Marriage Helps Us Live Pure Lives

Introduction

I. 	Homosexuality and other immoralities seem to have been approved over the last few years.
A. 	National television has carried stories of homosexual “marriages.”
B. 	Pressures are being  put on state legislatures to approve such marriages.
II. 	Since “Woodstock” there has been a deprecating of marriage of one man to one woman.
A. 	Perhaps there is now a tendency toward more moral lives and the sanctity of marriage.
B. 	Some seem to show great appreciation for those who have remained happily married for many years.
III. In this lesson we shall consider God’s teaching on marriage and associated purity of life.

Body

I. 	God determined that the crowning glory of His creation should be joined in marriage.
A. 	Man was honored and placed over the rest of God’s creation.  Ps. 8:1-9.
B. 	God made man male and female.  Gen. 1:26-28.
1. 	God intended for one man and one woman to become one flesh.  Matt. 19:3-12.
a. 	This establishes the serious nature of marriage.  Vss. 3-10.
b. 	Some can live celibate and chaste lives.  
c. 	Not all persons can live righteous lives unmarried.  Vss. 10-12.
2. 	Marriage assists one in being pure in life.  I Cor. 7:1-40.

II. 	God condemns immorality.
A. 	The life styles of the Gentiles of the first century were condemned.  Rom. 1:18-31.
B. 	Sexual immoralities were prominent in the list of the works of the flesh.  Gal. 5:16-21.
C. 	The Corinthians were warned about the immoralities for which they had been forgiven.     I Cor. 6:9-11.

III. 	Marriage is a beautiful relationship which becomes more beautiful with time and which requires much of the partners.
A. 	Commitment requires complete dedication.
1. 	Full time effort must be given to marriage in a similar way to how one is fully committed to having an orderly and clean house.
2. 	Such takes some work every day.  
3. 	The wife and husband must seek what is best for the mate.
4. 	Constant “care” for the other is necessary.
B. 	The married must learn to honor the accomplishments of the mate.
1. 	Husbands may receive honors and rewards in their work.
2. 	Wives, who do not work out of the home, should likewise be rewarded and honored for their work.
		      a.  Husbands, if your wife has been staying home taking care of the house and children,
		           don’t come in saying, “What have you been doing today?”
b. 	Instead, look around and thank her for what she has been doing!
3. 	Avoid criticisms, and give many thanks to your mate.
4. 	Tell your mate you love her or him and show your love by your behavior.

Marriage Helps Us Live Pure Lives, Page 2.

C. 	This lesson means more to me because of my wife of almost 50 years.
1. 	I made many mistakes in life, but she has been willing to forgive me.
2. 	She loved me when I was unlovable.
3. 	She was never severely critical of me in the presence of others.
4. 	She encouraged me in my work and especially in the work of preaching and teaching.
5. 	She has grown in her ability to teach God’s word and is a wondrous help to me as we do the work of teaching others. 

Conclusion

I. 	God expects one man and one woman who have lived chaste lives to marry and remain married for life.
II. 	Those who choose to remain unmarried are to live chaste lives to please God.                
III. 	Marriage can, indeed, help Christians to go to heaven.  
IV. 	If you have found a good mate, you have “found a good thing.”
V. 	In order to go to heaven, we must obey the Lord.  Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:26-27; Rev. 2:10b.

Prepared by:
   David Arnold
   March 12, 2000