IT IS NOT GOOD TO BE ALONE (Outline)
September 28, 2008 --
PENTECOST 20 --
Genesis 2:18-24
INTRO: Companionship is a very valuable commodity in our society today. Christian companionship, in marriage and in God’s church, brings special blessings. You and I trust one another because of the bonds in the companionship of our families, whether physical or spiritual. Today our Lord God discusses the blessings of marriage. The Lord declares in our text that it is not good (for the man) to be alone. God creates marriage for the man and the woman. In the bigger picture Scripture also describes the relation of the church and God in terms of marriage. "For your Maker is your husband--the LORD Almighty is his name--the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth"(ISAIAH 54:5). In general, marriage can apply to all believers and their close relationship with God. Specifically, marriage is between a man and a woman. In either case we are reminded of the Lord’s words today.
IT IS NOT GOOD TO BE ALONE.
I. God creates companionship.
II. Marriage is a joyful commitment.
I. GOD CREATES COMPANIONSHIP
A. Genesis 1, beginning, describes creation chronologically. Each day of creation is listed in order.
1. Genesis 2 presents creation topically. There is no specific order given of creation in chapter 2.
2. Verse 19a. The Lord God created animals by his simple, yet powerful word, “Let there be”….
B. Verse 19b. God brings all the animals before Adam. There was no fear among the animals.
1. The animals did not fear the man nor man the animals. The world still lived in perfection.
2. Verse 20. None of the animals was a suitable helper for Adam, physically or intellectually.
C. Verse 18. The Lord God realized Adam needed a suitable helper.
1. Verse 21. With infinite care God creates woman from the man whom he created from dust.
2. Verse 22. Companionship is created. Marriage is established. God blesses with joy and love.
D. From the beginning of time it was the Lord God Almighty who established marriage. It is the Lord God Almighty who blesses marriage. Marriage is not a church tradition. Marriage is not something to do just to please our parents or impress others. States do require that a man and a woman do get a license. It was and still is pleasing to God that a man and a woman live in the bonds of marriage as he has established it. How many look at marriage as something outdated and old-fashioned? "In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God"(1 CORINTHIANS 11:11,12). God creates companionship. God has established from the very beginning. God also blesses marriage.
E. Our society today finds it very difficult to define what is right and what is wrong. This means that the boundaries of morality are often blurred. People get married. Then they divorce and again get married to someone else. At times this cycle continues beyond human comprehension. Others live and do as they want desiring only to please and satisfy the sinful nature. “If it feels good, do it” is the boast of our modern day pleasure seekers. Immorality is all around us. One does not have to watch television very long to have their sensibilities assaulted. Television programming and commercials are based on the thought that sex sells. "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral"(HEBREWS 13:4). God is still concerned about morality.
F. God has established marriage between a man and a woman as the ultimate expression of love. How very sad that it has come to the point that states have to pass laws defining marriage. Our God blesses God-pleasing marriages abundantly. There is companionship. It is not good to be alone. "Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them" (PSALM 127:3-5a). Yes, contrary to the feelings of today, children are blessings. They are not to be counted as liabilities.
IT IS NOT GOOD TO BE ALONE.
God creates companionships – marriages blessed as families.
II. MARRIAGE IS A JOYFUL COMMITMENT
A. Verse 20. Adam names all the animals. There is no helper suitable. Man and animals are different.
1. God knew this. God wanted the man, Adam to come to the same conclusion.
2. God creates woman, verse 21. With great joy God presents woman to man, verse 22.
B. Verse 23. The man, Adam, is overjoyed. He sees woman, Eve, as a suitable helper, a companion.
1. Adam realizes the close connection between them both. She is a very part of me!
2. Woman in Hebrew is eeshah and man in Hebrew is eesh. Woman is from man.
3. Also note that the name Adam is from the Hebrew adam. Adam means man. How fitting.
C. Verse 24. A new household is established. A new generation will be formed. Both are committed.
D. Marriage is given a “bad rap” by many in the world today. There are no boundaries in society. When Scripture is clear concerning what it is right and what is wrong many feel offended. God’s word is concerned about people’s lives and people’s marriages. Here is a point that is often discussed and many times dismissed. "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them"(COLOSSIANS 3:18,19). In any venture whenever two people are working together there needs to be one as a leader. Consider our elections. Each party has nominated a president and a vice president. The husband is commanded not to be harsh with his wife. Both will live together and work together and love together as sinners who need and have been forgiven by God.
E. Satan constantly attacks the Christian church. Satan attacks even the bonds of marriage. Again, some would say that the Bible puts women down. This is not true. Women in New Testament times were treated less valuable than slaves or cattle. When Jesus and the apostles came they put women on a much higher standing. Wives were not to be treated as property or livestock. Wives were also spiritual heirs along with the husbands. "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers"(1 PETER 3:7). Consider any non-Christian society today. Such societies, whether in Asia, Africa, or Arab countries, treat women with great disrespect rather than respect. In God’s word women are raised up to be the same status as men; namely, heirs of eternal life.
F. In the marriage of a man and a woman there is the blessing of companionship. It is not good to be alone. Remember that Christ is also called the husband of the church. The Christian church and its members are never to feel lonely. Paul describes this in Ephesians. READ EPHESIANS 5 today for the right relationship advice of Christian families and marriage. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church"(EPHESIANS. 5:31,32). Christ is the leader of the church. We follow and obey because we want to not by force. This is the same relationship of the leadership of a faithful husband in a loving, Christian household. There is a joyful, lifelong commitment not by force but in love.
CONC.: “It is not good for the man to be alone”. Naturally we would heartily agree. Some of us enjoy the blessing of companionship in the bonds of marriage. God himself has established marriage. Others are blessed by the companionship we enjoy are members of the church, the bride of Christ. God himself creates companionship. In marriage we enjoy a joyful, lifelong commitment, “Till death parts us”. We also enjoy our commitment of Christ to his church and then we as the church to Christ. "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another"(1 JOHN 4:10,11). IT IS NOT GOOD TO BE ALONE. God is always with us: in marriage, at church, and forever. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
SERVICES: 1:00pm @ NCF Min.(Sat) / 12:00pm @ NCF Medium (Sun) / 9:30am @ Redeemer (Sun)
BIBLE STUDIES: TUES. -- 6:00pm (Min) + 7:30pm (Med) @ NCF / 10:55am @ Redeemer (Sun)
/ Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM + www.kqnk.com
PENT. 20 readings:
ISAIAH 5:1-7;
PHILIPPIANS 3:12-21;
MATT. 21:33-43;
(PSALM 118)
