"Remove Not the Ancient Landmarks"
Text: Proverbs 22:28 & 23:10
Intro:
-God repeats almost the same exact statement.
-When He does this placing an emphasis on the subject matter.
-In other words the particular subject is very important to Him.
*Ancient = Old, that happened or existed in former times,
usually at a great distance of time.
*Landmark = A mark to designate the boundary of land; any
mark or fixed object, as a marked tree, a stone, a ditch, or a heap of stones, by which the limits of a farm, a town or other portion of territory may be known and preserved.
-A landmark then is something to designate or establish a boundary to make known and preserve that boundary.
-I believe at the very beginning of mankind, that God place some landmarks to designate boundaries.
-The purpose of these landmarks was to preserve and protect man from destroying himself and causing pain and suffering.
-And twice in His Word he warns us not to remove them.
-I believe one of these landmarks that God set with Adam and Eve in the garden to protect man and promote happiness was the landmark of marriage.
-However, we see the erosion of the morals and values of our society is the result of mankind removing the ancient landmark of marriage as God intended it to be in the garden of Eden.
-There no longer exists in our society the boundary that intended for marriage when He first set it in the garden of Eden.
-We have seen first hand this past week the result of this landmark being removed.
*Right here in the city of Newton, a first grad school teacher openly discussed with his students how his partner was male.
-That was not wicked enough.
-There was no public outcry.
-This teacher was supported by the superintendent of schools of Newton, and other teachers and parents.
*This past week, Ford Motor Company voted to extend worker’s benefits to employees with the same sex partners.
-All under the guise to attract the brightest and best workers.
-To competitive in the job market.
*We see a movement in this country for recognizing and legalizing same sex marriage.
-I want us to look at the landmark of Marriage as the Lord set in back in the garden of Eden.
I. PARTNERS OF MARRIAGE
A. Male & Female - Mt. 19:4-6
-Notice v 4. "at the beginning"
-This was established by God at the
creation of man.
-Notice v 5. male & female to cleave - when marriage takes place.
II. PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE
What is marriage: A companionship and partnership entered into by agreement to share life permanently as God intended it.
A. Companionship - Ge. 2:18-20
B. Be fruitful & to have children - Ge. 1:28
C. Sexual Satisfaction & intimacy - Ge 2:24 - cleave
1. I Cor. 7:1-2
2. Heb. 13:4
3. Ge. 24:67 - Issac & Rebekah
III. PROTECTION OF MARRIAGE
A. From sexual transmitted diseases - Aids, etc.
B. Duty of the Husband
1. Support & shelter wife from danger - 1 Tim. 5:8
2. Honor & cherish wife - command to love wife as
Christ so loved the church and give himself for it.
See Eph. 5:25-29
C. Duty of the Wife
1. Reverence & obey - Eph. 5:22-24, 33.
2. Put on the ornament of a meek & quiet spirit
which is in God’s sight, an ornament of great price.
*The Bible has a lot to say about a contentious and bossy
women.
3. Be subject unto their own husbands, even as the
church is subject unto Christ. 1 Pe. 3:1-5
D. Duty of Both - 1 Cor. 7:3-5.
1. To delight each in fellowship of the other
(not a third party)
2. Remember that in interest and as in reputation
as in affection, they are to be henceforth one and
undivided.
a. To preserve an inviolable fidelity.
b. To see to it that this union is not put asunder.
Conclusion: I. Partners of Marriage
II. Purpose of Marriage
III. Protection of Marriage
