24 verses together, and can I say as well that as we go through a topic and a subject like this,
it probably raises more questions than it does answers.
So we're going to try and get through all that we can, but please, I say this often,
but I think I just stress this a bit more that if there are questions from this morning's talk
or anything that you want to discuss through, then please feel free to do that with me afterwards.
We're going to ask for God's help. We're going to pray. So let's do that now.
Father, we thank you for that faithful, loyal love that you show towards us.
And we are continually in need of that love, a love that cares for us in the very best possible way.
And we know that your word, your truth, is what is right and best for us,
whether we are single or whether we are married.
And so we pray that your truth would speak into our hearts, inform our minds,
that we would become a holy people, a holy people in our marriages,
a holy people in our life,
that we may honor you and reflect you
in our relationships one to another.
So please help us, we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.
Well, let me start with a story.
The names are fictional,
but the story is true.
Laura felt lonely and bitter.
She and Andy had been married for a few years.
When they first met, it truly was love at first sight.
They loved being together.
And so when Andy popped the question,
it was her dreams come true.
She thought back to her wedding day.
It had been amazing.
Friends and family celebrating their new life together.
All their longings fulfilled as they set up home as husband and wife.
But all that seemed a long time ago now.
The once cosy home was now full of regret and anger.
Laura was controlling.
Andy had met someone else.
How had it all gone so wrong?
They sat opposite each other.
Andy in self-denial.
Laura in tears of self-pity.
Now, if you're married here this morning,
you might be able to relate to Laura and Andy in some way.
Marriage is a wonderful gift from God to us,
but no one has ever said marriage is easy.
The church in Corinth, like us,
also faced their marriage problems.
So have a look back at chapter 6, verse 16.
This explains what some of the marriage relationships were like,
or some of the behaviours.
Chapter 6, verse 16.
Do you not know
that he who unites himself with a prostitute
is one with her in body?
For it is said the two
will become one flesh.
You see, it was very common for a husband at that time
to have a wife who would give him children,
he would have a slave who would do his work,
and prostitutes for his sexual pleasure.
And that was the arrangement.
And sadly, this sexual immorality
was not just part of city life in Corinth.
It had become part of Christian married life
within the church.
And as the church reflected on these behaviours,
some went with that kind of lifestyle,
while other people reacted what seems to be very strongly.
So rather than this liberal approach to marriage and sex,
they instead adopted an abstinence
and separation approach to marriage and sex.
So there were these two big ideas going on
in response to the sexual immorality
that seemed to be rooting itself
in the lives of believers within the church family.
So there were some who thought that,
well, if you were married,
it was better to abstain from sex altogether.
So have a look at chapter 7, verse 1.
Paul is writing to the church.
He says,
Now for matters you wrote about.
And here's one of the things they wrote to Paul about.
And they said, it's a quote,
It is good for a man not to marry.
Or better translated,
it is good not to have a sexual relationship in marriage.
So there were some who thought it was better to abstain completely.
On the other side,
there were those who thought that,
well, if you were married,
it was actually better to separate.
So verse 10,
chapter 7, verse 10,
To the married I give this command.
Not I, but the Lord,
a wife must not separate from her husband.
So some were saying we should abstain.
Others were saying we should just separate.
Now from my experience in life,
which isn't very long,
but just in talking with people,
when marriages get into difficulty,
this is exactly what seems to happen.
People abstain.
And they in turn separate.
But marriage is holy.
It is a wonderful gift from God.
And marriage is set apart for God.
And so we should seek to follow God's design
as it reflects something of who he is.
And in the first part of chapter 7,
we're going to see why we should not abstain
and why we should not separate.
So here's the first big heading.
First, marriage and sex.
Why abstinence is wrong.
I remember babysitting for two young boys.
Many years ago,
their dad was the local Presbyterian minister
and we were very good friends of the family.
Well, anyway, on this particular evening,
I could see that the older brother
was pushing the younger brother
to ask me a question.
And their concern was
their mum was pregnant.
Well, when it dawned on them
that their parents needed to have sex
for this to happen,
the elder brother,
he was absolutely horrified
and he blurted out to me and he said,
but my dad's a minister.
Well, I'm a minister too
and sex is not wrong.
It's a beautiful gift from God,
but only in the context
of a married relationship
between one man
and one woman.
So first,
as we've been seeing,
God says there is no sex
outside of marriage.
We've seen this through chapter 5
and chapter 6.
