Biblical Marriage

Session Nine

Relationship: Hope in Marriage

Colossians 3:1-6 / 1 Peter 4:7-11 

Outline 

The goal for every American married couple is to climb out of the sewer of cultural understanding when it comes to marriage.  The Apostle Paul commands us to, “set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2)

The problem with marriage today is not that there are too many husbands and wives who are passionately in love with heaven. The problem is not that married couples are retreating from the world, spending half their days reading Scripture and the other half singing about their pleasures in God all the while indifferent to the needs of the world. The problem is that husbands and wives are spending ten minutes reading Scripture and then half their day making money and the other half enjoying and repairing what they spend it on.

The Apostle Paul is telling us that it is not heavenly-mindedness that hinders love in our marriage. It is worldly-mindedness that hinders love, even when it is disguised by a religious routine on the weekend. Where is the person whose heart is so passionately in love with the promised glory of heaven that they feel like an exile and a sojourner on the earth? Where are the marriages that are so full of Gospel reflection that there is maximum joy even in the stress and evil in the world?

In this session we will explore the power of right thinking in marriage. We will explore the difference of a marriage built on cultural knowledge and a marriage built on Biblical knowledge. We will answer the question: What happens in our homes when our marriage is Christ centered?

Marriage: Right Thinking

Culture vs. Kingdom (Colossians 3:1-6)

Glory of God (vs 4)

            Hope: Romans 5:1-2

Security: Romans 9:22-23

Gospel: 2 Corinthians 4:6

Power of Repentance (vs 5)

Evidence of Genuineness: 2 Corinthians 7:9-13

Multiplication of Strength

Blessing of Hospitality (1 Peter 4:7-11) 

            Vs 7: Cultivate a personal relationship with Christ

Vs 8: Cultivate a personal relationship with each other

Vs 9: without grumbling

Vs 10: Steward God’s Grace

Vs 11: Glorify God

 

LIFE APPLICATION

Overcome cultural norms with Kingdom knowledge

The stress of life is overcome by loving others