The Nature Of Marriage•God’s provision for human happiness

•God’s arrangement for exclusive privileges.

•Requires mutual responsibilities

•Is a sacred covenant

•Is an earthbound relationship

•Best with solid spiritual foundation

•Recognizes value of character

•Realizes the importance of temperament

•Is permanent- Rom. 7;exception-Mt. 19:9; 5:32

Honorable Marriage • Is between a man and woman (Gen. 1-2).• God made man for woman and woman for man. This

type of union is only lawful union. • No scriptural marriage between two men or two

women.• No scriptural marriage by just living together.• No arrangement for bigamy- being married to two

people at same time. • What God does not honor or sanction- we must not

honor or sanction. • 1 Cor. 5 shows what was done to a man who was in

an unlawful relationship. The church was to withdraw fellowship from him and individuals were not to have social company with him unless he repented.

Scripture Scripture ReadingReading

1 Corinthians 1 Corinthians 6:9-116:9-11

1 Corinthians 6:9-11Do you not know that the unrighteous will

not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,* nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Matthew 19:44 Have you not read Have you not read that He who made that He who made them in the them in the beginning made beginning made them male and them male and female…female…Genesis 1-2

Matthew 19:4

Genesis 1-2

4 Have you not read Have you not read that He who made that He who made them in the them in the beginning made beginning made them male and them male and female…female…

God created man and womanGod created man and woman Genesis 1-2Genesis 1-2

The woman is ideally suited The woman is ideally suited for manfor man Genesis 1:28 Genesis 1:28 1 Corinthians 11:7,91 Corinthians 11:7,9

Sanctioned by God Sanctioned by God Genesis 1,2 Genesis 1,2 Hebrews 13:4 Hebrews 13:4 Leviticus 18:23 Leviticus 18:23 (20:13)(20:13)

Sodom and Gomorrah Sodom and Gomorrah Genesis 18:20; 19:13, 5 Genesis 18:20; 19:13, 5 Jude Jude 7 (Genesis 19:24) 7 (Genesis 19:24) Romans Romans 1:26, 271:26, 27

““Do you not know that the Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” kingdom of God?” 1 Corinthians 6:9-111 Corinthians 6:9-11

The Scriptures declare that homosexuality is unnatural and sinful The root cause is a sinful heart

Christians must always be ready to speak out against sin

We must fear the judgment of God

We must uphold the sanctity of marriage as ordained by God

We must maintain our integrity

Positive Character of a Godly Wife• Pr. 12:4- crown of her husband• Pr. 14:1- wise woman builds her house• Pr. 31:10-21- husband trusts in her• Does him good not evil all his life• Is diligent (active, industrious not lazy)• Is self-confident• A good homemaker• Husband is honored by other due to her• Is kind and keeps her mouth in check• Is dignified and modest• Her children honor her• Her husband praises her

Negative Characteristics of Ungodly Wife

• Prov. 19:13- her contentions are a constant drip• Prov. 21:9,19- better to live in corner of housetop or

a desert land than with her.• Prov. 27:15-16- constant drip on a day of steady

rain and a contentious woman are the same- a man who tries to restrain her restrains the wind and grasps oil with his right hand. She is not subject to him and consequently to God.

• She tears down her own house by being foolish- Pr. 14:1.

Character of a Godly Man• Lover of what is right• Is a spiritual leader not a follower• Is spiritually- minded• Wants to submit to God-has a servant spirit

toward God.• Is kind• Puts the kingdom first (Mt. 6:33).• Accepts responsibilities• Wants to excel- not lazy• Is unselfish/ ready to give himself for his wife

and children- raises up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).

• Admires the right things in life.

What Kind Of Man/Husband- Woman/ Wife Are You?

• Are you the kind of man or woman that would attract a another godly person?

• What signals do you present to others by your dress, demeanor, words, character?

• As a wife or husband do you help or hinder your spouse in serving God? Are you helping him/her go to heaven? Are you a hindrance to their effectiveness as a Christian?

Marriage Is Honorable In All • Heb 13:4- Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed

undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

• Gal. 5:19-21- Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,* fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders,* drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.