A Solemn Promise Pt4- Partnership
Introduction (based on sermon series by Craig Groeschel, The Vow)
Seminar- Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage
Continue w/series- A Solemn Promise-
Priorities, Pursuit, Purity (PMario), Partnership
A Solemn Promise
Married people- how many would say you are married to someone very opposite than yourself?
When you are dating opposites attract, but when you are married opposites attack. Unknown
There are many areas that Bonnie and I are opposites-
I like to be places early, she is okay w/on-time, I like it warm at night, she likes it cool, she likes to play board games, I do not.
Being opposites can be a blessing/cause much tension.
Jerry Maguire video clip- you complete me
Jerry Maguire said- you complete me- some spouses might say- you deplete me.
Not true- God uses opposites to complete not deplete.
We have a spiritual enemy who wants to cause us to compete with one another instead of complete one another.
Review our Solemn promises- first week-
I promise that God will be my #ONE priority and my spouse will be my #TWO priority.
Second Week Solemn Promise-
I promise to always pursue my #TWO.
This Week Solemn Promise-
I promise- marriage will be about WE/not ME.
Look at our key verse- Gen 2:24
One- to be united in contrast to being separate, one who-part of a larger total, to be completely together
Eccl 4:9-12
Three-legged race-
Tie you/your spouses legs together w/cord- she is an individual, you are an individual, but you are joined by the cord of Christ. If- work together, serve together, run together at the same pace- you can accomplish much. If each of you go your own way, there is no harmony/unity/common vision-you will be fight/compete.
God wants to complete us by binding us together.
Partners in Crime
Today- talk about partnership, the WE and not the ME.
Marriage is a covenant and not a contract.
When we treat marriage like a contract, it is merely a piece of paper, a legal agreement that we can break.
Malachi- a picture of people whining to God? Why?
Mal 2:11-14
Men-prayers not answered- you have not been faithful.
She is- wife of your marriage covenant, not a contract.
A contract is based on mutual distrust.
A contract protects me from the other person because I do not trust them to do the right thing.
I am in as far as they are in, but no further.
Many people treat marriage in the same way.
A covenant is based on mutual commitment.
Covenant- completely binding commitment that can be maintained by one person.
You may break our covenant vows, but I will not-
I am completely in, 100%.
In a covenant vow, divorce is not an option.
Covenant comes from a Hebrew word- to cut.
Two people would sacrifice an animal/divide in two.
They would then walk between- two pieces together.
Blood of the animal- poured out to signify- seriousness of the commitment- making to each other.
If break the covenant- penalty- death- like the animal.
God has again entered a covenant w/us through the death of His Son Jesus Christ- blood poured out.
God is a God of covenants.
In marriage God has established the gift of lovemaking for the covenant of marriage ONLY.
Virgin male consummates w/virgin female- there is again a cutting/shedding of blood- hymen broken.
Today- people do married things before marriage.
Young people share- life/dreams, w/many partners.
They give their heart/body away-split up- like divorce.
When they finally get married, and things get tough- they divorce because that is their pattern.
For those who have been divorced- do not want to heap condemnation- your pain is very real. Some of you made mistakes and if you could you might do things differently. I do not want us to dig up the past, but look to the future.
Marriage is not about ME and you meeting MY needs.
It is about WE serving HE (Christ) together.
Covenant partnership includes-
godly leadership and mutual submission.
Eph 5:21
We submit to one another out of reverence/worship for the ONE who laid down His life for us.
Mutual submission- not- you do your part/I do mine.
Marriage is not a 50/50 relationship.
Covenant is I will do to you as Christ has done for me.
I will lay down my life to serve you- I am in 100%.
It wise to submit to one another so we can use our differences for the common good.
Some of us only have rebellion towards our spouses.
Three-legged race- each running in a different direction- God wants you to run in His direction.
Look at godly leadership- Eph 5:22
Some of you women are saying to yourself-
“He may be the head, but I am the neck, and I will turn him in any direction I want.”
Some women get upset with this verse- women have been treated unfairly by society, their husbands, etc.
One reason women get upset- all they have seen is distorted leadership- mean/abusive/dominating.
Another side of distorted leadership is passive men-
not willing to stand up/find God’s heart/lead
they abdicate leadership to their wife.
God created men to lead- that does not mean you must make all the decisions- not leadership- dictatorship.
You are called to walk together with your spouse and draw from one another’s strengths and gifting.
Men should be casting vision for their family, pointing in the direction they believe God is leading.
Men- you must lead by example- give your spouse something to honor/respect/follow.
Conclusion
God- calling us- walk together w/spouse, united with the cord of Christ, walking in God’s direction.
Marriage is not about ME, it is about WE.
Even if there is fault w/spouse, I will do my part.
*If you are single and want to get married, how do you know the right person to marry-
run towards your #ONE with all your heart,
look- right/left- see- is anyone cute of- opposite sex running toward God at the same speed,
if you like them- grab hand and say to them-
Psa 34:3 (NAS) O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.
*If you are married and your marriage is not all that you want it to be, what do you do-
kneel down before God,
take your spouses hand, and say to them-
Psa 34:3 (NAS) O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.
The two of you become one serving the ONE who gave His life for you.
Prayer
If you have a hard time submitting to God or to those around you in love, raise your hand.
If you are a husband and have not been the leader you need to be, raise your hand.
God teach us to submit to You/then one another out of love and reverence for you. I pray for a mantle of leadership to fall upon every man. Teach us how- step into our rightful place in our families/Your Kingdom-w/humility/integrity. For everyone here- empower us to pursue You as our #ONE, and if married- spouses as #TWO.
