WEBVTT

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 Let us pray.

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 Our Father, you said in your word,

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 I will be your God and you will be my people.

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 And Father, if we have this, we have everything.

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 We pray that you would give us ears to hear your word

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 as you, our God, speak to us, your people, this morning.

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 And may your word do its perfect work

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 and change us to be more like your son, Jesus.

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 We ask it for his sake. Amen.

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 Please be seated.

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 If you're visiting with us, we warmly welcome you.

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 This morning, we've been doing a series this summer

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 on the Ten Commandments.

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 And this morning, we come to the seventh commandment.

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 You shall not commit adultery.

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 What do you think?

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 Is there a reason why God should command

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 that marriage is to be between one man and one woman?

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 Until death do they part?

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 Why should it have to be this way?

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 The God who created this world

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 with all of its astonishing diversity,

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 flowers and trees, teeming life in the seas,

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 birds of the air, bugs and creeping things,

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 more incredible than anything science fiction

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 could ever come up with,

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 not to mention galaxies, stars, planets,

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 without number.

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 No two snowflakes.

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 Exactly the same, we're told.

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 Well, why, given this enormous creativity

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 and diversity,

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 should God insist that there is only one

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 acceptable form of marriage,

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 only one acceptable relationship

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 for sexual expression,

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 that sex is for the lifelong heterosexual marriage

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 of one man and one woman,

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 and that any other form of sexual expression is wrong,

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 or even sinful?

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 Why should a man not have two,

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 or three, or four wives?

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 Or for that matter,

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 why should a woman not have more than one husband?

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 Why shouldn't two people

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 who love and care for each other

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 have sexual relations,

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 even if they aren't married,

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 or not yet married?

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 Or why shouldn't,

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 as our society is pressing upon us,

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 loving homosexual couples

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 be permitted to marry,

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 or to have sexual relations,

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 even if they choose not to marry?

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 And why is it so wrong in a marriage

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 for one of the partners,

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 being a mature adult,

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 to have a harmless fling on the side,

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 perhaps away on a long business trip,

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 perhaps because the marriage relationship

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 has grown cold,

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 or dreary, or limiting?

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 Isn't all this just an arbitrary rule

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 that limits human freedom

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 and creativity?

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 Well, first,

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 we need to make sure

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 that that actually is

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 what God really does say.

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 After all,

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 our Canadian Parliament

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 has decided that

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 they have the authority

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 to define and redefine marriage

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 as they see fit.

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 According to this view,

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 marriage is just a social institution

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 that humans have developed,

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 something not unlike democracy,

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 and which we're free to tinker with

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 as social realities change.

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 But how does the Bible

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 describe marriage?

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 I invite you to turn with me

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 to the very beginning of your Bibles,

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 to page 2 in the Pew Bible,

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 or to Genesis chapter 2.

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 It's probably page 2

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 in whatever Bible you've got,

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 I would guess.

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 Just a word of a caveat.

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 Today, we're going to look up

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 more scriptures than we normally do.

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 Our hope is to draw together

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 a big theme across all of scripture.

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 So I hope I don't weary you.

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 Let me know if you do,

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 if I do.

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 But I'll try not to dwell long

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 on each passage,

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 but we'll try to pull out

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 a few key points

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 as we build this biblical picture.

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 All right, so Genesis chapter 2.

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 Let's look at verse 18

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 on page 2.

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 Genesis 2, 18.

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 And the Lord God said,

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 It's not good that man

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 should be alone.

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 I'll make him a helper,

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 comparable to him.

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 And then jump over to verse 21.

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 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep

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 to fall on Adam,

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 and he slept.

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 And he took one of his ribs

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 and closed up the flesh in its place.

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 Then the rib which the Lord God

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 had taken from man

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 he made into a woman.

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 And he brought her to the man.

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 And Adam said,

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 This is now bone of my bones

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 and flesh of my flesh.

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 She shall be called woman

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 because she was taken out of man.

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 Therefore,

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 a man shall leave his father and mother

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 and be joined to his wife,

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 and they shall become one flesh.

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 So here we have the story

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 of the original marriage.

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 And we can observe several things.

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 First,

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 that marriage is ordained

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 and created by God,

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 not by people.

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 Second,

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 that God provided marriage

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 in response to a genuine need.

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 It's not good

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 that man should be alone.

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 Third,

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 we see that marriage

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 is elevated above

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 all other personal loyalties

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 in a person's life

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 under God.

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 The married man,

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 in this case,

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 leaves his father and mother.

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 Marriage severs

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 what would otherwise

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 be the most important

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 human relationship of all.

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 A husband must put his wife

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 above all others,

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 and so too the wife,

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 her husband.

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 And fourth,

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 the husband and wife

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 are joined together

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 to become one flesh.

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 Joined together.

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 One flesh.

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 This speaks of many things,

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 primarily

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 of the sexual union

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 with the husband

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 and the wife,

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 but also of the entire

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 shared human experience

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 in marriage.

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 They're joined together

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 as one,

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 physically,

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 emotionally,

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 socially,

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 in every way.

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 This way of speaking

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 conveys to us

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 the intimacy,

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 the mutual care,

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 the tenderness,

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 the love

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 that God intends

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 for marriage.

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 marriage.

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 And so,

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 in summary,

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 this primeval marriage,

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 it shows us that

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 marriage is the exclusive,

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 lifelong bonding

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 of one man

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 and one woman

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 in a life

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 that's fully shared.

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 God joins them together

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 so that they belong

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 fully

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 and only

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 to one another.

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 But to understand

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 why this has to be,

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 why,

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 it still doesn't explain why,

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 we need to observe

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 a recurring theme

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 in the Bible

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 from the beginning

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 to the end.

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 And it's namely this,

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 that marriage

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 represents

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 the covenant relationship

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 of God

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 with his people.

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 God

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 is the husband

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 of his people.

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 The Lord

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 is the husband

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 of his people.

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 The marriage relationship

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 and the marriage covenant

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 then points

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 beyond itself

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 to the intimate

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 relationship

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 with God

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 for which every human soul

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 longs and yearns

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 in the barrenness

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 of this fallen world.

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 Well,

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 there are many,

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 many places

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 in the Bible

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 where this idea

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 is presented

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 and the implications

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 of it are drawn out

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 for us.

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 And I might wear you

00:08:25.520 --> 00:08:26.440
 even doing the little bit

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 I'm hoping to do,

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 so we won't look at them all,

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 but one of the clearest

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 of all

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 is in the prophet

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 Ezekiel.

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 I invite you to turn

00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:33.940
 with me to that.

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 It's on page 726.

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 This will be

00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:38.480
 our longest

00:08:38.480 --> 00:08:39.799
 text.

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 But Ezekiel's

00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:43.700
 very graphic,

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 so it shouldn't

00:08:44.379 --> 00:08:44.899
 wear you out.

00:08:47.139 --> 00:08:48.179
 Ezekiel 16,

00:08:48.940 --> 00:08:50.340
 page 726.

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 I'll just read

00:08:52.320 --> 00:08:54.700
 the first part of that.

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 Again,

00:08:56.399 --> 00:08:56.960
 the word of the Lord

00:08:56.960 --> 00:08:57.879
 came to me saying,

00:08:59.160 --> 00:08:59.860
 Son of man,

00:09:00.040 --> 00:09:00.800
 cause Jerusalem

00:09:00.800 --> 00:09:01.340
 to know

00:09:01.340 --> 00:09:02.940
 her abominations.

00:09:03.820 --> 00:09:04.180
 And say,

00:09:04.259 --> 00:09:05.320
 thus says the Lord God

00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:06.040
 to Jerusalem,

00:09:06.540 --> 00:09:07.840
 your birth

00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:09.080
 and your nativity

00:09:09.080 --> 00:09:10.139
 are from the land

00:09:10.139 --> 00:09:10.639
 of Canaan.

00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:12.000
 Your father was an Amorite

00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:13.060
 and your mother a Hittite.

00:09:13.560 --> 00:09:15.340
 As for your nativity,

00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:16.900
 on the day

00:09:16.900 --> 00:09:17.660
 that you were born,

00:09:18.379 --> 00:09:19.259
 your navel cord

00:09:19.259 --> 00:09:20.000
 was not cut.

00:09:20.340 --> 00:09:21.340
 Nor were you washed

00:09:21.340 --> 00:09:21.800
 in water

00:09:21.800 --> 00:09:22.519
 to cleanse you.

00:09:22.860 --> 00:09:23.600
 You were not rubbed

00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:24.180
 with salt

00:09:24.180 --> 00:09:25.120
 nor swathed

00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:26.399
 in swaddling cloths.

