Decoding Marriage
9 April 2016
Introduction:
Congratulations to the couple as they come to this day of committing to each other in the life long covenant of marriage.
I want us to look at the original story of marriage and to decode it for our understanding of marriage today.
Genesis 2:18-24:
18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.
20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.
21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh.
22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he 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’, for she was taken out of man."
24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
4 Things we will see in decoding Marriage from this passage:
Purpose of Marriage
Partnership in Marriage
Provision in Marriage
Primary Relationship of Marriage
Purpose of Marriage
What you name you own: God brought all the animals to Adam to name. Why did God not name them himself?
He was giving Adam an assignment. A purpose and task for Adam.
He was establishing Adam’s ownership over the creatures.
It was part of his overall purpose of being fruitful and having dominion in the Earth.
God has a purpose for every man:
Before Eve was even created, there was an assignment given to Adam.
Each of us has a clear God-given assignment
When we give our lives to Christ we discover our purpose. Moses at the Burning Bush, Paul on the Road to Damascus.
God has given Simon a vision in his heart.
Jesus Commission to us:
The Great Commission
Unlike Adam: He is not bringing animals to us to name them. But he wants us to go the unsaved, preach the gospel, so that they can be saved and have their names written in His book of life.
Partnership of Marriage
Purpose cannot be fulfilled alone:
Adam needed help. No suitable helper could be found.
He had relationship with God but Adam needed fellowship, companionship and intimacy on his own level.
He needed a suitable helper:
The Bible defines that as an equally-yoked person. A person of like passions, saved and of the same faith.
That’s why God made the helper from Adam’s own bone - his rib, close to his heart and bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh.
No lone ranger Christians:
Jesus sent out his disciples in twos. Your assignment needs help, companionship, accountability, counsel, second-witness and a friend.
Provision of Marriage
God provided for the need:
I will make a helper suitable.
If it’s not there God will make it happen.
How did God do it?
Put Adam to sleep. Got him out of the way. Maybe he would meddle, he would scream at the pain, he would not part with his rib.
Took a rib. Eve would be a part of Adam.
Brought her to Adam
In your Marriage?
Situations will come: When it’s not good.
Rest in God, deep sleep of trust.
Let God take things out of you
He will always give back manifold, much better
Primary Relationship of Marriage
For this reason:
The reason for purpose: You have a great assignment and you need a close intimate partner, helper, confidant.
The reason of partnership: God does not want you to be alone.
The reason of provision: Marriage is God’s provision to you. Tanya is God’s provision to Simon.
Marriage is Primary: It’s not game over but game changed. Simon and Tanya are leaving parents, family, friends and colleagues to make this relationship primary.
Conclusion
There you go Marriage has been decoded for you
It is to help you fulfill your Purpose
It is for your Partnership
It is a demonstration of God’s Provision
It is to be your Primary relationship.
