MAKING YOUR MARRIAGE WORK MARVELLOUS
I MYTHS
1. Singleness is a curse
If you are single, be thankful for the time and ability you have to walk uninterrupted with Christ – I Corinthians 7: 33-34
2. Children are the most important and everything must revolve around
their
wants
and needs.
“ In all things, He must have the preeminence.” – Colossians 1: 18
3. It’s too late!!!
We’re talking about now and where you go from here. Not the past. That’s a different subject. Apply these messages to the marriage you have now.
II MARKERS
“Do not remove the ancient landmarks which your fathers have set.” – Proverbs 22: 28
ANCHOR à APATHY à ACCEPTANCE of sin
· We have moved our moral boundaries by degrees
· We have lost the ability to distinguish between good and evil
· We have dulled our moral edge
· We have desensitized our conscience.
# 1 – POWER OF CHRIST
#2 – PERMANENCY OF GOD’S WORD
III MILESTONES - Genesis 2: 24-25
24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be
joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his
wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
1) LEAVE
This is not a call for the man and woman to disrespect their parents. While continuing to honour and love parents, a spouse comes first.
· SWITCH primary allegiance
· SUPPORT each other
2) CLEAVE
· Describes absolute devotion, absolute loyalty, uncompromising affection and love – devotion – 2 healthy, emotionally strong people choosing to stick together no matter what happens.
3) RECEIVE
* Phrase stresses unity while recognizing diversity within that oneness.
* 2 individuals living and working in concert with common values and shared goods.
* Not one partner controlling the other
4) SECURITY
· Shared everything – discussion, silence, history, trials, heartbreaks, sorrow, grief, joy, commitment, intimacy
IV MUST DO’S
1. Work on your relationship with the Lord, TOGETHER, every day
- Prayer
- Memory passage – Proverbs 4: 23, 24
- Devotional study – focus = forgiveness
Forgiveness is a common theme in
both Jesus’ personal life and His teaching ministry. Look up the following passages from the 4
Gospels, each of which gives additional insight into Christ’s outlook on
forgiveness. Matthew
2. Avoid “I”. When you’re with your spouse, ask about their day, their health, their burdens, their joys.
3. Don’t be easily offended. “a prudent person overlooks an insult.” Proverbs 12: 16
Remember, resentment is like drinking poison and wishing the other person would get sick.
4. Be cheerful – “A cheerful heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15: 15
5. Drop everything to help your spouse
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