00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:27.080
 No,

00:09:27.160 --> 00:09:27.840
 I pitied you

00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:28.700
 to do any of these

00:09:28.700 --> 00:09:29.580
 things for you,

00:09:29.780 --> 00:09:30.740
 to have compassion

00:09:30.740 --> 00:09:31.200
 on you.

00:09:31.420 --> 00:09:32.420
 But you were thrown

00:09:32.420 --> 00:09:33.780
 out into the open field

00:09:33.780 --> 00:09:34.980
 where you yourself

00:09:34.980 --> 00:09:35.899
 were loathed

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 on the day you were born.

00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:38.980
 And when I passed

00:09:38.980 --> 00:09:39.440
 by you

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 and saw you

00:09:40.139 --> 00:09:40.680
 struggling

00:09:40.680 --> 00:09:41.980
 in your own blood,

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 I said to you

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 in your blood,

00:09:45.560 --> 00:09:46.040
 live.

00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:47.320
 Yes,

00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:48.120
 I said to you

00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:48.800
 in your blood,

00:09:49.340 --> 00:09:49.800
 live.

00:09:50.340 --> 00:09:51.639
 I made you thrive

00:09:51.639 --> 00:09:52.360
 like a plant

00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:52.879
 in the field

00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:53.540
 and you grew,

00:09:54.019 --> 00:09:54.700
 matured,

00:09:54.940 --> 00:09:56.180
 and became very beautiful.

00:09:56.940 --> 00:09:57.460
 Your breasts

00:09:57.460 --> 00:09:58.160
 were formed,

00:09:58.379 --> 00:09:59.240
 your hair grew,

00:09:59.720 --> 00:10:00.519
 but you were naked

00:10:00.519 --> 00:10:01.240
 and bare.

00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:03.379
 When I passed by you

00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:03.680
 again

00:10:03.680 --> 00:10:04.580
 and looked upon you,

00:10:05.160 --> 00:10:05.440
 indeed,

00:10:05.540 --> 00:10:06.100
 your time

00:10:06.100 --> 00:10:07.720
 was the time of love.

00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:09.560
 So I spread my wing

00:10:09.560 --> 00:10:10.060
 over you

00:10:10.060 --> 00:10:11.379
 and covered your nakedness.

00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:11.980
 Yes,

00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:12.980
 I swore an oath

00:10:12.980 --> 00:10:13.340
 to you

00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:14.060
 and entered into

00:10:14.060 --> 00:10:14.820
 a covenant

00:10:14.820 --> 00:10:15.940
 with you

00:10:15.940 --> 00:10:17.160
 and you became

00:10:17.160 --> 00:10:17.900
 mine,

00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:19.480
 says the Lord God.

00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:20.600
 Then I washed you

00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:21.160
 in water.

00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:21.800
 Yes,

00:10:21.840 --> 00:10:22.840
 I thoroughly washed

00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:23.600
 off your blood

00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:24.420
 and I anointed you

00:10:24.420 --> 00:10:24.860
 with oil.

00:10:25.340 --> 00:10:26.240
 I clothed you

00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:27.600
 in embroidered cloth

00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:28.100
 and gave you

00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:29.560
 sandals of badger skin.

00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:30.860
 I clothed you

00:10:30.860 --> 00:10:31.640
 with fine linen

00:10:31.640 --> 00:10:32.360
 and covered you

00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:32.920
 with silk.

00:10:33.560 --> 00:10:34.320
 I adorned you

00:10:34.320 --> 00:10:35.020
 with ornaments,

00:10:35.420 --> 00:10:36.000
 put bracelets

00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:36.880
 on your wrists

00:10:36.880 --> 00:10:37.580
 and a chain

00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:38.120
 on your neck

00:10:38.120 --> 00:10:39.340
 and I put a jewel

00:10:39.340 --> 00:10:40.060
 in your nose,

00:10:40.400 --> 00:10:41.440
 earrings in your ears

00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:42.580
 and a beautiful crown

00:10:42.580 --> 00:10:43.880
 on your head.

00:10:43.879 --> 00:10:46.220
 Thus you were adorned

00:10:46.220 --> 00:10:47.480
 with gold and silver

00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:48.659
 and your clothing

00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:49.879
 was of fine linen,

00:10:50.340 --> 00:10:51.879
 silk and embroidered cloth.

00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:53.439
 You ate pastry,

00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:54.460
 a fine flour,

00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:55.320
 honey and oil.

00:10:56.019 --> 00:10:58.299
 You were exceedingly beautiful

00:10:58.299 --> 00:11:00.519
 and succeeded to royalty.

00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:02.919
 Your fame went out

00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:03.860
 among the nations

00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:05.100
 because of your beauty

00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:07.059
 for it was perfect

00:11:07.059 --> 00:11:09.000
 through my splendor

00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:10.600
 which I had bestowed on you,

00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:12.200
 says the Lord God.

00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:15.700
 So here Ezekiel

00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:17.039
 reviews the history

00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:19.019
 of the nation of Israel.

00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:20.000
 Their origin

00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:21.679
 was like a newborn baby girl,

00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:24.100
 unwanted by her parents,

00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:25.480
 exposed,

00:11:26.419 --> 00:11:27.299
 left to die.

00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:29.960
 And the Lord finds the baby

00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:30.820
 in this condition

00:11:30.820 --> 00:11:33.200
 and he mercifully saves her.

00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:34.980
 Years later,

00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:35.799
 the girl has grown

00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:37.159
 to become a beautiful young woman

00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:38.539
 and the Lord comes to her again

00:11:38.539 --> 00:11:39.899
 and clothes her

00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:41.259
 and marries her,

00:11:41.580 --> 00:11:42.139
 marries her.

00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:44.159
 He becomes her husband,

00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:46.199
 bound to her by covenant

00:11:46.199 --> 00:11:48.259
 and he lavishes upon her

00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:49.699
 many wonderful gifts

00:11:49.699 --> 00:11:51.019
 with the result

00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:52.360
 that she is much admired

00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:53.759
 by others.

00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:56.620
 And so all that exalted Israel

00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:57.939
 as a special nation,

00:11:58.059 --> 00:11:59.299
 all that made her dignified

00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:00.039
 and wonderful

00:12:00.039 --> 00:12:01.220
 in the sight

00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:02.039
 of all the other nations

00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:02.939
 was a free gift

00:12:02.939 --> 00:12:03.600
 from the Lord

00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:05.639
 who loved his people

00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:08.700
 with a unique covenant generosity.

00:12:08.700 --> 00:12:11.060
 She owed him

00:12:11.060 --> 00:12:13.620
 absolutely everything.

00:12:14.820 --> 00:12:16.320
 But how did Israel

00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:17.580
 respond

00:12:17.580 --> 00:12:19.140
 to all of this

00:12:19.140 --> 00:12:21.240
 demonstration of kindness

00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:22.340
 and love?

00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:24.060
 Let's read a bit further.

00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:26.860
 Verse 15.

00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:28.580
 But you trusted

00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:29.460
 in your own beauty,

00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:31.540
 played the harlot

00:12:31.540 --> 00:12:33.040
 because of your fame

00:12:33.040 --> 00:12:34.420
 and poured out your harlotry

00:12:34.420 --> 00:12:35.800
 on everyone passing by

00:12:35.800 --> 00:12:36.620
 who would have it.

00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:38.539
 You took some of your garments

00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:40.139
 and adorned multicolored

00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:41.500
 high places for yourself

00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:43.580
 and played the harlot on them.

00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:46.139
 Such things should not happen

00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:46.639
 nor be.

00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:48.740
 You have also taken

00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:49.779
 your beautiful jewelry

00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:50.759
 from my gold

00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:51.500
 and my silver

00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:52.480
 which I had given you

00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:53.659
 and made for yourself

00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:54.500
 male images

00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:55.899
 and played the harlot

00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:56.399
 with them.

00:12:57.019 --> 00:12:58.899
 You took your embroidered garments

00:12:58.899 --> 00:13:00.240
 and covered them

00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:02.180
 and you set my oil

00:13:02.180 --> 00:13:03.120
 and my incense

00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:03.879
 before them.

00:13:04.340 --> 00:13:05.159
 Also my food

00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:05.819
 which I gave you,

00:13:05.899 --> 00:13:07.240
 the pastry of fine flour,

00:13:07.339 --> 00:13:07.939
 oil and honey

00:13:07.939 --> 00:13:08.699
 which I fed you,

00:13:09.299 --> 00:13:10.639
 you set it before them

00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:12.039
 as sweet incense

00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:13.759
 and so it was,

00:13:14.179 --> 00:13:15.259
 says the Lord God.

