Marriage: A Divine, Redemptive, and Gospel Institution

 

Summary

Marriage is a divine institution, established by God Himself, as we see in Genesis 2:18-25. It is not a human invention, nor is it a cultural construct. It predates nations, governments, and political ideologies. As such, God alone has the authority to define and regulate marriage. This divine origin means that marriage is inherently good, designed for personal intimacy and global blessing. It is a means through which God spreads His image across the earth, fulfilling the dominion mandate given in Genesis 1:28. However, marriage is also a fallen institution. The entrance of sin into the world has marred the beauty of marriage, introducing strife, blame, and brokenness. Despite this, marriage remains a redemptive institution. Through the lineage of marriages, God brought forth the Savior, Jesus Christ, who redeems and restores what was lost in the fall. Ultimately, marriage is a gospel institution, pointing beyond itself to the ultimate union between Christ and His church. It is a shadow of the greater reality to come, the wedding feast of the Lamb, where Christ will be united with His bride, the church, for eternity.

Key Takeaways:

1. Marriage as a Divine Institution: Marriage is not a human invention but a divine institution established by God. It is God who defines and regulates marriage, and His Word serves as the ultimate guidebook for understanding its purpose and function. This divine origin underscores the sacredness and significance of marriage in God's plan. [12:46]

2. The Goodness of Marriage: Marriage is inherently good, designed for personal intimacy and global blessing. It provides a unique context for relational intimacy and companionship, reflecting God's relational nature. Moreover, marriage serves a global purpose by fulfilling the dominion mandate, spreading God's image across the earth. [16:05]

3. The Fall's Impact on Marriage: The entrance of sin has marred the beauty of marriage, introducing strife, blame, and brokenness. Despite this, marriage remains a vital institution that requires gospel-saturated, grace-motivated diligence to thrive. Recognizing the fallen nature of marriage helps us approach it with realistic expectations and reliance on God's grace. [21:36]

4. Marriage as a Redemptive Institution: Through the lineage of marriages, God brought forth the Savior, Jesus Christ, who redeems and restores what was lost in the fall. Marriage serves as a mechanism through which God accomplishes His redemptive purposes, highlighting its significance in His overarching plan of salvation. [27:21]

5. Marriage as a Gospel Institution: Marriage points beyond itself to the ultimate union between Christ and His church. It is a shadow of the greater reality to come, the wedding feast of the Lamb. This perspective reminds us that the pinnacle of human existence is not marriage itself but knowing and loving Christ, who is the ultimate Bridegroom. [31:31]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction and Reflection
- [01:34] - God's Design for Marriage
- [02:07] - Genesis 2:18-25 Reading
- [03:59] - Prayer for Guidance
- [04:44] - The Royal Wedding Analogy
- [07:46] - Extremes of Modern Marriage Views
- [09:21] - Decline in Marriage Rates
- [10:31] - Broken Marriages and Their Impact
- [12:18] - Five Truths About Marriage
- [12:46] - Marriage as a Divine Institution
- [16:05] - Marriage as a Good Institution
- [21:36] - Marriage as a Fallen Institution
- [27:21] - Marriage as a Redemptive Institution
- [31:31] - Marriage as a Gospel Institution
- [38:19] - Planning for the Ultimate Wedding
- [38:57] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Understanding Marriage as a Divine Institution

Bible Reading:
- Genesis 2:18-25

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Genesis 2:18-25, what specific actions did God take to establish the first marriage? How does this passage illustrate the divine origin of marriage? [02:07]

2. In the sermon, it was mentioned that marriage is not a human invention but a divine institution. What evidence from the Bible supports this claim? [12:46]

3. How does the sermon describe the impact of sin on marriage, and what are some specific examples given of how marriage has been marred by the fall? [22:11]

4. What role does marriage play in God's redemptive plan, according to the sermon? How is this connected to the lineage of Jesus Christ? [27:21]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding marriage as a divine institution change the way one might approach their own marriage or view the marriages of others? [12:46]

2. The sermon describes marriage as inherently good and designed for personal intimacy and global blessing. In what ways can marriage serve a global purpose beyond personal fulfillment? [18:26]

3. Considering the fallen nature of marriage, what are some realistic expectations couples should have, and how can they rely on God's grace to navigate challenges? [24:26]

4. How does the concept of marriage as a gospel institution help believers understand their relationship with Christ and the church? [31:31]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own view of marriage. How does recognizing marriage as a divine institution influence your perspective on its purpose and significance? [12:46]

