THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE
MATTHEW 19:4-6
INTRODUCTION: This coming week Congress is slated to vote on a Federal Amendment defining marriage. There are those who want to establish a traditional definition of marriage. Others oppose any traditional definition and are seeking to redefine marriage. The battle lines are drawn. The sanctity of marriage is under attack like never before. How does the Bible define marriage? Why did God institute marriage in the first place? It must be clear from the outset that our final authoritative standard for our lives is the Word of God. God’s standards do not change. Let us consider what the Bible says about the sanctity of marriage.
I. Marriage is between one man and one woman.
A. Matthew 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they tw0 shall be one flesh?
B. The biblical standard of marriage is a man and a woman.
C. Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
D. Both the Old and New Testament words translated wife literally mean woman. One man – one woman.
E. This standard precludes polygamy
1. … they two shall be one flesh?
2. Marriage is a covenant joining a man and a woman. Covenants in the Bible are always made between two individuals or parties.
3. Once when Mark Twain was lecturing in Utah, a Mormon acquaintance argued with him on the subject of polygamy. After a long and rather heated debate, the Mormon finally said, "Can you find for me a single passage of Scripture which forbids polygamy?" "Certainly," replied Twain. "’No man can serve two masters.’"
4. Ephesians 5:22-23 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
5. Ecclesiastes 9:9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of the life of your vanity, which he has given you under the sun, all the days of your vanity: for that is your portion in this life, and in your labor which you take under the sun.
F. This standard precludes same sex marriage
1. One man – one woman. God instituted marriage between Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.
2. Homosexual behavior is sin and a violation of nature.
3. Leviticus 18:22, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination."
4. Leviticus 20:13, "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their blood-guiltness is upon them"
5. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God."
6. Romans 1:26-28, "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper."
7. It goes against everything the Bible teaches,” he said.
8. It’s a direct attack against our morals
G. This precludes cohabitation
1. One does not have to be a trained sociologist to know there is a growing problem in America involving couples simply living together out of wedlock.
2. The scriptures plainly condemn cohabitation under the heading of adultery and fornication
3. Hebrews 13:4 (HCSB) Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge immoral people and adulterers. - (Msg) Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.
4. 1 Corinthians 7:2 But because of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.
5. Couples that cohabit before marriage increase their odds of divorce by 50 percent. Researchers found that only 15 out of every 100 cohabitating couples were married after a decade
II. The Purpose of marriage is the completion of one another
A. Genesis 2:18 And Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.
B. The world’s view of marriage is “what can I get out of this relationship?” Will it fit my needs? This is the exact opposite view of biblical marriage.
C. Often we hear that matters are the emotion bonds and feelings that the two people share in a relationship.
D. Marriage is not based on emotion any more than any other partnership in life is. Marriage, like many human activities, involves emotion but it is not constituted by the presence of any particular set of emotions.
E. Marriage was intended to be a union of two who complete each other.
F. The mindset that is needed is what can I do? What can I give? How can I help?
G. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
H. It is said that Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, once had captured a prince and his family. When they came before him, the monarch asked the prisoner, “What will you give me if I release you?” “The half of my wealth,” was his reply. “And if I release your children?” “Everything I possess.” “And if I release your wife?” “Your Majesty, I will give myself.” Cyrus was so moved by his devotion that he freed them all. As they returned home, the prince said to his wife, “Wasn’t Cyrus a handsome man!” With a look of deep love for her husband, she said to him, “I didn’t notice. I could only keep my eyes on you—the one who was willing to give himself for me.”
III. Marriage is intended to be a permanent union
A. Matthew 19:5-6 And said, for this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
B. Cleave - to glue upon, glue to; to join one’s self to closely, cleave to, stick to
C. Marriage is an institution and appointment of God, and therefore not to be changed and altered by man at his pleasure; this not merely a civil, but a sacred affair, in which God is concerned.
D. Marriage is a lifelong commitment and partnership between a man and a woman with exclusive love and fidelity with one another.
E. The Bible calls for absolute fidelity on the part of both the husband and the wife. They are to be true to each other. The Bible gives no ground on this issue. The man is to be faithful to his wife and she is to be faithful to him.
F. Exodus 20:14 “Thou shalt not commit adultery"
G. There is a custom in an area of the Netherlands where newlywed couples enter their house through a special door. The door is never used again until one dies and the body is carried out through that same door. God designed marriage like that house. It has one door that is locked tightly. That lock, which keeps the marriage bond secure, is loving commitment for life, which includes a commitment to being reconciled if the relationship should break.
IV. Marriage is a picture of the relationship Jesus Christ wants with You.
A. Just as a husband is to love his wife, so Christ loves us sacrificially
1. Ephesians 5: 25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
2. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
B. Just as marriage is to be a lifelong commitment of mutual faithfulness – so our relationship with Christ is to a mutually lifelong commitment.
1. Christ is eternally faithful to us. – 2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
2. Christ expects us to be faithful to Him – Hebrews 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
3. John 15:4-5, 9 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
