Series: What God Brings Together. Lesson 1: Did God Join Us Together? 1.

a) Meditations Matthew 19:6 So then, they are no longer two but on flesh. Therefore what God has joined

together, let no man separate. NKJV Jesus said it best, "Not everyone is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude and grace. (Matthew 19:11, MSG) Simply put, marriage isn't for everyone. Jesus went on to give distinct reasons for one getting married or not. These included *Never giving marriage a second thought *Never being asked or never accepting a proposal *Wanting to dedicate all ones time to God (Yes this still happens even today) *A resolution to sexual immorality Additional reasons have been offered in the scriptures as valid reasons for marriage. These include * Having a genuine interest and love for another person *To procreate 1. Are you unequally yoked? 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 "Don't become partners with those who reject God."(MSG) This scripture goes on to ask a very valid question v. 15 "How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? This is war. In the context of relationships and marriage, as Christians we must be sure that we are not allowing the fantasy of marriage to mask the vivid truths of a potential mate. 2. Do you have hidden agendas?

a). Luke 16: 14-18 lust as motive for marriage scripture says "Sexual drives are strong, but marriage is strong enough to contain them and provide for a balanced and fulfilling sexual life in a world of sexual disorder (1 Cor. 7-2-6) b. In a world seemingly based on convenience , it has become all too common to see couples who have gotten married simply because it makes their net-worth higher or elevates them to a higher social status. While if these things happen as a result of a committed relationship that results in marriage, than by all means they are ok. But marriage rooted out of these reasons solely is a disgrace to the union that is marriage.

3. Stop looking and wait! a). Are you capable of growing into the largeness of marriage? Matt 19:11-12 Marriage was never portrayed to be easy. We see the pivotal moment amongst husband and wife in the Garden of Eden, when Eve and Adam become at odds with one another. Their lives drastically changed due to opinionated woman and the lazy willfulness of the husband. 1 Corinthians 7:28 tells us that marriage brings on additional stress on top of the already chaotic nature of this world. b.) Have you been blessed with the gift of singleness? 1 Corinthians 7:7-8 God gives to some the gift of marriage others the gift of Singleness (additional scripture 1 Cor 7:36-38 a person who chooses singleness but then decides to marry) i . Donald Hohensee, author of Your Spiritual Gifts describes Celibacy as the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to remain single and enjoy it for the sake of Christ and not suffer undue sexual temptations. References 1 Cor. 7:7-8, Matt. 19:10-12 ii. 1 Corinthians 7:17 Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status defines your life. (MSG)

4. The necessity of premarital counseling This will help you discover the basis of your relationship, before you get hitched. Gen. 2:18, 21-24 shows us that Marriage was designed by God as a source of companionship and intimacy for man and woman. You are given a crash course of instruction for lessons very soon to come like unconditional love, respectful honor, forgiveness, and how to be forgiven.

Self-Work: Whether single or married, examine your current relationship. Be brutally honest with
yourself when asking is this relationship rooted and guided by the ideals of a Christian union. If you are single and the answer is no in some cases you may need to discontinue the relationship, but in other cases you may simply need to refocus the energy into new areas of your partnership. Use this time to engage one another and yourselves on a more spiritual level. Become familiar with your personal and shared goals of the relationship and its foundation. If you are married and find that you have married someone who is not indicative of a Godly spouse or possess the characteristics of a believer, this can be a very difficult situation to be in. However, God can use this opportunity to stretch your faith, and win a soul all by the power of love.