00:13:16.100 --> 00:13:16.519
 Moreover,

00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:18.339
 you took your sons

00:13:18.339 --> 00:13:19.059
 and your daughters

00:13:19.059 --> 00:13:20.659
 whom you bore to me

00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:22.759
 and these you sacrificed

00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:23.459
 to them

00:13:23.459 --> 00:13:24.299
 to be devoured.

00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:26.139
 Were your acts

00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:26.839
 of harlotry

00:13:26.839 --> 00:13:27.919
 a small matter

00:13:27.919 --> 00:13:29.220
 that you have slain

00:13:29.220 --> 00:13:29.879
 my children

00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:31.279
 and offered them

00:13:31.279 --> 00:13:32.000
 up to them

00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:32.980
 by causing them

00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:34.440
 to pass through the fire

00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:37.279
 and in all your abominations

00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:38.399
 and acts of harlotry

00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:40.080
 you did not remember

00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:41.620
 the days of your youth

00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:42.320
 when you were naked

00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:42.920
 and bare

00:13:42.920 --> 00:13:45.120
 struggling in your blood.

00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:47.860
 The language here

00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:48.519
 is explicit.

00:13:49.060 --> 00:13:50.000
 It's graphic.

00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:52.420
 It's perhaps even offensive

00:13:52.420 --> 00:13:53.379
 to our ears

00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:54.480
 and I didn't read

00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:55.240
 the worst of it.

00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:57.340
 But if so,

00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:59.279
 it's no less offensive

00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:02.019
 than the wickedness

00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:03.039
 of the unfaithfulness

00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:03.919
 of God's people

00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:04.399
 to him.

00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:06.360
 Each of the gifts

00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:07.100
 that God had given

00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:07.699
 to his people,

00:14:07.779 --> 00:14:08.620
 her fine garments,

00:14:08.779 --> 00:14:09.759
 her beautiful jewelry,

00:14:10.199 --> 00:14:11.120
 her choice food,

00:14:11.379 --> 00:14:12.379
 she had turned around

00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:13.019
 and used

00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:14.000
 in the worship

00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:14.919
 of other gods.

00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:16.819
 And so she had betrayed

00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:17.959
 her true husband,

00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:19.220
 the Lord.

00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:21.620
 Even his own children

00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.159
 were taken

00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:22.980
 and sacrificed

00:14:22.980 --> 00:14:24.259
 in the rites

00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:25.659
 of idol worship.

00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:27.639
 And all of this

00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:28.039
 came about

00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:29.000
 because his people

00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:30.939
 forgot their humble beginnings

00:14:30.939 --> 00:14:32.120
 and they were utterly

00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:33.919
 ungrateful to God

00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:34.759
 for his grace

00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.519
 and his mercy

00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:36.319
 and his kindness,

00:14:36.819 --> 00:14:37.740
 his generosity,

00:14:38.419 --> 00:14:39.599
 his love

00:14:39.599 --> 00:14:41.159
 freely shown to them.

00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:43.139
 Well, again,

00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:43.679
 we don't have time

00:14:43.679 --> 00:14:44.299
 to look at it now,

00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:45.399
 but the chapter continues

00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:46.639
 with warnings of judgment

00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:48.259
 upon the nation

00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:49.439
 for its unfaithfulness.

00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:51.659
 But the warnings

00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:53.699
 end in a note of hope.

00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:55.679
 And let's jump over

00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:56.179
 to that.

00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:57.379
 If you turn over

00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:57.860
 the page

00:14:57.860 --> 00:15:00.000
 to verse 59

00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:02.340
 of the same chapter.

00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.720
 For thus says

00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.439
 the Lord God,

00:15:05.939 --> 00:15:07.559
 I will deal with you

00:15:07.559 --> 00:15:08.340
 as you have done

00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:10.700
 who have despised

00:15:10.700 --> 00:15:11.179
 the oath

00:15:11.179 --> 00:15:12.080
 by breaking

00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:12.639
 the covenant.

00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:14.419
 Nevertheless,

00:15:14.700 --> 00:15:15.399
 I will remember

00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:16.039
 my covenant

00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:16.659
 with you

00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:17.720
 in the days

00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.399
 of your youth

00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:20.480
 and I will establish

00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:21.840
 an everlasting covenant

00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:22.399
 with you.

00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:24.200
 Then you will remember

00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:24.860
 your ways

00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:25.680
 and be ashamed

00:15:25.680 --> 00:15:26.879
 when you receive

00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:27.460
 your older

00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:28.320
 and younger sisters,

00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:29.759
 for I will give them

00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:30.639
 to you for daughters,

00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:32.200
 but not because

00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:32.840
 of my covenant

00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:33.379
 with you.

00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:35.620
 And I will establish

00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:36.759
 my covenant

00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.759
 with you.

00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:39.360
 Then you shall know

00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:40.580
 that I am the Lord,

00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:42.240
 that you may remember

00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:43.039
 and be ashamed

00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:44.560
 and never open

00:15:44.560 --> 00:15:45.399
 your mouth anymore

00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.480
 because of your shame

00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:48.379
 when I provide you

00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:49.580
 an atonement

00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:51.340
 for all you have done,

00:15:51.340 --> 00:15:53.120
 says the Lord God.

00:15:55.800 --> 00:15:57.160
 There is a promise

00:15:57.160 --> 00:15:57.960
 here

00:15:57.960 --> 00:15:59.980
 that the marriage

00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:00.899
 between the Lord

00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:01.720
 and his people

00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:03.120
 will someday

00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.040
 be restored

00:16:04.040 --> 00:16:06.000
 and enjoyed again

00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:06.759
 forever.

00:16:08.040 --> 00:16:09.060
 Well, on that note,

00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:11.180
 we'll fast forward

00:16:11.180 --> 00:16:12.080
 to the New Testament,

00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:13.399
 to the coming

00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.379
 of Jesus Christ,

00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:16.560
 because it's in him,

00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:18.460
 it is in Jesus

00:16:18.460 --> 00:16:20.240
 that we finally meet

00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:21.740
 the bridegroom

00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:23.580
 of the covenant people.

00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:24.920
 In Jesus,

00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:27.680
 the Lord finally comes

00:16:27.680 --> 00:16:29.980
 as the divine husband.

00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:31.639
 You may know

00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.800
 the words of John the Baptist

00:16:32.800 --> 00:16:33.820
 when he said,

00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:35.420
 you yourselves

00:16:35.420 --> 00:16:36.139
 bear me witness

00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:36.820
 that I said,

00:16:36.920 --> 00:16:37.840
 I'm not the Christ,

00:16:38.280 --> 00:16:39.139
 but I've been sent

00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:39.840
 before him.

00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:41.940
 He who has the bride

00:16:41.940 --> 00:16:43.440
 is the bridegroom.

00:16:44.139 --> 00:16:45.600
 The friend of the bridegroom

00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.900
 who stands and hears him

00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:49.120
 rejoices at the bridegroom's voice.

00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:51.939
 And Jesus also described himself

00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:52.699
 in these terms.

00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.399
 That's why he repeatedly

00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:55.159
 used parables

00:16:55.159 --> 00:16:55.799
 of weddings

00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:56.500
 and marriages

00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:57.439
 with himself

00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:59.539
 as the bridegroom.

00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:02.019
 But this is made

00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:03.000
 most clear of all

00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:03.899
 by Paul

00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:05.400
 in his teaching

00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:06.420
 on marriage

00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:07.099
 in the letter

00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:07.900
 to the Ephesians.

00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.900
 And there,

00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:13.359
 he draws a parallel

00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:14.539
 between

00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:16.379
 the marriage

00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:17.039
 of a husband

00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:17.679
 and a wife

00:17:17.679 --> 00:17:20.219
 and the ultimate marriage

00:17:20.219 --> 00:17:20.979
 of Christ

00:17:20.979 --> 00:17:22.000
 and the church.

00:17:23.419 --> 00:17:24.459
 Let's turn over

00:17:24.459 --> 00:17:25.019
 to that.

00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.759
 Ephesians 5.

00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:29.539
 It's on page 1015.

00:17:33.399 --> 00:17:35.219
 This parallel shows us

00:17:35.219 --> 00:17:35.459
 that

00:17:35.459 --> 00:17:37.479
 a Christian marriage

00:17:37.479 --> 00:17:38.859
 that is lived out

00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:40.379
 the way God requires it

00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:42.040
 becomes a sort

00:17:42.040 --> 00:17:43.200
 of a living gospel,

00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:45.960
 a visible parable

00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:46.680
 to the world.

00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:49.960
 Let's

00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:51.160
 pick it up

00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:52.060
 at verse 30.

00:17:52.520 --> 00:17:53.460
 Page 1015,

00:17:53.560 --> 00:17:54.160
 Ephesians 5,

00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:54.960
 verse 30.

