Commandment #2 Thou Shalt Cut the Apron Strings Text: Genesis 2: 21-25
21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man. 24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 25And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Introduction: For a marriage to become successful “both” have to become emotionally detached from their family. (This doesn’t mean anyone is cut off, but as a couple your number 1 attention has to be your spouse!) Did you know that vs. 24 appears in the Bible 5 times! “Leave and cleave!” When something in God’s word is repeated over and over we should understand its importance. Men, some other men that just “wish” will call you whipped, but this is God’s command!
I. Husbands and wives, I’m going to hit you with a hard truth from the get go. Are you ready?
A. Vs. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. [This verse can be fulfilled spiritually and emotionally as you both leave and cleave]. Neither, husband or wife will ever feel naked or ashamed if they stay within the covering of their spouse!
B. The statue of Liberty was designed to withstand the hard rains, storms and winds of the New York Harbor. Listen, in a similar way, God designed the structure of marriage to hold up through anything!
C. The word “cleave” in vs. 24 is the word for “glue!” Therefore, when you “cleave” to each other, and grow through your difficulties your marriage will become like “Super glue!”
D. Husbands, your strengths are for your wife, and wives your strengths are for your husband! (If either of you hold back with compliments, or with words of encouragement you are cheating your spouse!)
E. Ephesians 5:24-26 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
F. Who benefits from these verses more? Well, the church isn’t anything without Christ, and Christ couldn’t have fulfilled His Godly role without the church; therefore, both need one another just as the husband and wife need each other in marriage!
G. Say this out loud, “There’s no checking out!” One couple said they got married at the justice of the peace, and our wedding day was the last time we saw justice or peace!
H. It’s time to cut the apron strings with your parents “counseling and money.” It’s time to cut the apron strings by leaving “past people” and “past problems!”
I. Ezekiel 33:31-33 So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. 32 Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them. 33 And when this comes to pass—surely it will come—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”
J. Listen unto these final words! Marriage is a covenant, not a contract! A covenant is based on love, but a contract is based on law. A covenant is motivated by commitment, but a contract is motivated by compulsion. A covenant assumes relationship till death us do part, but a contract prepares for marriage to fall. A covenant say’s, “What’s mine is yours, but a contract protects what is “mine!” A covenant say’s, “Your interests are my interests” but a contract prepares for life apart! (Prenuptial)
K. Ed Young Sr. said, and I quote, “When we stand at the altar we, in effect, are telling our mate that he or she is number 1. But if we’re still attached to parents, past places and people, our spouse in reality may not even be in our top 10. To leave, cleave, and become one, you have to cut the strings!”
