[Ron Halbrook, Steven Deaton]

• Introduction:

1.God’s Word: build good marriages, save troubled ones

2.Apply lessons for stable, secure, happy homes—not seek divorce

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24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

I. Put God FirstII. Remember Our Marriage Vows:

Committed Companionship

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1 In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:…

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7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

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26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

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19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

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17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

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6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

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42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

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16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

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4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

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23 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. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

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12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

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14:5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

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4 And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock

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8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. 9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. 10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

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

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12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

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22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

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10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

29:20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

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12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

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15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. 17:14 The beginning of strife

is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

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11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

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11:29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

21:9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

21:19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

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5 Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

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13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

III. Maintain Good Communication H. Sincere Genuine Compliments

Song of Solomon celebrates steadfast love in marriage: Solomon & Shulamite exchange many compliments

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1 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. 2 As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

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12 A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.

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10 I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.

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III. Maintain Good Communication H. Sincere Genuine Compliments

Compliments flow from love, value, & gratitudeThank your mate for many things:

Marrying you Being good mate Helping you to be a better person

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III. Maintain Good Communication H. Sincere Genuine Compliments

Thank your mate for many things: Giving you children; good parent Earn living; household duties Complementing your life Special qualities: patience,

forgiveness, etc. Advice, counsel

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III. Maintain Good Communication J. Restore This Principle If Lost

Communication essential: Unity in the Godhead Relationship with God Companionship in marriage

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III. Maintain Good Communication J. Restore This Principle If Lost

Knew how to communicate at the “first” (Rev. 2:4):

Golden rule, considerate Reflect good character: honest,

open, willing spirit Consider male-female nature

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III. Maintain Good Communication J. Restore This Principle If Lost

Knew how to communicate at the “first” (Rev. 2:4):

Careful use of tongue Sincere genuine compliments Share spiritual blessings

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III. Maintain Good Communication J. Restore This Principle If Lost

Review current communication with mateAsk God’s wisdom & help to renew proper steps

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