
Gen 2:18 – God made Adam a suitable helper to help him in His work – it is about establishing His kingdom. This is why I ask young men to find their purpose in life first before finding a woman.
(5) To portray the relationship between Christ & the church
Eph 5:32 – The church and Christ: After Adam was created, it seemed as though the creation was complete. But we all see God bringing forth Eve from within Adam as a surprise. She was a mystery! In the same way, God made a covenant to bless them, but they rejected him. And here comes the church, as a mystery.
As Adam’s side was pierced for Eve and so was Jesus’ side pierced for his Church to be!
KET TAKEAWAY 3 – The best thing about a blessed marriage is that it reveals Christ and preaches the gospel.