The Marriage Covenant
David Richard/Dani Richard
I Do! Now What? • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Have the pictures of us at our wedding and today.
Did not know what it meant to be in covenant relationship!
What is a marriage covenant?
A God pleasing marriage is not just a contract. A contract is an agreement between two or more parties, built on protection by law and mistrust. A true marriage covenant is a bond between two parties holding the concept of cleaving or sticking together.
A man and woman living under a Biblical Marriage Covenant are seen together, working together in the home and on projects, as well as present a life of common ideology, direction and vision for all to see and be hungry for.
Couples living under the "Marriage Covenant" know the Biblical reality of becoming one in flesh and spirit, promised by God to His people as they live in obedience and submission to the Lord, Jesus Christ.
What is a covenant?
But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark with your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives.
On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “I give this land to your offspring, from the Brook of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates River:
Saul kept David with him from that day on and did not let him return to his father’s house.
Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as much as himself. Then Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his military tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.
In the same way he also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
The world view about marriage has robbed many from enjoying God's best for man and woman in regards to the greatest institution of all time.
The reason so many marriages are just existing and not thriving is because most married couples, are just married, they have not entered into a marriage covenant - healthy marriages begin, are sustained and envisioned by Biblical truths based on covenants.
What is even more concerning most churches are unequipped to teach all of God's Word on a relationship that is to last until death do you part.
The prophet Malachi was sent by God to scold the priest and men of Judah because husbands were not staying faithful to their wives.
This is another thing you do. You are covering the Lord’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning, because he no longer respects your offerings or receives them gladly from your hands.
And you ask, “Why?” Because even though the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, you have acted treacherously against her. She was your marriage partner and your wife by covenant. Didn’t God make them one and give them a portion of spirit? What is the one seeking? Godly offspring. So watch yourselves carefully, so that no one acts treacherously against the wife of his youth.
“If he hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord God of Israel, “he covers his garment with injustice,” says the Lord of Armies. Therefore, watch yourselves carefully, and do not act treacherously.
The church then failed like the church today in not teaching men and women about the Marriage Covenant.
Men and women must grasp this truth: This marriage covenant is intended by God to be life long place under His enabling and care so a couple may enjoy unconditional love, reconciliation, sexual purity and growth in all stages and condition in life.
Married couples (man and woman, according to Jesus ) living in a covenant marriage has the steadfast love of the Lord,
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female,
Why say vows?
I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
But let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one.
The bible speaks about vows and the spiritual impact that a vow has on our lives! The earliest vow mentioned was one to Jacog back in Genesis.
I am the God of Bethel, where you poured oil on the stone marker and made a solemn vow to me. Get up, leave this land, and return to your native land.’ ”
A vow can serve to bless and it can serve to curse
but as for me, I will sacrifice to you
with a voice of thanksgiving.
I will fulfill what I have vowed.
Salvation belongs to the Lord.
A VOW IS LEGALLY BINDING - IN THE SPIRIT REALM AND CANNOT BE BROKEN. - UNLESS it was a sinful personal vow and this would require genuine repentance and the application of the blood of Jesus Christ against satanic enforcement.
When you make a vow to God, don’t delay fulfilling it, because he does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow. Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth bring guilt on you, and do not say in the presence of the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?
- Some people are facing things in their lives that are continuously ending up in a dead end. Not being able to progress. And do not realize in can be traced back to a spoken vow that has not been fulfilled.
THREE AREAS WHERE VOWS ARE ENTERED INTO OR MADE:
1. In your Personal Life (this can affect, personal accompliments, achievements, emotionally, mentally etc.
2. In a Marriage Relationship - ( These are your Marriage vows made at an Altar or in the presence of witnesses.
3. Promises made to God - in times of desperation or when you want something badly. Whether you thought it through or not...
VOWS MADE IN MARRIAGE!
The bible literally says that God was a witness at our Wedding. When we pronounced our vows in the presence of friends and family - It was not only they that were present but God say in His word that He is there.
He was a Witness - When we pronounced these vows or something similar:
" I, ______, take you, ______, to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
Then the Officiant says -
"Will you have this woman/man to be your wife/husband, to live together in holy marriage? Will you love her/him, comfort her/him, honor, and keep her/him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her/him as long as you both shall live?"
As time passes many forget their vows -
“Because I, the Lord, have not changed, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.
“Since the days of your ancestors, you have turned from my statutes; you have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Armies.
Yet you ask, “How can we return?”
We allow compromise - we begin to entertain thoughts of infidelity - OR we can no longer put up with a sickness OR financially things are hard and we blame the other person for our condition
What is Love?
Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.
