Preached by Chris Broom, 10/12/2008

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Chris & Theresa Broom

This class can be used as a Christian premarital counseling session. Topics covered include, “What makes for a good Christian wedding?” … “What spiritual preparations should I be making to be a faithful spouse?” … “How much should I spend on my wedding?” and “Who should I pick to be in my wedding party?”

While the class is primarily designed for engaged Christians, already married Christians will also get a lot from this lesson to revive and strenghten their marriage.

The purpose of a Christian wedding, beyond becoming one flesh in the eyes of God, is to glorify God and win souls. The goal in leading up to your wedding is to be doing the best spiritually that you’ve ever been. Prior to making final decisions, get a lot of advice before and after you get engaged. God expects your marriage to last all your life, not your wedding. Invest in the marriage, not the wedding day.

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 God’s prenuptual agreement: He must be the recipient of our greatest love, not our spouse. A marriage has greater stability when God is first. God’s plan is for the disciple to never marry someone who doesn’t believe in him. Our relationship with God affects who we choose. If you know God’s love, that should help you have great love for your spouse. But God comes first.

A covenant is a binding agreement. It’s a contract.

Genesis 1:1-2, Genesis 1:27
God is so creative. God created male and female.

Genesis 2:19-24 Woman is made from man. A miracle truly occurs at marriage. The two become one flesh. Leave your family and cleave to your spouse.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one… A cord of three strands (God, you and your spouse) is not easily broken. As the husband and wife each grow closer to God, they grow closer to each other. Strive to be very close to God. God is the glue that makes the marriage work.

Psalm 23:1-6 The Lord is my shepherd… What we do in marriage is for God’s sake. Marriage is to lay down your life and help spouse get to heaven… like Jesus. Don’t be fearful about your marriage. Be secure as you ground it in Christ.

Romans 8:31-39 More that conquerors. Resolve to let nothing separate you and your spouse… Despite trouble.

Hosea 1:3-11 God has Hosea marry prostitute and have children. Woman was still unfaithful. That’s how God feels about people unfaithful to him. God can still brings back together.

Hosea 2:1-13 Don’t stray and flirt with others. You hurt God and your spouse and you. You are better off being faithful.

Hosea 2:14-23 God leads the way to reconcile the covenant.

James 4:4-5 Adulterous people.
God envies intensely because he loves us intensely. You need to win over your spouse continually – not just in the courtship.

Hosea 3:1-5 God bought us back with intense love despite our sin that is repulsive. Do likewise. Until death do us part. Vows mean something. Jesus dies on the cross for the church. What are you willing to do for the sake of your spouse?

Matthew 19:1-12 How Jesus views divorce: What God has joined together, let man not separate. Except for marital unfaithfulness, divorce is not an option. It’s allowable but the heart is to be together. Work it out – forgive. Have a heart to honor your covenant.

If you have trouble, talk to other married Christians. Get help. Go to God and the scriptures.

The heart of marriage – God made marriage. So win each other over with the same desire you had at the wedding altar. Build each other up in Christ. You are a team – a unit – you are one flesh.

Categories: Marriage, Sermons
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