Biblical Marriage

Session Three

The Acts of Marriage: Husband and Father (Part 1)

Ephesians 5:21-33 

Outline 

We established that marriage is the doing of God. Marriage is established at the very beginning. Before the sixth day of creation ends we see our first wedding. We are created to be image bearers. We bear the image of our Creator. As God made man in His own image, so He made earthly marriage in the image of His own eternal marriage with His people. Therefore, as long as Christ tarries, marriage will stand for one thing only, Christ loving his church. In other words, marriage is the image bearer of the Gospel.

As such, our marriage is a covenant relationship that mirrors the New Covenant in the Blood of Christ. Marriage is not a function of self gratification; it is a vessel of sacrificial love rewarding all who participate.

In this session we look at the role of husband and father. In Paul’s definition of the one flesh relationship recorded in Ephesians 5:21-33, husbands are compared to Christ, wives are compared to the church. Husbands are compared to the head; wives are compared to the body. Husbands are commanded to love as Christ loved. The roles Paul describes are unique. In this session we begin to explore their uniqueness.

Roles begin in Mutual Submission (vs 21)

Mutual Submission

Humble service to the other

Build each other up

Does NOT cancel out Headship

Mutual Submission is defined in Unique Roles (vs 22-33)

Husbands compared to Christ

Wives compared to the church

Husbands compared to the Head

Wives compared to the Body

Roles are not arbitrary or reversible

MEN – Bring Your Headship into Conformity 

Husband Headship – one of the most broken parts of our culture

Sin corrupted- Brutal / Passive

Christ-like Servant Leader who:

Provides

Protects

Definition of Headship: Headship is the divine calling of a husband to take primary responsibility for Christ-like, servant leadership, protection, and provision in the home.

***Homework***

LIFE APPLICATION

Getting First Things Right; Second Things ALWAYS Get Better

What is at stake here is the Gospel

Biblical Marriage

Session Two

Foundation of Marriage; Naked and Not Ashamed

Genesis 2:24-25 / Genesis 3:1-7 

Outline 

In the first session we established that Marriage is the doing of God. Marriage is a key part of the creation story. From the very beginning, God created them male and female and brought them together in a one flesh relationship. The creation story in the first chapter of Genesis ends with a wedding!

We also established that the ultimate thing regarding marriage is that it is the display of Christ and the church. The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:31-32 reveals that leaving parents and holding fast to a wife, forming a one flesh union, is meant from the beginning to display the New Covenant…Christ’s leaving his Father in heaven and taking the church as his bride, at the cost of his life, and holding fast to her in one-spirit union forever.

In other words, our weddings take place on, and remain on display from, the stage of life where as husband and wife we preach the Gospel (with our marriage union) to everyone who looks our way…especially our children. As such, we see that the primary command in Genesis 1:28, “Be fruitful and multiply”, and Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:20, “Go and make disciples”, are at their core the same command.

This week we will explore the statement at the end of the creation account which says “they were naked and not ashamed” (Genesis 2:25). It’s hard to have an understanding of such a statement in our culture. However, in this statement rests the knowledge that within our marriages there lies security, safety, and power for the purpose for which we are called to be husband and wife.

What is the main point of Verse 25?

Naked and Not Ashamed 

Verse 24 creates what verse 25 needs to be true.

‘Naked and not ashamed’ can only happen inside a one-flesh relationship

Covenant Commitment 

Creates the context for a shame-free marriage…

Is God’s design for all love relationships…

Covenant Love:

Even though I am imperfect;

I have no fear of being shamed.

Covenant Love Covers Sin:

1 Peter 4:8; 1 Corinthians 13:6

When the Covenant Collapses 

Declaration of Independence (Genesis 3:5-7)

All-trusting security of marriage disappears forever

Result of the Broken Covenant 

Vulnerability to Shame:

Learning to relate in selfishness

Feeling guilty and unworthy

Fig Leaves:

Established hypocrisy

Significance of Clothing 

Negative: We are no longer what we should be

Positive: God will one day make us what we should be through the blood

LIFE APPLICATION

The ‘Fall’ did not change God’s purpose in marriage

Love can only grow in the soil of GRACE in Marriage

Your marriage was created by God to be a safe and sacred place to be naked and not ashamed

Wednesday, October 8th, (6:00PM Arizona Time) we begin a ten week study entitled: Biblical Marriage: Can my marriage thrive in a 21st century business world? Our first session will focus on the core foundation and purpose of God’s design.

Biblical Marriage

Session One

Foundation of Marriage; God’s Design

Genesis 2:18-25 / Ephesians 5:31-32 

Outline

 

^{Genesis 2:18} Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” ¹⁹ Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. ²⁰ The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. ²¹ So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. ²² And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. ²³ Then the man said,

“This at last is bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.”