Sexual immorality was not just part of city life,
it had become rooted within church life
and within married life.
And so in response to all of this,
look at the end of chapter 6,
just the last couple of lines.
He says,
you are not your own,
so you're not free to do
whatever you like in life.
You were bought at a price.
Jesus died for you.
He rescued you
from a life of immorality
to live a holy life for God.
Therefore,
honour God with your body.
Now, if we're going to honour God
with our body,
that means we're to
follow God's good design
for marriage.
marriage,
and God's good design
for marriage
is clearly put right
at the beginning
of the story of the Bible
in Genesis 2, 24,
where God says,
a man will leave
his father and mother,
be united to his wife,
and they will become
one flesh.
And that becoming
one flesh means
that they become
together as one
through their sexual relationship,
united to each other,
and one with each other.
It seals their marriage
commitment.
Now, while God is very clear
that there is no sex
outside of marriage,
on a positive note,
and in contrast,
God says,
there should be no marriage
without sex.
And this is where it begins
to answer the question.
So, chapter 7, verse 1.
He says,
now for the matters
you wrote about,
it is good for a man
not to marry.
So, some were saying,
it's good,
it's better for us
not to have a sexual
relationship in marriage.
Well, nothing could be
further from the truth.
Sex is crucial
for growing
and nurturing
the marriage.
Three things
we're going to look at here.
first,
sex protects
the marriage union.
Look at verse 2.
But since there is
so much immorality,
there was so much
wrong behaviour,
husbands in particular
carrying on
the way that they were,
he says to those
who were married,
each man
should have
his own wife,
should have a
sexual relationship
with his own wife,
not anybody else,
and each woman
her own husband.
You see,
the marriage relationship
is exclusive.
And so,
their sexual relationship
is exclusive.
And this is what actually
keeps husband
and wife
together.
So,
look down
at verse 5.
He says,
do not deprive
each other
except by
mutual consent
and for a time.
So,
it must be
agreed
so that you
may devote
yourselves
to prayer.
Now,
I think the
implication there
is that
as married couples
we should be
praying together.
Praying together
to protect
the marriage
relationship.
and the
concern here
is he's saying
that don't
deprive
each other
sexually
because by
depriving
one another
all you do
is you drive
a wedge
of division
between each
other
which causes
the marriage
relationship
to break apart
and it could
lead to
temptation.
So,
look at the rest
of verse 5.
Then come
together again
so that
Satan
will not
tempt you
because of
your lack
of self
control.
Now,
while this
should never
ever be
an excuse
sexual
inactivity
can be
one reason
for a
husband
or a
wife
leaving
and having
an affair
with somebody
else
or causing
the marriage
relationship
to drift
apart.
It can
cause
division
rather
than
unite.
Verse 6,
he says,
I say this
as a
concession
not as
a command.
In other
words,
if you
must
abstain,
if you
think that's
important
for you
to do,
make sure
you are
very,
very careful
in how
you do
that because
it can
cause
division.
It could
break
the marriage
relationship.
So,
first of
all,
sex
protects
the
marriage
union.
It is
between
one
husband
and
one
wife
together
and
it
is
crucial
that
it
is
kept
in
that
way.
Second,
sex
serves
the
other's
needs.
So,
look at
verse 3.
The
husband
should
fulfil
his
marital
duty
to
his
wife
and
likewise
the
wife
to
her
husband.
Now,
again,
when husband
and wife
get married,
they are
giving
themselves
over to
the other
person.
With my
body,
I serve
my wife
and she
in turn
serves
me.
So,
sex
isn't
something
that we
demand
from each
other.
That's
very selfish.
That makes
marriage all
about my
wants and
my desires
and my
pleasure.
it turns
the other
person
into an
object
of
self-
gratification.
No,
sex is
something
we don't
take
or we
don't
look at
something
as
getting.
It is
something
we give
in loving
service to
fulfil the
needs of
our husband
or wife.
So,
it is
loving
service.
And I
think that
should be
a good
answer to
verse 9.
So,
have a
look at
verse 9.
All the
hot-blooded
young males
read this
verse and
they go,
but if they
cannot control
themselves,
they should
marry,
for it is
better to
marry than
to burn
with passion.
So,
that's why
I need
to get
married.
Well,
that must
be balanced
very carefully
with what
we've just
looked at
in verse
3.
It's not
about
getting
or taking
and fulfilling
my desires
and my
wants.
