Joined Together Series

TEXT - Mark 10:6-9

6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

God's motive for marriage is for two to become one flesh because two is better than one.

Deuteronomy 32:30 says one can chase a thousand and two can put ten thousand to flight. Matthew 18:19 says if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

The only way two can become one is if God is in the middle of the relationship!

In Matthew 18:20, God says where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them and Ecclesiastes 4:12 says if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Mark 3:25 also tells us that if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

This is why it’s so important to build the foundation of the family upon the union and unity of a husband and wife.

1. ROLES AND BOUNDARY

Mark 10:6

6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

WHAT ARE THE ROLES? Mark 10:6 defines the roles as a male and a female. The roles seemed more defined before women entered the workforce. The man took care of business and the woman took care of home. Because there are now different situations in different homes, roles become more individualized but it’s still a male and a female. Our idea of roles is more so defined by what we saw at home and what we see on TV. The challenge is lining up what the man thinks the roles should be with what the female thinks the roles should be. Even though the roles have changed, the importance of working together to accomplish common goals remains the same.

HUSBANDMAN AND HELPMEET

HUSBANDMAN

Mark 12:1-9 tells us that the husbandman is a gardener. A gardener plants and prunes to cultivate a garden for maximum productivity. The family is a garden and the man is the husbandman. Even though the man is the husbandman, God is still the Lord of the vineyard… I’m just a steward. Matthew 25 tells us that God has an expectation of anything he gives us stewardship over. If the vineyard is not productive, it’s my fault! Even if it’s not my fault, it’s my responsibility! Give an account! What did you do with the talents? Did you train the children up in the way they should go? Did you nurture that talent so it could grow? Did you plant and prune for maximum productivity?

JOSEPH AND JOSEPH

There are two Josephs in the Bible. The one in the Old Testament worked his way up from the bottom of the corporate and political arena to attain a position of prominence before he and saved his family. The Joseph in the New Testament married his wife, Mary, when she was already pregnant with a child that was not his. He is primarily known for his assistance in his wife’s mission and ministry. Which Joseph was more important? Both played a crucial role in the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Different roles but the same mission. The roles have less to do with generating income and more to do with affecting outcomes.

HELPMEET

Genesis 2:18 says And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. The woman is the help meet. Her job is to help her husband meet his maximum potential by submitting to HER OWN husband. When the woman agrees to be the second-in-command, she automatically promoted her husband to a leadership position. Psalm 133:3 says that when she submits to him, then God commands a blessing upon their unity and everything flows from the top down. We she doesn’t, it causes division from the bottom up.

1 Peter 3:6-10

6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

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.

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