The Mission of Marriage

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Sermon Notes

May 13, 2012

The Mission of Marriage Aaron Brockett | Ephesians 5:28:-33

The mission of marriage

“A Christian understanding of marriage is based on a straightforward reading of the Biblical texts. This means we are defining marriage as a lifelong, monogamous relationship between a man and a woman. According to the Bible, God devised marriage to reflect His saving love for us in Christ, to refine our character, to create stable human community for the birth and nurture of children, and to accomplish all this by bringing the complementary sexes into an enduring whole-life union. Therefore, this Christian vision for marriage is not something that can be realized by two people of the same sex.”

— Tim Keller, The Meaning of Marriage

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. — Ephesians 5:28-33 (ESV)

“Happy marriages are based on a deep friendship. By this I mean a mutual respect for and enjoyment of each other’s company. These couples tend to know each other intimately—they are well versed in each other’s likes, dislikes, personality quirks, hopes, and dreams. They have an abiding regard for each and express this fondness not just in the big ways but in little ways day in and day out. Friendship fuels the flames of romance because it offers the best protection against feeling adversarial toward your spouse.”

— John Gottman

Marital friendship is … transparent.

Marital friendship is … investment.

Marital friendship is … acceptance.

Marital friendship is … sympathetic.

Marital friendship is … productive.

Marital friendship is … enjoyable.

Husbands, be friends with your wives as Christ is a friend to the church.