Human marriage reflects the spiritual relationship between Christ and the Church. Even though we live out our marriages in the flesh, marriage is a spiritual relationship as much as it is a physical relationship… and it’s a relationship that is desirable and purposeful. Has God Given Us Instructions to Follow For Marriage?Or, are we left on our own to figure the rest of it out? Are we left wondering what God really intended? The answer is: God our creator has indeed given us sound instructions regarding marriage… The First MarriageThe importance of marriage in the bible is perhaps best seen in its placement in the book. After creation itself the bible begins with… a married couple. In the beginning God made two models in His own likeness or after His own kind. One was male and the other was female - Gen 1:27 (note: the fact that they were different sexually but still both in God’s image tells us that sexuality or gender is not a factor in being made in God’s image).God the creator gave the man and the woman the ability to reproduce through sex… “be fruitful and increase in number”! They had body parts that fit together in an obvious manner that made reproduction and increase happen. This is a truth from biology and creation that should be self evident. And what did God say about this self evident reality? He looked at what He had made and said “this is good” – Gen 1:31.Sexuality is more than just having the right parts. It is the centerpiece of a relationship that takes place on a very high level… a God plane relationship… marriage between a man and a woman… which teaches us about the relationship of Christ and the Church… of which you are part.Gen 2:18Man was not designed to be alone… a man is designed to be with a woman. Likewise the woman was explicitly and specifically made to be a companion on his own level. Regarding the word help or helper: it’s a translation of the Hebrew word ay'-zer, used 21 times in OT… mostly to describe God in action. For example: “We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield” Ps 33:20 … so its not necessarily conveying the sense of subordination we have in our common use of the word “helper” in the English language.I say this to emphasize the high level of the husband and wife relationship… the God plane level of this marriage relationship between two beings each made in the image of God. We will cover roles of male and female in marriage later on in the message.Nor is this intended as a slam against single people. A single person can also be whole and complete. Jesus was single…. Paul drew out the spiritual significance of singleness in his epistles… but right now we are specifically discussing marriage.Where Do We Find The Most Important Biblical Teaching on Marriage?Gen 2:24-25– once again its right here at the very beginning of the book. From this short verse we are going to find 4 fundamental concepts regarding marriage. Leaving/Joining/Oneness/Goodness/and then I am going to add another… AuthorityONE: Leaving Your Father & Mother… to Establish a New Family UnitHonoring your parents, closeness, seeking their advice is a good thing… and advisable. But, you two are a new family unit. The family you grew up in had their own way of doing things… but that does not mean your spouse will want to do things the same way. Their family had their own manners & traditions which they likely see as equally valid. So, you must learn to work together, in harmony. Showing respect, honor, understanding and love toward each other. This sounds like something very simple like you learned in kindergarten… yet, it is a highly spiritual principle and one that reflects the relationship between Christ and the church.TWO: Joined & United TogetherAnother way to say it might be to bond together… other than bonding with God, bonding with your spouse should be your highest commitment and priority. We build that bond through actions… physical affection, hugs, kissing, affectionate and kind words,