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The Blessed Marriage | Robert Morris

Sunday, February 25



Introduction 

To be blessed means to be in receipt of God's favor and grace. A blessed marriage is one that is rooted in this divine favor, manifesting in happiness, spiritual harmony, and growth. God’s hope for marriage is that each spouse would live in unity.  

According to Scripture, when two individuals enter into the covenant of marriage, they are no longer two independent entities but become one flesh (Genesis 2:24). This unity is designed by God to reflect the intimate relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:31-32), embodying love, mutual respect, and sanctity. 

A blessed marriage is one that is centered on God, striving to embody His principles and love in every aspect of the partnership. 

  • Give the group a quick recap of Sunday’s message. What do you remember from the message? 
  • How did Sunday’s message challenge you? 

On Sunday, Pastor Robert shared a poignant metaphor, emphasizing that God's disdain for divorce parallels His hatred of car accidents. He said, ‘God hates divorce in the same way He hates car wrecks, because they harm people and God loves His people.’ 

  • Reflecting on Pastor Robert's metaphor comparing the impact of divorce to that of car wrecks, how can we, as a community of believers, better support individuals and families navigating the painful realities of separation or divorce? 

Marriage represents God 

Let’s take a look at two different passages and discuss the idea that marriage represents God. 

Matthew 19:4-6 NIV 

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 

During the sermon, Pastor Robert said, “The image of God is not male, but marriage.” He cited Genesis 1:26 when God said, “Let us make mankind in our image…”  

Genesis 1:26 NIV 

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 

If we’re following Genesis 1:26, we see that male and female is the image of God. Adam and Eve were married, husband and wife. Marriage is the image of God. 

  • How does Pastor Robert’s comment challenge your thinking?  
  • Why is it that Satan hates marriage? 

When God wanted to paint a picture of Himself and put it on the earth, He created a married couple and said this is what I look like! He put a mirror on the earth of Himself and its marriage. – Pastor Robert Morris 

Metaphor: Harmonious Dancing Partners.  

Before we move on, let’s look at another metaphor that Pastor Robert mentioned during the message. 

If you looked at two partners harmoniously dancing, you would notice how synchronized their motions are. If you asked the partners, they would tell you that one of them is leading. This is similar to God’s design for marriage, two partners in a harmonious dance. 

  • What do you think of that metaphor? 

Marriage represents Christ and the Church 

Now let’s discuss Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus. In this letter, Paul turned his attention to the implications of being in the body of Christ. In Ephesians 5:21-6:9 he gave instruction to families of the local assembly on the demonstration of mutual submission and love. 

Ephesians 5:31-33 NIV 

31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. 

Paul's counsel to wives to submit to their husbands "as to the Lord" is not a call for subjugation but a voluntary act of love, mirroring the Church's submission to Christ. This submission is rooted in the understanding of the husband as the spiritual head of the family, tasked with sacrificial love and service reminiscent of Christ's love for the Church. Husbands are instructed to love their wives sacrificially, just as Christ loved the Church, emphasizing a love that prioritizes the wife's spiritual and physical well-being. 

In summary, Ephesians 5:31-33 presents a vision for Christian marriage that transcends cultural norms of authority and submission, inviting husbands and wives into a relationship that reflects the love, sacrifice, and mutual submission evident in Christ's relationship with the Church. 

  • Discuss the significance of the roles of husband and wife as outlined in Ephesians 5:33. How do these roles reflect Christ’s relationship with the church? 
  • How do healthy, Christ-centered marriages impact the wider church community? 
  • Discuss the role of self-sacrifice in both marriage and the Christian faith. How does self-sacrifice contribute to the health of a marriage and the believer’s relationship with Christ? 

Genuine spiritual leadership involves acts of selfless love and service, akin to dying to oneself. How often do others see that reflected in your life? 

Marriage Represents Covenant 

Okay, let’s now discuss our final section, marriage represents covenant. 

 Malachi 2:14 NIV 

You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. 

During the time Malachi was written, divorce during was solely initiated by men, who betrayed their wives and neglected their marital promises made before God. This behavior undermined God's intention for marriage, which was to exemplify unity between spouses and to nurture children in a God-loving environment. Additionally, these actions disregarded the symbolic importance of marriage as a reflection of a faithful relationship with God. 

  • Discuss the importance of repentance and faithfulness in our relationship with God. 

In the book of Malachi, the bond between people and God was severed due to their transgressions, leading to imminent consequences. However, those who showed genuine repentance were assured of God’s blessing. The repercussions of hypocrisy and neglecting God are severe. For us, this is a reminder to not become complacent. Devotion and adoration towards the God ought to be the central pursuit of our existence. 

  • What are the consequences of hypocrisy and neglecting God? What are some practical steps we can take to prioritize devotion and adoration towards God in our daily lives? 

Let’s discuss the following quote reference by Pastor Robert Morris: 

In a contract, we protect our rights and we limit our responsibilities. In a covenant, we give up our rights and we pick up our responsibilities. - Pastor Jimmy Evans 

  • How does this quote challenge you in any relationship? Feel free to get specific. 

Closing 

Christianity is not a mirror of perfection. It’s a mirror of forgiveness and unconditional love! Let’s read this last Scripture, focusing on the last seven words. 

1 Peter 3:7 NIV 

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. 

Whether you're single or married, male or female, consider how unresolved issues with others might be hindering your spiritual growth and relationship with God. Take proactive steps towards making amends and seeking forgiveness where needed. A pure heart and right relationships are prerequisites for genuine worship and a closer relationship with God. 

  • Have you ever felt as though an unresolved matter was obstructing your moments of worship or prayer?  

Reflective Practice

Regardless of your relationship status, regularly reflect on your interactions and relationships. Ask yourself if there are areas where you could show more consideration and respect, or if there are unresolved issues that need addressing. Prayerfully seek God's guidance on how to improve these relationships and make amends where necessary, remembering that these steps not only benefit your earthly relationships but deepen your connection with God. 

Resources

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