1. Marriage Designed by God for Success

2. 2 Marriage is under attack Under attack by humanism, worldliness, materialism, entertainment, selfishness... Under attack by humanism, worldliness, materialism, entertainment, selfishness... 1974 survey: One out of three college students considered marriage obsolete 1974 survey: One out of three college students considered marriage obsolete 1988: Over 2.5 million Americans living together outside marriage 1988: Over 2.5 million Americans living together outside marriage 2000: Increased to 5.5 million (eleven fold increase since 1960) 2000: Increased to 5.5 million (eleven fold increase since 1960)

3. 3 Marriage is under attack More than half of all marriages are preceded by a period of living together More than half of all marriages are preceded by a period of living together 1998: Only 45% of all teenagers (ages 13- 18) live with married biological parents 1998: Only 45% of all teenagers (ages 13- 18) live with married biological parents No fault divorces, same-sex marriages, abortion on demand No fault divorces, same-sex marriages, abortion on demand Satan has always cast doubt on God’s will, including marriage (Gen. 3:4-5) Satan has always cast doubt on God’s will, including marriage (Gen. 3:4-5)

4. 4 Genesis 2:18-25 The Nature of Marriage Genesis 2:18-25 Ordained by God, Matthew 19:4-6 Ordained by God, Matthew 19:4-6 Covenant (oath) witnessed by God, Prov. 2: 17; Mal. 2:14 (Ezek. 16:8, 59) Covenant (oath) witnessed by God, Prov. 2: 17; Mal. 2:14 (Ezek. 16:8, 59) Honorable & to be honored by all, Heb. 13:4 Honorable & to be honored by all, Heb. 13:4 Governed & judged by God’s law, Rom. 7:1-3 Governed & judged by God’s law, Rom. 7:1-3

5. 5 Genesis 2:18-25 The Nature of Marriage Genesis 2:18-25 Universal in scope, Gen. 2:21-22 (Matt. 19:4) Universal in scope, Gen. 2:21-22 (Matt. 19:4) Provides companionship, Gen. 2:18-20 (Prov. 2:17) Provides companionship, Gen. 2:18-20 (Prov. 2:17) Prevents immorality, Gen. 2:25 1 Cor. 7:1-2 (Prov. 5:15-20) Prevents immorality, Gen. 2:25 1 Cor. 7:1-2 (Prov. 5:15-20)

6. 6 Marriage: Designed for Success Genesis 2:24 Permanent (Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:39) Permanent (Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:39) Leave his father and mother Leave his father and mother Marriage is the primary relationship Marriage is the primary relationship Marriage is for life Marriage is for life Endurance, steadfastness & stability Endurance, steadfastness & stability

7. 7 Marriage: Designed for Success Genesis 2:24 Thrives on mutual commitment Thrives on mutual commitment Cleave (be joined) to his wife (Deut. 10:20) Cleave (be joined) to his wife (Deut. 10:20) Engenders faithfulness, respect and understanding, trust and security, contentment and happiness Engenders faithfulness, respect and understanding, trust and security, contentment and happiness

8. 8 Marriage: Designed for Success Genesis 2:24 Union of two lives into one (Matt. 19:6) Union of two lives into one (Matt. 19:6) They shall become one flesh They shall become one flesh Jesus: “No longer two, but one flesh” Jesus: “No longer two, but one flesh” Now inter-dependent; no longer independent, 1 Cor. 7:4 Now inter-dependent; no longer independent, 1 Cor. 7:4 Christ & His church, Eph. 5:22, 28-32 Christ & His church, Eph. 5:22, 28-32

9. 9 Build an Unbreakable Marriage Eccl. 9:9 Common warning signs of trouble: Common warning signs of trouble: You no longer laugh together or surprise each other You no longer laugh together or surprise each other You confide in others & fantasize about having an affair You confide in others & fantasize about having an affair Your mate brings out the worst in you Your mate brings out the worst in you You never reminisce or talk about your beliefs You never reminisce or talk about your beliefs You stop cultivating common interests You stop cultivating common interests You avoid your spouse You avoid your spouse

10. 10 Build an Unbreakable Marriage Eccl. 9:9 To strengthen your marriage: To strengthen your marriage: Begin with serious talk Begin with serious talk Keep on talking – and listening Keep on talking – and listening Take time for fun Take time for fun Show more consideration Show more consideration (“Keys to a Loving, Lasting Marriage,” Alan Loy McGinnis, Reader’s Digest, Aug 1990, 159-164)

11. 11 Build an Unbreakable Marriage Eccl. 9:9 Communication James 1:19; Col. 3:8-9; 4:6 Communication James 1:19; Col. 3:8-9; 4:6 Cooperation 1 Peter 3:7; Prov. 21:9, 19 Cooperation 1 Peter 3:7; Prov. 21:9, 19 Character Col. 3:12-15 (Eph. 4:31-32); Matt. 7:12 Character Col. 3:12-15 (Eph. 4:31-32); Matt. 7:12

12. 12 Build an Unbreakable Marriage Eccl. 9:9 Keep Christ at the center, Eph. 5:21-25 Keep Christ at the center, Eph. 5:21-25 “Christ is the Head of this house, the unseen Guest at every meal, the silent Listener to every conversation.” “Christ is the Head of this house, the unseen Guest at every meal, the silent Listener to every conversation.”

13. 13 Marriage takes Three by: Peter Tanksley I once thought marriage took Just two to make a go, But now I am convinced It takes the Lord also.

14. 14 Marriage takes Three by: Peter Tanksley And not one marriage fails Where Christ is asked to enter And lovers come together With Jesus at the center.

15. 15 Marriage takes Three by: Peter Tanksley But marriage seldom thrives and homes are incomplete Till He is welcomed there To help avert defeat.

16. 16 Marriage takes Three by: Peter Tanksley In homes where Christ is first, It’s obvious to see, Those unions really work, For marriage still takes three.

17. 17 Your Marriage can Succeed! God designed marriage so that yours can succeed God designed marriage so that yours can succeed God has shown you what love is (in His Son) God has shown you what love is (in His Son) God teaches you what marriage is; learn from Him God teaches you what marriage is; learn from Him God forgives, and you can forgive one another God forgives, and you can forgive one another By choosing to honor your marriage and to be different from the world By choosing to honor your marriage and to be different from the world