1. Unequally Yoked: Spouses God views marriage between a non-believer and a Christian as a “mixed marriage”. A Christian who is yoked to a non-Christian is one who is in a mixed marriage. To start, I want us to use some things from the “Sermon on the Mount” and apply them to marriage. I think going through these will be a good reminder for those of us who are married as well as for those of us who want to be married some day. Do not be Unequally Yoked

2. Basics that can help a marriage (Matthew 5:3-12) Hindrances to spouses (Matthew 5:22-24) Lusting for others (Matthew 5:27-32) Honesty (Matthew 5:33-37) Unconditional Love (Matthew 5:38-6:4, 1 Cor. 13:4-7) Humble prayer (Matthew 6:6, 7:7-11) Godly priorities in marriage (Matthew 6:19-21, 24, 33-34) Following Christ (Matthew 7:21-24) Sermon on the Mount applied to marriage

3. WIFE GOD HUSBAND Christian Marriage How can this happen if you are married to a non-Christian?

4. Unequally Yoked: Spouses God did not want Solomon and the Israelites to intermarry (or be yoked to) with people of other nations because “Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods” (1 Kings 11:2). The warning is still very real today! Every person has something or someone that they serve. If the object of their service is not the one true and living God, it is some sort of the idol in place of God.

5. Biblical “Mixed Marriages” Moses & Zipporah is an exception. Zipporah was a Midianite (or Ethiopian). Why did this work? Zipporah was the daughter of a man who loved God (Jethro) and she loved God (Exodus 2:16-25, 4:18-26, 18:1-12, Numbers 12). Both Moses and Zipporah loved God, sought His will, and were accepted by God! Ruth & Boaz is another exception. Ruth was not an Israelite but was of the land of Moab. Why did this work? Because Ruth loved the God of Miriam with all her heart and Boaz loved God (Ruth 1:16-17, 2:4, 10-13, 20, 3:8-13, 4:9-17). Ruth became the mother of Obed the father of Jesse, the father of David, in the lineage of Jesus!

6. Personal Advice If you are dating someone who has no interest in the gospel, be warned of a very hard life. While dating, keep your emotions in check. Keep your head in front of your heart. Find out whether the non-Christian you are dating shows a strong desire to please God and follow His will. If so, then teach them the gospel! If you are dating a Christian, find out if this Christian truly loves God and puts Him first in their life. If those you date do not want to serve God, you are better off on your own, in my opinion, strongly yoked to Christ (Philippians 4:13, 2 Timothy 4:16-18)!

7. Willing Obedience To God: Is this someone who will listen and submit to God’s will (Psalm 119:60)? Is this person always trying to be transformed into Christ's image (Romans 12:1-2)? How do they respond to chances to be involved in Bible classes for example? Humility: "Two people don't keep a marriage strong because they never make mistakes; they keep a marriage strong by maintaining an attitude of humility that is quick to confess sin, put the other first, and seek forgiveness" (Harris p. 197). Do they put others first or do they always need to be served (Philippians 2:3-4)? Contentment/Hope: Does this person nit-pick at the faults of others or consistently encourage? Does they view their circumstances with a spirit of hopelessness or remain confident of God's faithfulness? Does this person seek to make the best out of bad situations, or do bad situations devastate them (Romans 8:28, James 1:2-3)? Attitudes to look for in those you might date

8. What does one do if they find that they are unequally yoked in a marriage to a non-believer? I recommend two passages to help with this situation: 1 Peter 3:1-16 1 Corinthians 7:10-14

9. It is interesting that widows, if their husband dies, are at liberty to marry, only in the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:39). As a mature Christian, a widow should know what is best in her life for the Lord. They know the trials of being Unequally Yoked to a non-Christian. Look at your Bibles for a moment at verse 39. Mine has a cross-reference to 2 Corinthians 6:14! Isn’t that our theme? Unequally Yoked: Spouses

10. All people are not commanded to get married. Actually many Christians have made the choice to remain single in this life and dedicated to the Lord. Christians dedicated in this fashion to the Lord can be very productive in His Kingdom and should be encouraged! But all people must be married to Jesus in order to have their sins washed away and to have eternity to look forward to (Ephesians 5:30-32). To become married to Christ you must submit to the yoke He has for you (Matthew 11:28-30). Believe Him, Confess that He is the Son of God, Repent of your sins, be Baptized in water to wash away your sins, and then Live your life for Him. Unequally Yoked: Spouses

11. How about you? Revelation 22:17 Unequally Yoked: Spouses