The Meaning of Marriage Chapters 3-4

Guests: Mike Thornberry and Gabe Boyd

 

Chapter 3 The Essence of Marriage is grounded in Ephesians 5:31 (and Genesis 2:24)

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be united to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.

 

Chapter 4 The Mission of Marriage is grounded in Ephesians 5:25-27

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

 

Gabe - the Word of God helps us understand what marriage is as God has designed as opposed to what the world thinks marriage should be.

 

Dan - marriage, from a Biblical standpoint, is the idea that anyone you’re having sex with is a person you are “uniting” and becoming one flesh - God has provided a place for that physical and sexual connection - within the bounds of marriage.

 

Mike - “covenant” is the promise of future love - this means that covenant love lasts regardless of emotion - it rides on intention, it is an act of the will. A “covenant” marriage is not about my happiness and it doesn’t survive (or thrive) because of how the other person acts, but how you choose to serve them!

 

Mike - the anchor of our marriage should be our identity in Christ - everything else rocks with the waves!

 

Gabe - when you’re a “consumer” of something, it’s difficult (impossible) to actually figure out how to “satisfy” or “please” another person - or even be satisfied or happy yourself.

 

Mike - everything is marketed to your individual benefit as a consumer, even marriage.

 

Gabe - within the idea of “covenant” there is a protection so that you can truly be vulnerable and fully “known.”

Dan - if you have a problem in your marriage, start praying for your spouse.

 

Mike - show me a husband and a wife who are praying together, they aren’t getting a divorce.

 

Dan - the essence of marriage is a profound and significant friendship!

 

Dan - can you be “unequally yoked” - meaning, can you connect your life with another person who does not have Christ at the center of their life…if Christ is at the center of yours?

 

Gabe - what is friendship in general - great place to start when you think about the idea and concept of marriage.

 

Mike - I am my wife’s CEO - Chief Encouragement Officer!!!

 

Keller - marriage has the power to set your life as a whole.

 

Keller - no other human being should get more of your love, energy, industry and commitment than your spouse.

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