1. The Nature Of Marriage God’s provision for human happiness God’s arrangement for exclusive privileges. Requires mutual responsibilities Is a sacred covenant Is an earthbound relationship Best with solid spiritual foundation Recognizes value of character Realizes the importance of temperament Is permanent- Rom. 7;exception-Mt. 19:9; 5:32

2. Honorable Marriage Is between a man and woman (Gen. 1-2). God made man for woman and woman for man. This type of union is only lawful union. No scriptural marriage between two men or two women. No scriptural marriage by just living together. No arrangement for bigamy- being married to two people at same time. What God does not honor or sanction- we must not honor or sanction. 1 Cor. 5 shows what was done to a man who was in an unlawful relationship. The church was to withdraw fellowship from him and individuals were not to have social company with him unless he repented.

3. Scripture Reading 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

4. Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, * nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

5. Matthew 19:4 Have you not read that He who made them in the beginning made them male and female… 4 Have you not read that He who made them in the beginning made them male and female… Genesis 1-2

6. Matthew 19:4 Genesis 1-2 Have you not read that He who made them in the beginning made them male and female… 4 Have you not read that He who made them in the beginning made them male and female…

8. God created man and woman Genesis 1-2 God created man and woman Genesis 1-2 The woman is ideally suited for man Genesis 1:28 1 Corinthians 11:7,9 The woman is ideally suited for man Genesis 1:28 1 Corinthians 11:7,9

9. Sanctioned by God Genesis 1,2 Hebrews 13:4 Leviticus 18:23 (20:13) Sanctioned by God Genesis 1,2 Hebrews 13:4 Leviticus 18:23 (20:13)

10. Sodom and Gomorrah Genesis 18:20; 19:13, 5 Jude 7 (Genesis 19:24) Romans 1:26, 27 Sodom and Gomorrah Genesis 18:20; 19:13, 5 Jude 7 (Genesis 19:24) Romans 1:26, 27

11. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

12. The Scriptures declare that homosexuality is unnatural and sinful The root cause is a sinful heart Christians must always be ready to speak out against sin

13. We must fear the judgment of God We must uphold the sanctity of marriage as ordained by God We must maintain our integrity

14. Positive Character of a Godly Wife Pr. 12:4- crown of her husband Pr. 14:1- wise woman builds her house Pr. 31:10-21- husband trusts in her Does him good not evil all his life Is diligent (active, industrious not lazy) Is self-confident A good homemaker Husband is honored by other due to her Is kind and keeps her mouth in check Is dignified and modest Her children honor her Her husband praises her

15. Negative Characteristics of Ungodly Wife Prov. 19:13- her contentions are a constant drip Prov. 21:9,19- better to live in corner of housetop or a desert land than with her. Prov. 27:15-16- constant drip on a day of steady rain and a contentious woman are the same- a man who tries to restrain her restrains the wind and grasps oil with his right hand. She is not subject to him and consequently to God. She tears down her own house by being foolish- Pr. 14:1.

16. Character of a Godly Man Lover of what is right Is a spiritual leader not a follower Is spiritually- minded Wants to submit to God-has a servant spirit toward God. Is kind Puts the kingdom first (Mt. 6:33). Accepts responsibilities Wants to excel- not lazy Is unselfish/ ready to give himself for his wife and children- raises up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). Admires the right things in life.

17. What Kind Of Man/Husband- Woman/ Wife Are You? Are you the kind of man or woman that would attract a another godly person? What signals do you present to others by your dress, demeanor, words, character? As a wife or husband do you help or hinder your spouse in serving God? Are you helping him/her go to heaven? Are you a hindrance to their effectiveness as a Christian?

18. Marriage Is Honorable In All Heb 13:4- Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Gal. 5:19-21- Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, * fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, * drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.