9 Marks of a Healthy Marriage: Gospel Relationships

Week #9 - March 17, 2022

Series: Nine Marks of a Healthy Marriage

Lesson: Gospel Relationships

What is the goal of the lesson?

To shepherd the hearts of the couples to believe the gospel and intentionally pursue to edify others within covenant relationship.

Is there a need for this topic or goal?

Yes. The “consumer mindset” is a temptation that, when given into, causes us to pursue relationships based on a ROI determination.

How will you go about meeting this goal?

(1) Recognize the Divine initiative (v. 18, 24)

(2) Recognize interpersonal necessity (v. 21-24)

(3) Recognize servile expectations (v. 25)

(4) Recognize Christ-centered empowerment (v. 27)

What is the big idea?

“One-anothering” is the substance of gospel relationships.

Body:

(1) Recognize divine initiative (v. 18, 24)

We must see our covenant relationships as divinely ordained. In the corporate sense, our covenant community is a work of God. Within the corporate body are seminal covenant relationships called “marriages”. The principle for the corporate relationship is true for the marital relationship — God set.

App:

“One-anothering” demands that we be in the covenant for the other person because God brought us together.

If you are actively in covenant, God intends for you to remain in marital covenant (few exceptions).

Allowing our minds to entertain and dwell upon feelings of regret can easily be a way to NOT recognize God’s divine intentions and working.

(2) Recognize interpersonal necessity (v. 21-24)

There are two aspects to consider here: (1) We need each other because (2) we are limited in ability. First, the fact that we need each other is divinely intentioned. Second, we need each other requires humility. Why? Because we are limited in ability and require complimentary parts.

Consider what Paul says in v. 24. God has given abundant honour to the part that we consider to be less honourable. Within the corporate gathering there are examples of this; but what about within marriage. Consider I Peter 3:7.

App:

“One-anothering” demands that we humbly value the other person with whom we are in covenant.

(3) Recognize servile expectations (v. 25)

What the scripture says here is that divine initiative and interpersonal necessity, when recognized and submitted to, are for the purpose of unity through mutual care.

Another way to phrase this is to say that if there is schism or division, it is because we are self-sovereigns (denying God’s initiative), self-dependent (denying personal necessity), and self-serving (denying practical service or using service for personal advancement).

App:

“One-anothering” demands that we experience unity through genuine self-denying service.

(4) Recognize Christ-centered empowerment (v. 27)

To be the “body of Christ” is to say that we belong to Christ, that he has purchased. In addition, the chapter makes quite clear that it is the same Spirit that animates or empowers service that is for edification.

App:

“One-anothering” demands that we obediently serve with faith in the empowering Spirit of God.

At a minimum, this means that the Word of God, which has been given by the Spirit of God, must have place in our hearts and minds if we will serve the people of God.

Conclusion:

“One-anothering is the substance of gospel relationships.”

(1) Recognize the Divine initiative (v. 18, 24)

(2) Recognize interpersonal necessity (v. 21-24)

(3) Recognize servile expectations (v. 25)

(4) Recognize Christ-centered empowerment (v. 27)

HW:

Have you selected a seasoned couple to speak to?

What is your next step in approaching them?