1. Pastor Matt Stacey Sept. 4, 2016

2. Why do you think this marriage is going to work? 1) Love 2) Commitment (verbal / piece of paper) 3) Religious Obligation 4) $ / Married on Paper 5) Ruteen, Comfortable 6) Kids 7) Hobbies / things we like to do together 8) Common Expriences & memories 9) Act of Marriage 10) Cultural Expectations

3. Book of Ecclesiastes Written by Solomon, Key Word – “Vanity, vanity, grasping after the wind” He is exploring the meaning of life, Comes to the conclusion that Life is meaningless without God

4. Ecc. 4:9-12 “A cord of 3 strands is not quickly torn apart” NKJ/ NIV = Quickly Broken NASB = Quickly Torn Apart Picture is of a LONG Braid Went from the advantages of a friend To Cord of 3 strands

5. When you draw close to God … 1. They grow closer to each other…

6. When you draw close to God … I Cor. 7:14-16 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.

7. When you draw close to God … I Cor. 7:14-16 15 “Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?”

8. When you draw close to God … 1. You grow closer to each other 2. He will reduce the power of Destructive temptations

9. When you draw close to God … Addictions Idolatry Outbursts of Anger Envy Pride Rude Selfishness Doubts / mistrust / Lusts / adultery Unforgiveness

10. When you draw close to God … 1. They grow closer to each other 2. He will reduce the power of Destructive temptations 3. He makes me easier to love

11. When you draw close to God … 1. They grow closer to each other 2. He will reduce the power of Destructive temptations 3. He makes me easier to love 4. The more loving I am

12. When you draw close to God … 4. The more loving I am As I draw close to God, I learn to Love > God is Love – > God teaches us to love – > A natural reaction to living & walking w/ God > One of the identifying marks of being a Christian

13. When you draw close to God … 1. You grow closer to each other 2. Reduce the power of temptations 3. He makes me easier to love 4. The more loving I am 5. Your Prayers becomes more Powerful