00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:57.180
 For we are members

00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:58.019
 of his body,

00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.819
 of his flesh

00:17:59.819 --> 00:18:00.519
 and of his bones.

00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:02.340
 For this reason,

00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.819
 a man shall leave

00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:04.819
 his father and mother

00:18:04.819 --> 00:18:06.039
 and be joined to his wife

00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:07.180
 and the two shall become

00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:08.000
 one flesh.

00:18:08.900 --> 00:18:10.420
 This is a great mystery,

00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:12.559
 but I speak concerning

00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.180
 Christ

00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:14.500
 and the church.

00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:15.840
 Nevertheless,

00:18:16.100 --> 00:18:16.880
 let each one of you

00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:17.680
 in particular

00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:19.299
 so love his own wife

00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:19.940
 as himself

00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:21.420
 and let the wife see

00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.299
 that she respects

00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.019
 her husband.

00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:26.700
 Paul declares here

00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:28.259
 that believers

00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.000
 in Jesus

00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:30.460
 are members

00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:31.500
 of the body of Christ.

00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:32.160
 Not members

00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:32.819
 like you're members

00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:33.720
 of the RA club

00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.099
 or something,

00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:34.980
 but members like

00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:36.279
 hands and feet

00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:37.539
 and eyes and ears,

00:18:37.660 --> 00:18:38.619
 that kind of member.

00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:40.200
 You could even say

00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:41.500
 that to Jesus Christ,

00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.440
 he can look

00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:43.119
 at his people

00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:43.700
 and say,

00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.740
 this is now

00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:46.000
 bone of my bones

00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:48.000
 and flesh of my flesh,

00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:49.299
 the very basis

00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:50.019
 and foundation

00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.740
 of marriage

00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:51.279
 like we saw

00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:52.160
 back in Genesis.

00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:54.000
 that's what leads

00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:55.060
 to that great mystery

00:18:55.060 --> 00:18:56.620
 in verse 32.

00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:59.200
 I speak concerning

00:18:59.200 --> 00:18:59.900
 Christ

00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:01.240
 and the church.

00:19:03.560 --> 00:19:05.840
 Because human marriage

00:19:05.840 --> 00:19:07.060
 points to

00:19:07.060 --> 00:19:08.420
 and represents

00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:09.940
 and reveals

00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:12.200
 and symbolizes

00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:14.220
 the true marriage

00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:14.880
 of Christ

00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:16.080
 and his church.

00:19:16.620 --> 00:19:18.000
 That's why it's so important

00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.620
 for the husband

00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:19.460
 to love his wife

00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:20.080
 and for the wife

00:19:20.080 --> 00:19:21.240
 to respect her husband.

00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:23.279
 because the human marriage

00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:24.519
 makes visible

00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:26.620
 to the world around us

00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:29.099
 the eternal romance

00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:30.900
 between Christ

00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:31.880
 and his body.

00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:35.420
 It depicts

00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:36.740
 the sacrificial love

00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.480
 of Christ

00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:39.359
 and the joyful

00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:40.460
 human response

00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:41.259
 of devotion.

00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:43.259
 The human marriage

00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:44.120
 and the human home

00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:45.519
 reflect in miniature

00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:47.519
 the beauty

00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:48.400
 of the shared love

00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:49.240
 between the bridegroom

00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:49.920
 and the bride.

00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:51.680
 And that's why

00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.339
 human marriage

00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:53.220
 is so precious

00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:54.259
 in God's eyes.

00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:55.680
 And it's also

00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:56.420
 why marriage

00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:56.980
 even though it's

00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:57.539
 the strongest

00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:58.839
 of all the human relationships

00:19:58.839 --> 00:20:01.440
 is not ultimate

00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:02.079
 or final

00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:02.740
 but it points

00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:03.700
 beyond itself.

00:20:07.120 --> 00:20:08.220
 So what does all this

00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:08.940
 mean for us?

00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.200
 Human marriage

00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:11.559
 is in miniature

00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:12.120
 the marriage

00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:12.579
 of Christ

00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:13.099
 and the church.

00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:14.079
 Well it means plenty.

00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:16.519
 first of all

00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.220
 to quote

00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:18.259
 a man named

00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:18.879
 Ray Ortlund

00:20:18.879 --> 00:20:21.720
 the biblical story

00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:23.299
 what I've been trying

00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:24.839
 to lay before you here

00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:26.839
 lifts before us

00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:28.059
 a vision

00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:29.019
 of God

00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:30.779
 not as Lord

00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.480
 only

00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.359
 or King

00:20:32.359 --> 00:20:33.539
 or Creator

00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:35.659
 but as our lover.

00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:38.279
 the gospel

00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:39.800
 is the voice

00:20:39.800 --> 00:20:40.940
 of our husband

00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:42.200
 who has proven

00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:43.440
 his love for us

00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:45.080
 in his death

00:20:45.080 --> 00:20:45.840
 on the cross

00:20:45.840 --> 00:20:46.940
 and calls

00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:47.519
 for our

00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:49.180
 undivided love

00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:50.340
 in return.

00:20:51.140 --> 00:20:52.000
 The gospel

00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:52.840
 reveals that

00:20:52.840 --> 00:20:53.820
 as we look out

00:20:53.820 --> 00:20:54.860
 into the universe

00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:56.860
 ultimate reality

00:20:56.860 --> 00:20:58.140
 is not

00:20:58.140 --> 00:20:59.460
 a cold

00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:00.100
 dark

00:21:00.100 --> 00:21:01.680
 blank space.

00:21:02.620 --> 00:21:03.340
 Ultimate reality

00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:04.220
 is romance.

00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:06.440
 there is a God

00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:06.960
 above

00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:08.039
 with love

00:21:08.039 --> 00:21:09.339
 in his eyes

00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:10.980
 for us

00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:12.339
 an infinite joy

00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:13.839
 to offer to us

00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:14.940
 and he has set himself

00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.680
 upon winning

00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.460
 our hearts

00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.860
 for himself

00:21:17.860 --> 00:21:18.700
 alone.

00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.180
 The gospel

00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:21.100
 tells us the story

00:21:21.100 --> 00:21:21.940
 of God's love

00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:23.279
 and it calls us

00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:24.200
 to answer him

00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:25.400
 with a love

00:21:25.400 --> 00:21:26.880
 on our part

00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:29.360
 that cleanses

00:21:29.360 --> 00:21:29.960
 our lives

00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:30.559
 of all

00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:31.460
 spiritual

00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.860
 unfaithfulness

00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:34.199
 because this

00:21:34.199 --> 00:21:34.740
 is the most

00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.319
 deadly

00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:36.579
 adultery

00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:37.379
 of all.

00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:39.539
 Turn with me

00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:40.479
 to James

00:21:40.479 --> 00:21:41.199
 chapter 4

00:21:41.199 --> 00:21:41.839
 verse 4

00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:44.699
 it's on page

00:21:44.699 --> 00:21:46.179
 1047

00:21:46.179 --> 00:21:47.240
 1047

00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:50.839
 James

00:21:50.839 --> 00:21:52.639
 pulls no punches

00:21:52.639 --> 00:21:54.939
 adulterers

00:21:54.939 --> 00:21:56.479
 and adulteresses

00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:58.579
 do you not

00:21:58.579 --> 00:21:58.980
 know that

00:21:58.980 --> 00:21:59.460
 friendship

00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.420
 with the world

00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:01.599
 is enmity

00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:02.299
 with God

00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:03.740
 whoever therefore

00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.700
 wants to be a

00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:05.620
 friend of the world

00:22:05.620 --> 00:22:06.900
 makes himself

00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:07.380
 an enemy

00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:07.980
 of God

00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:10.400
 here we see

00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:11.420
 the same charge

00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:12.240
 that the Old Testament

00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:12.980
 prophets like

00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.519
 Ezekiel

00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.500
 were laying

00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:15.039
 at the feet

00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.460
 of Israel

00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:16.240
 and it's now

00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.759
 laid against

00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.279
 the church

00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:18.220
 of Jesus Christ

00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:19.420
 a Christian

00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:20.200
 cannot have it

00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:21.039
 both ways

00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:22.120
 we cannot

00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:22.980
 give our best

00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:23.519
 affections

00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.259
 to the world

00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:25.160
 while also

00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:25.940
 enjoying a right

00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:26.440
 relationship

00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:27.240
 with God

00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:28.960
 and notice

00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:29.900
 that it is

00:22:29.900 --> 00:22:31.460
 merely the desire

00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:32.720
 for friendship

00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.559
 with the world

00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:35.240
 James says

00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.220
 whoever wants

00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:37.019
 to be a friend

00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:37.640
 of the world

00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:39.059
 makes himself

00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:39.480
 an enemy

00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.080
 of God

00:22:40.080 --> 00:22:40.860
 it's not

00:22:40.860 --> 00:22:41.740
 total immersion

00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.400
 in the world

00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:43.779
 or identification

