WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.820 So we're continuing in our Adult Sunday School class on gender and sexuality. 00:00:07.679 --> 00:00:15.160 I am re-recording this session because the Sunday School recording device did not work on the 13th, 00:00:15.160 --> 00:00:21.600 so we won't have any Q&A recorded from that session, but I did want to re-record the lesson. 00:00:22.679 --> 00:00:28.660 Last week we considered how our bodies, gender, and sexuality are all good and beautiful gifts from God. 00:00:28.660 --> 00:00:36.060 And we also considered how every part of human nature and experience is broken because of sin and its effects. 00:00:36.159 --> 00:00:43.380 And that's how we wanted to begin this class, to recognize that we are beautiful because God has made us in his image, 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:47.240 and yet we are broken because of sin and its effects. 00:00:47.439 --> 00:00:51.640 And in order to have a healthy perception of ourselves and of others and of God, 00:00:51.799 --> 00:00:57.879 we need to hold together these two biblical truths because they reflect the reality that we live in. 00:00:57.880 --> 00:00:59.740 We're both beautiful and broken. 00:01:00.800 --> 00:01:08.760 God's Word helps us to receive and celebrate what is beautiful and to resist being pulled along by what is broken. 00:01:10.140 --> 00:01:14.280 So today and next week, we will be focusing on the shape of God's redemption. 00:01:15.140 --> 00:01:18.200 That's sort of the third part of the biblical story. 00:01:18.379 --> 00:01:20.099 We're created in God's image. 00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:23.400 We're fallen and broken by sin. 00:01:23.400 --> 00:01:25.840 But Christ has come to redeem us. 00:01:26.440 --> 00:01:31.820 And one of the things that we see in the New Testament is that Christ's redemption includes our bodies. 00:01:33.020 --> 00:01:39.060 Christ redeemed us by taking on our human nature, including a fully human body. 00:01:39.219 --> 00:01:45.719 He accomplished our redemption through his faithful obedience to God throughout his entire earthly life, 00:01:45.840 --> 00:01:50.140 culminating in his atoning sacrifice on the cross. 00:01:50.140 --> 00:01:52.620 I've included some verses on the handout. 00:01:53.219 --> 00:01:54.560 The Word became flesh. 00:01:55.540 --> 00:01:58.359 Jesus Christ came in the likeness of sinful flesh. 00:01:58.480 --> 00:02:00.739 He bore our sins in his body. 00:02:02.420 --> 00:02:05.780 And because Christ accomplished our redemption in his body, 00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:09.280 his redemption is also applied to our bodies. 00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:16.860 Some of the early church fathers were particularly responding to a heresy called docetism. 00:02:17.500 --> 00:02:22.439 And docetism basically meant that Jesus only appeared to be human, 00:02:22.599 --> 00:02:25.400 or he only appeared to have a body. 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:35.139 And some of these docetists taught that Jesus sort of appeared in a body, 00:02:35.139 --> 00:02:39.519 but really he was a spiritual being, and he abandoned his body, 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:43.399 so he didn't really, so the Son of God really didn't die on the cross, 00:02:43.459 --> 00:02:44.599 is sort of what they were saying. 00:02:45.099 --> 00:02:48.419 But the early church fathers were saying, 00:02:48.539 --> 00:02:49.500 no, it's important. 00:02:49.979 --> 00:02:54.179 It's important to affirm the biblical truth that, 00:02:54.179 --> 00:02:58.819 these biblical truths that Christ became flesh, 00:02:58.859 --> 00:03:00.739 because he came to redeem all of us. 00:03:00.740 --> 00:03:04.420 He didn't just come to redeem our souls, to sort of zap us away, 00:03:05.080 --> 00:03:09.020 but our salvation involves the redemption of the whole person. 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:11.180 Athanasius says, 00:03:11.260 --> 00:03:17.680 the Lord touched all parts of creation and freed them all from every deceit. 00:03:18.540 --> 00:03:20.879 And that's wonderful news, 00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:27.480 that every part of us can be touched and renewed by the power of God. 00:03:27.479 --> 00:03:32.340 But Jesus, so Jesus redeemed us through his body, 00:03:32.459 --> 00:03:35.479 Jesus was raised bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven, 00:03:36.060 --> 00:03:39.519 and he will come again with his body. 00:03:39.679 --> 00:03:43.039 And so just as the consequences of the fall are written on our bodies, 00:03:43.120 --> 00:03:46.539 our redemption in Christ is also written on our bodies. 00:03:46.539 --> 00:03:53.319 Hebrews 10.22 talks about our hearts are sprinkled clean from an evil conscience, 00:03:53.439 --> 00:03:55.719 and our bodies are washed with pure water. 00:03:55.719 --> 00:03:59.939 Most likely that's a reference to baptism, right? 00:04:00.039 --> 00:04:03.340 The New Testament commands believers in Christ to be baptized in water, 00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:04.460 and among other things, 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:11.159 that outward act is a sign that our bodies are now set apart for the holy service of Christ. 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:13.759 Our bodies are now as holy, 00:04:14.259 --> 00:04:15.579 and even more so perhaps, 00:04:16.040 --> 00:04:18.759 than the temple in the Old Testament, 00:04:19.220 --> 00:04:24.139 and the objects that were used in the sacred worship of God. 00:04:24.139 --> 00:04:26.639 In the Old Testament temple. 00:04:27.699 --> 00:04:31.180 So Paul encourages us in his letters to live in light of that reality, 00:04:31.300 --> 00:04:33.439 to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, 00:04:33.699 --> 00:04:35.740 and be transformed by the renewal of our mind. 00:04:35.839 --> 00:04:41.120 Again, Paul holds together our outer selves and our inner selves, 00:04:41.579 --> 00:04:43.379 our minds and our bodies. 00:04:44.500 --> 00:04:45.979 1 Corinthians 6, he says, 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:48.719 Don't you know your bodies are members of Christ? 00:04:48.720 --> 00:04:50.760 He doesn't just say, 00:04:51.320 --> 00:04:53.020 Your souls are united to Christ, 00:04:53.820 --> 00:04:55.940 and Christ lives in your soul. 00:04:56.340 --> 00:04:57.360 No, he even says, 00:04:57.600 --> 00:05:00.520 Now our bodies are members of Christ, 00:05:00.620 --> 00:05:03.080 and so glorify God in your body. 00:05:04.280 --> 00:05:05.940 So what we're looking at today, 00:05:06.460 --> 00:05:07.180 and next week, 00:05:07.240 --> 00:05:10.020 is what does it look like to glorify God in our bodies, 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:12.600 in light of how Christ has redeemed us, 00:05:13.140 --> 00:05:15.800 particularly as it relates to our gender and sexuality. 