A Marriage Made In Heaven

Title- A Marriage Made In Heaven

Passage- 1 Peter 3:7

Attention-

Introduction

I have been giving a lot of thought to the the problems of marriage in this country…this world

Marriage is in danger of becoming as extinct

With each generation marriage becomes less and less important

Quite honestly it has gotten to the point that those of us who are married are seen as the odd ones

While it isn’t crazy to be married, it is crazy to think b/c you are you’ll automatically have a fairytale life.

It doesn’t work that way. Why? Marriage a high maintenance relationship.

Phrase – a marriage made in heaven? The Bible teaches all marriages are made in heaven even if selected on earth – b/c God has joined it together.

The catch – it still has to be maintained on earth.

What is the main driving point (CPS)?

Friends, God has established marriage and His word gives us instruction as to how marriage out to work

Why does the CPS matter, what is the consequence?

Transition

I. Dwells with her ( )

Explain

The word dwell here…to live there

One preacher put it this way “Sharing a home is no substitute for sharing a life.”

Sharing a home is no substitute for sharing a life

This word is a compound word that combines two words that give us the concept of building a home together

It carries two senses…the first is the establishment of a home

Not a building structure but a family unit

The second is that of teamwork

The word is done together

It also has this tone of intamacy

Not necessarily sexually (although that is highly important) but in that of closeness and companionship

Bridge to today

This is something that at times can take some work

Especially if you are in the child rearing years

The whole day is consumed by the needs of the little ones or teenagers

Then by the time they are in bed and asleep you are exhausted

Then by the time they move out life has rushed by and you need to meet her again…you may need to date her again

Then the grandkids come and you are just TIRED

It’s easy to provide together

It’s easy to parent together

It’s easy to help your children out on their own together

But to do that and do it while growing and strengthening your marriage

While growing in your marriage together

That can be difficult

Why does this matter?

We need to do more than just cohabit a home with her

Why does this matter?

We need to do more than raise children together

We need to grow toward the Lord together and have the rest come along for the ride.

I have shared with you…you can get a new pastor but my wife and children cannot get a new me (even when they might not want to)

So even though children receive a lot of our time our marriage needs to remain our priority

Transition

II. Discovers her( )

Explain

Learn her

Study her

Like the times when you first met and were infatuated with her

WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU STUDIED HER THAT WAY?

This word knowledge doesn’t just mean that you know her favorite flower

It means you bring her favorite flower to her

It doesn’t mean to just know her favorite restaurant

It mean to take her there

It doesn’t just mean to know she has had a long day

It means to make her dinner

I have a bit of a soap box here so we will be getting off topic

How many of you guys can change oil in a car

How many of you can build a piece of furniture

How many of you have walked through the Lego instructions with your son

If you can do that you can cook dinner

Cooking is getting a set of instructions and following them

It is a lot easier than you think

It will also mean a lot more to her than you could imagine (especially if you do the dishes after as well)

Send her out for some alone time

Send her out for some alone time

Send her to a spa day

It means that you don’t just obtain knowledge like you do about your favorite athlete…it means you demonstrate your love to her through using that knowledge appropriately

When is the last time you notices that smile of hers that grabbed you attention

Bridge to today

Relevance

That is nonsense,

Relevance

Why does this matter?

Transition

III. Be devoted to her ( )

Explain

This word honor means to value, honor, or reverence

What is the holy Spirit telling us through Peter?

Of all the things you own

Those golf clubs, your house, your Packers memorabilia, you car, your motorcycle, your prized collection of whatever

Above ALL THESE THINGS you are yo place your wife

There is to be only ONE that is more highly valued than your wife and that is the Lord

NOTHING else can be more valuable

There can be NO OTHER earthly relationship that is more important to you than your wife

Husbands, if your mother is still alive you ought to love her and respect her and revere her....but in reality ther should be no other woman on the face of this earth that you cherish more

We are devoted to a lot of things

Our jobs

Our hobbies

Our sports team

Our belongings

Sometimes these things get more attention than our wives

Relevance

If you were to go through all you have in this life she had better be #1..if she isn’t you better be up front here at the end of the service asking the Lord for forgiveness

Why does this matter?

Conclusion

Review of the Principles and the Sermon Proposition

There is no other institution on this earth that is more important than marriage

Dwell with her

Discover her

Desire her

And don’t be ashamed…this is the biblical instruction on marriage

We will contend for the faith with great boldness

We will split churches over doctrine

But marriages are split in spite of what the Bible teaches

When it comes to marriage we set the Bible aside like it CANT have the answers

The Bible does have the answers for marriage

We just need to step out in faith and obey

Visualize Audience Implementation

Final Statement

Final Statement

If you have missed the mark as a husband…please take the first step…whether thats walking the aisle or sitting in your seat you first need to confess that to the Lord

Then you need to confess that to another guy who will keep you accountable

Then you need to ask your wife and family to forgive you

Is it easy? NO

Is it possible, you bet

Is it essential to your marriage growing and thriving…absolutely

Would you bow your heads and close your eyes with me?

Closing Hymn