²⁴ Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. ²⁵ And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Marriage is God’s Doing – 

Designed by God – Genesis 1:27-28 / 2:24

God made and gave the first bride – Genesis 2:22

Therefore;

God owns marriage

God and marriage can never be viewed as separate

Marriage was established during creation and doesn’t change

 

^{Ephesians 5:31} “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” ³² This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

Marriage reveals God and the Gospel – 

            Marriage is a covenant – 5:31

Marriage is a pattern – 5:32

Marriage is viewed as unbreakable – 

            I will never leave you…

Matthew 28:20

Hebrews 13:5

LIFE APPLICATION

Marriage is not a picture of self-gratification; it is a picture of self-sacrifice.

Marriage is designed by God to display the Gospel to the world.

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

Savoring God

Hebrews 13:17-25 

Outline 

I can only imagine what it was like the day when this letter was read to the church for the very first time. No doubt, it was read in its entirety to the eager listening gathering of Christians. No doubt, it had a profound impact on the lives of those in the gathering; especially those still living that had witnessed the agony of the cross and experienced the thrill of the resurrection.

What has taken 40 weeks for us to study together, most likely only took 40 minutes for the first hears to take in. I pray that the final words of the letter, commonly known as the benediction, will have the same impact on us as it did to those of the first century.

After all, the benediction speaks of the God of peace. As we have studied together these last 40 weeks, we understand how our author worships God as absolute to creation and redemption. He calls us to draw near to God and rejoice.

God cannot be taken for granted. If anything has value, it has value because of God. Like our author, we worship God, the highest value in all creation. We know in a very objective way that Jesus Christ is Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Shepherd, Priest and King! As the letter comes to a close, we in one accord can add our Amen to all that has been said.

Two Brief Acknowledgements  

Make Relationships with Leaders Beneficial (vs 17-18)

Obey & Pray

Find Grace in the Word (vs 22-25)

Main Idea

May the God of peace… (vs 20)

Purification for sins (1:3)

Propitiation of sins (2:17)

Sacrifice for sins (5:1)

Forgiveness of sins (9:22)

Bearing the sins of many (9:28)

Take away sins (10:4)

Offering for sin (10:19)

Blood of the Eternal Covenant (vs 20)

Covenant keeping – Promise keeping God (8:8-12)

Brought again Jesus from the dead

Sanctifying Shepherd (vs 20 -21)

Equip you with everything good

Working in us that which is pleasing

LIFE APPLICATION 

Joy in Responsibility

Live as if you have the tools to accomplish your calling

ALL of life is the Gospel and it’s pleasing to God

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

Strength by Grace

Hebrews 13:7-16 

Outline 

Our author has presented a number of examples of the faithful and the faithless in this love letter. Be like the faithful who ran the endurance race all the way to the appointed end well. Don’t be like faithless Israel as they grumbled in the wilderness longing to return to Egypt.  As we come to the letter’s end and the final two lessons, we are encouraged to imitate our preachers and teachers that have died well. Even though our author may not be limiting our heroes of the faith to dead people, the request is that we consider the “outcome” of their life of faith. Therefore it could be suggested that most of your study of the faithful be of those who have died but their faithful life is preaching and teaching still.

It is encouraging to learn of our leaders that grew in faith to the very end of their days. However, we have a perfect example in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Our earthly leaders come and go, but Jesus is unaffected by mortality. Nothing hinders our perfect leader from providing counsel, encouragement and strength by His Grace. With these examples, we should not be easily led astray by strange teachings.

It is good for the heart to be strengthened by Grace. This Grace is available only by the blood of our perfect sacrifice, namely Jesus. The name of Jesus is great and greatly to be praised. Let us do good, share what we have, and offer up the sacrifice of praise because Christ alone is worthy!

Remember 

Your Leaders (vs 7)

Preachers and Teachers of the Word

Consider the outcome of their life

Imitate their faith 

Jesus Christ (vs 8) 

            The same:

Yesterday (with Matthew, Mark, Luke, Paul)

Today (You are in the same relationship)

Tomorrow (You will be in the same relationship)

A Strong Heart (vs 9) 

No strength by foods

ALL strength by Grace

So, don’t be led astray

How do we eat Grace? 

