Essential Elements For Marriage

For June Wedding Sermonette

Essential Elements for Marriage

Part One

I want to share with you something that is no big revelation, but a simple truth that should always be in the fore thought of our minds, “The world has changed, and it is going to keep changing.” (Marriage, From Surviving to Thriving) While change is certain, the marriage that thrives in uncertain times has a man and wife who set their spiritual hearts on the unchanging truths found in God’s Word.

These truths are: One: the heart of humanity has not changed. Two: the Lord’s will for marriage hasn’t changed. Three: the marriage dedicated to Jesus Christ enjoys God’s faithfulness and compassions. Four: God’s truths revealed in the Word of God will always remain unchanged.

A truth worth grasping in regard to marriage, it is God’s idea, not man’s. The Bible holds a powerful truth written by Moses, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” (Genesis 2:24-25) Regarding the Christian marriage, the Apostle Paul quoted this passage of Scripture in his exhortation to husbands and wives in his letter to the church in Ephesus. (Ephesians 5:31) Jesus said during His teaching on marriage, "Haven't you read, …that at the beginning the Creator `made them male and female.’ …`For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." (Matthew 19:4-5)

These very words should draw all of us to a heart desire to be in prayer for those wonderful couples who choose to obey the Lord’s command and make a public profession of their marriage covenant (Malachi 2:14) for one another which is to last “Till Death Do They Part.”

Yes, the world has changed and is going to continue to change. However, God has unchanging truths found in His word that protects the marriage that is under the Lordship of Christ. His protecting and guiding hand is only available to those couples who truly seek His ways. You must choose to search out the teachings of God’s Word, so the Lord can make His ways clear through the trials, temptations, and hardships that arise in the wonderful God ordained institution of marriage. There are essential elements of marriage and you must find Christ’s appointed teachers who can teach you how to apply them.

For June Wedding Sermonette

Essential Elements for Marriage

Part Two

A key truth to grasp for enjoying love until death do you part is to understand the love that comes from God is different from the world’s view of love. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails or [ends, ESV].” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

The Greek language, the original language of the New Testament uses four separate words that describe different kinds of human affection that are all translated as “love” in English. The Greek word “eros” is defined as a passionate emotion. It is physical sexual attraction, infatuation or lust for power, wealth, or fame. It is commonly selfishly motivated and arises from a person’s own inner desires. However, when this love is governed through “agape” love, “eros” love can be a blessing in marriage. The Greek word “storge” is an affectionate emotion. This love is a naturally born emotion and is typical of the bonds between parent and child. Both of these types of love are very unstable and are easily affected by present circumstances. They can wax cold and wane depending on the whim of the day. A third type of love is “phileo.” This is the cherishing and endearing love of a husband and wife, family members for one another, or the love of life-long friends. The fourth is “Agape,” a self-less love

that enables a married couple to show true love regardless of feelings – whether a person feels like expressing actions of love or not. This love enables couples to show love even when harsh words are spoken, when neglected or rejected. It enables couples to enjoy each others successes, victories, and open doors of opportunity. Agape love enables couples to work for the good of each other, for the good of their children, and for the good of each other’s family.

There is a truth worth grasping, a man and woman who are trusting in God and Jesus Christ in genuine faith may enjoy “agape” love. A marriage that has both couples seeking the Lord with all their hearts will find God faithful (Deuteronomy 4:29; Proverbs 8:17; Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9) to give them an enduring love that will last a life time. Through a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ a man and woman may enjoy what Galatians 5:22 calls “the fruit of the Spirit,” one of them is “love” (ἀγάπη). This love only comes from God and is supernaturally placed within the child of God as he trusts in the Lord to live in a way that is in contrast to the flesh, the world views, and the lies of the devil.