It's about
loving
service to
fulfil the
needs of
our husband
or wife.
Third
thing,
sex
creates a
deeper
intimacy.
This is
all in
relation to
protecting and
keeping that
bond of
marriage
together.
So,
look at
verse 4.
The wife's
body does
not belong
to her
alone,
but also
to her
husband.
In the
same way,
the husband's
body does
not belong
to him
alone,
but also
to his
wife.
Now,
how radical
and revolutionary
is that
in today's
culture?
We all
say it's
my body
to do
with whatever
I want
to do.
No,
we belong
to one
another.
And sex
is deeply
intimate.
And within
that intimacy
it is very,
very vulnerable.
My wife
is saying
to me,
my body
is for
you
and for
you
alone.
And the
husband is
saying,
my body
is for
you
and for
you
alone.
And
together
it's not
just about
being
physically
naked,
but it's
about being
emotionally
naked.
We are
entrusting
ourselves
to one
another
and giving
access
to the
other
in the
most
deepest
possible
way.
And in
this way
it grows
trust,
it builds
ties,
that together
creates
intimacy.
So you
see,
sex is a
good gift
from God.
Contrary to
what the
world says,
God is
not against
sex.
He is
for it
within the
context of
that loving
relationship
between a
husband and
wife.
And it
is,
yes,
of course,
from other
scriptures,
it is for
creating
new life,
love,
but it
is also
for the
growing and
the nurturing
of that
holy
marriage
relationship.
But it's
not always
easy,
is it?
Verse 7,
he says,
I wish that
all men
were as I
am.
Paul was
single at
the time.
We're not
sure if he
was ever
married,
we don't
know that,
but at
this time
it seems
that he
was single.
But each
one has
his own
gift,
from God.
One has
this gift,
another has
that.
Some are
single,
he's saying,
and that's
a gift
from God.
It may
change in
time.
Others are
married,
and that
is a gift
from God.
Now,
in the
context of
marriage,
if we
are married,
we should
be very
careful to
nurture this
special gift
that marriage
is.
It is a
gift from
God to
us,
not to
be abused
or used
as we
want,
so we
must
nurture
that gift.
And
every
marriage
will at
some
stage
struggle,
and they
will struggle
sexually,
and it
has the
potential to
tear marriages
apart,
and the
solution to
that is
not abstinence,
but a
learning to
serve,
and a
learning to
give.
love.
And that
takes
gentleness
and care,
and that's
why I think
in verse
five it
talks about
prayer,
the need
for husbands
and wives
to be
praying
together,
and making
that a
part of
your life
together.
So if
we're here
this morning,
and we're
married,
and we
struggle in
this whole
area,
don't be
embarrassed,
don't be
afraid to
ask for
help or
for support,
nurture
that holy
gift of
marriage,
it is
God's
means of
keeping
that
relationship
intact.
So that's
the first
big question
or first
big answer.
The next
one he
looks at
is marriage
and
unbelievers,
so why
separation
is wrong.
You see,
marriage isn't
just an
exclusive
relationship
between
one man
and one
woman,
it's a
lifelong
relationship,
and this
applies whether
our spouse
is a
believer,
a follower
of Christ,
or is
an
unbeliever.
First,
marriage is
for life.
Look at
verse 10.
To the
married I
give this
command,
not I
but the
Lord,
so he's
quoting here,
he's applying
the teaching
of Jesus.
He says,
a wife
must not
separate
from her
husband,
but if
she does,
she must
remain
unmarried
or else
be reconciled
to her
husband,
and a
husband must
not divorce
his wife.
Can you
remember what
Jesus spoke
about when
he quoted
God's design
in Genesis?
Do you
remember his
words?
What God
has joined
together,
let man
not separate.
So it's
to be a
lifelong union,
now sadly,
there will
be times
when we
do deal
with separation
or divorce,
and we're
going to
come to
that in
a moment,
so if
that's a
question in
your mind
right now,
just hold
on to it,
and we'll
come back
to it.
But for
now,
I don't
want us
to lose
the focus
that marriage
is lifelong,
and the
reason that
it is
lifelong is
this,
it can
lead to
the salvation
of an
unbeliever.
And this
is true
in two
ways.
First,
it can
lead to
the salvation
of an
unbelieving
spouse.
So this
is thinking
of a
marriage
relationship
where one
of them
is a
Christian
and the
other
one is
not.
