DEAL OR NO DEAL
Genesis 2: 18-25
18 ¶ Then the LORD God said, "It is
not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for
him." 19 Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field
and every bird of the sky, and brought {them} to the man to see what he would
call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20
The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every
beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.
21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then
He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 The LORD God fashioned
into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the
man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, And
flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of
I DIVINE INITIATIVE – vs. 18
God’s Word presents an exalted view of marriage, for two reasons:
a. It originated in the mind of God
b. It is a picture of Christ and the church – Ephesians 5: 31-32
Our society, on the other hand, degrades marriage. Why? Because of the influence of the “prince of this world.” – John 14: 30
II DISTORTIONS and their cause
·
MEDIA
· MAINLINE Denominations – We need to be absolutely sure of what we believe, especially if our marriages are going to stand the test of time. We must embrace the truth of God’s Word without apology or hesitation. I have never found an irrelevant principle in the pages of God’s Word.
· ME above God’s Word
· “ It’s no big deal to many an unbeliever.” - X
·
II Corinthians
·
“Living together before marriage increases
commitment.” – X
Living together before marriage increases CONFUSION
Violates God’s PLAN
Is sin – FORNICATION
III DEAL OR NO DEAL - COMMITMENT
1. Couple #1 – Adam and Eve – the challenge of a rebellious child
- Driven from the Garden of Eden – harsh consequences of sin
- Buried a child
- Had their 2nd son banished
- Lived in a period of moral decline
DEAL OR NO DEAL? DEAL
2. Couple #2 – Hosea and Gomer – the challenge of infidelity
- Hosea 3: 1-2
DEAL OR NO DEAL? DEAL
3. Couple #3 – Mary and Joseph – the challenge of misunderstood circumstances
- Matthew 13: 55
DEAL OR NO
DEAL - DEAL
What are the NO DEAL scenarios?
· If your children are in danger of physical / sexual harm
· If your married partner is involved in a destructive, unrepentant, addictive behaviour
· If there is physical / sexual abuse from your partner to you
· If there is endangerment to those entrusted to your care
God stands willing to help people of any age, any social status, in any life circumstance or stage: married, single, widowed, divorced, multiple divorces, abused, broken, terrorized, hurting, struggling, fighting for survival, prosperous, happy, healthy, joyful, guilty, grieving or dying.
DEVOTIONAL STUDY FOR THIS WEEK:
Write down the things you want to see God do in your family, and then confess what you must do in each of those situations so that God’s work of grace can begin afresh and you can experience hope.
MARRIAGE NEEDS MY PART
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CHILDREN’S NEEDS MY PART
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PARENT’S NEEDS MY PART
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SIBLING’S NEEDS MY PART
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