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:17.460 Now there are many aspects of this, 00:05:17.540 --> 00:05:21.460 there are many complex challenges that we may find ourselves having to navigate, 00:05:21.920 --> 00:05:23.040 but today and next week, 00:05:23.100 --> 00:05:25.699 I want to focus on two positive visions, 00:05:26.340 --> 00:05:30.420 two paths that are clearly and repeatedly affirmed in the New Testament, 00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:35.620 as ways that we can glorify God in our bodies, 00:05:35.800 --> 00:05:36.259 namely, 00:05:36.900 --> 00:05:38.500 faithfulness in marriage, 00:05:38.699 --> 00:05:40.680 and celibacy in singleness. 00:05:41.319 --> 00:05:42.100 So today, 00:05:42.280 --> 00:05:44.819 we're going to focus on marriage. 00:05:44.819 --> 00:05:46.120 And next week, 00:05:46.180 --> 00:05:48.060 we're going to focus on singleness. 00:05:48.980 --> 00:05:49.860 But really, 00:05:49.980 --> 00:05:51.980 these two need to go together. 00:05:52.699 --> 00:05:53.219 Jesus, 00:05:53.819 --> 00:05:54.659 in Matthew 19, 00:05:54.899 --> 00:05:57.199 he begins by affirming the goodness of marriage, 00:05:57.319 --> 00:05:59.480 God's creational design from the beginning. 00:06:00.019 --> 00:06:01.240 He quotes from Genesis. 00:06:02.120 --> 00:06:03.600 And then in the same passage, 00:06:03.719 --> 00:06:05.879 Jesus also affirmed that some of his disciples 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:07.779 will voluntarily renounce marriage 00:06:07.779 --> 00:06:09.759 for the sake of God's kingdom. 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:12.139 1 Corinthians 7, 00:06:12.139 --> 00:06:16.339 The Apostle Paul also affirms singleness and marriage 00:06:16.339 --> 00:06:17.879 for the sake of God's kingdom 00:06:17.879 --> 00:06:21.899 as ways that followers of Jesus can glorify God in our bodies. 00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:24.800 Paul begins by saying, 00:06:24.959 --> 00:06:26.060 I wish that all were single, 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:27.800 as I myself am. 00:06:27.860 --> 00:06:29.539 And he goes on in that chapter 00:06:29.539 --> 00:06:31.659 to elaborate some of the benefits 00:06:31.659 --> 00:06:34.560 of being a single person 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:36.019 and a follower of Christ 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:38.599 and the particular opportunities that provides 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:40.760 to express devotion to Christ. 00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:42.680 But then he goes on to say, 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:44.340 each has his own gift from God, 00:06:44.420 --> 00:06:46.060 one of one kind and one of another. 00:06:46.939 --> 00:06:48.760 Marriage and singleness 00:06:48.760 --> 00:06:51.160 are both gifts from God 00:06:51.160 --> 00:06:53.060 that can be received 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:55.439 and offered to him. 00:06:56.480 --> 00:06:57.140 So today, 00:06:57.200 --> 00:06:59.280 we're going to focus on God's affirmation of marriage, 00:06:59.500 --> 00:07:01.800 which we see in both the Old and New Testaments. 00:07:01.879 --> 00:07:02.580 And the next week, 00:07:02.600 --> 00:07:04.500 we'll look at the distinctively New Testament 00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:05.820 affirmation of singleness 00:07:05.819 --> 00:07:07.180 for the sake of God's kingdom. 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:09.599 So here's the question we're looking at today. 00:07:10.459 --> 00:07:12.319 In our beautiful and broken world, 00:07:12.939 --> 00:07:15.180 how does marriage bear witness 00:07:15.180 --> 00:07:17.339 not only to God's original design 00:07:17.339 --> 00:07:18.480 for created humanity, 00:07:18.620 --> 00:07:20.399 but also to God's redemptive purposes 00:07:20.399 --> 00:07:22.100 for fallen humanity? 00:07:23.519 --> 00:07:24.699 Well, from the beginning, 00:07:24.860 --> 00:07:25.379 from Genesis, 00:07:25.579 --> 00:07:27.519 we see that God intended marriage to be 00:07:27.519 --> 00:07:28.620 faithful, 00:07:29.579 --> 00:07:29.980 fruitful, 00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:31.339 exclusive, 00:07:32.019 --> 00:07:32.480 enduring, 00:07:32.959 --> 00:07:35.139 and full of love and wonder. 00:07:35.819 --> 00:07:37.139 So, 00:07:37.579 --> 00:07:38.959 marriage is meant to be faithful. 00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:42.019 Bone of my bone, 00:07:42.199 --> 00:07:43.139 flesh of my flesh, 00:07:43.159 --> 00:07:44.959 that was an ancient vow of loyalty. 00:07:45.139 --> 00:07:47.279 It's what the Israelites said to King David 00:07:47.279 --> 00:07:48.519 when he came, 00:07:48.719 --> 00:07:51.240 when they were acknowledging him as their king. 00:07:51.639 --> 00:07:52.439 They're saying, 00:07:52.600 --> 00:07:53.939 we are bound together. 00:07:54.199 --> 00:07:55.480 We are in this together. 00:07:55.819 --> 00:07:56.519 We are yours, 00:07:56.639 --> 00:07:57.579 and you are ours. 00:07:58.500 --> 00:08:00.779 And that's what marriage is supposed to be. 00:08:01.639 --> 00:08:04.259 Faithfulness to that one flesh union. 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:06.939 Marriage is also, 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:08.759 we see in Genesis, 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:10.459 intended by God to be fruitful. 00:08:11.139 --> 00:08:11.939 God says, 00:08:12.420 --> 00:08:13.980 be fruitful and multiply. 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:16.599 Genesis 1.28. 00:08:17.319 --> 00:08:17.899 And so, 00:08:18.379 --> 00:08:20.779 one of the outcomes of marriage 00:08:20.779 --> 00:08:21.819 is that 00:08:21.819 --> 00:08:24.139 it would be blessed with offspring, 00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:26.699 and that life would be continued 00:08:26.699 --> 00:08:28.980 in that way, 00:08:29.079 --> 00:08:30.779 and fruitful in other ways as well. 00:08:30.779 --> 00:08:32.379 Exclusive. 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:33.939 Marriage is also meant to be exclusive. 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:34.839 We see in Genesis, 00:08:35.019 --> 00:08:36.559 the man shall be united to his wife, 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:38.679 the two shall become one flesh. 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:41.199 There are only two. 00:08:42.699 --> 00:08:44.079 There are a man and woman, 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:45.259 and they become one. 00:08:46.939 --> 00:08:47.339 Enduring. 00:08:47.879 --> 00:08:48.019 Right? 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:49.399 Marriage is supposed to hold fast, 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:51.039 and full of love and wonder. 00:08:51.139 --> 00:08:53.120 The first bit of poetry 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:53.980 is what, 00:08:54.259 --> 00:08:55.659 is the word in the Bible 00:08:55.659 --> 00:08:57.559 are the words that come out of Adam's mouth 00:08:57.559 --> 00:08:59.339 when he sees Eve. 00:08:59.339 --> 00:09:01.159 This at last. 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:03.879 This is bone of my bones 00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:05.119 and flesh of my flesh. 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:07.119 And Adam rejoices. 