Honor marriage as a sacred covenant!

Topics: marriage, sacredness of marriage

I. The Lord endorses marriage covenants!

* Marriage is a sacred kinship bond that is ratified by swearing an oath!

1. "This is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. Yet you say, 'For what reason?' Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant" (Malachi 2:13, 14).
2. To deliver you from the strange woman, from the adulteress who flatters with her words; that leaves the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God (Pr 2:16, 17).

II. The Spirit empowers marriage covenants!

* Marriage can thrive when both spouses are filled with the Holy Spirit!

1. "But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring? Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth. For I hate divorce," says the Lord, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with wrong," says the Lord of hosts. "So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously" (Malachi 2:15, 16).
2. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ (Eph 5:17-21).

III. The church embodies marriage covenants!

* Marriage has a grandeur purpose of reflecting God's glory to others!

1. God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth" (Genesis 1:27, 28).
2. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband (Ephesians 5:31?33).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, June 2^nd, 2024

Life group flow and discussion questions

"Honor marriage as a sacred covenant!"

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Understanding divine covenants in God's Word is central to proper interpretation of God's eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:11). Take some time to discuss the various biblical covenants and how the "new covenant" ultimately fulfills God's design for our restored relationship with Him.

Getting Started:

1. How does the marital covenant between Adam and Eve set the bar for what marriages are to reflect (Genesis 2:24, 25)?

a. Leave = New authority!
b. Cleave = Commitment!
c. Become one flesh = Intimacy!
d. Naked and unashamed = Transparency!

2. What are some ways you can honor marriage as a sacred covenant (Hebrews 13:4)?

Discussing Truths:

1. Why do you think the Lord chooses to be a holy witness to Christian marriage covenants (Malachi 2:14)?
2. How vital is the Holy Spirit in empowering us to honor the Lord in our marriages and our lives? How are we filled with the Holy Spirit and what does it produce (Gal 5:22, 23)?
3. Do you agree with these two statements: "Being the right person is much more important than finding the right person!" and "It's not your love that sustains your commitment; it's your commitment that sustains your love!"?
4. Why do so many couples try to change their spouse instead of allowing God to transform their own character, attitudes, words and actions?
5. How should Christian marriages reflect Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:32)?

Now What? Application:

1. To the married: How will you seek to strengthen your marriage covenant in how you relate to your spouse?
2. To the single: How will you deepen your love for the Lord and honor His sacred covenants (Isaiah 54:5-10)?