Why is marriage important?

1.  Marriage Sanctifies

Sanctification for the Christian is the lifelong process of being made like Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit, resulting in a changed life for the believer.

Ephesians 5:25-26

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, (All throughout the NT we see the example of Christ and the church compared to husbands and wives.)  26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.

Marriage has the opportunity to grow the fruits of the spirit in our lives.

2.  Marriage is a Witness to the World

The number one enemy of marriage is self-centeredness.

We never look more like Christ than when we are selfless servants in marriage.

Philippians 2:3-4

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

Ephesians 5:22

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.

3.  Marriage is mission minded.

God wants to use your marriage to fulfill his divine purpose for your life.

Regular communication and prayer are vital for cultivating a mission-minded marriage.

1. Praying WITH each other.
2. Praying FOR each other.