            We go to the altar – the cross (vs 10)

We are not like the Priest on the Day of Atonement (vs 11)

Jesus fulfilled the Day of Atonement (vs 12)

Therefore, Move (vs 13,14) 

Outside the camp – away from comfort

To the place of sanctification

For we have no city here

Pleasing God (vs 15,16)

Through Him (Jesus)

Do Good, share

LIFE APPLICATION

Joy in Responsibility

Not building paradise on Earth

Seek the City that is to come

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

Encouraging the Faithful

Hebrews 13:1-6 

Outline 

In order for the hears of this letter to have confidence necessary to perform its commands and requirements, our author presents the strongest statement in the letter regarding our relationship with God and His promises toward us. The closing argument, as we come to the final paragraphs, states that the faithful have everything necessary to pursue peace and holiness in this life because our God will never leave us or forsake us. Our God is a constant source of help in time of need. No matter what man has to offer us, trouble, persecution, or even death, our God is so great that He is working everything for our good.

Therefore, we can live a life that does not reflect the broken values of this world. In other words, we can live a life that stands out. Not just being different for the sake of being different, but projecting our love for God and our confidence in our God. This life will show God’s true value to the world.

The final chapter paints a portrait of what it looks like to live a life that worships God in reverence and awe. When we are very grateful that we belong to a family within a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, joy abounds in the responsibility to which we are called.

The Family of God 

Let brotherly love continue (vs 1)

Know that you are sons and daughters (3:5-6)

Encourage each other (3:12-13)

Show hospitality to strangers (vs 2)

Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37)

Missionary helper (Acts)

Entertaining angels (Genesis 18; Judges 6, 13)

Remember those in prison (vs 3)

Care for each other (10:34)

One body (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

Defining Attributes 

Marriage held in honor (vs 4) 

            Let the marriage bed be undefiled (8:8-12)

Covenant keepers

Be content with your life (vs 5) 

            Free from the love of money (Matthew 6:25-34)

Your treasure is in heaven

For, this is the Truth (vs 6) 

God will never leave or forsake

The Lord is my helper

What can man do to me?

LIFE APPLICATION 

Joy in Responsibility

Vs

Anxious in Circumstances

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

The Faithful have a Mediator

Hebrews 12:18-29 

Outline 

Addressing the final verses of chapter 12 allows us to view the race, not from the best seats in the house, but from the track as athletes instructed and motivated to run well. We can throw off everything that hinders, run on the straight path, knowing that God is working in the details of the race. Understanding that God is for us and actively doing ALL things for our ultimate good will find us responding in positive purpose. In other words, God never tells us to run without giving ample instruction and motivation.

Our author fully expects this letter to change our lives. He expects his readers, who are growing older and drifting at times, to be energized and run the marked path with skill to the very end. Enduring even amid pain and suffering. Never hesitating… Looking to Jesus, our Mediator, for the joy that comes knowing at the end of the race is an unshakable Kingdom. Don’t be like Esau who traded it all for a single bowl of soup.

In verses 18-29 we see Jesus as Mediator of the New Covenant. Our author skillfully contrasts the fearful reaction of the people hearing the voice of God at Mt. Sinai, with the Blood of Christ that speaks a better word from Mt. Zion, the city of God, the heavenly Jerusalem, that makes the angels and saints celebrate.

The Race is NOT run at Mt. Sinai (vs 18-21) 

A fearful place

Un-mediated Glory of God

Voice heard caused the people to say “No more”

Even Moses was trembling

The Race is run at Mt. Zion (The Blood Bought Kingdom vs 22-24) 

Not really geographical

Mediated Glory

The voice is the Blood speaking

The hearers celebrate

Don’t refuse the One speaking (vs 25-28) 

The Day is coming when the voice will shake earth and heaven

Be grateful for an unshakable Kingdom

God is a Consuming Fire (vs 29) 

For those like Esau – the Fire will destroy

For those like the Faithful – the Fire will refine

LIFE APPLICATION

Joy in Responsibility

Hold on to only the Unshakable

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

Faithful Exhortation

Hebrews 12:12-17 

Outline 

As we grow ever closer to the end of the letter our author’s intention is clear; draw near to God, run the race, finish well. Our text is an exhortation with its basis founded in the preceding verses. The race which all Christians are called to run is nothing less than living out the Christian life through faith, with endurance, amid hostility. The great encouragement offered is the understanding that God is in control. Hostile enemies come against us but we need not wonder regarding the outcome. God disciplines every true child. This discipline has a most profound purpose; our holiness, without which none will see God.

We come to the stark realization that the commands in this letter are not offered as a means to gain God’s favor or coax God toward our benefit, but an exhortation based on the fact that God is already at work in our life, and that is all the encouragement necessary to finish the race with joy.

