0188 Relationships

Relationships

1 Thes.5:21 “Test all things; hold fast what is good.”

Pitfalls of Dating

Myth: dating helps to get to know the other person Myth: dating prepares you for marriage Dating promotes “romance” not “love” Dating distracts us from pursuing the Lord Dating creates jealousy and division in the ministry Dating promotes intimacy without commitment Dating leaps over the foundations of friendship Dating isolates couples from important relationships Dating distracts from preparing properly for their future Dating causes discontentment with God’s gift of singleness

Principles of Courtship

Courtship is long-term relationship Motives for courtships are pure Friendship is build during courtship You cannot officially court if authorities disagree You cannot officially court until both parties are old enough You cannot officially court if both parties are financially unstable

Sex is the Marriage Covenant Sealed by Blood

Every female comes locked up or closed when you open her blood is spilled Noah’s covenant involved slipping out of blood Abraham’s covenant involved circumcision New covenant required blood to be slipped Marriage is a covenant (Mal.2:14) The way to illuminate one covenant is to cut another one Adultery is the only option for divorce (Mt.19:9) Homosexuality is wrong because there is no blood involved

Singleness is the Foundation for Life

Myth: Singleness is a problem but marriage is a solution (1 Cor.7:28)

Marriage is the problem but singleness is the solution Many singles dream of marriage while many married couples dream of singleness Singleness is being whole, unique and complete

Not every unmarried is single It’s okay to be single but it’s not okay to be alone It’s not good for man to be alone – Adam was alone but not lonely You are ready to court when you don’t need to

Looking in others what only God can be Adam didn’t ask or look for wife but God did for him When you are looking for Eve it’s the first indication you are out of presence and mission Singleness is the foundation of marriage (Mt.7:24-29)

Your marriage will be as strong as your singleness Your relationships are as good as you are If you knew you the way you know you would you marry you Building is as good as its foundation