Christian Marriage

Marriage is the proving ground of whether we have cast side our old self. Paul lays out what this looks like in his letter to the Colossians. Bill Clark continues our Shift series by looking at God’s perspective on marriage.

Christian Marriage

Shift | Week 4

November 19, 2017 | Bill Clark

Marriage is the PROVING GROUND of whether we have cast side our OLD SELF.

Colossians 3:1-14 (NIV)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

MYTH 1

How you get married, where you get married, who performs the ceremony, and how grand your reception is will determine the success of your marriage.

MYTH 2

Your marriage will thrive if you have strong marriages in your family tree.

MYTH 3

We will have a good marriage if we continue to stare into each other’s eyes in a deeply romantic, loving way all the time, every day, and more than other people.

Colossians 3:1 (NIV)

You have been raised with Christ.

Colossians 3:3 (NIV)

Your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:4 (NIV)

You also will appear with Christ in glory.

Colossians 3:1 (NIV)

Set your hearts on things above.

You Are What You Love - James Smith

“…a kingdom, a little church, and therefore a sacrament of and a way to the Kingdom. Marriage is a mission, and together it bears witness.”

MYTH 4

There is such a thing as a perfect marriage.