00:09:07.259 --> 00:09:08.500 He bursts out 00:09:08.500 --> 00:09:09.659 in exclamation 00:09:09.659 --> 00:09:10.679 in love 00:09:10.679 --> 00:09:11.519 and joy 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:12.419 and wonder. 00:09:14.219 --> 00:09:15.439 And so that's what marriage 00:09:15.439 --> 00:09:16.619 is meant to be 00:09:16.619 --> 00:09:17.799 from the beginning. 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:19.639 Faithful, 00:09:19.819 --> 00:09:20.159 fruitful, 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:20.819 exclusive, 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:21.500 and enduring, 00:09:21.699 --> 00:09:22.839 and full of love and wonder. 00:09:22.840 --> 00:09:24.480 However, 00:09:24.759 --> 00:09:26.620 the Bible is realistic, 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:29.060 and the Bible recognizes 00:09:29.060 --> 00:09:30.940 that on this side of the fall, 00:09:31.460 --> 00:09:32.820 we see the effects of sin 00:09:32.820 --> 00:09:34.100 in marriages that do not, 00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:35.360 and marriages or spouses 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:38.379 who don't embody those qualities. 00:09:39.280 --> 00:09:40.240 So we see examples 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:40.780 in the Bible 00:09:40.780 --> 00:09:41.340 of marriages 00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:43.340 that become adulterous 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:44.519 instead of faithful. 00:09:45.460 --> 00:09:46.240 For example, 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:48.080 David and his relationship 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:48.860 with Bathsheba. 00:09:49.720 --> 00:09:50.160 Now, 00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:50.700 the assumption 00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:51.560 throughout the Bible 00:09:51.559 --> 00:09:53.239 is always 00:09:53.239 --> 00:09:54.979 that sexual union 00:09:54.979 --> 00:09:57.059 is the bodily expression 00:09:57.059 --> 00:09:59.339 of the marriage promise. 00:10:00.219 --> 00:10:01.699 So that's why adultery 00:10:01.699 --> 00:10:03.319 is so serious 00:10:03.319 --> 00:10:05.739 because it's a bodily act 00:10:05.739 --> 00:10:07.939 that is in itself 00:10:07.939 --> 00:10:09.019 a repudiation 00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:11.139 of the marriage promise. 00:10:11.339 --> 00:10:12.179 It's the opposite 00:10:12.179 --> 00:10:13.399 of confirming 00:10:13.399 --> 00:10:15.500 and affirming 00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:16.699 the marriage promise. 00:10:17.199 --> 00:10:19.659 It's absolutely repudinating it 00:10:19.659 --> 00:10:21.019 because sexual union 00:10:21.019 --> 00:10:23.620 is inherently 00:10:23.620 --> 00:10:24.819 the bodily expression 00:10:24.819 --> 00:10:26.199 of the marriage promise. 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:26.699 It's saying, 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:28.039 I am giving myself 00:10:28.039 --> 00:10:30.379 completely to you, 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:32.299 holding nothing back 00:10:32.299 --> 00:10:35.039 and to you alone. 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:38.840 So in the Old Testament, 00:10:40.199 --> 00:10:40.639 adultery 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:42.139 and other violations 00:10:42.139 --> 00:10:43.039 of the marriage covenant 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:44.419 were punishable by death. 00:10:45.919 --> 00:10:46.699 Premarital sex 00:10:46.700 --> 00:10:48.360 was also something 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:49.940 that had serious consequences 00:10:49.940 --> 00:10:51.540 even though it was not 00:10:51.540 --> 00:10:52.560 punishable by death. 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:53.840 But if an unmarried man 00:10:53.840 --> 00:10:55.080 and woman had sex together 00:10:55.080 --> 00:10:55.820 consensually, 00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:58.000 the man was required 00:10:58.000 --> 00:10:59.800 to pay the bride price 00:10:59.800 --> 00:11:02.320 that was given to the woman 00:11:02.320 --> 00:11:03.020 or her family. 00:11:03.160 --> 00:11:03.820 It was sort of a form 00:11:03.820 --> 00:11:04.620 of life insurance 00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:05.860 if the husband were to die 00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:07.259 or abandon the marriage. 00:11:07.640 --> 00:11:08.400 He was required 00:11:08.400 --> 00:11:09.920 to sort of pay up 00:11:09.920 --> 00:11:10.740 and marry the woman. 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:11.640 Now, 00:11:11.680 --> 00:11:12.680 the point of that law 00:11:12.679 --> 00:11:14.579 was to build a culture 00:11:14.579 --> 00:11:15.799 where sex 00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:17.099 among God's people 00:11:17.099 --> 00:11:18.139 was neither cheap 00:11:18.139 --> 00:11:19.639 nor casual. 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:21.579 And in particular, 00:11:21.719 --> 00:11:22.859 the law prevented a man 00:11:22.859 --> 00:11:23.779 from taking advantage 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:24.319 of a woman 00:11:24.319 --> 00:11:25.120 and then avoiding 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:26.559 responsibility to her 00:11:26.559 --> 00:11:28.099 and or children 00:11:28.099 --> 00:11:29.199 in the future. 00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:32.200 The New Testament 00:11:32.200 --> 00:11:33.020 also contains 00:11:33.020 --> 00:11:33.860 strong warnings 00:11:33.860 --> 00:11:35.259 against sexual intimacy 00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:36.920 outside the marriage covenant. 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:38.640 Now, 00:11:38.680 --> 00:11:39.280 on the other hand, 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:39.700 the Bible 00:11:39.700 --> 00:11:42.060 unabashedly celebrates 00:11:42.060 --> 00:11:43.040 sexual love 00:11:43.040 --> 00:11:43.960 within marriage. 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:45.660 It says, 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:46.900 this is something 00:11:46.900 --> 00:11:47.820 that married couples 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:49.180 are intended by God 00:11:49.180 --> 00:11:50.020 to enjoy. 00:11:50.660 --> 00:11:51.640 We see that in Genesis, 00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:53.259 we see that in Proverbs, 00:11:53.700 --> 00:11:55.120 we see that in Song of Songs, 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:56.180 an entire book 00:11:56.180 --> 00:11:56.940 of the Bible, 00:11:56.940 --> 00:11:58.960 which is love, 00:11:59.320 --> 00:11:59.820 poetry, 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:03.540 celebrating that relationship 00:12:03.540 --> 00:12:05.640 between the man 00:12:05.640 --> 00:12:06.260 and woman. 00:12:07.540 --> 00:12:10.960 And we see that 00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:13.080 affirmed in the New Testament 00:12:13.080 --> 00:12:13.720 as well. 