March 17, 2024
Pastor Ryan Cathers
God Loves Marriage... and Singleness.
Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. New International Version
Psalm 119:68 You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees. New Living Translation
Psalm 119:93 I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life. New Living Translation
Psalms 119:35 Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. New Living Translation
Sometimes, God's blessings are a reward for obeying His commands. Sometimes, His blessings are a result of obeying His commands.
God's commands come from God's kindness.
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. English Standard Version
What’s immediately gratifying isn’t always ultimately satisfying.
Marriage is a lifelong and covenantal union between a male and female from different families. Sexual relationships outside of this union are sin.
Following Jesus often means embracing a marriage grounded in covenant love.
Psalm 119:89 Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. 91 Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans. New Living Translation
Ephesians 5:31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. English Standard Version
Christ's love is the model for marriage.
Conditional love says, "I love you as long as you..."
Covenant love says, "I love you because I've chosen you."
Ephesians 5:21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. New Living Translation
Following Jesus often means embracing a marriage grounded in covenant love. Sometimes, it means embracing community-enhanced singleness.
James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. New Living Translation
Matthew 19:29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. New Living Translation