What the Bible Says about Singleness and Marriage

Notes: What the Bible Says about Singleness and Marriage

Ephesians 5

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: Live, Love, Fight

Thursday, May 21, 2015 — 7:00 p.m

One happy marriage...is that even possible?

Most marriages have not been done God's way and it shows in our culture.

Greg has been married for 41 years.

He says he has seen lots of married couples. Most could have been saved from divorce if they followed the Bible’s advice.

Irreconcilable differences are always in all marriages and it is not a reason for divorce.

Good marriages are the fruit of a lot of effort and hard work.

Hebrews 13:5 NLT

[5] Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you."

We are called to be content where we are now!

Singles need to look for a Godly person. Look for someone more Godly than you.

1 Corinthians 7:32-35 NLT

[32] I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord's work and thinking how to please him. [33] But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. [34] His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. [35] I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.

It is practical to say you need to think about your spouse.

Proverbs 18:22 NLT

[22] The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD.

If you are single, use your time for God's glory.

Every marriage is going to be tried and tested. If you build it on the relationship of Jesus Christ, it will survive.

Matthew 7:24-27 NLT

[24] "Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. [25] Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock. [26] But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. [27] When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."

If you build a marriage on shifting emotions and feelings then it will collapse.

Is your marriage on the Rock or is it on the rocks?

Greg says he has been married to 5 different women, the same woman that has changed over time 5 times.

When life is over, the three things that really seem to matter are, faith, family and friends.

Wedlock should be a padlock.

If marriage is miserable, the fault lies with the participants, not the institution.

We all need God's help to do it God's way.

Ephesians 5:13-21 NLT

[13] But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, [14] for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light." [15] So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. [16] Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. [17] Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. [18] Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, [19] singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. [20] And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. [21] And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

If you want a successful marriage:

1. Shine the light of God's word on it.

Ephesians 5:13 NLT

[13] But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them,

It's no good to search for something if you are looking in the wrong place. If you need counseling, get Biblical counseling.

The advice Greg gives: If you don't agree with what the Bible says, then you are wrong!

2. Wake up!

Ephesians 5:14 NLT

[14] for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light."

The moment you neglect it, it will suffer.

Culture doesn't support the family.

3. Walk carefully.

Ephesians 5:15 NLT

[15] So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise.

When we read the scriptures we can see what God has approved.

Victory is not won by evacuation.

4. Use your time wisely.

Ephesians 5:16 NLT

[16] Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Is your house in order?

5. Be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 NLT

[18] Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

We need the power of the Spirit.

If you are a Spirit filled person then you will be a submitting spouse.

The spirit filled spouse puts the needs of the spouse above their own.

Marriage is not so much about finding the right person; it's about being the right person.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

[13] The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

We have all given into temptation. But there is always a way out.

Sometimes the way out is as simple as walking away from a temptation.

Acts 4:8 NLT

[8] Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of our people,

Acts 4:29-31 NLT

[29] And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. [30] Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus." [31] After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

1. The word used to say, "filled" by the Spirit is the same that would be describing filling a sail with wind.

2. It describes the idea of permeation, like salt permeating meat.

3. It carries the idea of total control

Galatians 5:16-17 NLT

[16] So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. [17] The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

The Holy Spirit in our lives has come to show us what we need to do.

Get your house in order.

When you are right with God then you don't have to be afraid.