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:17.140 So that's sort of 00:12:17.140 --> 00:12:18.540 the first distortion 00:12:18.540 --> 00:12:18.980 of marriage 00:12:18.980 --> 00:12:19.480 that we see 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:20.180 is when marriages 00:12:20.180 --> 00:12:20.980 are adulterous 00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:21.720 instead of faithful. 00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:22.820 We also see examples 00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:23.700 in the Old Testament 00:12:23.700 --> 00:12:24.260 in particular 00:12:24.260 --> 00:12:24.860 of marriages 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:26.140 that are infertile 00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:27.460 instead of fruitful. 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:27.779 Now, 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:29.039 infertility is not 00:12:29.039 --> 00:12:30.159 itself a sin. 00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:31.980 But in the Old Testament, 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:33.279 it is seen as a curse 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:36.360 because God's covenant promise 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:37.039 was established 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:37.620 with Abraham 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:38.899 and his physical descendants. 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:39.860 And the primary way 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:40.960 that God built his kingdom 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:41.819 in the Old Testament 00:12:41.819 --> 00:12:43.159 was through the people 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:43.600 of Israel, 00:12:43.699 --> 00:12:44.659 the descendants of Abraham, 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:45.659 having babies 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:47.259 and circumcising 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:48.659 the male descendants 00:12:48.659 --> 00:12:50.080 and raising them 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:52.179 according to the law 00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:52.679 of the Lord. 00:12:52.679 --> 00:12:54.879 So, 00:12:55.279 --> 00:12:58.679 the emphasis shifts 00:12:58.679 --> 00:12:59.559 in the New Testament 00:12:59.559 --> 00:13:00.939 from expanding 00:13:00.939 --> 00:13:01.500 God's kingdom 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.459 primarily through 00:13:02.459 --> 00:13:03.379 the physical descendants 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:03.839 of Abraham 00:13:03.839 --> 00:13:05.199 to expanding God's kingdom 00:13:05.199 --> 00:13:06.059 through the spiritual 00:13:06.059 --> 00:13:07.439 family of Jesus. 00:13:08.319 --> 00:13:08.839 So, 00:13:09.199 --> 00:13:09.939 in other words, 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:11.000 we seek to expand 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:11.639 God's kingdom 00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:12.539 and to be fruitful 00:13:12.539 --> 00:13:14.579 not only by having 00:13:14.579 --> 00:13:15.899 lots of biological children 00:13:15.899 --> 00:13:17.120 but by proclaiming 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:18.740 the gospel of Jesus Christ 00:13:18.740 --> 00:13:20.259 and by showing hospitality 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:21.259 to our children, 00:13:21.460 --> 00:13:22.019 to our neighbors 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:23.200 and even to our enemies. 00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:24.379 And we'll see 00:13:24.379 --> 00:13:25.100 that this shift 00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:26.919 influences the New Testament 00:13:26.919 --> 00:13:28.000 vision of singleness 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:29.259 for the sake of God's kingdom. 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:30.879 We'll get to that next week. 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:33.519 So, 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:35.899 that's the second way 00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:37.259 that we see marriage 00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:38.019 not living up 00:13:38.019 --> 00:13:39.179 to God's creational design 00:13:39.179 --> 00:13:40.600 is when it is infertile 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:42.319 instead of fruitful. 00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:47.179 And again, 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:48.179 that is not a sin 00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:49.620 but that's sort of 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:50.579 in the bigger picture 00:13:50.579 --> 00:13:52.039 it's one of the effects 00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:53.739 of living in a fallen world. 00:13:55.639 --> 00:13:56.399 Something that 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:57.679 is to be mourned. 00:13:58.699 --> 00:13:59.539 The third way 00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:00.279 that we see marriages 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:01.239 falling short 00:14:01.239 --> 00:14:01.679 in the Bible 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:03.239 is when they are polygamous 00:14:03.239 --> 00:14:04.620 instead of exclusive. 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:06.879 Polygamy begins 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:08.019 within the line of Cain. 00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:10.159 Then the first polygamous 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:10.659 Lamech 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:11.219 is characterized 00:14:11.219 --> 00:14:12.159 by violence 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:12.779 and vengeance. 00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:14.500 Polygamy's negative effects 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:15.059 and associations 00:14:15.059 --> 00:14:16.179 are evident. 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:17.579 It leads to rivalry, 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:18.300 jealousy, 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:19.080 conflict, 00:14:19.280 --> 00:14:19.680 neglect. 00:14:22.060 --> 00:14:22.480 So, 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:22.840 you know, 00:14:22.900 --> 00:14:23.259 there are many 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:24.360 prominent characters 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:24.759 Abraham, 00:14:25.060 --> 00:14:25.300 Jacob, 00:14:25.440 --> 00:14:25.700 David, 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:26.240 and Solomon 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:27.000 who had multiple 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:28.120 wives or concubines 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:28.860 but this is always 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:30.000 presented as a deviation 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:31.580 from God's original plan 00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:33.660 with clearly negative effects. 