Embracing Grace: The Divine Design of Marriage
Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into the profound truths about marriage, redemption, and our individual stories within the body of Christ. We began by acknowledging the importance of grace, forgiveness, and love as the greater things of the law, which should be our motivation in pleasing the Lord. Reflecting on the legacy of my great-grandparents, Lazetta and Raymond Gorbett, I was reminded of the value of supporting and loving the pastoral role, a lesson that has been instrumental in my own journey as a pastor.
We then explored the story of a young lady who, despite facing judgment and shame as a single parent within the church, discovered the transformative power of God's grace and the responsibility we all share in seeking out relationships within the body of Christ. Her story is a testament to the fact that grace is indeed for single parents and that everyone has a place in the church.
As we turned to the Scriptures, we affirmed that marriage is God's design and intention, a sacred covenant meant to be honored by all, regardless of our individual circumstances. We live in a broken world, and it is within this context that we must strive to align our lives with God's design, while also embracing redemption. God is in the business of buying back what is broken and making us right with Him.
Throughout the sermon, we were reminded that marriage reflects the Oneness of God and the mystery of our union with Christ as His church. We are His bride, and as such, we are called to a profound intimacy with Him, a yada that goes beyond mere knowledge to a deep, relational understanding.
In closing, we were encouraged to come to the altar, whether to give thanks for our marriages, seek help for our struggles, or to repent and seek transformation. The goal is to move towards the Oneness of Jesus Christ, so that our church is fully wed to Him, living out His teachings of love, grace, and mercy.
Key Takeaways:
- Marriage is a divine institution, designed by God as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman. It is a reflection of God's image and His intention for human relationships, serving as the foundation for a healthy society and the church. In a world marred by brokenness, we must strive to uphold God's design for marriage while extending grace and redemption to all. [01:01:11]
- Redemption is a central theme of the Christian faith, and it applies to every aspect of our lives, including marriage. Regardless of our past mistakes or current struggles, God's redemptive power is available to restore and renew. The church must be a place where redemption is preached and practiced, offering hope and healing to all who enter. [01:00:32]
- The concept of yada, or intimate knowledge, is crucial in understanding our relationship with God and with one another. It is not enough to know about God; we must seek a deep, personal relationship with Him. This same principle applies to marriage, where ongoing pursuit and understanding are key to a fulfilling union. [01:23:44]
- The church is the bride of Christ, and our relationship with Him is the ultimate marriage. This spiritual union is the only institution that will transcend into eternity. Understanding our identity as part of the bride of Christ empowers us to live in the fullness of His love and purpose for our lives. [01:27:53]
- Every person, regardless of their family background or marital status, is valued and loved by God. The church must be a place of inclusion, where single parents, widows, orphans, and those from unconventional families feel welcomed and affirmed. We are all made in the image of God and have a unique role to play in His kingdom. [01:29:07]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 2:18, 24 (ESV)
- Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
- Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
2. Ephesians 5:22-33 (ESV)
- Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
3. Hebrews 13:4 (ESV)
- Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 2:18, what does it mean that God saw it was not good for man to be alone, and how did He propose to resolve this issue?
2. Reflecting on Genesis 2:24, what implications does the concept of "one flesh" have for the understanding of marriage?
3. According to Ephesians 5:22-33, how is the relationship between husband and wife analogous to the relationship between Christ and the church?
4. Hebrews 13:4 speaks to the honor of marriage. What does it mean to hold marriage in honor, and how should this influence our behavior?
Interpretation Questions:
1. Considering the helper that God created for Adam, what qualities might define a "helper fit for him," and how do these qualities contribute to the partnership of marriage?
2. How does the "one flesh" union in marriage reflect the intimacy and unity that believers are called to experience with Christ?
3. In what ways can the sacrificial love Christ has for the church be modeled within the covenant of marriage?
4. How can the church community support and uphold the honor of marriage as described in Hebrews 13:4?
Application Questions:
1. Identify a relationship in your life where you can better demonstrate the qualities of a "helper fit for him" or "her." What specific action will you take this week to strengthen that partnership?
2. Reflect on your current understanding of intimacy with God. What is one step you can take this week to deepen your relational knowledge (yada) of Him?
3. Choose one aspect of Christ's love for the church to emulate in your marriage or significant relationships this week. What will that look like in practical terms?
4. Consider how you might have unintentionally contributed to the feeling of exclusion for single parents or those from unconventional families within your community. What specific action can you take to create a more inclusive and supportive environment?
