"Marriage: Growing in Christ Likeness"
Ephesians 5:22-33

Whatever our background, God's Word is a reliable guide for marriage.

I. Marriage is good, but it has problems.

A. The chaste, pure single life is good. (1 Corinthians 7:1)
B. Marriage is good. (Proverbs 18:22)
C. Marriage needs to be treated with honor. (Hebrews 13:4)
D. Today's media often portray marriage in a negative light.
E. Marriages are bound to have problems because they bring together two sinful people. This is true even for Christians.
F. Finding the "right person" does not solve all our problems.
G. We tend to fixate on our spouse's faults and sins, while overlooking our own.
H. We need to be willing to admit our offenses and ask forgiveness. This is essential to a healthy marriage.

II. Marriage is designed to be a picture of the relationship between Christ and the church.

A. Christ loved the church and sought to reconcile us to Himself. In marriage we must seek reconciliation in our relationship to our mates in spite of sins.
B. Our ambition as the bride of Christ should be to please Him. In marriage we should seek to please our mates. (1 Corinthians 7:33-34) Think of ways to please your mate.
C. Christ lovingly cares for His bride, the church. Husbands should treat their wives with honor and consideration. (1 Peter 3:7) This will improve his prayer life.
D. The church is to be subject to Christ. (Ephesians 5:22-24) The wife should submit to her husband's leadership in the home.
E. Christ has made an eternal covenant with us. (John 10:28) He will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) We have made a commitment to the Lord to always follow Him. Husbands and wives should be committed to each other for life. (Matthew 5:31-32, 19:4-9)