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Monday, August 11, 2014
“The Home: An Education”
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Episode Transcript:
You’re listening to The New You, the daily broadcast for people who have been made new by the blood of Christ. I’m Robert Hatfield, and here is today’s Scripture:
“Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mat. 19:4-6)
These are the words of Jesus in Matthew 19, a passage that is extremely clear, yet fairly controversial in our day and time. The subjects of marriage and the family are hot topics right now, aren’t they? Just this past weekend, Emily and I were in downtown Charleston, SC celebrating our anniversary. When we arrived we noticed a lot of commotion and celebration. There were parade floats and people were dressed up. Then we were able to get a closer look. This was the annual “pride parade,” a time when the LGBT movement in our country is literally paraded on the main streets of downtown Charleston.
Listen, I want to be clear. I don’t hate anyone, and I don’t believe that God hates anyone. While we certainly didn’t hang around to watch the parade, I did notice as we walked past that some people carried signs proclaiming the love of God for all mankind. To that I say, “Amen!” I know that God loves everyone and that Christ died for every soul who has ever lived and who ever will live. But, as Paul put it, “shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid!” (Rom. 6:1-2, KJV).
This week on the program, we’re going to be studying about God’s pattern for the home. Today, we begin with the very words of the Savior Who loves us all. In Matthew 19, Jesus gives us an education about the home.
First, notice the PLAN. The Lord says, “have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female’…?” (Mat. 19:4). That’s a fact, isn’t it? When God created the institution of the home, He created it between one man and one woman (Gen. 2:18-25). This is God’s plan.
Second, notice the PRESCRIPTION. Again, hear the Lord’s words: “A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife” (Mat. 19:5). Jesus is quoting Genesis 2:24 here. Once that man and that woman have been joined together in marriage, they now constitute a home of their own. Do they kick their family to the curb? Well of course not. However, that man is to be the head of his house, and that woman is to be a keeper of her home. They have responsibilities and are expected to provide for themselves. This is God’s prescription.
Third, notice the PERMANENCE of this bond. Jesus says that the man and the woman are to “be joined.” Other translations say “to cleave.” The word literally means to stay “glued” to each other. Romans seven tells us that the marriage bond lasts as long as both the husband and the wife live (Rom. 7:2-3). We better heed the word of the Lord, my friends!
Fourth, there is the PRECIOUSNESS of this marriage bond. Jesus says, “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mat. 19:6). Who joined them together? Was it the preacher who officiated the service? No.Was it the judge who issued the marriage license? No. See, marriage is not an institution created by man or by the government. This is an institution from God. As such, God joins the man and the woman together. And, consequently, they better conduct themselves in accordance with God’s Will. Further, why do our lawmakers think that it is up to them to redefine marriage today? Marriage belongs to God, my friends.
Fifth, notice the PROTECTION aspect of marriage. Jesus states that fornication is the only acceptable reason in God’s sight for a marriage to be dissolved (Mat. 19:9). May our marriages never end for such sin! This reminds me of the reason Paul gives in 1 Corinthians 7: “Because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband” (1 Cor. 7:2). Marriage is designed to keep us pure of sexual sin. Remember that the Hebrews writer says that the marriage bed is undefiled (Heb. 13:4).
Let’s wrap it up: Let’s do marriage God’s way. Please notice that my words today aren’t my own, but they are the very words of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 19:4-9. This is the truth. May God help us to speak it, apply it, practice it, and defend it.
Oh, and by the way: remember that you have a personal responsibility in your own marriage to uphold these truths. Those who point the finger at others while neglecting their own faithfulness to God are unwise (cf. Rom. 2:1-11).
Memory Verse: This week, we want to focus on the first two verses of the first Psalm. May God help us to keep ourselves from evil.
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psa. 1:1-2).
Sometime today: Read Ephesians 5:22-33. As you read, focus especially on God’s will for husbands. More on that tomorrow.
OUTRO:
Thanks for joining today me on The New You. New episodes of this broadcast are released each weekday, Monday through Friday, from The Light Network. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts are available there, too, at thelightnetwork.tv.
I welcome your questions, comments, or suggestions for the show! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-26-LIGHT, that’s 903-265-4448. I’d love to hear from you!
This is The New You, I’m Robert Hatfield, and I hope you have a great day!