Preaching: Tim Shaw "True Christian Marriage" XX. Colossians Colossians 3:18-19

This week on Wheat Among the Tares, Pastor Steve Williamson joins us for Part 3 of the series, Better Together. We will explore the tenets of "Marriage Is Like A Box", and what is needed to have a Christ-honoring marriage...

In Proverbs 6:20–35, Solomon shows how godly wisdom protects us from the seductive influence of the strange woman and the devastating consequences of sexual sin. The central question is how believers can recognize temptation before it leads to compromise and destruction. This message explains how wisdom, godly counsel, and a clear view of sin's consequences can guard our purity, marriages, and future.

The sermon challenges modern churches to evaluate their growth not by numerical success or human metrics, but by spiritual fidelity and adherence to biblical truth. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 3, the message emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the only valid foundation for any church structure, warning against building with durable materials like gold and silver rather than combustible ones like wood and hay. It highlights the danger of spiritual immaturity and division, which stem from prioritizing personality cults and human wisdom over Christ-centered unity. The preacher asserts that God alone owns and evaluates the church as His holy temple, making faithfulness in construction more critical than visible expansion. Ultimately, the congregation is urged to focus on eternal durability and obedience to God's standards rather than temporary, worldly approval.

This sermon provides a comprehensive overview of biblical eschatology, distinguishing the distinct destinies of the church, Israel, and the nations. It argues for a pre-tribulational rapture, asserting that the church will be caught up to meet Christ in the air before the seven-year period of the Day of the Lord. The teaching contrasts the church's destiny of reward and marriage with the nations' and Israel's experience of judgment and tribulation, supported by key passages such as 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5. The sermon outlines the subsequent events, including the Second Coming, the binding of Satan, and the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom, emphasizing the hope of Christ's return and the ultimate restoration of all things.

This sermon outlines God's comprehensive plan for marriage, emphasizing five key foundations including reflecting the image of God and raising godly children. The primary focus rests on companionship, drawing from Genesis to illustrate that humans are created as social beings who need a partner to complete them. The speaker highlights the practical benefits of this union, such as increased productivity, mutual support during trials, and spiritual protection against external attacks. A significant portion is dedicated to the principle of leaving parents to cleave to one's spouse, warning against in-law interference and verbal abuse while urging couples to build each other up through grace-filled words. Ultimately, the message calls believers to view their marriages as a testimony to the world by honoring God's design for unity and new family units.

The sermon exhorts husbands to love their wives with a self-sacrificial, Christ-like standard that transcends mere provision. It contrasts this high calling with the destructive nature of bitterness, urging men to eliminate anger and sharp words from their interactions. Drawing heavily on 1 Corinthians 13, the speaker defines biblical love as patient, kind, humble, and free from envy or pride. The message challenges husbands to reject double standards and manipulative behaviors in favor of genuine servanthood and consistent encouragement. Ultimately, it calls for a lifelong commitment to spiritual maturity and unconditional affection within the marriage covenant.

In Proverbs 6:12–19, Solomon warns about the "naughty person"—a wicked person whose speech, intentions, and actions are bent toward corrupting others and creating division. This message examines five characteristics Scripture gives for recognizing this dangerous influence, then turns to the seven things the Lord says He hates. Through both warnings, we are challenged to guard our families, protect biblical unity, examine our own hearts, and turn from anything that reflects the character of wickedness rather than the wisdom of God.

As wives we are also held accountable for our marriage before God. Both husband and wife have been given needs by God and this teaching will give an overview of those needs and the series will go through them one by one.

This week on Wheat Among the Tares, we bring you Episode 2 of our series, Better Together, with Pastor Steve Williamson. This episode will focus on the Biblical origin of marriage and God's order for the home, as given in the Scriptures. The need for building strong families has never been more critical, and the spiritual guidance offered in these podcasts will provide you with the knowledge needed to build and be, "Better Together"...