The The # 1 # 1 Intimacy Intimacy

InIn MARRIAGEMARRIAGE

- Psalm 27:1-6 -- Psalm 27:1-6 -

How would you rate How would you rate your spiritual your spiritual

relationship with your relationship with your spouse?spouse?

The # 1 Intimacy in The # 1 Intimacy in Marriage isMarriage is

Spiritual IntimacySpiritual Intimacy

Why Is Spiritual Intimacy Why Is Spiritual Intimacy Important?Important?

• Adam and Eve (Genesis 2,3)…

• Jeremiah 2:2,3 - Israel loved God but threw it away for another relationship (v.12,13,32,33)…

• God had Hosea marry Gomer God had Hosea marry Gomer (Hosea 1,3)(Hosea 1,3)

Why Is Spiritual Intimacy Why Is Spiritual Intimacy Important?Important?

• Unacceptable “adulterous” relationship (Mk 8:38)

• Ephesians 5:22-33Ephesians 5:22-33

Why Is Spiritual Intimacy Why Is Spiritual Intimacy Important?Important?

• Marriage first and foremost is a Marriage first and foremost is a spiritual relationshipspiritual relationship (Amos 3:3) (Amos 3:3)

• How close are you spiritually as a How close are you spiritually as a couple?couple?

Why Is Spiritual Intimacy Why Is Spiritual Intimacy Important?Important?

• ““Except Except the Lordthe Lord build the build the house, they labor in vain that build house, they labor in vain that build it” it” (Psalm 127:1)(Psalm 127:1)

• Instead of saying, “I want to have a happy marriage!”, say, “I want to have a holy marriage! ”…

WifeHusband

WifeHusband

God

Building a strong marriage by working to be closer to God

and your mate!

WifeHusband

God

Building a strong marriage by working to be closer to God

and your mate!

WifeHusband

God

Building a strong marriage by working to be closer to God

and your mate!

WifeHusband

God“with purposeof heart, theywould cleaveunto the Lord(Acts 11:23)

Building a strong marriage by working to be closer to God

and your mate!

Why Spiritual IntimacyWhy Spiritual IntimacyDoes Not Exist?Does Not Exist?

• Spiritual intimacy is “uncomfortable” Spiritual intimacy is “uncomfortable”

• Experiencing conflicts in many Experiencing conflicts in many areas…areas…

• Lack a firm foundation of marital Lack a firm foundation of marital commitment (Matthew 7:24-27)commitment (Matthew 7:24-27)

Why Spiritual IntimacyWhy Spiritual IntimacyDoes Not Exist?Does Not Exist?

• No boundaries for guarding your No boundaries for guarding your marriage… marriage…

• No time for spiritual things...No time for spiritual things...

• Fear honesty and openness Fear honesty and openness (James 5:16)…(James 5:16)…

Why Spiritual IntimacyWhy Spiritual IntimacyDoes Not Exist?Does Not Exist?

• Ashamed or embarrassed… Ashamed or embarrassed…

• You believe your spouse is “You believe your spouse is “not not interested in spiritual matters.”interested in spiritual matters.”   

• You are in sin… You are in sin…

Spiritual Intimacy in Your Spiritual Intimacy in Your Marriage Begins When……?Marriage Begins When……?

• You and your spouse turn to God You and your spouse turn to God togethertogether

• Become a God-centered spouse, Become a God-centered spouse, not spouse-centered spousenot spouse-centered spouse

• Talk About It…Talk About It…

Spiritual Intimacy in Your Spiritual Intimacy in Your Marriage Begins When……?Marriage Begins When……?

• Pray togetherPray together… …

• Have a devotion togetherHave a devotion together… …

• Serve God together Serve God together (EX: Aquila and (EX: Aquila and Priscilla – Acts 18:1-3, 18,26; Priscilla – Acts 18:1-3, 18,26; Romans 16:3,4)Romans 16:3,4)

• Spiritual intimacySpiritual intimacy removesremoves pride, pride, ego, isolation, and deception…ego, isolation, and deception…

• ItIt createscreates attachment, intimacy, attachment, intimacy, ONENESS, emotional and physical ONENESS, emotional and physical connection, trust, honesty, connection, trust, honesty, closeness, peace, safety, mercy, closeness, peace, safety, mercy, love, joy, and hope…love, joy, and hope…

• Spiritual intimacy in marriage is Spiritual intimacy in marriage is discovering what God wants you to discovering what God wants you to be for your mate and your spouse be for your mate and your spouse discovering how he/she can help discovering how he/she can help you please God…you please God…

How to be Spiritually Intimate??• Find the Time – determine it• Find the Place• Find the Subject – what to read, study – devotional• Once you begin, do not stop.......

Fall in love with God,Fall in love with God,

so you can fall in loveso you can fall in love

with your spousewith your spouse

WifeHusband

God

Building a strong marriage by working to be closer to God

and your mate!

How to be Spiritually Intimate??• Devotional time of the week• Greatest joy of the week• Greatest struggle of the week• Affirmation to your mate• A wish or hope• A Bible verse posted• Prayer• Demonstrate a “fruit of the Spirit”