5. Think about how you can honor marriage within your sphere of influence, regardless of your marital status. What is one conversation you can initiate or one act of service you can perform this week to uphold the value of marriage?
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Design of Marriage
Marriage is not merely a social contract but a divine institution established by God. It is intended to be a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, mirroring the unity and love found within the Trinity. In a world where the sanctity of marriage is often challenged, it is crucial to remember that marriage is a reflection of God's image and His intention for human relationships. It serves as the foundation for a healthy society and the church. Upholding God's design for marriage is a commitment to honor the covenant made before Him, while also recognizing the need for grace and redemption in a world filled with brokenness.
"Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." - Hebrews 13:4 ESV
Reflection: How can you honor the institution of marriage in your own life, whether you are married or single?
Day 2: The Power of Redemption
Redemption is at the heart of the Christian narrative, offering hope and renewal to all aspects of life, including marriage. No matter the past mistakes or current struggles one faces, the redemptive power of God is always at work, seeking to restore and make whole what has been broken. The church must embody this message of redemption, creating a space where individuals can experience the transformative power of God's grace. It is through this grace that healing and new beginnings are found, and the church becomes a beacon of hope for those in need.
"Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." - Isaiah 1:18 ESV
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God's redemptive work in your life, and how can you share this hope with others?
Day 3: Intimacy Beyond Knowledge
The concept of yada, or intimate knowledge, is essential for understanding our relationship with God and with one another. It is not sufficient to merely know about God; one must seek a deep, personal relationship with Him. This principle of ongoing pursuit and understanding is also key to a fulfilling marriage. True intimacy involves vulnerability, open communication, and a commitment to grow together. It is through this deep connection that relationships flourish and reflect the intimacy we are called to have with our Creator.
"And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, 'I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.'" - Genesis 4:1 ESV
Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God and with those closest to you?
Day 4: The Church as Christ's Bride
The church is not just an organization or a building; it is the bride of Christ, called to a profound spiritual union with Him. This relationship is the ultimate marriage, transcending all others and carrying into eternity. Understanding our identity as part of the bride of Christ empowers us to live in the fullness of His love and purpose. As we embrace this identity, we are called to reflect His love, grace, and mercy to the world, living as a testament to the transformative power of our union with Christ.
"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." - Ephesians 5:25 ESV
Reflection: How does viewing the church as the bride of Christ change the way you engage with your faith community and your personal walk with God?
Day 5: Inclusion and Value in God's Family
Every person is created in the image of God and is valued and loved by Him. The church must be a place of inclusion, where individuals from all walks of life, including single parents, widows, orphans, and those from unconventional families, feel welcomed and affirmed. Recognizing the unique role each person plays in the kingdom of God is essential for fostering a community that reflects His love and grace. It is through this inclusive love that the church can truly be a home for all who seek Him.
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." - James 1:27 ESV
Reflection: What practical steps can you take to ensure that your church community is a place of welcome and inclusion for everyone?
Quotes
1) "Marriage is God's design, he does have a purpose for it and it's his intent. So marriage is always God's intention and marriage is good." [59:22](Download | Download)
2) "We must preach the ideal even in a broken world, but we must also embrace redemption. God is in the business of buying back what gets messed up and making us right with him." [59:58](Download | Download)
3) "We all need redemption. You may be in a different place than somebody else, but everyone needs redemption, and we should extend that well in this place." [01:00:32](Download | Download)
4) "Marriage reflects the Oneness of God and the yada of God because he loves us and wants us to know him and be known by him. It's hard for us to grasp this love of God that he has for people like you and me." [01:27:20](Download | Download)
5) "The only institution on this Earth that will follow us into eternity is the church. We're his bride, we have a seat at the table, we will be at the Wedding Banquet with Jesus." [01:27:53](Download | Download)
6) "Yada is to not just know the person but to know them intimately, not a knowledge. It's one thing for me to know who Shaunetta is, but I really know her. And guess what, I'm not done getting to know her." [01:21:49](Download | Download)
7) "If we miss grace, we were not saved by what we did, we were saved by grace because we all need redemption. Our marriages need redemption, society needs redemption, the church is messed up." [01:24:22](Download | Download)
8) "God wants to redeem marriage, God wants to redeem the brokenness of our world, everything is messed up. We believe that creation groans for the redemption of the sons and daughters of God." [59:58](Download | Download)
9) "Marriage is the foundation of a good society. Marriage as God defined it, as God designed it, and God purposed it, is good for society." [01:07:53](Download | Download)
10) "God created us in his own image, he created us male and female. We all have value in God, intrinsic value in life." [01:08:32](Download | Download)
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