1. Marriage Some fine tuning thoughts…

2. Marriage some fine tuning thoughts… Review o o Marriage is a union of two sinners. o o A successful marriage isn't based on proper techniques, skills, and proper role assignments, etc. o o Most marriage books/manuals focus on techniques and skills, BUT we need to remember the fact that sin influences each spouse’s use of the techniques. o o Sin hijacks good techniques and skills and perverts them to serve the purposes of Satan instead.

3. Marriage some fine tuning thoughts… Goal of Marriage o o Marriage exists to glorify God! o o WSC Q/A #1, man’s primary purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. o o This is the goal in everything in life. o o 1Cor 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

4. On Marriage… Money, Children, Sex Sin (Idolatry)

5. Marriage some fine tuning thoughts… Marriage Pyramid Problem level… Relational Skills Level

6. Marriage some fine tuning thoughts… Some Relational Skills (not an exhaustive list) o o Spiritual disciplines/exercises o o Honoring one another o o Time and intimacy o o Role definition o o Conflict resolution o o Communication

7. Marriage some fine tuning thoughts… Marriage Pyramid Problem level… Relational Skills Level WORSHIP LEVEL

8. Marriage some fine tuning thoughts… Worship… o o Mark 12:28-34 (The greatest commandment) o o How you love your spouse and neighbor is reflected in your love of God. o o Romans 12 (A chapter on worship…) o o The heart is the place of worship and the root of all behavior (Luke 6:43ff). o o Romans 1:18-32, all of us have a worship problem. o o Exodus 20 (The Ten Commandments)

9. Marriage some fine tuning thoughts… The Gospel in Marriage… o o Romans 8:28ff. Marital conflict in Redemptive History. o o Consider Ephesians 5:22-33. o o Genesis 2. The Apostle Paul sees Christ there. o o Genesis 2:18. Meaning of “helper” ( rzo ). o o 2Corinthians 3:16-18. The veil…

10. Marriage some fine tuning thoughts… The Gospel in Marital Conflict… o o Turn to Christ. Remember worship? o o Remember Christ! o o Matthew 7:1-5. Logs vs. specks, humility. o o Galatians 6:1-2. Gently restore. o o Forgiveness = bearing burden

11. Marriage some fine tuning thoughts… Parenting in Marriage… o o Goal in parenting: children who glorify God and enjoy Him forever… o o Malachi 2:10-16. Goal: godly children. o o Deuteronomy 6:6. o oDon’t wait on this. o oRemember repentance (to God and our kids) when we fail. o oRemember humility. o oRemember we are under God’s authority.

12. Marriage some fine tuning thoughts… An Assignment in Marriage… o o First, a reminder: o oGalatians 6:7. We reap what we sow. o oThis assignment is a tool to help us sow to the Spirit.

13. Marriage some fine tuning thoughts… An Assignment in Marriage… o o Keep a DAILY JOURNAL. o o Reflect each day on how you have worshipped God with your life. o oPraise God for the positives. o oConfess, ask forgiveness, and repent before God for the negatives. o oRemember and thank God for the forgiveness we have in Christ. o oPray for strength, wisdom, and insight to worship Christ.