00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.500
 with it

00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:44.940
 but merely

00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.580
 the wish

00:22:45.580 --> 00:22:46.640
 to be on good

00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.759
 terms with the world

00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:49.500
 James isn't

00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.259
 seeking only

00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:50.880
 to guard us

00:22:50.880 --> 00:22:51.860
 from worldly

00:22:51.860 --> 00:22:53.180
 patterns of behavior

00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:54.700
 he's calling us

00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.320
 away from

00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:56.359
 even the desire

00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:57.619
 for the world's

00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:58.119
 approval

00:22:58.119 --> 00:23:00.500
 that is

00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:01.019
 spiritual

00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:01.740
 adultery

00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:03.099
 because no one

00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:03.740
 who wishes

00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.599
 to be God's

00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:05.200
 friend

00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:06.460
 God's

00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:07.740
 wife

00:23:07.740 --> 00:23:08.759
 can allow

00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.500
 himself to be

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.079
 drawn after

00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:10.740
 the world

00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:12.379
 with its ambitions

00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:13.579
 and affections

00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:15.980
 for instance

00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:16.659
 what is our

00:23:16.659 --> 00:23:17.059
 relationship

00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:17.819
 with our current

00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:19.240
 consumer culture

00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.240
 pleasure

00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.240
 at heart

00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:21.579
 are we

00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.120
 gratefully

00:23:22.120 --> 00:23:22.700
 content

00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:24.279
 with what

00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:25.039
 our heavenly

00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.680
 husband has

00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.279
 given us

00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:28.319
 or are we

00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:28.940
 addicted

00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:30.740
 to the material

00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.539
 goods of this

00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:31.940
 world

00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:33.319
 are we

00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:34.160
 seeking pleasure

00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:34.779
 and luxury

00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:35.240
 through the

00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:35.660
 idols

00:23:35.660 --> 00:23:36.779
 of our modern

00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.000
 world

00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:37.700
 the things

00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.140
 that are

00:23:38.140 --> 00:23:39.400
 thrown at us

00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:39.859
 from every

00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:40.460
 side

00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:42.240
 because if we

00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:42.620
 do we

00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:43.200
 insult

00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:44.720
 the value

00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.359
 and joy

00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:45.680
 that we

00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:46.460
 ought to place

00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:47.220
 in our heavenly

00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:47.940
 husband's

00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.779
 all-sufficiency

00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:50.180
 and we need

00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:50.779
 to be confronted

00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.700
 by this verse

00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:53.120
 the matter

00:23:53.120 --> 00:23:53.519
 of our

00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.400
 faithfulness

00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:54.940
 to Jesus

00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:55.500
 Christ

00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.380
 is of

00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:56.900
 eternal

00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:57.620
 importance

00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:59.140
 he uses

00:23:59.140 --> 00:23:59.940
 strong words

00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.340
 if you want

00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:00.660
 to be a

00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:01.019
 friend of

00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.320
 the world

00:24:01.320 --> 00:24:01.640
 you make

00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:01.920
 yourself

00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:02.580
 an enemy

00:24:02.580 --> 00:24:03.720
 of God

00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.640
 it's a

00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:05.140
 warning to

00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:05.740
 the church

00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:08.140
 we must

00:24:08.140 --> 00:24:08.700
 place

00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:09.340
 ourselves

00:24:09.340 --> 00:24:10.120
 under

00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:11.140
 the word

00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:11.700
 of God

00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.140
 which is

00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:13.019
 our covenant

00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:14.080
 document

00:24:14.080 --> 00:24:16.120
 and carefully

00:24:16.120 --> 00:24:16.539
 guard

00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:17.180
 ourselves

00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.400
 because if

00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:18.820
 we want

00:24:18.820 --> 00:24:19.240
 to avoid

00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:19.860
 the charge

00:24:19.860 --> 00:24:20.920
 that Jesus

00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:21.500
 laid against

00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:23.039
 his contemporaries