So first,
marriage can
save your
unbelieving
spouse.
So look
at verse
12.
To the
rest I
say this,
so those
who are
in that
married
relationship,
I, not
the Lord,
so he's
no longer
quoting what
Jesus has
said, but
Paul's words
are just
as authoritative
as Jesus.
He says,
if any
brother has
a wife who
is not a
believer,
and she
is willing
to live
with him,
he must
not divorce
her.
And the
same is
true in
the opposite.
So if a
woman has
a husband
who is
not a
believer,
and he
is willing
to live
with her,
she must
not divorce
him.
You see,
some people
may take
the view
that, well,
look, if
my husband
or wife,
they're not
Christians,
then it's
not good
for me.
It's not
good for
me and
my relationship
with God.
So I
need to
kind of
get out
of this
relationship
and find
myself a
Christian
husband or
a Christian
wife.
If I'm
really going
to grow
as a
Christian,
then I
need to
leave them.
And I
think that's
kind of
what some
of the
thinking
was within
these marriages
in Corinth.
But there's
actually a
greater purpose
than our
own spiritual
life.
And that
greater purpose
is the
salvation of
our unbelieving
husband or
wife.
So look at
verse 14.
Follow with
me through
these,
because they're
quite technical
and we need
to follow
along.
So verse
14.
For the
unbelieving
husband has
been sanctified
through his
wife, and
the unbelieving
wife has
been sanctified
through her
believing
husband.
Now
sanctified,
we've come
across that
word before
in Corinthians.
It means to
be made
holy before
God, to
be pure
and blameless
in his
sight.
and it
also means
to be set
apart for
God.
So God
has won
you over
and now
you live
for him.
You're set
apart for
his ways.
So as
God looks
upon the
marriage of
a believing
person and
an unbeliever
together,
God looks
upon that
marriage as
sanctified.
He's saying
that marriage
is holy.
It's pure.
I recognise
that marriage.
Marriage is
good.
It's a gift
of God
to you.
And what's
the implication?
Well it
doesn't mean
that an
unbeliever is
saved simply
because they
are married
to a
believer.
So just
because an
unbeliever
is with
a believer
doesn't mean
they're going
to become
a Christian.
But what it
does mean
is that it
provides the
opportunity
for salvation
and that
salvation is
very real
because they
are married
to a
believer.
So look
at verse
16.
So how
do you
know
wife
whether
you will
save
your
husband?
Or how
do you
know
husband
whether
you will
save
your
wife?
So the
purpose
he's saying
of not
separating
but staying
together
is the
salvation
of your
unbelieving
spouse.
and it's
applied in
a second
way to
unbelieving
children.
So
marriage
can also
save
your
unbelieving
children.
So look
at verse
14.
We'll read
the whole
of it
again.
Verse
14.
For the
unbelieving
husband has
been sanctified
through his
wife and
the unbelieving
wife has
been sanctified
through her
believing
husband.
children
otherwise
your
children
would be
unclean.
But as
it is
they are
holy.
So I
think the
same idea
is being
applied here
to children.
It's a
great
privilege
it's a
wonderful
privilege
for a
child to
grow up
in a
home where
both
parents
believe.
I
thank
God
that
that's
how my
life
started.
A
mum
who's
going to
pray for
you.
a dad
who's
going to
read the
Bible
with you.
And if
that's
you here
this morning
mums and
dads can
I just
encourage
you to
invest that
time in
praying for
your children
and reading
with them.
That is the
most wonderful
gift you
could ever
give to
your children.
And through
the believing
parents they
get to hear
the good
news of
Christ.
And the
same is
true if
only one
of the
parents
believes or
if only
one of
the parents
is a
Christian.
So in
that sense
look at
the end
of verse
14 he
describes
the children
of that
married
relationship
as holy.
In other
words they're
also set
apart for
God.
They're
under the
care of
a loving
parent who
can pray
for them
and teach
them the
good news
of Christ.
You may
not have
the support
of your
spouse in
doing so
but there
is nothing
to stop
you praying
for them
and encouraging
them.
They are
in a
very special
unique
relationship
with their
believing mum
or dad
because through
them they get
to see and
hear the
good news
of Christ.
So the
purpose of
not separating
but staying
together including
with your
children is
salvation
of their
lives.
Now
sadly
sometimes
marriages do
come to
an end
before
death
do us
part.
So look
at verse
15.
