Sermons

S.R. Genesis 2:18-24

PowerPoint Presentation

Introduction: Marriage Re-defined.

1. Historical Events:
   1. Assassination of John F.- Nov. 1963
   2. Resignation of Richard August,  1974  
   3. Supreme Ct. Decision:  Roe v. Wade – liberalized abortion Jan. 1973
      1. Result over 50 million babies were aborted
      2. Slowly but surely those laws are being rescinded, one state at a time.
      3. The cultural tide has shifted from Pro–abortion to Pro–life.
   4. Supreme Ct. Decision:  June 26,Obergefell v. Hodges

Outline

1. Background of Recent Supreme Court Decision
   1. Justice John Roberts:  "If you are among the many Americans – of whatever sexual orientation – who favor expanding same-sex marriage, by all means celebrate today's decision. Celebrate the achievement of a desired goal. …Celebrate the availability of new benefits," he wrote "But do not celebrate the Constitution. It had nothing to do with it."
   2. Justice Antonin Scalia:  "When the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified in 1868, every State limited marriage to one man and one woman, and no one doubted the constitutionality of doing so. That resolves these cases."
   3. Justice Anthony Kennedy: "The generations that wrote and ratified the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment did not presume to know the extent of freedom in all of its dimensions, and so they entrusted to future generations a character protecting the right of all persons to enjoy liberty as we learn its meaning."
      1. This was not a judicial decision based upon law but rather an expansion of legislation by the judicial branch of government.
   4. The tide has turned:  United States vs. Windsor
      1. In 2001, 57 percent of Americans opposed same-sex marriage. Today, 57 percent support it, according to the Pew Research Center.
      2. Antonin Scalia wrote in 2013 (Windsor) in the minority dissent:  "By formally declaring anyone opposed to same-sex marriage an enemy of human decency, the majority arms well every challenger to a state law restricting marriage to its traditional definition,"
   5. Robert George, May 2014 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast (https://americanprinciplesproject.org/social-issues/robert-p-george-speaks-at-national-catholic-prayer-breakfast/)
      1. “The days of socially acceptable Christianity are over… It is no longer easy to be a faithful Christian,… an authentic witness to the truths of the Gospel. A price is demanded and must be paid. There are costs of discipleship – heavy costs, costs that are burdensome and painful to bear.
      2. Powerful forces and currents in our society press us to be ashamed of the Gospel – ashamed of the good, ashamed of our (Scriptures AY) teachings on the sanctity of human life in all stages and conditions, ashamed of our faith’s teachings on marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife. These forces insist that the (Bible AY) teachings are out of date, retrograde, insensitive, uncompassionate, illiberal, bigoted even hateful. These currents bring pressure on all of us – and on young (Christians) in particular – to yield to this insistence. They threaten us with consequences if we refuse to call what is good evil, and what is evil good. They command us to conform our thinking to their orthodoxy, or else say nothing at all…
      3. Do you believe, as I believe, that every member of the human family, irrespective of age or size or stage of development or condition of dependency, is the bearer of inherent dignity and an equal right to life? Do you hold that the precious child in the womb, as a creature made in the very image and likeness of God, deserves respect and protection? Then, powerful people and institutions say, you are a misogynist – a hater of women, someone who poses a threat to people’s privacy, an enemy of women’s “reproductive freedom.” You ought to be ashamed!
      4. Do you believe, as I believe, that the core social function of marriage is to unite a man and woman as husband and wife to be mother and father to children born of their union? Do you hold, as I hold, that the norms that shape marriage as a truly conjugal partnership are grounded in its procreative nature – ts singular aptness for the project of child-rearing? Do you understand marriage as the uniquely comprehensive type of bond – comprehensive in that it unites spouses in a bodily way and not merely at the level of hearts and minds – that is oriented to and would naturally be fulfilled by their conceiving and rearing children together? Then these same forces say you are a homophobe, a bigot, someone who doesn’t believe in equality. You even represent a threat to people’s safety.”
2. Two Views of Marriage
   1. In 2010, an article Ryan T. co-wrote – with Sherif Girgis, a Ph.D. student at Princeton, and Robert P. George, a visiting professor at Harvard – got so much attention after appearing in the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, the three decided to expand the topic. In December 2012, their book, What is Marriage: Man and Woman: A Defense was published.
   2. In book, “What is Marriage?” two views of marriage are contrasted.  The book does not argue for marriage from a religious perspective, but rather from the definition of and societal benefits of marriage.