00:14:34.680 --> 00:14:35.379 Fourth way 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:35.960 that marriages 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:37.080 fall short 00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:37.840 of God's design 00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:38.440 is when they end 00:14:38.440 --> 00:14:39.060 in divorce 00:14:39.060 --> 00:14:40.040 instead of enduring 00:14:40.040 --> 00:14:40.759 until death. 00:14:40.900 --> 00:14:41.540 Divorce is always 00:14:41.540 --> 00:14:42.560 a result of sin 00:14:42.560 --> 00:14:43.759 even if 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:44.840 in some circumstances 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:45.920 such as one spouse 00:14:45.920 --> 00:14:47.680 engaging in unrepentant adultery 00:14:47.680 --> 00:14:48.899 pursuing divorce 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:50.440 is not in itself 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:51.280 a sin 00:14:51.280 --> 00:14:53.019 but a response 00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:55.019 to an unrepentantly 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:56.740 sinful situation. 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.940 And finally, 00:14:59.080 --> 00:14:59.639 we see marriages 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:00.360 that are characterized 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.440 by complacency 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:02.040 and contempt 00:15:02.040 --> 00:15:02.920 instead of love 00:15:02.920 --> 00:15:03.840 and wonder. 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:04.920 For example, 00:15:05.040 --> 00:15:05.420 Nabal 00:15:05.420 --> 00:15:06.940 who's verbally abusive 00:15:06.940 --> 00:15:07.820 toward his wife 00:15:07.820 --> 00:15:08.440 Abigail 00:15:08.440 --> 00:15:10.220 in 1 Samuel 25 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:10.920 or Michal 00:15:10.920 --> 00:15:12.820 who has contempt 00:15:12.820 --> 00:15:14.399 for her husband David 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:16.120 in 2 Samuel 6. 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:17.759 So, 00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:18.279 again, 00:15:18.660 --> 00:15:19.240 the Bible is 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:20.700 very honest 00:15:20.700 --> 00:15:22.019 about these distortions 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:22.940 of God's design, 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:24.480 the pain 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:25.240 and the sorrow 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:26.600 caused by sin 00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:27.519 and by its effects 00:15:27.519 --> 00:15:28.800 but God doesn't 00:15:28.800 --> 00:15:29.740 get rid of marriage 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:30.379 and he doesn't 00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:30.879 replace it 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:31.519 with some other 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:31.980 arrangement 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:33.240 in this fallen world. 00:15:33.980 --> 00:15:34.720 Throughout the Bible, 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:35.379 marriage is seen 00:15:35.379 --> 00:15:36.220 as a gift of God 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:37.040 to the entire 00:15:37.040 --> 00:15:38.480 human race. 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:40.659 it's a creation 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.320 ordinance. 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:43.200 Even non-believers 00:15:43.200 --> 00:15:44.080 can recognize 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:44.720 and experience 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:45.360 some of the good 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.360 effects of marriage. 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:47.860 If a married couple 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.379 from another 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:49.200 religious background 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:49.920 or no religious 00:15:49.920 --> 00:15:50.300 background 00:15:50.300 --> 00:15:51.039 become Christians, 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:51.519 they don't need 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:52.379 to get married again 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:54.340 for their marriage 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:54.940 to be seen 00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:55.820 as fully legitimate 00:15:55.820 --> 00:15:56.740 before God. 00:15:58.899 --> 00:15:59.460 However, 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:01.000 while marriage 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:01.879 is a creation 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:02.300 ordinance, 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:03.259 while it is a gift 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:04.680 that all human beings 00:16:04.680 --> 00:16:05.519 can experience 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:06.879 and enjoy from God, 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:07.899 among God's 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:08.600 redeemed people, 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:09.439 marriage is also 00:16:09.439 --> 00:16:10.759 a covenant sign. 00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:11.899 And this is really 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:12.919 the point 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:14.679 of this whole lesson 00:16:14.679 --> 00:16:15.939 as what I want 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:16.579 to sort of 00:16:16.579 --> 00:16:17.959 lead us up to here. 00:16:18.579 --> 00:16:19.019 Marriage, 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:21.439 biblical marriage 00:16:21.439 --> 00:16:22.360 is intended 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:23.819 to point to something 00:16:23.819 --> 00:16:25.860 greater than itself. 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:28.919 In particular, 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:30.000 marriage is a sacred 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:30.539 picture 00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:32.299 of the covenant 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:32.919 union 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:34.120 between God 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:34.960 and his people. 