But if the
unbeliever
leaves
let him
do so.
a believing
man or
woman is
not bound
in such
circumstances.
God has
called us
to live
in peace.
Now while
we should
always seek
to do all
we can to
keep the
marriage
together we
cannot make
an unbeliever
stay in the
marriage.
It's sad
and sometimes
the believer
who is left
is the one
who is there
also with
the children
and in
that situation
it requires
the church
to gather
round in
loving support
to care
for that
family.
To watch
out for
their practical
physical
emotional
all the
needs that
they may
have.
It's the
responsibility
of the
church to
care for
them.
So the
clear teaching
is that it
seems to be
through this
is that
marriage is
lifelong.
It is for
life until
death do us
part.
And we
should not
separate or
divorce because
marriage can
lead to the
salvation of
your unbelieving
spouse and
children.
But there's
still the issue
of verse 11
isn't there?
I wonder if
you noticed
it.
Let's read
verse 10
again.
To the
married I
give this
command.
A wife
must not
separate from
her husband.
but if
she does.
So it
seems at
this point
there are
circumstances
when separation
or divorce
may be
necessary.
In
Matthew's
gospel Jesus
dealt with
this question
with people.
And in that
context in
Matthew
chapter 19
Jesus spoke
about
unfaithfulness
in marriage
as the
only reason.
Now that
unfaithfulness
is either the
husband or
wife not
being faithful
to the
marriage
relationship that
they've committed
to each other.
An unfaithfulness
in terms of
well maybe
they've gone off
and had an
affair and
they're now
living with
somebody else.
or maybe
because of
abuse
whether that's
physical abuse
or verbal
or psychological
abuse.
So living
with an
unfaithful
spouse
in that
particular
circumstance
well they may
need to
separate
for their
physical
protection
for their
mental
well being
for the
care
of their
children
that might
be necessary.
And again
how the
church
responds
is crucial.
If a
marriage
does
separate
we need
to gather
round not
in condemnation
not in
pointing
fingers
but in
grace.
Any
separation
or any
divorce
is painful
for anybody
and it
can leave
people with
an enormous
amount of
guilt and
shame
whether they've
played no
part in it
at all.
And there's a
certain stigma
that's attached
to it
that it is
hard for
people.
And in that
context we need
to be holding
out the hope
of the gospel
to point them
to our
saviour
Jesus Christ
who not only
forgives all
of our sins
but he's the
one who heals
our hurts.
Who gathers us
in love and
compassion
and cares
for us
immensely.
So we need
to be careful
how we think
about people
rather than
push them
away in
condemnation
and judgment
we need to
encourage
and love
and support.
But as we
said none of
these things
are easy
and it isn't
something we
should rush
into.
Every effort
should be made
to restore
and where
possible
reconcile
that relationship.
But let's
not lose
the big
picture here
of what he's
saying.
Marriage
is for life
and it's
for the
saving purpose
of our
unbelieving
family.
So
marriage and
sex
why abstinence
is wrong
marriage and
unbelievers
why separation
is wrong
and then
third marriage
and contentment
our need
of grace
and how
if we are
married we
all need
God's grace.
So look at
verse 17.
This is really
a kind of
a conclusion
he brings
these two
big ideas
together.
Verse 17
nevertheless
so whatever
your married
relationship
is like
look at what
he says
each one
should retain
the place
in life
that the
Lord has
assigned to
him
and to
which God
has called
him.
This is the
rule I lay
down in
all the
churches.
Verse 20
each one
should remain
in the
situation
which he
was in
when God
called him.
Verse 24
brothers
each man
as responsible
to God
should remain
in the
situation
God called
him to.
So I
think it's
quite clear
isn't it
if you
are a
Christian
and you
are married
remain
in that
married
relationship.
Now it's
so easy to
say those
words isn't
it?
Because you
may be
married to
an unbeliever
and that
can be
very very
hard.
you may
be married
to a
husband
who has
been
unfaithful
and that
is painful.
You may
be married
to a
wife who's
really
difficult
and controlling
and that
is hard.
So what
are you
telling me
Johnny to
say remain
in that
married
relationship?
Well it's
easy for you
you're not
in my
situation.
how are
we meant
to remain?
Well rather
than be
looking for
a way
out
so rather
than running
in that
direction
we need
to focus
our eyes
up to
God's
grace
and his
grace to
us in
our lives.