00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:23.660
 of being a

00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:24.440
 sinful and

00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:25.279
 adulterous

00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:27.120
 generation

00:24:27.120 --> 00:24:27.940
 we can't

00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:28.279
 afford to

00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:28.779
 be careless

00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.940
 or to

00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:30.440
 take these

00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:30.940
 things

00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.700
 lightly

00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:32.920
 our

00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:33.680
 sinfulness

00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.240
 that still

00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:34.799
 dwells within

00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:35.140
 us is

00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:36.320
 very seductive

00:24:36.320 --> 00:24:37.539
 and so if

00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:38.019
 we truly

00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.580
 desire to

00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:39.060
 be faithful

00:24:39.060 --> 00:24:39.840
 to Christ

00:24:39.840 --> 00:24:41.240
 we must

00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.100
 allow God's

00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:42.980
 word to

00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.560
 deeply

00:24:43.560 --> 00:24:44.279
 search

00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:45.500
 our inner

00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.080
 lives

00:24:46.080 --> 00:24:46.820
 our hearts

00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:48.099
 because as

00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:48.539
 the bride

00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.000
 of Christ

00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.460
 we must

00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:49.759
 remain

00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.299
 open

00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:52.000
 and responsive

00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.619
 to our

00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:53.059
 heavenly

00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:53.500
 husband

00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:54.419
 and we

00:24:54.419 --> 00:24:54.899
 must quickly

00:24:54.899 --> 00:24:55.480
 turn back

00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:55.819
 to him

00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:56.460
 whenever we

00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.220
 become aware

00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:57.980
 of any

00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.480
 glimmer

00:24:58.480 --> 00:25:00.279
 of unfaithfulness

00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:00.960
 in us

00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:02.960
 and so covenant

00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:03.679
 faithfulness

00:25:03.679 --> 00:25:04.859
 is a deeply

00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:05.240
 felt

00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:05.879
 enjoyment

00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:07.079
 and preference

00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:07.559
 for the love

00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:08.099
 of God

00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:09.159
 the love

00:25:09.159 --> 00:25:09.720
 of Christ

00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.439
 his favor

00:25:10.439 --> 00:25:11.220
 whatever the

00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:11.799
 cost

00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:13.139
 in terms of

00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:14.200
 hostility

00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:14.839
 even from

00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:15.359
 the world

00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:17.299
 and adultery

00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:18.759
 spiritual

00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.559
 adultery

00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.399
 on the other

00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:21.179
 hand consists

00:25:21.179 --> 00:25:22.619
 in a lingering

00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:23.240
 wish for the

00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:24.019
 world's favor

00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:25.599
 even as we

00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:26.199
 wish to enjoy

00:25:26.199 --> 00:25:27.019
 the benefits

00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.399
 of being

00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:29.019
 a Christian

00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:30.759
 this kind

00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.720
 of hypocrisy

00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:33.079
 provokes

00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:34.099
 God's jealous

00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.720
 anger

00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:40.360
 but not

00:25:40.360 --> 00:25:40.600
 all

00:25:40.600 --> 00:25:41.059
 adultery

00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:41.519
 of course

00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.220
 is spiritual

00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:43.299
 adultery

00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:44.420
 that would

00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:44.680
 be

00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.880
 that would

00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:46.400
 be wrong

00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:47.240
 because although

00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.940
 the body

00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:48.200
 is not

00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:48.779
 primary

00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:50.160
 in God's

00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:50.339
 eyes

00:25:50.339 --> 00:25:50.799
 it certainly

00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.140
 isn't

00:25:51.140 --> 00:25:51.519
 nothing

00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:53.100
 and so

00:25:53.100 --> 00:25:53.759
 there is

00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.200
 of course

00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:55.140
 also included

00:25:55.140 --> 00:25:55.759
 in the purpose

00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.240
 of the

00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:56.519
 seventh

00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.120
 commandment

00:25:57.120 --> 00:25:57.759
 you shall

00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.299
 not commit

00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:58.940
 adultery

00:25:58.940 --> 00:26:00.059
 that we

00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.440
 pursue

00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.259
 modesty

00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:02.000
 and purity

00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:02.400
 with our

00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:02.900
 bodies

00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:05.420
 in all

00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:05.700
 of our

00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.140
 sexual

00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:06.680
 relations

00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:08.560
 and we

00:26:08.560 --> 00:26:08.840
 need to

00:26:08.840 --> 00:26:09.160
 know that

00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:09.620
 God has

00:26:09.620 --> 00:26:10.380
 provided the

00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:10.960
 intimate

00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:12.200
 companionship

00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:12.920
 of marriage

00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:14.200
 as the

00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:14.660
 remedy

00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:16.100
 the sole

00:26:16.100 --> 00:26:17.360
 remedy

00:26:17.360 --> 00:26:18.440
 s-o-l-e

00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.120
 sole

00:26:19.120 --> 00:26:20.080
 the only

00:26:20.080 --> 00:26:20.519
 remedy

00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.480
 to keep

00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:21.860
 us from

00:26:21.860 --> 00:26:22.640
 plunging

00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:23.040
 into

00:26:23.040 --> 00:26:24.040
 ungodly

00:26:24.040 --> 00:26:24.759
 lust

00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:26.560
 turn with

00:26:26.560 --> 00:26:27.120
 me to

00:26:27.120 --> 00:26:27.780
 1 Corinthians

00:26:27.780 --> 00:26:29.160
 chapter 7

00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:30.440
 page

00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.280
 991

00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:37.399
 1 Corinthians

00:26:37.399 --> 00:26:37.859
 7

00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:39.420
 it's true

00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:40.660
 that some

00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.220
 people

00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:42.279
 have received

00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:42.740
 a special

00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:43.339
 grace from

00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:43.779
 God

00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.500
 in this

00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:44.859
 matter

00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:45.079
 of

00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:46.480
 sexuality

00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.259
 and sexual

00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:47.740
 relations

00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.259
 and they

00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:49.279
 can contentedly

00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:50.180
 remain single

00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:51.700
 some for

00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.119
 life

00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:53.420
 some

00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:54.339
 just for

00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:55.000
 a time

00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:57.019
 that's

00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.319
 shown in

00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:57.920
 verse 7

00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:59.399
 page 991

00:26:59.399 --> 00:27:00.059
 1 Corinthians

00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:00.460
 7

00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:00.920
 7

00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.840
 Paul says

00:27:01.840 --> 00:27:02.200
 I wish

00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:02.539
 that all

00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:02.860
 men were

00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:03.240
 even as

00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:03.900
 I myself

00:27:03.900 --> 00:27:05.120
 but each

00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:05.600
 one has

00:27:05.600 --> 00:27:06.019
 his own

00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:06.680
 gift from

00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.059
 God

00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:07.940
 one in

00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.519
 this matter

00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.519
 and another

00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.059
 in that

00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:11.059
 some are

00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:11.420
 gifted

00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:12.420
 but not

00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:12.779
 all

00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:14.200
 to remain

00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:14.640
 single

00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:15.440
 but Paul

00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:15.940
 is also

00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.900
 very clear

00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:17.779
 here

00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:19.140
 that those

00:27:19.140 --> 00:27:20.079
 who struggle

00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:21.160
 to control

00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:21.640
 themselves

00:27:21.640 --> 00:27:22.360
 sexually

00:27:22.360 --> 00:27:23.660
 ought to

00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:24.180
 get married

00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:25.579
 so he

00:27:25.579 --> 00:27:25.920
 says in

00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.440
 verse 2

00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:28.059
 nevertheless

00:27:28.059 --> 00:27:29.480
 because of

00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:29.900
 sexual

00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.620
 immorality

00:27:30.620 --> 00:27:31.580
 let each

00:27:31.580 --> 00:27:32.140
 man have

00:27:32.140 --> 00:27:32.480
 his own

00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:32.860
 wife

00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:34.180
 and each

00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:34.660
 woman her

00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:34.900
 own

00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:35.299
 husband

00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.799
 they need

00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.080
 to get

00:27:37.080 --> 00:27:37.600
 married

00:27:37.600 --> 00:27:39.519
 because those

00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.120
 who seek to

00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:40.700
 have sexual

00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:41.360
 relations in

00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:41.860
 any other

00:27:41.860 --> 00:27:42.220
 way

00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:43.640
 find themselves

00:27:43.640 --> 00:27:44.420
 striving

00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:44.980
 against

00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.580
 God

00:27:45.580 --> 00:27:46.640
 marriage

00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:47.259
 is the

00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:47.980
 sole remedy

00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:48.320
 that he

00:27:48.320 --> 00:27:49.000
 has provided

00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:49.860
 to resist

00:27:49.860 --> 00:27:51.059
 temptations