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:36.840 So, 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:37.580 in the Old Testament, 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:39.259 God is the husband 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:40.040 and Israel 00:16:40.040 --> 00:16:41.000 is the wife. 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:42.639 We see that 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:43.340 in Hosea, 00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:45.259 sort of very 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.240 dramatically portrayed 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:46.840 in Jeremiah, 00:16:47.280 --> 00:16:47.780 in Isaiah. 00:16:48.660 --> 00:16:49.440 I think it's also 00:16:49.440 --> 00:16:50.080 in Deuteronomy, 00:16:50.160 --> 00:16:50.580 though I don't have 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:50.980 the reference. 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.379 In the New Testament, 00:16:52.800 --> 00:16:53.840 Christ is the husband, 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:55.100 the church is his bride. 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:55.920 But in both 00:16:55.920 --> 00:16:56.600 the Old 00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:57.700 and the New Testaments, 00:16:57.800 --> 00:16:59.240 the great mystery, 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:01.180 as Paul puts it 00:17:01.180 --> 00:17:01.940 in Ephesians 5, 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:02.960 the great mystery 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:03.900 of marriage 00:17:03.900 --> 00:17:04.799 as the union 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:06.480 of male and female 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:07.640 bears witness 00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:09.480 to the far more 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.140 staggering 00:17:10.140 --> 00:17:11.580 and awe-inspiring 00:17:11.580 --> 00:17:12.100 union 00:17:12.100 --> 00:17:13.320 of God 00:17:13.320 --> 00:17:14.380 and his people 00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:15.860 and the hope 00:17:15.860 --> 00:17:16.980 that one day 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.380 heaven and earth 00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:19.539 will be reunited 00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:20.900 for all eternity. 00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:23.200 See, 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:24.519 Christian marriage 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:25.539 is meant to be 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:27.019 a sign of that. 00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:29.019 The union 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:29.779 between God 00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:30.460 and his people, 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.680 the coming union 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:32.460 between heaven 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.319 and earth 00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:34.120 when Jesus 00:17:34.120 --> 00:17:35.180 comes again 00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:36.360 and is united 00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:37.460 with his bride, 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.299 the church. 00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:40.220 And so this idea 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:40.740 of marriage 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.860 as a covenant sign 00:17:41.860 --> 00:17:42.940 is the main difference 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:43.680 between the biblical 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:44.500 vision of marriage 00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:45.660 and other understandings 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.319 of marriage. 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.460 In some traditional 00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:49.019 societies, 00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:49.900 marriage is primarily 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:50.400 the union 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:51.460 of two families 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:53.000 for the sake of, 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:54.279 for social reasons, 00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:55.480 for social cohesion, 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:56.640 for family honor. 00:17:56.640 --> 00:18:01.040 marriage is mostly 00:18:01.040 --> 00:18:02.460 about the broader 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:03.160 society 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:04.360 or community. 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:06.500 In individualistic 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:07.040 societies 00:18:07.040 --> 00:18:08.520 like the modern 00:18:08.520 --> 00:18:09.240 western world, 00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:10.200 marriage is primarily 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:11.200 a means of promoting 00:18:11.200 --> 00:18:11.780 the happiness 00:18:11.780 --> 00:18:12.560 of the two people 00:18:12.560 --> 00:18:13.040 involved, 00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:13.940 however those two 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:15.160 people might define it. 00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:16.700 But the biblical 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:17.560 view of marriage 00:18:17.560 --> 00:18:18.860 is distinctly 00:18:18.860 --> 00:18:19.640 God-centered 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:20.480 rather than 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.180 human-centered. 00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:23.900 Why is marriage 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:25.039 intended to be 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.200 faithful 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:27.400 and fruitful, 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.580 exclusive 00:18:28.580 --> 00:18:29.740 and enduring 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.840 and filled 00:18:30.840 --> 00:18:31.860 with love 00:18:31.860 --> 00:18:32.620 and wonder? 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:35.100 Because that 00:18:35.100 --> 00:18:36.220 kind of relationship 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.120 between a husband 00:18:37.120 --> 00:18:37.860 and wife 00:18:37.860 --> 00:18:39.460 reflects the character 00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:40.900 of God's relationship 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:41.720 with his own 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:42.519 people. 