The opposite of a covenant relationship is often the reality of marriage in modern America. However, that is the opposite of what God designed marriage to be because He designed marriage to be a covenant relationship.
“Meant To Be A Covenant Relationship”
Malachi 2:10-16
Sermon Series: “Meant To Be”
Introduction: The opposite of a covenant relationship is often the reality of marriage in modern America. However, that is the opposite of what God designed marriage to be because He designed marriage to be a covenant relationship. So, we need to see that marriage is a civil contract (which is necessary), but Christian marriage is also a spiritual covenant between two people and also with God (Proverbs 2:17). What does that mean? It is a concept that we need a better understanding of. Therefore, we are going to look at the background of God’s covenants with us to see what it means to be in a marriage covenant.
1. Definition of Covenant: The Revell Concise Bible Dictionary defines covenant as “a formal, binding agreement defining relationships and responsibilities between two or more parties.”
2. The Major Biblical Covenants: With Noah (Genesis 9), with Abraham (Genesis 12, 15), with Moses (Exodus), with David (2 Samuel 7), and the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8).
3. Key Components of God’s Covenants:
A. A covenant is a bond between persons.
B. A covenant is a binding oath.
C. A covenant entails unbreakable commitments.
D. A covenant is an expression of gracious, unconditional love.
E. A covenant is marked by an outward sign (usually involving blood).
4. These key components give us an outline of what the marriage covenant is.
5. Implications for Marriage:
A. It takes two people making a mutual, unconditional, loving commitment for marriage to work. Two people mutually doing this will make a great marriage, but sometimes we have to choose to do this when the other person doesn’t or can’t reciprocate what we are doing. Commitment to the covenant is key because we do not know what life is going to throw at us, often what attracts us before marriage repels us after marriage, and we change.
B. Dr. Lori Arwood, our church counselor, said, “There is a commitment level and a satisfaction level. The commitment level is supposed to be 100% fixed when you made your vows, but the satisfaction level is fluid. They are
“Meant To Be A Covenant Relationship”
Malachi 2:10-16
Sermon Series: “Meant To Be”
Introduction: The opposite of a covenant relationship is often the reality of marriage in modern America. However, that is the opposite of what God designed marriage to be because He designed marriage to be a covenant relationship. So, we need to see that marriage is a civil contract (which is necessary), but Christian marriage is also a spiritual covenant between two people and also with God (Proverbs 2:17). What does that mean? It is a concept that we need a better understanding of. Therefore, we are going to look at the background of God’s covenants with us to see what it means to be in a marriage covenant.
1. Definition of Covenant: The Revell Concise Bible Dictionary defines covenant as “a formal, binding agreement defining relationships and responsibilities between two or more parties.”
2. The Major Biblical Covenants: With Noah (Genesis 9), with Abraham (Genesis 12, 15), with Moses (Exodus), with David (2 Samuel 7), and the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8).
3. Key Components of God’s Covenants:
A. A covenant is a bond between persons.
B. A covenant is a binding oath.
C. A covenant entails unbreakable commitments.
D. A covenant is an expression of gracious, unconditional love.
E. A covenant is marked by an outward sign (usually involving blood).
4. These key components give us an outline of what the marriage covenant is.
5. Implications for Marriage:
A. It takes two people making a mutual, unconditional, loving commitment for marriage to work. Two people mutually doing this will make a great marriage, but sometimes we have to choose to do this when the other person doesn’t or can’t reciprocate what we are doing. Commitment to the covenant is key because we do not know what life is going to throw at us, often what attracts us before marriage repels us after marriage, and we change.
B. Dr. Lori Arwood, our church counselor, said, “There is a commitment level and a satisfaction level. The commitment level is supposed to be 100% fixed when you made your vows, but the satisfaction level is fluid. They are two different things. Sometimes what happens is that when the satisfaction level drops we start looking to things outside the marriage instead of doing whatever it takes to make it work.”
C. Sex is the outward sign of the marriage covenant so it is designed for expression only in a covenant relationship.
D. Living out of and living out the gospel then becomes the key to fulfilling our marriage covenant. Tim Keller has written, “The key to a marriage is simply reenacting the gospel to each other. You can talk about communication skills or other stuff, and they’re all good, but basically knowing how to forgive and knowing how to repent… If you both can forgive and repent, it doesn’t matter how different you are, you’ll be okay. Two Christians who are married [can make it], no matter how incompatible… if you can repent and forgive.”
Conclusion-Application: Jesus died to bring you into a covenant relationship with God. We do not have to try to make ourselves right with God. We can humble ourselves to receive grace through faith in Jesus and then live out of that covenant in marriage and every aspect of life, guided and empowered by the gospel.