Learning to Think Biblically About Marriage

The World’s Perspective (Heb 13:4)
- honour: valued, precious
  - confronts:
    1. asceticism: “sex is bad”
    2. abhorrence toward marriage: “sex is good, marriage is hindrance in life”
  - the world no longer sees marriage as good
  - Tim Keller, “…maybe the world has misconception of purpose of marriage…”
- self-centred marriage vs God-serving marriage; marriage is not about happiness
  - healthy marriage may lead to happy marriage but your spouse is not Jesus
    - only God can be the source of happiness
The Biblical Paradigm (Gen 2:15-24)
- marriage transcends culture and comes from God
- marriage is sacrificial good for the other; covenant relationship
  - v24: hold fast (cleave); lives being cemented together “uniting through covenant”
- covenant has rights, responsibilities…always the means by which God relates to humanity
- the ring:
  1. circle: continuous and everlasting with spouse and God
  2. precious [metal]:
  3. given to another person: given to spouse and to God
- Mal 2:14; Prov 2:17
- there are vertical and horizontal aspects to marriage
- relationship is not just based on emotion
  - covenant relationship is the bind
- Bible measures love not by how much you receive but rather what you can give
  - when people disparage by saying marriage is “just a paper” they are focusing on self
- Adam and Eve didn’t have mom and dad BUT God is setting standard for everyone else
  1. Marriage is here for us to enjoy deep friendship
    - “not good for man to be alone” WHY? Gen 1:26; The relational nature of God
      - made in the image of God; God is relational, therefore man should be also
      - we are created for community, and marriage is one way
    - marriage is the epitome of “to know and be known”; Prov 17:17
      - look for your best friend, not a strictly physical attraction
      - “cultivate a life together, completely”
  2. To share meaningful intimacy (v25)
    - points to the sexuality that God created to be beautiful
    - the transparency and openness in your relationship at all times
  3. Pursue a common mission (v15)
    - Adam couldn’t do it alone, he needed a helper
    - suitable helper = partner, someone you trust in common calling in mission
    - means to an end; seek first the kingdom of God!
  4. Establish structure for family
The Gospel Picture (Eph 5:32)
- the Gospel fixes marriage, and marriage points to the Gospel
- TUNE IN NEXT WEEK