1. “The Loss of Something Precious” The Sanctity of Marriage Gen 2:18-25

2. The Loss of Something Precious
Divorce Statistics:
Since 1960 marriages have declined 51 from 71%.
Since 1970 divorces have increased 40%.
Nearly 4 of 10 survey respondents (39%) say that marriage is obsolete; compared to 28% in 1978.
1970 premarital cohabitation = 500,000 couples vs several million and continues to rise.
60 – 70 % of marriages are preceded by premarital cohabitation with over 50% couples splitting up within 5 years.
Multiple Marriage Stats:
1st Marriage – 41% W/I 13yrs
20% W/I 5yrs
**75% divorced people get remarried
2nd Marriage – %
3rd Marriage – 73 %

3. The Loss of Something Precious
Marriage Statistics:
Less than half (46%) of U.S. kids younger than 18 years of age are living in a home with 2 heterosexual parents on 1st marriage.
34% of children today are living with an unmarried parent—up from just 9% in 1960, and 19% in 1980; Children born outside of marriage now stands at 41%, up from just 5% in 1960
An estimated 30 million Americans admit to failing in being faithful to marriage vows
Approx % American marriages impacted by infidelity
June 2015 Same Sex Marriage (SSM) adopted by the Supreme Court
Over 50% support legalization of SSM and redefining marriage.

4. A Good Thing that finds favor in God’s Sight (Prov 18:22)
Established by God (Gen 2:24-25)
God’s Intent
A Unique relationship – Set apart (vs 24)
Leave and Cleave - Glued
Between a man & woman
Quote by Max Lucado
Intimacy - Not ashamed (vs. 25)
Gen 2:24-25
“24 For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.”
Prov 18:22
“22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the LORD.”
James 1:17-18
17 Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.
Gen 2:24-25
“24 For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

5. A Good Thing that finds favor in God’s Sight (Prov 18:22)
God’s Perfect Solution (Gen 2:18,23)
Gen 2:18-22
18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." 19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20 And the man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. 21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 And the LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.
Solution = Creation/joining of Man & Woman
Gen 2:18-22
18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." 19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20 And the man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. 21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 And the LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.
Problem = Not good for man to be alone ; No
Suitable helper for him (vs. 18)
Gen 2:18-22
18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." 19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20 And the man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. 21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 And the LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.
Problem = Not good for man to be alone

6. Should be seen as 2 distinct Covenants or Vows consecrated (made holy)
Marriage is a Covenant
Covenant between Husband & Wife sealed by God (Mal 2:14b; Col 4:18-19; 23; Duet 23:21-23)
Col 3:18-19; 23
18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered against them. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men;
Joined By God – (Mk 10:9) “What God has joined, let no man separate.”
Bond for life (Mk 10:2-12; Rom 7:2)
Significant Consequences for breaking
Remain alone (1 Cor 7:10-11)
Adultery (Matt 19:3-12; Mk 10:2-12)
Cause another to Sin
Deut 23:21-23
21 "When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it, for it would be sin in you, and the LORD your God will surely require it of you. 22 However, if you refrain from vowing, it would not be sin in you. 23 You shall be careful to perform what goes out from your lips, just as you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God, what you have promised.
Mal 2:14;
Col 3:18-19;23
Deut 23:21-23
Rom 7: Matt 10:2-12
Man
Woman
Should be seen as 2 distinct Covenants or Vows consecrated (made holy)
by God
God

7. Reflects Christ and the Church
Eph 5:22-33
22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; 26 that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband.
Relates and Instructs – (Eph 5:22-33/ Rev 19:7-8)
Wife’s submission = Churches Submission (vs22)
Husband, Head of Household = Christ Head of Church (vs23)
Love of Christ = Love for Wives (vs25)
Additional passages
Bridegroom = Christ (Matt 9:15/Matt 25:1,6/Rev 21:2) Bride = Church (Rev 19:7)
Virgin Bride = Unblemished Church (1Cor 11:2)
Teaches Us
Love Humility Selflessness Trust
Commitment Sacrifice Submissiveness Service

8. Reflects Christ and the Church
Bottom Line we must never forget, an attack on God’s design is an attack on God Himself!!!
Gal 1:8-9
8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.
2 John 9-11
9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.

9. Conclusion:
Marriage is indeed Sacred and should never be seen otherwise:
A good thing that finds favor in God’s sight
It is a Covenant
Reflects the relationship between Christ and the Church
Let’s ensure we are doing our part to prevent the loss of such a precious gift while also teaching the truth of God’s perfect design