WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE

#1) Why is marriage to be honored by all?

The Bible clearly tells us that marriage is good and important. Why? There are THREE reasons:

First, it is God's plan for human beings to live as husband and wife.
 As God said in Genesis 2:18, "It is not good for man to be alone." And, in most cases, the best
companion is a spouse.
o Much of the time it is easier for men to get along with other men, and women to relate to
other women.
 But none can replace the part of husband and wife.
o Men and women are biologically complementary.
 Our differences enable us to produce children, and to find a healthy pleasure in sexual
intimacy.
 But our differences also make us emotionally and even spiritually
complementary.
 That is why God says in Genesis 2:24 “For this reason a man will leave his father
and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Secondly, marriage is good and important because it makes husbands better men.
 According to research, men who are married work harder, make more money, commit less crime, are
more honest, more generous, healthier, and much happier than men who are single.
o Being accountable to a wife and caring for a family cause men to be more responsible.

The THIRD reason marriage is important is because it provides unique opportunities for spiritual growth, for
both men and women.
 Now, I'm certainly not claiming married people are somehow spiritually superior to singles.
o But I the marriage relationship is a means of grace which God uses to help us become more
like Christ.

 One obvious way is the accountability which often exists between husband and wife.

 Living under the same roof and sleeping in the same bed year after year provide
excellent opportunities to encourage each other in our Christian walk, and to correct
each other when one strays from the path.

 Ephesians 5 Gives instructions about marriage:

 Sacrifice and submission are the key words in a biblical marriage.

o Scripture says sacrifice is primarily the husband's responsibility and

submission, the wife's.

 But I want you to note that sacrifice and submission are also
important parts of being a Christian and following Christ.

 Jesus calls us to lose our lives so we might find them, and

to follow Him wherever He leads.
 So a biblical marriage which is full of sacrifice and
submission helps us grow as a Christian.