00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.660
 to sexual

00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:52.279
 immorality

00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:52.680
 it's much

00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.100
 more than

00:27:53.100 --> 00:27:53.259
 that

00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:53.579
 but it's

00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:54.039
 not less

00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.500
 than that

00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.319
 and so

00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:55.879
 if you

00:27:55.879 --> 00:27:57.000
 this morning

00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.519
 find that

00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.359
 your power

00:27:58.359 --> 00:27:59.640
 to control

00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:00.119
 lust

00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:00.920
 is failing

00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.279
 you

00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.799
 then it's

00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.119
 reasonable

00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:03.720
 to conclude

00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.059
 that the

00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:04.420
 Lord has

00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:04.960
 imposed

00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.500
 on you

00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.119
 the necessity

00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:06.480
 of getting

00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:06.859
 married

00:28:06.859 --> 00:28:08.879
 that's what

00:28:08.879 --> 00:28:09.140
 he says

00:28:09.140 --> 00:28:09.879
 in verse 9

00:28:09.879 --> 00:28:11.720
 if they

00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.480
 cannot exercise

00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.400
 self-control

00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:14.660
 let them

00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:15.039
 marry

00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:16.279
 for it's

00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:16.640
 better to

00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:16.920
 marry

00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:17.319
 than to

00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:17.640
 burn

00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:18.379
 with

00:28:18.379 --> 00:28:18.859
 passion

00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:20.960
 it's

00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:21.519
 very clear

00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:23.799
 finally

00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:25.200
 Jesus

00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:25.740
 himself

00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.319
 shows us

00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:27.039
 the true

00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:27.879
 extent

00:28:27.879 --> 00:28:28.740
 of the

00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.339
 application

00:28:29.339 --> 00:28:29.799
 of this

00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.079
 law

00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:30.559
 you shall

00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:30.779
 not

00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.000
 commit

00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.480
 adultery

00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.500
 in the

00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:32.799
 Sermon

00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.039
 on the

00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:33.339
 Mount

00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:34.500
 page

00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.619
 836

00:28:35.619 --> 00:28:37.599
 page

00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:38.160
 836

00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:38.720
 Matthew

00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:40.379
 chapter 5

00:28:40.379 --> 00:28:42.980
 verse

00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:44.180
 27

00:28:44.180 --> 00:28:45.799
 Jesus

00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:46.359
 said

00:28:46.359 --> 00:28:48.240
 you have

00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:48.639
 heard that

00:28:48.639 --> 00:28:48.900
 it was

00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:49.279
 said to

00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:49.720
 those of

00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:49.980
 old

00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.420
 you shall

00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:50.639
 not

00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:50.900
 commit

00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:51.460
 adultery

00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:52.840
 but I

00:28:52.840 --> 00:28:53.259
 say to

00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:53.680
 you that

00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:54.480
 whoever

00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.220
 looks at

00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:55.600
 a woman

00:28:55.600 --> 00:28:56.480
 to lust

00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:57.220
 for her

00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:58.440
 has already

00:28:58.440 --> 00:28:58.819
 committed

00:28:58.819 --> 00:28:59.340
 adultery

00:28:59.340 --> 00:28:59.740
 with her

00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:00.100
 in his

00:29:00.100 --> 00:29:00.440
 heart

00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:02.960
 it's

00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.319
 just the

00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:03.740
 same as

00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.500
 with

00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:04.900
 murder

00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:05.299
 as we

00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:05.480
 saw

00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:06.039
 last week

00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.319
 if you

00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:06.440
 were

00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:06.920
 with us

00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:07.620
 that

00:29:07.620 --> 00:29:07.920
 Jesus

00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:08.220
 shows

00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:08.380
 that

00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:08.620
 God

00:29:08.620 --> 00:29:08.819
 is

00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:09.039
 not

00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:09.380
 only

00:29:09.380 --> 00:29:09.880
 concerned

00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:10.120
 with

00:29:10.120 --> 00:29:10.319
 the

00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:10.759
 body

00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.200
 with

00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:11.319
 the

00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:11.740
 external

00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.240
 actions

00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:12.420
 but

00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:12.559
 with

00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:12.680
 the

00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:12.880
 state

00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:12.960
 of

00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:13.059
 a

00:29:13.059 --> 00:29:13.460
 person's

00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:13.779
 heart

00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:14.640
 it's

00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:15.240
 possible

00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:15.720
 entirely

00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.259
 possible

00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:16.519
 to

00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:16.900
 commit

00:29:16.900 --> 00:29:17.539
 adultery

00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:18.900
 just

00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:19.180
 by

00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:20.120
 lustfully

00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:20.700
 looking at

00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:20.960
 another

00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:21.460
 person

00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:23.200
 now it's

00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:23.880
 I think

00:29:23.880 --> 00:29:24.519
 especially guys

00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:25.039
 sometimes get

00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:25.920
 hung up on

00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:26.080
 this

00:29:26.080 --> 00:29:26.539
 it's not

00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.880
 this kind

00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:28.220
 of looking

00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:28.700
 isn't just

00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:29.580
 seeing someone

00:29:29.580 --> 00:29:30.680
 and finding

00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:31.360
 them attractive

00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:32.819
 but it's

00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.740
 looking with

00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.900
 lustful intent

00:29:34.900 --> 00:29:35.960
 it's the

00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.900
 lustful intent

00:29:36.900 --> 00:29:37.220
 that is

00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:37.640
 critical

00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:39.440
 and in

00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:39.840
 this matter

00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:40.500
 let me

00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.019
 suggest by

00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:41.300
 the way

00:29:41.300 --> 00:29:42.120
 that at

00:29:42.120 --> 00:29:42.500
 least as

00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:43.060
 brothers and

00:29:43.060 --> 00:29:43.600
 sisters in

00:29:43.600 --> 00:29:44.000
 Christ

00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:45.300
 we can

00:29:45.300 --> 00:29:45.900
 show love

00:29:45.900 --> 00:29:46.160
 to one

00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:46.340
 another

00:29:46.340 --> 00:29:46.860
 and help

00:29:46.860 --> 00:29:47.220
 one another

00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:47.900
 by dressing

00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:48.660
 modestly

00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:50.420
 and speaking

00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:50.920
 modestly

00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:51.400
 so we don't

00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:52.120
 provoke or

00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:53.440
 seduce each

00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:53.900
 other to

00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:54.360
 lust

00:29:54.360 --> 00:29:56.019
 but

00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:56.519
 finally

00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:57.960
 Jesus also

00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:58.400
 teaches

00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:59.600
 another way

00:29:59.600 --> 00:30:00.360
 that we

00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:00.680
 commit

00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.240
 adultery

00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:02.839
 he teaches

00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:04.039
 that remarriage

00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.839
 after a

00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:05.299
 divorce

00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.420
 that was

00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:07.099
 not legitimate

00:30:07.099 --> 00:30:08.420
 in the eyes

00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:09.059
 of God

00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:10.519
 is also

00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.079
 adultery

00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:12.900
 jump down

00:30:12.900 --> 00:30:13.740
 to 31

00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:14.480
 on the same

00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:14.960
 page

00:30:14.960 --> 00:30:16.900
 Jesus said

00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:17.359
 furthermore

00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:17.680
 it's been

00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.039
 said

00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:19.240
 whoever

00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:19.900
 divorces

00:30:19.900 --> 00:30:20.420
 his wife

00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:20.740
 let him

00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.039
 give her

00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:21.539
 a certificate

00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.200
 of divorce

00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:23.579
 but I

00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:24.000
 say to

00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.220
 you

00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:25.279
 that whoever

00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:25.839
 divorces

00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:26.259
 his wife

00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:26.640
 for any

00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:27.099
 reason

00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:28.079
 except

00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:28.720
 sexual

00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.460
 immorality

00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:30.960
 causes her

00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:31.500
 to commit

00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.200
 adultery

00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:33.440
 and whoever

00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:33.960
 marries a

00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:34.360
 woman who's

00:30:34.360 --> 00:30:34.840
 divorced

00:30:34.840 --> 00:30:36.019
 commits

00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:36.740
 adultery

00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:40.039
 friends

00:30:40.039 --> 00:30:40.340
 these

00:30:40.340 --> 00:30:40.880
 these are

00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:41.360
 challenging

00:30:41.360 --> 00:30:41.759
 words

00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.100
 these are

00:30:42.100 --> 00:30:42.779
 very difficult

00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.319
 words

00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:44.420
 in a culture

00:30:44.420 --> 00:30:45.680
 where half

00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:46.100
