Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4

“Some studies indicate that married people live longer, benefit from better health, earn more money, accumulate more wealth, feel happier, enjoy more satisfying sexual relationships, and have happier and more successful children than those who remain single, cohabit, or get divorced. Despite such benefits, about half of all recent marriages currently end in divorce and many people choose to be single parents. Although marriage offers great benefits, many people do not want to be married. This is the marriage paradox” Psychology Today, February 5, 2010, Dr. Aaron Ben-Zeév

Genesis 2:21-25 Marriage uniquely survived the Garden

Divine Purpose Divine Definition Divine Institution

Divine Purpose But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. Malachi 2:15

Divine Definition And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,’ Matthew 19:4

Divine Definition For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives..… Romans 7:2a

Divine Definition of a Husband Ephesians 5:25-33 Total self-sacrifice

Divine Definition of a wife Ephesians 5:22-24 Total submission

Divine Institution "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.“ Matthew 19:6

God did not make marriage for happiness God made marriage for Spirituality And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.“ Genesis 2:18

Selfish purposes Contractual Definitions Spurious Institutioning

Selfishness ruins marriage Absence of sacrificial husbands Absence of wise fathers Absence of submissive wives Absence of home structures

The World Says: Marriage must lead to happiness If it does not, it is a failure

Calling marriage a contract is immoral “….your wife by covenant.” Malachi 2:14 Marriage contracts/No fault divorce Common law marriages

Spurious Institutioning Some falsely think the church made it “Married in a church” “Married by a preacher” Others believe society makes marriage

Spurious Institutioning Marriage is NOT created except by God What men create and call marriage: Is called adultery – Matthew 19 Is called Homosexuality – Romans 1

Morality for Eternal Life Hearing the Word of God Romans 10:17 Believing the Divinity of God Mark 16:16 Confession of Jesus Christ Romans 10:9 Repentance of Immorality Acts 2:38 Baptism to Change Morality Acts 22:16