00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:44.700 You see, 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.680 those characteristics 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:46.820 aren't arbitrary. 00:18:48.320 --> 00:18:48.980 And they're not 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:50.120 just things that 00:18:50.119 --> 00:18:53.000 people like. 00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:57.799 They're characteristics 00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:58.599 of God's 00:18:58.599 --> 00:18:59.759 relationship with us. 00:19:00.199 --> 00:19:01.799 God is faithful. 00:19:01.959 --> 00:19:03.119 He unwaveringly 00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:03.879 follows through 00:19:03.879 --> 00:19:04.619 on every one 00:19:04.619 --> 00:19:05.319 of his promises 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:06.019 to us. 00:19:08.119 --> 00:19:08.719 God, 00:19:08.939 --> 00:19:10.719 in relationship 00:19:10.719 --> 00:19:11.379 with us, 00:19:11.719 --> 00:19:12.339 bears fruit. 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:12.979 God's word 00:19:12.979 --> 00:19:13.739 produces the 00:19:13.739 --> 00:19:14.519 spiritual fruit 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.599 of godly character, 00:19:16.199 --> 00:19:17.219 of good works, 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.199 of transformed 00:19:18.199 --> 00:19:18.919 relationships, 00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:20.140 of spiritual children, 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:20.759 other people 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:21.500 coming to know 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:22.300 Christ and grow 00:19:22.300 --> 00:19:22.759 in him. 00:19:24.600 --> 00:19:25.500 So the union 00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:26.240 between Christ 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:26.800 and his church 00:19:26.800 --> 00:19:27.440 is faithful 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.580 and it's intended 00:19:28.580 --> 00:19:29.360 to be fruitful. 00:19:29.800 --> 00:19:30.519 It's also intended 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.380 to be exclusive. 00:19:32.140 --> 00:19:33.019 God allows 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:33.759 no idols, 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:34.539 no rivals, 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.779 and no third parties. 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:36.300 Nothing 00:19:36.300 --> 00:19:37.660 that can take 00:19:37.660 --> 00:19:38.480 God's place 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:39.259 in our lives. 00:19:39.360 --> 00:19:40.060 And God 00:19:40.060 --> 00:19:41.240 is not distracted 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.620 but devoted 00:19:42.620 --> 00:19:44.279 to our well-being. 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:47.380 Enduring 00:19:47.380 --> 00:19:49.319 marriage 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:51.120 endures for a lifetime 00:19:51.120 --> 00:19:51.839 but our 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:54.599 relationship with God 00:19:54.599 --> 00:19:55.079 will last 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:56.019 for all eternity. 00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:57.700 Marriage 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.980 is to be a picture 00:19:58.980 --> 00:20:01.339 in this life 00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:02.359 pointing 00:20:02.359 --> 00:20:03.319 to an even 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:04.259 greater relationship 00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:04.900 with God 00:20:04.900 --> 00:20:05.680 that will last 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.500 for all eternity. 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:07.940 And finally, 00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:09.420 our relationship 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:09.940 with God 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:10.519 is meant to be 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.279 full of love 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.060 and wonder. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:14.140 That only increases 00:20:14.140 --> 00:20:14.720 as we come 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:15.440 to know Christ 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:15.740 better. 00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:16.920 Paul prays 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:17.779 that we would know 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:19.039 how high 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:20.060 and wide 00:20:20.060 --> 00:20:21.039 and long 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:21.660 and deep 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:22.420 is the love 00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:23.800 of Christ. 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:25.920 See, 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.740 that's the core 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.480 of what biblical 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.360 marriage was meant 00:20:28.360 --> 00:20:28.860 to be. 00:20:29.360 --> 00:20:30.259 A picture 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:31.460 of God's 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:32.220 very own 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:32.820 relationship 00:20:32.820 --> 00:20:33.800 with us. 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:35.259 when Adam 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:35.519 and Eve 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.099 sinned, 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.440 they were sent 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:38.200 out of the garden 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:39.579 and sent away 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:39.980 to wander 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:40.559 in the wilderness. 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:42.700 So much 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.259 of our life 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:43.819 in this world 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:44.419 is wandering 00:20:44.419 --> 00:20:45.039 in the wilderness. 