House of Cards, Week Two - Marriage

Week 2 MarriageGod blessed humanity when He made us to live in community, and there is no closer community than our families. What makes a family strong? In this series, we’ll examine topics to help us get to a solid, Christian family based on God’s principles.What is the point of marriage?Your marriage will reach its highest potential and will give you the greatest satisfaction when it is operating according to how God designed it.Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV) God created man in His own image. He created male and female.Genesis 2:18a (ESV) God said something He never had before. It wasn’t good for the man to be alone.Genesis 2:18b (ESV) God made a helper fit for the man. This term implies a yin and yang situation, a complement to each other.Genesis 2:19-20 (ESV) Even with all of creation surrounding him, Adam felt alone.Genesis 2:21-22 (ESV) God crafted a woman by His own hand.Genesis 2:23 (ESV) She was named “woman” because she was taken out of “man”. They were alike and yet so different.Genesis 2:24-25 (ESV) A man will leave the comfort and safety of his family to join his wife because it’s not good to be alone. Marriage exists to show the watching world what God is like.Genesis 3:7 (ESV) When sin entered the world, their relationship with each other and with God became imperfect.The purpose of your marriage is to tell a story about the saving and transforming love of Jesus.Marriage is actually a sermon on the Gospel, proclaiming the good news of  Jesus Christ.Marriage is not about what you can get out of it. It’s the means by which you tell a story that reflects Jesus.The image of marriage is used throughout the Bible.– The Bible starts with the marriage of Adam and Eve.– Throughout the Old Testament, God uses the metaphor of marriage to describe His love for His people.– Jesus begins His ministry at a wedding.– Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God is like a wedding reception.– The New Testament uses the metaphor of marriage to describe Jesus’ love for us.– Our first moments in eternity are described as a wedding and marriage celebration. Revelations 19:7 (ESV)The purpose of your marriage is to tell a story about the saving and transforming love of Jesus.To support the mission of Hope Community Church, visit gethope.net/give today.