 or more

00:30:46.100 --> 00:30:46.400
 of our

00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:46.779
 marriages

00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.579
 end in

00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:47.960
 divorce

00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:50.240
 but at

00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:50.860
 peril of

00:30:50.860 --> 00:30:51.340
 throwing

00:30:51.340 --> 00:30:51.840
 something out

00:30:51.840 --> 00:30:52.079
 that could

00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:52.360
 be very

00:30:52.360 --> 00:30:52.660
 painful

00:30:52.660 --> 00:30:53.059
 and leaving

00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:53.220
 it

00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:53.559
 we just

00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:53.920
 need to

00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.259
 realize

00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:54.720
 that these

00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:55.120
 words

00:30:55.120 --> 00:30:55.660
 if nothing

00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:55.900
 else

00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:56.340
 reflect

00:30:56.340 --> 00:30:57.100
 the great

00:30:57.100 --> 00:30:57.819
 importance

00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:58.799
 that God

00:30:58.799 --> 00:30:59.319
 places

00:30:59.319 --> 00:31:01.159
 on marriage

00:31:01.159 --> 00:31:01.759
 and the

00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.299
 covenant

00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:03.139
 of marriage

00:31:03.139 --> 00:31:03.619
 as a

00:31:03.619 --> 00:31:04.079
 lifelong

00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:04.720
 union

00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.759
 of a

00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:06.240
 man and

00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:06.599
 a woman

00:31:06.599 --> 00:31:07.339
 and one

00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:07.559
 that's

00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:07.919
 ultimately

00:31:07.919 --> 00:31:08.299
 joined

00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:08.619
 together

00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:09.220
 by him

00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:11.639
 and so

00:31:11.639 --> 00:31:12.859
 to sum

00:31:12.859 --> 00:31:13.200
 up

00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:15.119
 marriage

00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:16.019
 is not

00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:17.519
 just another

00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:18.460
 mutation

00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:19.679
 of human

00:31:19.679 --> 00:31:20.579
 social evolution

00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.500
 like democracy

00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.500
 it's a

00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:22.980
 divine

00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:23.679
 creation

00:31:23.679 --> 00:31:24.859
 and it's

00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:25.460
 intended

00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:26.899
 to reveal

00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:28.400
 the ultimate

00:31:28.400 --> 00:31:29.100
 romance

00:31:29.100 --> 00:31:30.500
 that guides

00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:31.300
 all of

00:31:31.300 --> 00:31:31.840
 time

00:31:31.840 --> 00:31:32.640
 and all

00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:33.200
 of eternity

00:31:33.200 --> 00:31:34.120
 this is the

00:31:34.120 --> 00:31:34.880
 real reason

00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:35.240
 why

00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:36.320
 premarital

00:31:36.320 --> 00:31:36.980
 sex is

00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:37.440
 wrong

00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:38.560
 because it

00:31:38.560 --> 00:31:39.300
 toys with

00:31:39.300 --> 00:31:39.740
 the biblical

00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.320
 mystery

00:31:40.320 --> 00:31:40.980
 and the

00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.320
 covenant

00:31:41.320 --> 00:31:42.840
 as you can

00:31:42.840 --> 00:31:43.380
 see God's

00:31:43.380 --> 00:31:43.840
 moral command

00:31:43.840 --> 00:31:44.300
 is concerned

00:31:44.300 --> 00:31:44.920
 with far

00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.880
 more than

00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:46.300
 the risk

00:31:46.300 --> 00:31:46.840
 of acquiring

00:31:46.840 --> 00:31:47.400
 a sexually

00:31:47.400 --> 00:31:47.900
 transmitted

00:31:47.900 --> 00:31:48.519
 disease

00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:49.960
 and this

00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:50.540
 is also

00:31:50.540 --> 00:31:50.880
 why

00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:51.720
 extramarital

00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:52.220
 sex

00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:53.600
 or adultery

00:31:53.600 --> 00:31:54.240
 is wrong

00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:54.800
 because it

00:31:54.800 --> 00:31:55.540
 violates

00:31:55.540 --> 00:31:56.620
 the mystery

00:31:56.619 --> 00:31:57.579
 the covenant

00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:58.619
 and this

00:31:58.619 --> 00:31:59.119
 is also

00:31:59.119 --> 00:31:59.759
 even why

00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.500
 same-sex

00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:00.899
 marriages

00:32:00.899 --> 00:32:01.519
 are wrong

00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.739
 because they

00:32:02.739 --> 00:32:03.599
 misrepresent

00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:05.439
 or distort

00:32:05.439 --> 00:32:06.239
 the mystery

00:32:06.239 --> 00:32:07.899
 the mystery

00:32:07.899 --> 00:32:08.719
 that marriage

00:32:08.719 --> 00:32:09.699
 represents

00:32:09.699 --> 00:32:10.259
 the union

00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:10.979
 of Christ

00:32:10.979 --> 00:32:11.599
 and his

00:32:11.599 --> 00:32:11.959
 church

00:32:11.959 --> 00:32:12.539
 two who

00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:12.979
 are very

00:32:12.979 --> 00:32:13.479
 different

00:32:13.479 --> 00:32:14.739
 and yet

00:32:14.739 --> 00:32:15.579
 one flesh

00:32:15.579 --> 00:32:16.879
 not the

00:32:16.879 --> 00:32:17.239
 same

00:32:17.239 --> 00:32:19.139
 and this

00:32:19.139 --> 00:32:19.559
 is also

00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:20.219
 why every

00:32:20.219 --> 00:32:20.899
 faithful

00:32:20.899 --> 00:32:22.119
 and loving

00:32:22.119 --> 00:32:22.859
 marriage

00:32:22.859 --> 00:32:24.000
 Christian

00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.559
 or not

00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:26.039
 is precious

00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:26.779
 to God

00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:28.559
 because it

00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:29.299
 shines with

00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:29.799
 the light

00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:30.559
 of Christ's

00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:30.980
 love for

00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:31.599
 his people

00:32:31.599 --> 00:32:33.099
 and of

00:32:33.099 --> 00:32:33.819
 their devotion

00:32:33.819 --> 00:32:34.419
 to him

00:32:34.419 --> 00:32:35.639
 in all the

00:32:35.639 --> 00:32:36.099
 darkness

00:32:36.099 --> 00:32:36.639
 of this

00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:37.099
 present

00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:37.839
 evil age

00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:40.359
 and it

00:32:40.359 --> 00:32:40.960
 also points

00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:41.220
 us to

00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:41.460
 this

00:32:41.460 --> 00:32:42.139
 that God

00:32:42.139 --> 00:32:42.980
 wants

00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:43.599
 us

00:32:43.599 --> 00:32:44.440
 he wants

00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.159
 ourselves

00:32:45.159 --> 00:32:46.480
 he wants

00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.159
 our hearts

00:32:47.159 --> 00:32:48.740
 our loyalty

00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:50.139
 our love

00:32:50.139 --> 00:32:50.779
 for himself

00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:51.339
 alone

00:32:51.339 --> 00:32:52.579
 he wants

00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:53.179
 to find

00:32:53.179 --> 00:32:54.259
 in us

00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:55.819
 believe it

00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:56.199
 or not

00:32:56.199 --> 00:32:57.379
 the same

00:32:57.379 --> 00:32:57.859
 sense

00:32:57.859 --> 00:32:58.419
 of intimate

00:32:58.419 --> 00:32:58.959
 belonging

00:32:58.959 --> 00:32:59.619
 to him

00:32:59.619 --> 00:33:00.579
 that is

00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:01.019
 appropriate

00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:01.500
 to the

00:33:01.500 --> 00:33:01.939
 sexual

00:33:01.939 --> 00:33:02.419
 union

00:33:02.419 --> 00:33:03.919
 on the

00:33:03.919 --> 00:33:04.159
 human

00:33:04.159 --> 00:33:04.519
 level

00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:05.559
 that's

00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:05.899
 what Paul

00:33:05.899 --> 00:33:06.379
 was saying

00:33:06.379 --> 00:33:07.119
 in Ephesians

00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:07.839
 it's a

00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:08.159
 mystery

00:33:08.159 --> 00:33:08.519
 but it's

00:33:08.519 --> 00:33:08.899
 true

00:33:08.899 --> 00:33:09.599
 God

00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:09.939
 wants

00:33:09.939 --> 00:33:10.179
 us

00:33:10.179 --> 00:33:10.379
 to

00:33:10.379 --> 00:33:10.779
 treasure

00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:11.319
 him

00:33:11.319 --> 00:33:12.240
 above

00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:12.959
 all

00:33:12.959 --> 00:33:13.439
 else

00:33:13.439 --> 00:33:14.759
 and we

00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.159
 show him

00:33:15.159 --> 00:33:15.779
 our love

00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:16.759
 by our

00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.279
 faithfulness

00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:17.579
 to his

00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:18.039
 word

00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:19.259
 by following

00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:19.679
 him

00:33:19.679 --> 00:33:20.659
 obediently

00:33:20.660 --> 00:33:21.160
 wherever he

00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:21.600
 goes

00:33:21.600 --> 00:33:23.060
 by it

00:33:23.060 --> 00:33:23.440
 being our

00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:23.779
 heart's

00:33:23.779 --> 00:33:24.080
 desire

00:33:24.080 --> 00:33:24.360
 that we

00:33:24.360 --> 00:33:24.540
 would

00:33:24.540 --> 00:33:24.820
 rather

00:33:24.820 --> 00:33:25.440
 die

00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:26.740
 than turn

00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:27.080
 aside

00:33:27.080 --> 00:33:27.960
 one step

00:33:27.960 --> 00:33:28.600
 from following

00:33:28.600 --> 00:33:29.060
 him

00:33:29.060 --> 00:33:29.460
 in order

00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:29.920
 to follow

00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:30.519
 the world

00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:32.180
 and we

00:33:32.180 --> 00:33:32.560
 show him

00:33:32.560 --> 00:33:33.080
 our love

00:33:33.080 --> 00:33:33.720
 finally

00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:35.440
 by savoring

00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:36.100
 and clinging

00:33:36.100 --> 00:33:36.779
 to and

00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:38.680
 and meditating

00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:39.460
 on

00:33:39.460 --> 00:33:41.120
 the hope

00:33:41.120 --> 00:33:42.100
 and the

00:33:42.100 --> 00:33:43.160
 eager expectation

00:33:43.160 --> 00:33:44.140
 of eternal

00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:44.840
 union with

00:33:44.840 --> 00:33:45.120
 him

00:33:45.120 --> 00:33:47.000
 in the new

00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:48.040
 Jerusalem above

00:33:48.040 --> 00:33:49.080
 our only

00:33:49.080 --> 00:33:49.840
 and ultimate

00:33:49.839 --> 00:33:50.659
 true

00:33:50.659 --> 00:33:51.279
 fulfillment

00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:53.519
 i'll close

00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:53.859
 with the

00:33:53.859 --> 00:33:54.259
 words of

00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:54.779
 john

00:33:54.779 --> 00:33:56.000
 in the

00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:56.319
 book of

00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:56.899
 revelation

00:33:56.899 --> 00:33:59.519
 let us

00:33:59.519 --> 00:34:00.359
 rejoice

00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:00.839
 and be

00:34:00.839 --> 00:34:01.359
 glad

00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:02.279
 giving the

00:34:02.279 --> 00:34:02.799
 glory to

00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:03.139
 him

00:34:03.139 --> 00:34:04.500
 for the

00:34:04.500 --> 00:34:05.059
 marriage

00:34:05.059 --> 00:34:05.659
 of the

00:34:05.659 --> 00:34:06.079
 lamb

00:34:06.079 --> 00:34:06.819
 has come

00:34:06.819 --> 00:34:07.980
 and his

00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:08.619
 bride

00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:09.659
 has made

00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.099
 herself

00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:10.480
 ready

00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:12.199
 to her

00:34:12.199 --> 00:34:12.480
 it has

00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:12.659
 been

00:34:12.659 --> 00:34:13.279
 granted

00:34:13.279 --> 00:34:14.559
 granted

00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:15.139
 to be

00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:15.719
 clothed

00:34:15.719 --> 00:34:16.380
 with fine

00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:16.599
 linen

00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.139
 bright and

00:34:17.139 --> 00:34:17.420
 pure

00:34:17.420 --> 00:34:17.799
 for the

00:34:17.799 --> 00:34:18.099
 fine

00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:18.319
 linen

00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:18.680
 is the

00:34:18.680 --> 00:34:18.960
 righteous

00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:19.380
 deeds

00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:19.700
 of the

00:34:19.700 --> 00:34:20.059
 saints

00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:22.019
 blessed

00:34:22.019 --> 00:34:22.900
 are those

00:34:22.900 --> 00:34:23.600
 who are

00:34:23.600 --> 00:34:23.980
 invited

00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:24.860
 to the

00:34:24.860 --> 00:34:25.260
 marriage

00:34:25.260 --> 00:34:25.700
 supper

00:34:25.700 --> 00:34:26.820
 of the

00:34:26.820 --> 00:34:27.260
 lamb

00:34:27.260 --> 00:34:29.640
 amen

00:34:29.639 --> 00:34:56.799
 h