Today’s message summary of October 2, 2016 from Pastor Gus Brown:
Marriage is the foundation of all relationships. It started with Adam and Eve.
Marriage relationships can change over time. They can be tough sometimes, and it requires perseverance…and God’s direction.
Every relationship has the possibility of failure with disappointment; however, a relationship with Jesus Christ will assure that He is faithful within the relationship. He gives the human relationship the ability to remain intact and realize success.
In building your marriage relationship, God (the Godhead) desires that you use His method. He wants you to follow His will; otherwise, there will be issues and problems within the relationship.
There are others outside the relationship: friends of you and your spouse, your family and co-workers, who provide support and encouragement through their own relationship with Jesus Christ. It matters who you allow to be in your life when it comes to your marriage relationship.
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of God’s mysteries. In this regard, it is expected of managers that each one of them be found faithful. It is of little importance to me that I should be evaluated by you or by any human court. In fact, I don’t even evaluate myself. For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. The One who evaluates me is the Lord. Therefore don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.
Philippians 2:5
Make you own attitude that of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:27-28
Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith that comes from the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your deliverance–and this is from God.
Colossians 3:18-25
Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and don’t be bitter toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so they won’t become discouraged. Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.
Relationships are a test of your real character. You learn to love your spouse to the degree that you allow that person to also hurt you. In all of this, marriage is a place of growth where you are to trust God.
You learn how to give to others (self-giving and deny self).
Your learning is to achieve the ability to live in a Christlike manner.
A happy relationship involves a much greater challenge than finding a person with whom you live happily ever after because of some strange chemistry that draws and holds two people together.
Are you up for those challenges? Just when you thought you knew someone–surprise! You are still discovering more about your spouse.
Marriage is a relationship where two people are making many choices, both good and bad, adjustments in life, as free individuals who make a deliberate choice to work through problems and continually sacrifice personal freedom and self interest for its benefit.
1 Corinthians 6:12
“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be brought under the control of anything.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24
“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up. No one should seek his own good, but the good of the other person.
Married couples must not let problems rule their life. It must be a constructive relationship (a relationship that builds one another up).
Matthew 22:37-40
He (Jesus) said to Him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”
John 13:34-35
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
The marriage relationship is a declaration and demonstration of love for God. Biblical guidance is to be at the forefront of the relationship.
There will be changes of circumstances and various events within the marriage relationship. There may be a fluctuation of feelings experienced. Things can become overwhelming and there may be feelings of helplessness that will challenge the relationship; however, keeping God as the focus will help the marriage move forward and overcome any issues.
Will you allow the bible to be your guide?
Marriage brings about the challenge of understanding the spouse before God. It can be the most difficult and yet the most rewarding relationship that a person will ever experience. You can also face challenges in relationships with other people, as well. They can sometimes be stressful, but you can overcome all of these issues.
All relationships demand understanding.
No one person can satisfy all of another person’s needs.
All relationships exist with the possibilities of failures and disappointments. Before entering a relationship, it is important to do the following:
- Learn the background of the person
- Find out what their primary needs are
- Determine what the person’s goals are
- Discover if the person is highly driven
- Watch the emotional response to various life events
Knowing these things may help you to understand more about that person before you make a commitment to a relationship.
Akron Alliance Fellowship 