INTRODUCTION
• Philippians 2:2-5, “…living in harmony, and keeping one purpose in mind...be concerned about the interests of others...”
I. LOYALTY IS A LOST CAUSE
• Studies tell us those who stay in marriage are the ones who win in the end.
• Reality is very few marriages live in harmony, unity and intimacy.
• Marriages that last take three different routes to success:
1) Endurance
2) Marital work
3) Personal change
II. WHY COMMITMENT WORKS
• In order for the human heart to engage in deep and trusting relationships it needs security
…this is found in commitment.
• Is your marriage a contract or a covenant?
• A contract limits my responsibility and protects my rights.
• A covenant says that you lose your rights and assume responsibilities.
• Jesus is attractive to us because He gave up everything for us.
• You'll never build a great marriage if divorce is always an option for you.
• Commitment is what makes a marriage great.
• Commitment means being willing to be unhappy for a while until you can work things out.
III. THE MYTH OF INCOMPATIBILITY
• Incompatibility what does it mean?
• The issue is not incompatibility; the issue is selfishness and stubbornness.
• Matthew 19:7-8 - hardness of heart
• Unwilling to compromise, unwilling to change or to work to save the relationship.
• Our marriage will become what we are both committed to making it.
IV. COMPROMISE IS THE KEY TO LIFE
• Compromise is a real mark of mature love.
• 1 Corinthians 13:5, "...love does not demand its own way..."
• Three facts of life:
1) You will have conflict in marriage.
2) Some issues you're never going to agree on.
3) Compromise is the evidence of real love.
CLOSE
• More marriages die from inflexibility than adultery, alcoholism, or abuse.
