1. Your Marriage Must Be Focused On God:
A. God must be first: Mt. 6:33 (even before your spouse) Lk. 14:26-33 (without this level of commitment you cannot be a disciple)
B. All must be done for God: Col. 3:17, 23 (this translates into the way you serve your spouse, fixing a meal for him, repairing the home for her, etc.)
C. All must be guided by God: 2 Tim. 3:16-17 (the Bible tells us all we need to know about being a good spouse) Mt. 4:4 (married life must be guided by God's word, not human philosophy)
2. Your Marriage Should Be Permanent:
A. This is God's original design: Mt. 19:4-6
B. There are some exceptions to this: Mt. 19:9, Mt. 5:32 (in the case of fornication the marriage bond may be dissolved and renewed with another partner) 1 Cor. 7:12-15 (if an unbelieving spouse is not content to dwell the believer is free from the bonds of that marriage)
C. Divorce that is legal [by God's law] is not always right: Deut. 24:1-4 (the law of Moses allowed for "trivial" divorce) Mal. 2:13-16 (however these Jews were condemned for such divorces even though they were technically legal; God wants marriages to last)
3. Your Marriage Must Be A Blessing:
A. A blessing to you: Prov. 19:14, Prov. 18:22 (a good spouse is a great blessing) Prov. 12:4 (but a bid spouse can destroy your life; generally, marriage will make or break you) 1 Pet. 3:1 (ideally the good spouse can influence the family to salvation; who you marry can determine your salvation and that of your children)
B. A blessing to the church: Rom. 16:3-4 (this family had helped the church-in many areas; when asked to name the most influential individual in the church, many named couples, not individuals)
C. A blessing to the world: Mt. 5:13-16, Titus 2:4-5 (your family will either reproach or revive the church; you will either be a light that influences others to good or a shame the causes others to hate the church)
4. Your Marriage Must Be Entered Properly:
A. With the right person: I Cor. 15:33 (your choice of a spouse will influence countless souls; yours, your children and others your marriage might influence to good or bad; your choice should be based on quality, not "falling in love")
B. Separate from your parents: Eph. 5:31 (you must break your dependence and not expect parents to bail you out)
C. For the glory of God: I Cor. 6:20 (not what marriage can do for you but what your marriage can do for God)
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