   3. Let’s compare the two views from a societal and then a biblical perspective.
   4. Marriage is:
      1. “Getting married is the boldest and most idealistic thing that most of us will ever do.” (The Case for Marriage. (Maggie Gallagher and Linda Waite, 2001)
      2. Marriage is a radical act that expresses complete trust and confidence in the fidelity and faithfulness of one person, your spouse, to protect your every vulnerability.
      3. That is precisely why it is treachery and covenant breaking to prove unfaithful to that solemn trust pledged in the presence of God.
3. Marriage is God’s (Genesis 2:18-24; Mark 10:1-12)
   1. God could not have been talking about Adam and Eve because they didn’t have a father and mother to leave.
      1. Note:  This was a pronouncement for all generations.  Jesus clearly implies:
   2. Marriage is for a man and a
      1. A man is joined to his wife.
         1. Male and “From the beginning of creation” (Mark 10:6)
         2. That is the only kind of marriage that God has ever approved.
      2. There is no marriage otherwise.
   3. Marriage is for one man and one woman.
      1. Polygamy is not approved by this statement.
      2. Polygamy was tolerated later, but from the beginning it was not so.
      3. God gave Adam one wife. That is His plan. 
   4. Sexual Relationship is approved in marriage and only in marriage.
      1. Some claim that the sexual relationship is tainted and is not for those who are holy.
      2. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed (Gk. koite) undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” (Hebrews 13:4)
      3. God created the “one flesh” relationship (1 Corinthians 6:16-18)
         1. The only relationship in which God authorizes sexual pleasure is marriage.
         2. Outside of that relationship God calls it fornication.
      4. Sensual conduct, whether or not it results in fornication, is clearly condemned by God and the participant shall not inherit the kingdom of (Galatians 5:19-21)
   5. Jesus drew two more clear implications from what the Father said in (Mark 10:8-9) “and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
      1. "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh.” 
         1. God did not specifically state that in Genesis 2:24 but Jesus recognized that it was implied.
         2. When you get married you join a union in which you are one in the Lord.
         3. Anyone who is determined to maintain all of his/her personal preferences, likes and dislikes and refuses to be blended into one is not ready to get married.
         4. If you must do your own thing and selfishly must have your way then remain single.
         5. A marriage companion unselfishly acquiesces personal preference for the good of the
         6. One unit – you are only a half of something – must be together to be whole.
         7. When your spouse is gone, a part of you is ripped asunder and you are maimed and crippled.
      2. Jesus then states the most significant implication ofaa. It is God’s law of marriage for all time.  “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
         1. That is God’s law of marriage.
         2. Get the law firmly in your mind.
         3. Please don’t make a commitment to marriage if your focus is upon an exception clause. (Matthew 19:9)
         4. If you enter the relationship looking for a way out you will create one.
         5. Please don’t let anyone (husband, wife, parents, children, friends, judge, legislators, separate what God has joined together.)
         6. If you are tempted to keep your relationship hidden from anyone, especially parents, you are in grave danger of entering a marriage that will not last.
4. Conclusion:
   1. Be careful of adopting a revisionist definition of marriage as merely a romantic emotional attachment.
   2. Marriage is a God–designed and defined covenant that binds a man and woman together for
      1. (Proverbs 2:17) “Who forsakes the companion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God.”
      2. (Malachi 2:14) God hates divorce.
         1. Yet you say, "For what reason?" Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant.”
         2. "For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one's garment with violence," Says the LORD of hosts. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously."
   3. Civil government may or may not correctly reflect God’s perspective regarding what constitutes (cf. Acts 5:29)
      1. Justice Anthony Kennedy was correct, “No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family."
      2. He was incorrect in his definition of what constitutes marriage.
      3. Only God has the right to define, as Creator, what marriage is and whom may participate in its privileges and responsibilities.
      4. Hebrews 13: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
   4. God wants the very best for you and your spouse in marriage according to His design.
      1. God places parameters around our marital relationships to protect and (Deuteronomy 6:24). “The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today.”
      2. “Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun,” (Ecclesiastes 9:9).