OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to Sermons Next  Click to download Audio

IS A “HONEYMOON MARRIAGE” POSSIBLE? (2)

How To Have A Godly (Heavenly) Marriage

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     In a previous lesson, we looked at the topic:  “Is A ‘Honeymoon Marriage’ Possible?”

 

B.      The answer is:  “No.” 

 

C.     The reason was due to the many difficulties that a marriage faces throughout the years. 

 

THE DIFFICULTIES OF MAINTAINING HONEYMOON BLISS

 

Marriage Begins                    Passage of Time (5  to 50+ years)                              Marriage Today

 

 


H                                 C         S          R          N         B          N         S          S               H

O                                 H         T          E          O         A         O         I           P               O

N                                 A         R          L                      D                     N         I                N

E                                  N         U         A         S                      T                      R               E

Y                                  G         G         T          K         H         I                       I                Y

M                                 E          G         I           I           A         M                     T               M

O                                             L          O         L          B          E                      U              O

O                                             E          N         L          I                                   A              O

N                                             S          S          S          T                                  L               N

                                                                                    S                                                                      

 

D.     Instead of a “honeymoon” marriage, all of us should desire to have a godly marriage. 

 

E.      Two verses will lay the groundwork for this section of our lesson:

1.       1 Thessalonians 1:3

 

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.

 

2.       Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

 

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:  a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which has been planted

 

F.      In this lesson, let’s look at some of the things that need to be planted in our homes if they are going to be godly homes.

 

i.                    SINCERE, EARNEST SPIRITUALITY (Phil. 3:7-11)

 

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:  for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

ii.                  TRUST (Prov. 5:15-19)

 

Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.  Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.  Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’s with thee.  Let thy fountain be blessed:  and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.  Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

 

iii.               LOVE (Eph. 5:25; Tit. 2:4)

 

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it….that they may teach the younger women to be sober, to love their husbands…

 

iv.                Kindness (1 Cor. 13:4)

 

Charity suffereth long, and it kind…

 

v.                  Respect (Prov. 31:11-12; 1 Pet. 3:6)

 

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  She will do him good not evil all the days of her life…Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord:  whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

 

vi.                Appreciation (1 Thess. 5:18)

 

In every thing give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

 

vii.             Knowledge (1 Pet. 3:7)

 

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

 

viii.           Maturity (1 Cor. 13:11)

 

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child:  but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

 

ix.                Positive attitude (Phil. 4:13)

 

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

x.                   Contentment (Heb. 13:5)

 

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have…

 

xi.                Forgiveness (Eph. 4:32)

 

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

 

 

 

 

xii.              Joy (Gal. 5:22-23)

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:  against such there is no law.

 

xiii.           Peace (Gal. 5:22-23)

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:  against such there is no law.

 

xiv.            Togetherness (Gen. 2:23-24)

 

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh:  she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife:  and they shall be one flesh.

 

xv.               Affection (SoS 1:2, 2:6)

 

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth…His left hand is under my head, and his right hat doeth embrace me.

 

xvi.            Marriage skills:  finances, communication, problem-solving, role responsibility, etc.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     What exists at the beginning of a marriage is almost impossible to be maintained throughout 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 years of marriage.

 

B.      Most do not really want a “honeymoon marriage.”  Instead, they prefer a “heavenly marriage.”

1.       After years and years of being together, they are glad they said:  “I do.”

2.       After years and years of marriage, they still want to be together.

3.       After year and years of marriage, what they have now is much better than the beginning.

a.       There is a foundation of trust.

b.      There is a maturity of love.

c.       There is a satisfaction of accomplishment.

d.      There is a depth of spirituality.

e.       There is a beauty in years.