Holy
Matrimony
Hebrews 13:4-6
Tucked in the last page of the book of Hebrews are ten commands that, if
followed, will make any marriage stronger. Right in the middle of these
commands, there is a strong reference to marriage. Marriage is at the heart of
human relationships. When holy matrimony becomes unholy, the society becomes
unstable. We are there in
The Bible opens with a wedding and ends with a wedding. Jesus’ ministry
starts at a wedding. Marriage is at the heart of human creation. It is the
answer to the first “not good” in the Bible (Genesis 2:18). The holy state of
matrimony has been corrupted by modern man.
The lifelong commitment of two people to each other “’till death do us
part” has turned into a dance where individuals change partners as soon as
their favorite song is over. What God has joined together, men have blown
apart.
In
the next few weeks (or months – only God knows), we will be looking at these
verses. This is not a time for the unmarried to find another church because, as
we shall see in our study, the principles of a good marriage are the
God-intended principles of life. The lessons that we shall be learning are
lessons for life. They will make a marriage stronger, but there is not a set of
rules for married people and then a second set for the unmarried. The
principles of life are the principles of life. When we live as God intended for
us to live, life is better … married or not!
Our first task
shall be to define this wonderful relationship that God designed for us to enjoy
long before sin came into mankind. Marriage is not living together. Marriage is
not sexual. Marriage is not legal. Marriage is not of man. Marriage is all of
those and more. Marriage is the blending of two lives into one in the eyes of,
and before the presence of, the Creator. Marriage is the Creator creating again
with our participation. This is why marriage is and always shall be holy
matrimony.
We
shall not be addressing specifically the subject of divorce. The Bible is clear
about divorce. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). God permitted divorce because
of the hardness of men’s hearts. When the heart of one or both individuals
within a marriage becomes embedded in sin and hardened to an irreversible
position, God allows divorce. All of God’s actions toward men are designed to
benefit or protect those who seek Him with all of their heart. No divorce ever
happens without massive complications to follow. No divorce is ever a part of God’s design or
desire. We shall leave it there.
Peter
calls marriage “the grace of life” (I Peter 3:7). It is the place where
children were supposed to be born. It is the place where maturity was designed
to develop. It is a place where we are supposed to feel secure and happy. It is
a place where fond memories were to be experienced and cherished for a
lifetime. It is the place where two people were designed to grow old together.
It is a place that was handcrafted by the Creator of the universe. Marriage was
designed by God to be a place where heaven’s mathematics were to be
experienced: two become one.
Holy Matrimony
Hebrews 13:4-6
INTRODUCTION
1. Marriage is
2. Marriage is
3. Marriage is
INTRUCTION
The Ten Commandments of Personal Relationships
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
The first Issue is Creation
A. He is the
B. He is the
C. He is the
II. The Second Issue is Corruption
A. The curse
B. The curse
C. The curse
The Third Issue is Clarification
A. You
B. Satan
C. God