Building A Relationship That Lasts Series

INTRODUCTION

• Philippians 2:2-5, “…living in harmony, and keeping one purpose in mind...be concerned about the interests of others...”

I. LOYALTY IS A LOST CAUSE

• Studies tell us those who stay in marriage are the ones who win in the end.

• Reality is very few marriages live in harmony, unity and intimacy.

• Marriages that last take three different routes to success:

1) Endurance

2) Marital work

3) Personal change

II. WHY COMMITMENT WORKS

• In order for the human heart to engage in deep and trusting relationships it needs security

…this is found in commitment.

• Is your marriage a contract or a covenant?

• A contract limits my responsibility and protects my rights.

• A covenant says that you lose your rights and assume responsibilities.

• Jesus is attractive to us because He gave up everything for us.

• You'll never build a great marriage if divorce is always an option for you.

• Commitment is what makes a marriage great.

• Commitment means being willing to be unhappy for a while until you can work things out.

III. THE MYTH OF INCOMPATIBILITY

• Incompatibility what does it mean?

• The issue is not incompatibility; the issue is selfishness and stubbornness.

• Matthew 19:7-8 - hardness of heart

• Unwilling to compromise, unwilling to change or to work to save the relationship.

• Our marriage will become what we are both committed to making it.

IV. COMPROMISE IS THE KEY TO LIFE

• Compromise is a real mark of mature love.

• 1 Corinthians 13:5, "...love does not demand its own way..."

• Three facts of life:

1) You will have conflict in marriage.

2) Some issues you're never going to agree on.

3) Compromise is the evidence of real love.

CLOSE

• More marriages die from inflexibility than adultery, alcoholism, or abuse.