Now we know that God is for us and actively working, don’t fail to receive this grace. This grace will make strong, drooping hands and weak knees. This grace will make your path straight. Like a runner beginning to fade in the home stretch, we as Christians need encouragement. We need to know its all worth the effort. We need to know that just as Jesus went to the cross for the joy set before him, we too can finish well with the same joy. We have a race that is steeped with responsibility. It can only be run by faith, trusting that God is doing, and will do, all that he promised. Joy can only be found in this responsibility.

The Truth about God Matters 

What gives strength to drooping hands and weak knees? (vs 12)

God loves those he disciplines (vs 6-7)

What makes our path in life straight? (vs 13)

Through discipline we share His holiness (vs 10b) 

How do we pursue peace and sanctification? (vs 14) 

            Join God in his work in our life (vs 11)

How do we not grow bitter? (vs 15)

Understand that all Christians run this race (vs 8)

How do we understand the picture of Esau? (vs 16-17) 

            No desire for God leads to death

LIFE APPLICATION

Joy is only found in Responsibility

Find what God is doing and join Him

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

The Suffering Faithful

Hebrews 12:3-11 

Outline 

The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to mankind. To truly know God in His fullness, one must take in the whole story; from Genesis to Revelation. If you have taken the complete journey, I feel safe saying, you have experienced a full range of emotions in this most extraordinary view of who God says He is.

For most, taking hold of the promises in God’s Word that reveal love, joy, peace, and rest without the mention of suffering is automatic. Many, however, bulk at the idea of love, joy, peace, and rest coming through suffering. The idea of God working in the lives of His people in sovereign purpose through suffering, ultimately for good, will receive a fair amount of resistance.

The book of Hebrews, in particular our current text, is a very sober look at pain and suffering in the Christian life and the endurance in takes to finish the race well. This view of God is not one that most naturally gravitates toward.  One commentary states it like this…In other words, the more easy and pain-free your life has been, the less you will cherish the kind of spirituality taught in this book. And the more you have suffered, the more you will cling to the precious teachings of this book – if you are willing to believe them. 

We will study this text with three primary objectives: Identify and confirm the pain and suffering in this text / Identify where the pain and suffering comes from / Identify if there is a purpose or design in the pain and suffering.

Seeing and Understanding the Suffering

Suffering can cause you to lose heart (vs 3)

This suffering was experienced by Jesus, and you will experience it also (vs 3)

Suffering is bad and could get worse (vs 4)

Current suffering seems sorrowful with little hope (vs 11) 

Where the Suffering is Coming From 

The hostility of sinners (vs 3-4)

God’s Discipline (vs 5-7)

Do not forget the understanding of discipline

God is not passive in suffering

God’s Loving Design in Suffering 

Our suffering is the effect of God’s love toward us (vs 6)

In suffering we are being treated as a child that is loved ( vs 7)

Suffering is for our good, our holiness, our peace, our righteousness (vs 10-11)

LIFE APPLICATION

To KNOW God is to KNOW self

Learning the art of “sorrowful yet always rejoicing”

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

Run the Race of the Faithful

Hebrews 12:1-2 

Outline 

My youngest child turned thirty last week. This milestone gave me reason for reflection. My thoughts focused on how quickly thirty years can pass; in the blink of an eye. Memories flooded in of one adventure after another with this son of mine. He never sits still. From the time he could crawl he drags me along on almost every adventure. It was, and is, a great way to live. However, I found myself thinking about how old I have become. Suddenly the adventurous memories made me grow weary. I began to justify slowing down a bit. By the time this reasoning had reached its apex, I was semi-retired and coasting.

I nearly got away with it until I came to Hebrews chapter 12. Our author’s words, “let us RUN!” shattered my portrait of relaxing in the recliner. Our cultural view of a successful life is a short sprint culminated by years of ease discussing the glory days. The author of Hebrews, on the other hand, views the life of faith as an enduring marathon.

With 11 chapters under our belt, we now see that this letter is addressed to a church that is most likely getting old and allured into retirement. Our author’s warnings are those that would confront any Christian more concerned with recliners and rest than the Gospel. Chapter 12 opens with the reason we have just studied the life of so many Old Testament saints.  The main point of this chapter is one command…RUN! Everything else supports, explains, and gives motivation for it. Run the race set before you. Don’t coast, don’t stroll, and don’t wander about aimlessly. Run as in a race with a finish line and with everything hanging on it.

Let’s Run!  (vs 1)

Things to lay aside (to help us run)

Sin

Encumbrances

We have motivation

Cloud of witnesses (vs 1)

Race is waiting on you (vs 11:39-40)

Jesus is for us (vs 2)

Author/Perfector of faith

Joy!

LIFE APPLICAION

The lowest form of question in the life of faith:

“Is it a sin?”

The highest form of question in the life of faith:

“Does it help me run?”

 

A Marathon is only successfully run with a plan