First
he gives
us grace
for
obedience.
again pay
attention
here
follow
along
carefully
they're
not
easy
verses
but we'll
make our
way
through.
So verse
18
was a
man
already
circumcised
when he
was called?
Well he
should not
become
uncircumcised.
Was a
man
uncircumcised
when he
was called?
Well he
should not
be
circumcised.
Well I
scratched my
head many
times over
this like
what's
circumcision
got to do
marriage.
What's
all that
about?
Well those
who were
circumcised
were Jews.
Those who
were uncircumcised
were Gentiles.
So he's
saying well
just as a
Jew doesn't
have to
change his
identity to
become a
Christian and
just as a
Gentile doesn't
need to
change his
identity to
become a
Christian.
Well he's
saying to
those who
are married
you don't
need to
change your
marriage
relationship
to change
your
relationship
with God.
You're in
that relationship
with God.
So you don't
need to go
changing your
relationship at
all.
Verse 19
circumcision is
nothing and
uncircumcision is
nothing.
Keeping God's
commands is
what counts.
So the
important thing
about our
marriage
relationship is
not trying to
change it
it's actually
about obeying
God's commands
in the
relationship
because God's
commands are
actually a
gift of
grace.
They're not
here to
harm us
or to
cause
difficulty
for us.
God has
given us
the gift
of marriage
and he
knows what's
right and
best for
each one
of us
and so he
gives us
his commands
and he
says walk
in them
because they
will help
you to
remain
whatever
circumstance
your marriage
is.
You see
God's
grace
gives me
the patience
to live
with my
unbelieving
spouse.
God's
grace
gives me
the ability
to forgive
my unfaithful
husband.
God's
grace
motivates
me to
serve
my wife
who may
be difficult.
You see
God's
grace
works
in us
this
enabling
to
obey
and to
live out
what God
has called
us to
be
so we
can be
committed
and be
content.
Verse 20
So each
one should
remain in
the situation
he was in
when God
called him.
But there's
also the
grace of
belonging.
Verse 21
Again he
brings another
illustration.
He says
were you a
slave when
you were
called?
Well don't
let it
trouble you
although if
you can
gain your
freedom do
so.
And you're
thinking well
again what's
that got to
do with
marriage?
Well again
he's saying
something similar
he says
whether you
were a
slave
or whether
you were a
freed person
that's not
the issue
guys.
That's not
what matters.
what really
matters for
you in
your marriage
relationship
at the end
of verse 22
he says
is that you
are Christ's
slave.
That you
belong to
Christ.
That you're
in relationship
with him
and that you
belong to
him.
So our
marriage
relationship
whatever it
is like
and no matter
how difficult
it is
our marriage
relationship
is not
the most
important
thing.
the world
defines us
by our
relationships
whether I'm
single or
whether I'm
married
whether I
have children
or don't
have children
whether I'm
divorced or
whether I'm
not.
The world
defines us
in those
terms.
But he's
saying look
the most
important
thing for
you is
that you
belong to
Christ.
Verse 23
you were
bought at a
price.
Do not
become slaves
of men.
Do not
become shaped
by the
world's
opinions
of you.
Christ
in his
love and
in his
grace came
to you and
died for
you.
He loves
you.
He treasures
you.
He cares
for you.
He pursued
you with a
faithful
loyal love.
He says
so that
relationship
is what
counts.
And it's
only as we
understand that
relationship
with God
that we
can continue
on in our
relationships
with each
other.
You see
in his
grace God
is eternally
faithful and
loyal where
we have been
unfaithful to
him.
In his
grace God's
love does
not change
or disappoint
when we
disappoint him
and are not
faithful in our
love towards
him.
In his
grace God
holds nothing
back but
continually gives
to us as we
need when we
withhold our
heart from
him.
So do not
let the
world define
us or
relationships
define us.
Rather let
the relationship
we have with
God define
our marriage
relationships.
So verse
24,
brothers and
sisters,
each one as
responsible to
God should
remain in
the situation
God called
him to.
Marriage is
holy.
It is a
gift from
God to
his people.
It should
be treasured.
It should be
nurtured.
It should be
cared for.
Why?
Because it
reflects the
very nature of
God to those
around us.
and as
people look
in on us
they will
see a
reflection of
the beautiful
relationship between
God and
his people.
It is
hard.
And so we
pray and
together as a
church we
support each
other and we
encourage each
other that we
may go on
well as we
should in our
married lives.
Let's just
take time to
pray together
now.