Summary: 1. “Marriage is instituted by God as a Covenant relationship between one man and one woman”.

Genesis 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

1. “Marriage is instituted by God as a Covenant relationship between one man and one woman”.

“to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”

Why should we get married?

What Are The Problems With Living Together?

1. Living together doesn’t “divorce-proof” your marriage.

“Couples who lived together before marrying have nearly an 80% higher divorce rate than those who did not.” (Florida Times-Union, December 8, 1987) 70% youth 50%

Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh

The marriage vow is a very, very serious promise with the exception of the pledge of faithfulness

Marriage is not of human origin — and it is not a disposable relationship.

Marriage is not an institution dreamed up in the heart of man

Marriage is the product of of God’s Divine Wisdom.

Romans 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man

Matthew 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery

2.Marriage Meets the Need of Companionship.

(Gen 2:18, 20-24)

The only thing that God created and said that it was not good was a lonely man “It is not good for man to be alone.

The God show Adam his need for a wife

Stats: Lonely - Married 4.6% / Unmarried 14.5% / Divorced 20.5% / Separated 29.6%.

Marriage is the closest human relationship! (Best friend = support

a. Communicate

1 verbal

James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

2. INTIMACY

A. In marriage a man and a woman become “one flesh” (Gen. 2:24)

Today, the lack of intimacy in marriages is a problem that is helping to erode the very foundations of our society. In godly marriage, a husband and a wife become one flesh — and live as such

b. Cooperation -working together

1. Ladies you were created to be his helpmeet

2.Men you were created to love her as Christ love the Church

c. Compromise -not having to be right all the time

3.Marriage is to be a Committed Relationship

Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

In every marriage there will be some pain — often there will be much pain.

The Creation of the woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved. Adam lost a rib, but he received a help meet for him, which abundantly made up for his loss:

Matthew Henry

Marriage is a voluntary arrangement — the husband “leaves” his father and mother and it to cling to, be joined to his wife.

4.Marriage is to be filled with Compassion Love

1 Corinthians 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

Ephesians 5:25

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

God is commanded the permanent. Relationship.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.

So in marriage It is then our commitment that causes the relationship to be permanent.

Nine Suggestions for an Ailing Marriage

1. Never consider divorce an option

2. Do not compare your mate or your marriage to others.

3. Forgive your mate. You are to forgive as Christ has forgiven you

4. Stop all criticism. Love does not criticize , try a little praise.

5. Start communicating with your mate. Break down the barriers by being vulnerable

6. Refuse any relationship outside your marriage in which affection is sought or given.

7. Trust your mate, even if he or she is wrong -you are right in trusting.

8. Do something every day to please your mate-.

9. Pray with your mate

Tell Her So

Amid the cares of married life,

In spite of toil and business strife,

If you value your sweet wife,

Tell her so!

There was a time you thought it bliss

To get the favor of a kiss;

A dozen now won’t come amiss-

Tell her so!

Do not act as if she has passed her prime,

As though to please her were a crime-

If e’er you loved her, now is the time;

Tell her so!

Never let her heart grow cold;

Richer beauties will unfold.

She is worth her weight in gold;

Tell her so