The Two Become One
Genesis 2:18-25 / Song of Solomon 3-4
Introduction
- Pastor Adrian Rogers, “Man is far superior than woman, at being a man. Woman is far superior than man, at being a woman. The differences are amazing and natural.”
- On Tuesday, April 28, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for and against redefining marriage in America. The very institution of God's design for marriage as only between one man and one woman is on trial.
- As hard as it is to believe, nine people will decide if our nation will honor God and obey Him, or turn its back on the most fundamental building block of society and on God himself.
- This morning, our sermon will be different than ones previously taught
-- FACT: I barely recognize our nation anymore – and it needs to stop
- It is the calling of the church to have a voice (ref: 1 Peter: STAND FAST!)
-- Ephesians 6:13, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
- Read Genesis 2:18-25 / Pray
- FACT: Adam didn’t find a mate suitable for him when he named all the animals
-- So with that knowledge, here are a couple of things that leap right out for us:
• Bestiality is not God’s Design.
• God made a woman for Adam, not another man.
• Homosexuality is not God’s design.
• God made one woman for Adam, not two women.
• Polygamy is not God’s design either. (God did not create multiple women)
TRANS: On the contrary, there is a very specific order that the two have
∆ Point 1 - The Positions of the TWO
- Ephesians 5:23, “The husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the
head of the Church.”
- Let’s set some important facts for us to consider … just how are they different?
A. Physical Roles
1 Peter 3:7, “Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives with understanding of their weaker nature yet showing them honor.”
• Men are the provider and the protector (they are physically stronger)
• Women are the nurturers (They are physically softer)
B. Purposes
• He has more energy. Men are designed to work; they are created to work
• She has more durability. Women are the support structure to family
- IMP: It’s when the lines are blurred that we lose the ability to tell the difference
- TRANS: Even how they reason and communicate is totally different …
∆ Point 2 – The Communications of the TWO
- Turn to Song of Solomon, Chapter 3
- Men and women communicate and respond to one another very differently
- The book Song of Solomon is a dramatic writing for today
- It is an incredible love story for us to see and learn from
- Primarily, it captures the conversation of two lovers writing about one another
-- Note: Some say reflects God’s relationship with Israel; or Christ with the world
--- But the visual and physical descriptions show us much more to learn from
- Look at the descriptions of how they are each viewed here:
• She writes: v3:1-4
• He responds: v4:1-7
- The description of how one feels about another is clear:
• Each has a desire for the other; to spend time with them
• There is an intimate longing between these two
• Men respond to physical sight (see his remembrance of her? Describes her.)
• Women respond to intimacy (see the desire she has? Searches for him.)
- TRANS: It shows how each relates to the other (different) in their design
∆ Point 3 – The Needs of the TWO
- Each has a specific need that is fulfilled by the other; Solomon is clear
-- But look at it from the beginning; it was always intended to be this way
-- Genesis 2:20-21, “So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh.”
APP:
- It is not a mystery that man and woman were brought together for closeness
- It is not a weird thing that there is a physical attraction between the two of them
- It is also not strange that God specifically created one for the other; completeness
Facts to consider:
• The deepest need of the woman is romance. (To be loved; cherished)
• The deepest need of a man is admiration. (To be respected; honored)
∆ Point 4 – So what did God actually do?
- God gave man dominion over all the animals in his creation (v19-20)
- But all these animals in the land were not suitable; so God created woman
-- What does this mean? If you are looking for a biblical view of family it’s here
-- APP: God created man to be with a woman; period, end of story
- I believe the Word comes alive here: Adam was excited to see this woman!
-- For some reason, I don’t think Adam would have been excited to see a man
- When God caused this deep sleep he brought life to be alongside man
-- The word woman in the Hebrew is very similar to the same one used for man
-- Man (in Hebrew) is “ish”; woman is actually “ishshah”
- This creation was taken from the man’s side to walk with him in life
-- APP: Not to walk behind, or in front of, but alongside of as a partner/companion
- And so, when woman was created God spoke (v24) her purpose (to be alongside)
-- APP: God calls them to be one in His eyes; because they complete one another
- Woman was not created as something new; but out of an existing created being
-- This is how we know they are complimentary; one came from the other (v21)
∆ Point 5 – What’s our Application in 2015?
- We are not in a position to change God’s definition on this; it is biblical fact
-- You may not like it, may not agree with it, but this is the Word of the Lord
-- It’s not my word; nor my idea; but it is my responsibility to teach it truthfully
- IMP: Not just me … but ALL those who claim Christ as “Lord”
-- Luke 6:46, “Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?”
- Now, don’t get flanked by the enemy’s lies here …
-- Common argument: “Well, Jesus never taught that this was wrong.”
-- Answer: He didn’t have too, God had already decreed it in His design.”
∆ CHANGE SLIDE
- The Bible condemns homosexuality as an immoral and unnatural sin.
-- Leviticus 18:22 identifies homosexual sex as an abomination, a detestable sin.
-- Romans 1:26-27 declares homosexual desires and actions to be shameful, unnatural, lustful, and indecent.
-- 1 Corinthians 6:9 states that homosexuals are unrighteous and will not inherit the kingdom of God (to be clear: will not enter Heaven and receive God’s reward).
--- IMP: Real people are going to a real place called hell … do you care?
- Both homosexual desires and actions are condemned in the Bible, so it is clear that homosexuals “marrying” is not God’s will, and would be, in fact, sinful.
- As Christians, we are not to condone or ignore sin.
-- But, we are to share the love of God and the forgiveness of sins that is available
-- This forgiveness is ONLY available through what Jesus Christ has done
We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and,
Contend for truth with “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
- IMP: As Christians, when we make a stand for truth and the result is personal attacks, insults, and persecution, we should remember the words of Jesus: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:18-19).
∆ Big Ideas
1. God made us different that He might makes us one
2. God did not join two men or two women together … they are the same
-- IMP: The opposite of each is what the other desires; brings intimacy/closeness
3. God’s definition of marriage is very clear for us to see
-- There are no lines to be blurred, no confusion in what His intention is
Challenge:
- On April 28, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for and against redefining marriage in America. The very institution of God's design for marriage as only between one man and one woman is on trial.
- As hard as it is to believe, nine people will decide if our nation will honor God and obey Him, or turn its back on the most fundamental building block of society and on God himself.
- Where will you be when God asks, “Why did you do nothing to stand for me?”
- Pray for repentance where we’ve failed Him and remained silent
- Pray for the grace to be loving … but to stand firm on God’s commands
