Successful Marriage (part 1)

Something told me to share this series of sermon that Pastor Mel Caparros (of Living Word Cebu International Ministries) was giving to us during the year 2004. I realized that I should be thankful that God enable to me note down some, and so that I can share this to others. I am hoping and praying that somehow, those who have problems with their marriage will get help from this series.

Successful Marriage (part 1)

Right at the beginning, I would like to establish that Marriage is the most important Human Relationship there is in the universe. I must add that marriage forms the most Basic Unit and Foundation of church and society. If we want a strong church and a strong nation, then we must have a strong marriage and strong families. If we fail in marriage, then we fail at every level. (1 Timothy 3:1-5)

In the world of Mathematics, 1+1=2, but in the world of Biblical marriage, 1+1=1 ("...a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." Genesis 2:24) Being "oneness" is the blueprint of a successful marriage.

Here are the necessary steps to achieving "oneness".

1.LEAVE YOUR PARENTS or CUTTING THE UMBILICAL CORD- It doesn't mean abandoning or forsaking your parents. I means to make a Geographical move. It means to get out of the house. To some people it may just mean moving next door in a subdivision and for some, it may be a greater geographical move. We may live a thousand miles apart and yet not leaving our parents in the sense of support they need.

2.CLEAVE TO ONE ANOTHER-means that couples should permanently stick to each others arrangement until death do them part. Malachi 2:14 and Proverbs 2:17 tells that marriage is an irrevocable covenant or contract. The word "cleave" tells that marriage is based more on commitment than feelings or attraction.

3.ONE-FLESH

...*at the elementary level, this refers to sexual intimacy

...*at the higher level, this refers to total intimacy and deep unity.

...*it means that a couple is a team doing things for the sake of the other person.

...*it means positively complementing to each other rather than competing.