2. In what ways can you actively contribute to the goodness of marriage, both personally and within your community, to reflect God's relational nature? [16:05]

3. Identify a specific challenge in your marriage or a marriage you know. How can you apply gospel-saturated, grace-motivated diligence to address this challenge? [26:47]

4. How can you support and encourage others in your community who may be struggling with the fallen aspects of marriage? What practical steps can you take to offer grace and support? [24:26]

5. Consider the redemptive aspect of marriage. How can you and your spouse (or future spouse) participate in God's redemptive plan through your relationship? [27:21]

6. Reflect on the idea that marriage is a shadow of the ultimate union between Christ and His church. How does this perspective shape your understanding of the purpose of marriage? [31:31]

7. For those who are single, how can you find fulfillment in your relationship with Christ, knowing that the pinnacle of human existence is not marriage but knowing and loving Him? [36:34]

Devotional

Day 1: Marriage as a Sacred Covenant
Marriage is not merely a social contract or a cultural tradition; it is a sacred covenant established by God Himself. This divine origin underscores the sacredness and significance of marriage in God's plan. As a divine institution, marriage is defined and regulated by God, and His Word serves as the ultimate guidebook for understanding its purpose and function. Recognizing marriage as a sacred covenant calls us to honor and uphold its sanctity, viewing it as a reflection of God's relational nature and His commitment to His people. [12:46]

"For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called." (Isaiah 54:5, ESV)

Reflection: How can you honor the sacredness of marriage in your daily interactions with your spouse or others around you?


Day 2: Marriage as a Source of Blessing
Marriage is inherently good, designed for personal intimacy and global blessing. It provides a unique context for relational intimacy and companionship, reflecting God's relational nature. Moreover, marriage serves a global purpose by fulfilling the dominion mandate, spreading God's image across the earth. This goodness of marriage is not only for the benefit of the couple but also for the broader community and world, as it becomes a channel of God's love and grace. [16:05]

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively contribute to the goodness and blessing of your marriage or relationships today?


Day 3: Navigating the Challenges of a Fallen Institution
The entrance of sin has marred the beauty of marriage, introducing strife, blame, and brokenness. Despite this, marriage remains a vital institution that requires gospel-saturated, grace-motivated diligence to thrive. Recognizing the fallen nature of marriage helps us approach it with realistic expectations and reliance on God's grace. It calls us to be intentional in seeking reconciliation, forgiveness, and growth, acknowledging that while marriage is challenging, it is also an opportunity for spiritual growth and transformation. [21:36]

"Bear with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgive each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." (Colossians 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of conflict or challenge in your marriage or relationships where you can seek God's grace and guidance for resolution today?


Day 4: Marriage as a Channel of Redemption
Through the lineage of marriages, God brought forth the Savior, Jesus Christ, who redeems and restores what was lost in the fall. Marriage serves as a mechanism through which God accomplishes His redemptive purposes, highlighting its significance in His overarching plan of salvation. This redemptive aspect of marriage reminds us that God can use our relationships to bring about healing, restoration, and new beginnings, pointing us to the ultimate redemption found in Christ. [27:21]

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)

Reflection: How can you allow God to use your marriage or relationships as a channel for His redemptive work today?


Day 5: Marriage as a Reflection of the Gospel
Marriage points beyond itself to the ultimate union between Christ and His church. It is a shadow of the greater reality to come, the wedding feast of the Lamb. This perspective reminds us that the pinnacle of human existence is not marriage itself but knowing and loving Christ, who is the ultimate Bridegroom. As we live out our marriages, we are called to reflect the love, sacrifice, and commitment of Christ to His church, serving as a living testimony of the gospel to the world. [31:31]

"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." (Ephesians 5:25-26, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can your marriage or relationships better reflect the love and commitment of Christ to His church today?

Quotes

Marriage is a divine institution. We begin with the most foundational fact about marriage. The thing that we want to begin with is it was God's idea. It was God who made the world. It was God who made humans. It was God who made them male and female, and it was God that declared they should come together in marriage as one flesh in that passage we just read moments ago. What this means then is that, of course, marriage therefore is not the invention of any particular culture, any particular person, any particular philosophical sect. [00:12:46]

And if marriage is given by God that means God gets to regulate it, God gets to define it, God gets to declare what it is and what it isn't. It is interesting in our day, of course, everyone has an opinion about marriage and what it should or shouldn't be, but God in His Word, as we know, has gone to great lengths to define what marriage should look like. I don't know if you ever thought about it before, but there are a lot of great institutions in the world that God doesn't really regulate in His Word, doesn't really talk about much in His Word. [00:13:52]

