Matthew 19:4-6 NIV

““Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV

EQUATION: Half Hearted Effort + Half Hearted Commitment = Whole Hearted Disappointment.

Lie #3: Marriage is a contract...

"Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

-Matthew 19:6b

What is a contract?

A contract is a legal agreement that outlines the conditions and terms between two parties. If the terms are not fulfilled the contract can be broken.

What is a covenant marriage?

A coventant marriage is a sacred agreement between a man, woman, and God. It's not conditional on the actions of the other but is a lifelong commitment. 

Lie #4: There is no hope for my marriage...

With God all things are possible.

-Matthew 19:26

“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What is hope? 

Biblical hope is a profound confident expectation rooted in faith and trust in God's character and promises, transcending ordinary circumstances. 

Jesus is our hope! 

Genesis 2:24-25; Matthew 19:4-6

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Everytime you believe a lie you empower the liar. 

Four lies that weaken marriage:

Lie #1: I Can Change Him/Her... 

"Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame."

-Genesis 2:25

Lie #2: A good marriage is always 50/50...Archie

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

EQUATION: Half Hearted Effort + Half Hearted Commitment = Whole Hearted Disappointment.

Lie #3: Marriage is a contract...

"Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

-Matthew 19:6b

Lie #4: There is no hope for my marriage...

With God all things are possible.

-Matthew 19:26

 We must learn to identify the lie and replace it with the truth! If a lie can destroy your marriage than truth can transform your marriage.

Genesis 2:18; 21-25 NIV; Deuteronomy 6:5–9 NIV

“The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬, ‭21‬-‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Before culture defined family, God designed it.

1. Start with God's Plan (v. 24)

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Family is God’s idea, not a social invention.

2. Steadily Build Every Day (Duet. 6:5-6)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.

3. Securely Pass Faith On (Deut. 6:7-9)

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.—John 1:12

SCRIPTURE: JOHN 11:21-27

““Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.””

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭21‬-‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Because Jesus lives, your worst moment is never your last chapter.

Uncommon Hope:

1. Reaches Beyond the Present (v. 22)

“if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

2. Rest in God's Promises (v. 23)

"Your brother will rise again."

3. Relies on a person, not a plan. (v. 25)

"I am the resurrection and the life..."

4. Responds with personal faith. (v. 27)

"Yes, I believe you are the Messiah..."

What is your response to Jesus question? Do you believe? 

Scripture: Luke 23:32-35

“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭32‬-‭35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The cross is the place where OUR WORST met GOD'S BEST! 

At the Cross:

1. The seriousness of sin was revealed

They crucified Him... V. 33

• Romans 3:23 — All have sinned
• Romans 6:23 — Sin earns death
• Isaiah 53:5–6 — Our iniquity placed on Him

2. The heart of God was displayed

Father, forgive them... V. 34

• Romans 5:8 — Love demonstrated while we were sinners
• John 3:16 — Love that gives
• 1 John 4:10 — Love defined by sacrifice

3. The response of the people was demanded

Everyone responds: Luke 23:47-49

• The centurion believes
• The crowd watches
• The followers mourn

You can mock it, ignore it, or trust it — but you cannot escape it. Don't just stand near the cross. COME TO THE CROSS!