When the Corinthians asked the Apostle Paul a list of questions about sex, he directed them to consider three categories: 1) Is it lawful? 2) Is it helpful? and 3) Is it enslaving? Pastor Allen encourages married couples to do the same, so that they may be free in Christ to enjoy one another and use whatever freedom they prayerfully agree is acceptable to them.

(This sermon is part of the Real Marriage campaign, which contains original content from: marshill.com/media/real-marriage | © Mark Driscoll Ministries)

Jesus is the unselfish servant, but we are all selfish. Our selfishness is rooted in pride; we believe "I'm more important than you." Proud people are selfish lovers, in and out of the bedroom (and most problems in the bedroom are the result of problems outside of the bedroom). Selfishness shows up in the "little things," the little foxes that gnaw at and destroy the roots of the precious vine of a marriage. Are you proud and selfish, or are you a humble servant, by the grace of God?

(This sermon is part of the Real Marriage campaign, which contains original content from: marshill.com/media/real-marriage | © Mark Driscoll Ministries)

Porn hurts God. Porn hurts men, women, and children. Porn hurts marriages. There is no such thing as free porn. Scott, a former porn addict, has since returned to a vibrant relationship with Jesus, shares his story and realities of the porn. Those of you on the porn path: Jesus died so you can kill your sin before it kills you.

(This sermon is part of the Real Marriage campaign, which contains original content from: marshill.com/media/real-marriage | © Mark Driscoll Ministries)

There are two types of disgrace: sin committed against us and sin we commit. Sin would leave us as shamed, defiled, dirty, but in Jesus, we are cleansed from all unrighteousness if today we turn from sin and trust in him.

(This sermon is part of the Real Marriage campaign, which contains original content from: marshill.com/media/real-marriage | © Mark Driscoll Ministries)

Before sin entered the world, God created sex for marriage between one man and one woman. People distort this gift and tend to see sex as either god or gross. However, the Bible gives six ways in which sex is a gift from God: for pleasure, children, intimacy, protection, comfort, and oneness. When God tells you to be faithful to your spouse, to practice chastity before marriage, to enjoy fidelity within marriage, what he's saying is, "I want the best for you."

(This sermon is part of the Real Marriage campaign, which contains original content from: marshill.com/media/real-marriage | © Mark Driscoll Ministries)

Every house-like any relationship, particularly a marriage-has trash that must be taken out. You're going to sin against each other. Trash is going to accumulate. If you don't take out the trash, it will stink up the whole relationship. Don't fight with criticism, contempt, defensiveness, or stonewalling. Rather, fight to the glory of God by recognizing sin and repenting of sin. Repentance is three things: confession, contrition, and change. It takes a sinner to repent. It takes a victim to forgive. It takes two people to reconcile. The only way your relationship will be enduring and endearing is if repentance of sin and forgiveness of sin are practiced; otherwise, it will not get better, it will get bitter.

(This sermon is part of the Real Marriage campaign, which contains original content from: marshill.com/media/real-marriage | © Mark Driscoll Ministries)

A wife is incredibly powerful in the life of her husband. The wife is to respect her husband (Eph. 5:33), which means "to notice, regard, honor, prefer, defer to, encourage, love, and admire" him. A respectful wife has a head of respect (How do you think about your husband?), a heart of respect (How do you feel about your husband? What do you say about him?), and hands of respect (What do you do for your husband?). A disrespectful wife may be silent and compliant, or loud and contentious. Still, it is possible to disagree respectfully. Do you respect your husband?

(This sermon is part of the Real Marriage campaign, which contains original content from: marshill.com/media/real-marriage | © Mark Driscoll Ministries)

Marriage is a covenant, not a contract. Every covenant-including the new covenant of salvation-has a head, who is ultimately responsible for the covenant. The husband is the covenant head of a marriage; he is responsible for his marriage, his wife, and his kids. Similarly, Christ took that which was not his fault-our sin-and he made it his responsibility on the cross. He is our covenant head.

(This sermon is part of the Real Marriage campaign, which contains original content from: marshill.com/media/real-marriage | © Mark Driscoll Ministries)