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.379 So much 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:47.799 of the history 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.619 of God's people, 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:50.480 they were wandering 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:51.099 in the wilderness, 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:52.039 they were sent 00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:52.799 into exile, 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:53.980 and marriage 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:54.940 in this fallen 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:55.759 world 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:57.119 where we are 00:20:57.119 --> 00:20:57.919 far from our 00:20:57.919 --> 00:20:58.440 true home, 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.379 marriage is a picture 00:20:59.379 --> 00:21:00.559 of God's mercy 00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:01.919 in bringing 00:21:01.919 --> 00:21:02.980 his people back 00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:04.240 into a temple 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.259 of intimate fellowship, 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:06.240 into a garden 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:07.899 of pure delight 00:21:07.899 --> 00:21:09.779 under the protective 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:11.379 shadow of his wings 00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:12.799 resting in 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:14.679 his reliable 00:21:14.679 --> 00:21:15.519 promises. 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:18.159 And isn't that 00:21:18.159 --> 00:21:19.359 at some level 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:20.319 what all human 00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:21.279 beings truly 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:22.740 long for? 00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:24.139 That place 00:21:24.139 --> 00:21:24.839 of intimacy 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:25.740 and delight 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:26.819 and protection 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:27.639 and provision 00:21:27.639 --> 00:21:29.299 and promise 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:32.740 faithful love. 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:35.460 Now, 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:36.119 that salvation 00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:37.220 is not found 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:38.879 by getting married. 00:21:39.899 --> 00:21:40.879 Let me be clear 00:21:40.879 --> 00:21:41.419 about that. 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.139 If you think 00:21:43.139 --> 00:21:43.720 that marriage 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.759 will be your salvation, 00:21:44.919 --> 00:21:45.579 you will eventually 00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:46.359 be disappointed 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:47.440 because all idols 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:48.539 eventually disappoint. 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.059 But marriage 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:50.879 in its most 00:21:50.879 --> 00:21:52.039 ecstatic moments 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:52.700 and its most 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:53.779 enduring legacies 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.940 as well as in 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:56.000 its deepest struggles 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.940 and disappointments, 00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:57.960 marriage is intended 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.740 to point us. 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:00.279 to God's 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:01.019 unchanging 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:01.960 and redeeming 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:02.779 and eternally 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:04.759 satisfying love. 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:10.180 Marriage is temporary, 00:22:10.919 --> 00:22:11.740 but it's a picture 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:13.019 of a relationship 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:13.899 with our covenant 00:22:13.899 --> 00:22:14.799 keeping God 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:16.220 that will last 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:17.460 for all 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:18.480 eternity. 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:20.759 Now, 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:21.259 the questions 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:21.920 I wanted us 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:22.740 to discuss 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.880 and reflect on 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:24.680 were these. 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.240 First, 00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:26.860 what difference 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:27.440 does it make 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:28.000 for you, 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:29.019 either as a married 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:30.220 or a single person, 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.599 that marriage 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:32.099 is intended 00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:32.960 to point beyond 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:33.740 itself to the 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.500 reality of a 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:35.539 faithful and fruitful 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.319 and exclusive 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:37.180 and everlasting 00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:38.140 and full of joy 00:22:38.140 --> 00:22:38.559 and wonder 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.640 relationship with Christ? 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:41.759 second, 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:43.259 how can we promote 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:44.200 a God-centered 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:44.800 rather than 00:22:44.800 --> 00:22:45.640 human-centered 00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:47.220 vision of marriage 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:49.020 in the Christian church? 00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:50.640 Third, 00:22:50.840 --> 00:22:51.259 can you think 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:52.140 of any examples 00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:53.220 of Christian marriages 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.900 through which 00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:56.300 non-Christians 00:22:56.300 --> 00:22:56.880 have seen 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:57.800 God's character 00:22:57.800 --> 00:22:59.020 or Christ's gospel 00:22:59.020 --> 00:23:00.020 display? 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.220 break.