Sun., Nov. 7 — Some Thoughts on Marriage, Pt. 1

“Our lack of concern for the integrity of marriage, and our own accommodation to the new ideals of personal autonomy and self-fulfillment is observed by the world beyond the church. The recovery of a marriage culture in secular America is a long shot. Given the long-term trends and the lack of a public consensus, nothing dramatic is likely to happen... The real question is whether the church will recover a marriage culture in our own sphere. This will require a recovery of resolve and conviction, and the re-assertion of a biblical concept of the church as the body of Christ, with individual members living in fellowship, discipline, and mutual accountability under the authority of God’s Word. This means that, for Christian couples, our marriages are not our own private affairs, but crucial arenas for living out faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ. Just imagine how Christian credibility would be demonstrated when, against the trend of marriage decline in the secular culture, researchers would report that one group stands as an obvious exception—the followers of Jesus Christ.” —R. Albert Mohler

1.  Marriage is God's idea.

     Genesis 2:20-24 

2.  God is the one who assigns meaning to the word marriage.

3.  God is the one who regulates marriage

4.  Marriage is not a sacrament

Roman Catholic statements:

     "Sacraments are outward signs of inward grace, instituted by   Christ for our sanctification."

     "According to the teaching of the Catholic Church, accepted today by many Episcopalians, the sacraments of the Christian dispensation are not mere signs; they do not merely signify Divine grace, but in virtue of their Divine institution, they cause that grace in the souls of men."

5.  Marriage is a civil ordinance, not a church ordinance.

     Marriage pre-exists the church.

“Why is marriage considered to be any of the law’s business in the first place? Because the state asserts an interest in the outcomes of certain unions, separate from and independent of the interests of the parties themselves. In the absence of the institution of marriage, the individuals could arrange their relationship whatever way they wanted to, making it temporary or permanent, and sharing their worldly belongings in whatever way they chose. Marriage means that the government steps in, limiting or even prescribing various aspects of their relations with each other—and still more their relationship with whatever children may result from their union. In other words, marriage imposes legal restrictions, taking away rights that individuals might otherwise have. Yet ‘gay marriage’ advocates depict marriage as an expansion of rights to which they are entitled. They argue against a ‘ban on gay marriage’ but marriage has for centuries meant a union of a man and a woman. There is no gay marriage to ban.” —Thomas Sowell

6.  Marriage is not 1 man + 1 woman, but 1 man + 1 woman for life.

     Matthew 19:6; Mark 10:9

“Our first father, Adam,  was confined to one wife; and, if he had put her away, there was no other for him to marry, which plainly intimated that the bond of marriage was not to be dissolved at pleasure.” — Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible, Genesis 1, p. 1o

7.  Marriage is a picture of the relationship between Christ and his bride, the church.

      Ephesians 5:21-32

8.  Marriage by a Christian must always be to another Christian.

     2 Corinthians 6:14

9.  Marriage between a Christian and an unbeliever is to be maintained as long as the unbeliever is content to stay.

     1 Corinthians 7:12-13

10.  Marriage is not living happily ever after

11.  Sexual congress alone does not a marriage make.

       Marriage consists of leaving and cleaving, as well. Genesis 2:24

       See quote under #12, below

12.  Sexual activity outside of marriage is forbidden

“Many women callers to my radio show have told me that the man in their life sees no reason to marry. ‘It’s only a piece of paper,’ these men (and now some women) argue. There are two answers to this argument. One is that if in fact ‘it is only a piece of paper,’ what exactly is he so afraid of? Why does he fear a mere piece of paper? Either he is lying to himself and to his woman or lying only to her because he knows this piece of paper is far more than ‘only a piece of paper.’ The other response is all that is written above. Getting married means I am now your wife, not your live-in; I am now your husband, not your significant other. It means that we get to have a wedding where, before virtually every person alive who means anything to us, we commit ourselves to each other. It means that we have decided to bring all these people we love into our lives. It means we have legal obligations to one another. It means my family becomes yours and yours becomes mine... When you realize all that is attainable by marrying and unattainable by living together without marrying, you have to wonder why anyone would voluntarily choose not to marry the person he or she wishes to live with forever.” —Dennis Prager

    1Corinthians 6:9; Revelation 22:15

Sun., Oct. 31 Bible Class Notes — John 2:1-11

John 2:1-11  And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: (2) And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. (3) And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. (4) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. (5) His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. (6) And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. (7) Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. (8) And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. (9) When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, (10) And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. (11) This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Introduction: In these few verses Christ, by his actions, commends marriage, celebration, and the rightful use of wine in addition to demonstrating the power of God in his first miracle.

Verse 1: And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

The third day: either from his discourse with Nathaniel (John 1:43) or of the marriage feast.

Jewish wedding feasts lasted seven to eight days.

Two Canas, therefore the mention of Galilee, about 6 mi. from Nazareth.

Verse 2: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

Andrew, and the other disciple, that followed Jesus, and Simon Peter, and Philip, and Nathanael

Verse 3: And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

The wine either had run out or was running out.

Embarrassment to the host

An additional six people did not make things any better.

Mary had as yet seen no miracles, so why did she put Jesus on the spot?

Verse 4: Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

Use of woman vs. mother — not a disrespectful address

“Woman, what have I to do with thee?” — What is that between us? It is not our responsibility to provide the food and wine.

“mine hour is not yet come.” — to perform miracles

Verse 6: And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

Waterpots of stone. Many fragments of clay pots existed into recent history; none of stone.

Stone pots were used for purification because they were less susceptible to contamination

1 firkin = 8.5 to 9 gal. These pots would hold about 20 gal + or -.

Verses 7-9: No actions of Jesus are recorded. The liquid went in as water and came out as wine.

This miracle was done by the will of God alone. Jesus willed it and it happened.

Verse 10: And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

This description proves the wine was wine and not grape juice.

Good wine is always served first. Once the taste buds have had sufficient alcohol to become somewhat dulled, the lesser quality wine is served and most will not know the difference.

This wine was so good that it was immediately noticeable.

“well drunk” ≠ to being drunk, but to having imbibed enough to have destroyed “the keenness of their taste” (Barnes).

“worse” = inferior

“good wine” refers to quality, not to alcoholic content.

Verse 11: This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

This is Jesus’ first miracle. Fantastic stories (such as found in the Gospel of Thomas) of childhood miracles are complete fabrications and insulting to the dignity of the Savior.

Only God could have performed this miracle.

The disciples faith was cemented and confirmed.

Conclusion:

Jesus was sociable.

Jesus approved of marriage, finding it honorable.

Jesus was not an ascetic, but approved of the festivities of the wedding.

Jesus was gracious in performing this miracle.

The turning of water into wine was a “sign” that Jesus was truly the Messiah, the Son of God.

NEXT SUNDAY: Some thoughts on marriage and some things you can do to foster a long and happy marriage.

Sunday 11/14: Some thoughts on the use on non-use of alcohol.