Marriage is inherently good, designed for personal intimacy and global blessing. It provides a unique context for relational intimacy and companionship, reflecting God's relational nature. Moreover, marriage serves a global purpose by fulfilling the dominion mandate, spreading God's image across the earth. Marriage is about more than us. What is marriage about? God's plan for the world. Let me explain what I mean by this. If we had time, you don't need to turn there, if we had time we could go back to chapter 1, and I think Stephen may have even mentioned this in his first talk, where God gives what we call the dominion mandate in Genesis 1:28. [00:16:05]

Marriage is a good institution. Now, of course, on one level you think, "Well, that's obvious. If God is the giver of marriage, then isn't it clear that it's a good institution? Isn't it sort of built into the idea of 'God gives it'?" Oh, yes, but, of course, we have already seen that our world doesn't think it's good. Our world doesn't think it's worth it. We see in this passage that marriage is good in a number of ways. Let me just mention a couple of ways that it is good. First, it is good personally. Marriage is the way God has brought human beings together in intimate relationships. [00:15:51]

Marriage is a fallen institution. When you read Genesis, if you are like me you think to yourself, "Wow! That sounded like a really good idea what God had lined up here." And then things went really badly. We know in the very next chapter here, chapter 3, that it wasn't long after God established this wonderful marriage concept that there was the rebellion of Adam and Eve, there was the bringing of sin into the world, there was the fall and the curse, and things that started off so good so quickly went bad. [00:21:36]

You ever thought about all the ways marriage is affected by the fall? We don't have time to turn to Genesis 3 and go through them all, but let me just mention a few of the things that fall has done to marriage that we pick up in Genesis 3. First, the intimacy is gone. Remember, you could be together naked and unashamed because of that great intimacy, but then we realize once they have sinned they realize their nakedness and they are ashamed, and they go out to get fig leaves to cover their nakedness. [00:22:24]

If we are going to make it through marriage today, if you are going to survive in marriage today in a fallen world, it will not happen on its own. It does not just happen naturally. You don't drift into a good marriage. If there's a fall, if it is broken, if we are sinners, then marriage requires gospel-saturated, grace-motivated, Scripture-guided diligence from both individuals and churches to make it. Don't be surprised that marriage is hard. Of course, it is hard. You live in a fallen world. [00:26:24]

Marriage is a redemptive institution. After reading and all the things that went wrong with marriage in chapter 3, if you are like me you are like, "Well, things started off great, went bad, it's like the Diana and Charles wedding, right?" You have this wonderful optimism and then total destruction. You are like "What could ever be done?" And God says, "I'm going to do something. All of the things caused by the fall, I'm going to fix." And He promises it, of course, in verse 15 of chapter 3. [00:27:21]

Here is the thing I want you to realize is that marriage is a redemptive institution because through marriage, through generations of families, God was going to bring a Savior. He was going to bring a child born into the world to redeem it. Marriage is a mechanism then which God would bring the Redeemer to save His people from their sins. Now, of course, there is more that could be said about the redemption through marriage. We can also talk about covenant lines, that God blesses covenant families. [00:30:05]

Marriage is a gospel institution. Let me explain what I mean by this. As soon as we talk so much about how wonderful marriage is, and it is, as soon as we talk about how important marriage is, and it is, there is a mistake that can be made. It is a mistake that I see a lot and it is a mistake that is easy for us to grasp a hold of. And here is what the danger is. When we look at how important and central marriage is to God's plan, some can think therefore that marriage is the pinnacle of all human existence. [00:31:31]

Marriage is a blessing, yes. Marriage is good, yes. Marriage is important, yes. But marriage is actually not about marriage. Marriage is about something better, something bigger, something greater to come, namely, the wedding day between Christ and His church. Marriage is about the gospel. Marriage is about what is going to happen in the new heavens and the new earth. Marriage is about how Jesus loves sinners and saves them for Himself, that He is the Bridegroom always wooing and chasing His bride. [00:33:54]

What you realize then is that the Bible is all about a wedding. You realize that the Bible is the greatest romance novel ever written? I bet you never thought of it that way. You think about romance novels, no one ever mentions the Bible. You should mention the Bible. It is the greatest romance novel ever written. It is the romance of God with His people, the church, and He is the great Pursuer, the great Lover. She rebels, she runs off with other gods, she runs off in adulterous relationships, and He pursues her, chases her, loves her, and eventually there will be a wedding when He marries her. [00:36:05]

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Transcript
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