Creation and the Institution of Marriage
TEXT: Genesis 2:18-25
INTRODUCTION:
There is no greater blessing on earth than a good marriage. A young couple was visiting with an older couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. "Fifty years!" the young husband exclaimed, "That is a long time to be married to one person." The old gentleman looked over at his wife with love in his eyes and said, "It would have been a lot longer without her."
In Christian marriage, two people grow more and more one with every passing year. They are "fellow heirs of the grace of life" and they are more than happy to share. Each is helping the other on the way to eternity.
Someone asked, "Is there anything more beautiful than a boy and girl clasping clean hands and pure hearts in the path of marriage?" The answer is "Yes, there is a more beautiful thing: it is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman finishing their journey on that path. Their hands are gnarled, but still clasped; their faces are seamed but still radiant; their hearts are tired and bowed down but still strong. They have proved the happiness of marriage and vindicated it from the jeers of cynics."
It is sad to see that in many parts of our culture, marriage is seen as the enemy. It stands in the way of personal agendas (or self-centeredness). Marriage is not something a man invented in order to help him achieve status. Marriage is not something invented to oppress the female gender (or the male gender in some cases). Marriage is not a legal union between two women, two men, or any combination of more than two individuals, animals, or things. Living together is a sin against God. It is a perversion of God’s intended purpose of marriage. Homosexuality is an abomination against God. It is a perversion of God’s intended union of a man and a woman in marriage.
Marriage was instituted by God. As a matter of fact, marriage was the first created institution of God. It would form the basis of society. Eventually, it would be one of the main ingredients in the church. Allow me to put it this way. As our marriages go, so goes the family, society, and the church.
I am not suggesting that everyone must marry. God, I believe, provides a special grace toward some in that they have a special gift that they do not need to marry. It is not God’s will that they marry. However, for most, marriage is good and necessary. Marriage, in proper perspective, is a God ordained permanent relationship between a man and a woman. Both are to remain faithful to each other as they mutually do God’s will for their lives together. The marriage relationship, as understood from our text, implies a union of purpose, a union of companionship, and union of the body.
I. Marriage is a union of purpose: To provide each other assistance and help with the tasks God provides.
A. This means that the husband and wife have a singular purpose: to serve the Lord
1. His job/Her job
2. His life/Her life
B. This means that the husband and wife must stick to their God given roles for this purpose to be accomplished.
1. Husband – you are the spiritual leader
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
2. Wife – you are to submit to your husband leadership
Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
II. Marriage is a union of companionship: to provide mutual love and respect in the fellowship of marriage.
A. This means that the husband and wife must fellowship and communicate with each other
* "My husband does not talk to me," is the complaint of 80 percent of American wives. It has been claimed that "One hundred percent of the people seeking professional help for their marriages have problems of communication." In our world, the power to send and receive messages reaches around the globe (even out into space), and this information is available in seconds! Yet, husbands and wives are unable to successfully communicate across the breakfast table. "Please talk to me" is the request and basic need in many homes.
* Communication is a rich source of blessing. What a joy it is to talk and listen! The lack of communication multiplies our problems as it destroys bridges over which we need to travel. An old farmer had trouble guiding his mule, but said nothing. When asked why he didn't speak to the mule, he responded, "That old mule kicked me five years ago and I ain't spoke to him since."
* Marriage offers companionship, and this is impossible without communication. People can be lonely in a crowd or in a marriage. Lines of communication should be carefully built and maintained in the home. "People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges" (Joseph E. Newton).
Communication is more than just speaking. How well do we listen? The Scripture admonished us: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (Jam_1:19). While a senator, Lyndon Johnson had this sign in his office: "You ain't learning nothing when you're doing all the talking." Listening is essential to communication.
B. This means that the husband and wife must stick to their God given roles of companionship
1. Husband – love your wife
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
2. Wife – respect your husband
Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
III. Marriage is a union of the body: In singleness of purpose, in mutual love and respect for each other, live together in a one flesh relationship.
A. This means that the marriage bed is the only God sanctioned place for the physical relationship between one man and one woman.
1. “Fornication” is condemned by God
2. “Adultery” is condemned by God
B. This means that the husband and wife should not deny each other what God has ordained.
I Corinthians 7:1-9
CONCLUSION:
Does your marriage stand up to God’s ideal? Is there a singleness of purpose to serve the Lord within your marriage, or are you going in different directions? Is there mutual love and respect within the companionship aspect of your marriage, or has your fellowship broken down? Are you living in the “one flesh” relationship God has ordained, or are you sinning against God by denying your spouse or contaminating the “marriage bed?”
Perhaps your marriage is ok and Christ centered, but not what it ought to be. Men, perhaps you need to take your responsibility for spiritual leadership seriously and grab your wife by the hand and come to this altar this morning and commit your marriage to God that it would be pleasing to Him.
I am not asking for an emotional response. I am asking you to consider your marriage, ask the Holy Spirit to pinpoint your problem areas, and consciously confess you sin to the Lord.