(This message may be used as an individual sermon or as part of the series.)
Matthew 5:27-32 etc. – MAKE HER HAPPY
Sermon On The Mount #12
I want to primarily talk to husbands and those who will be husbands some day. You ladies can learn as well, but I want to share with your husbands how they can make you truly happy. Men you can make your wives truly happy when you understand Biblical principles of marriage and live by them.
As part of our study this morning, we will continue receiving teaching on righteousness from the Sermon on the Mount, but I am expanding the message beyond Matthew 5:27-32, our text for this morning.
So how do we make our wives happy with a Biblical marriage?
UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSES OF MARRIAGE
Marriage is not something that just evolved. Marriage is not something that just happened. Marriage is not the social invention of man.
It was God who instituted marriage at creation.
It was God who decided men and women should become husbands and wives.
And because this institution comes from God, it is therefore sacred, and holy, and one of the most important commitments you have ever made or will make.
In Genesis 1 and 2 I have found three purposes for marriage.
- CHILDREN
Genesis 1:27-28
It was God who said, “Be fruitful, and multiply.”
It was God who said, “Have children.”
It was God who said in Psalm 127:3 – Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
In these verses God speaks of subduing the earth. Something that man has failed to do because of sin. It will be Christ who will ultimately subdue it.
However, husbands, has the value of precious boys and girls brought up in Christ ever occurred to you? If you and your wife train your children in the things of Christ, your children will most likely follow your pattern. They will marry Christian mates who will also train their children. While the earth will not be subdued, it will certainly have the Light of the World, the Lord Jesus, shinning through it! Proverbs 22:6
Men, raising the kids is not just the wife’s responsibility.
It is your responsibility as well. In fact, as the head of the family, you are to make sure that your children are raised in a Godly fashion. Ephesians 6:4
- PARTNERSHIP OR COMPANIONSHIP
Genesis 2:18 – God did not intend that most of us men should survive without our wives.
God is telling us here that He intended for women to be more that objects of physical attraction and a bearer of children.
God intended for the wife to be a helpmeet, a confidant, a sharer in life. Proverbs 18:22
- UNITY
Genesis 2:24 – The last purpose of marriage I want to mention is the unity that takes place. Men, God has made it so that when you marry a wife, the two of you become one.
Men, marriage is not a 50-50 compromise.
Men marriage is each person giving 100%!
If you love your wife, you love yourself.
If you hurt your wife, you hurt yourself.
If you are good to your wife, you are good yourself.
You are one flesh! Ephesians 5:28
PRACTICE THE PRIORITY OF MARRIAGE
Psalm 127:1 – Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it…
Jesus said in John 13:13 – Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
Husbands, if Jesus is indeed your Lord and Master, your priority should be to allow Him to be the priority in your marriage.
There are at least two ways that the Lord Jesus should be the priority of your marriage.
- SALVATION
Jesus can’t be your Lord until He’s your Savior.
He’s the one who died for your sins.
He’s the one who will forgive your sins.
He’s the one who invites you to come to Him. Romans 10:9-10
After coming to Jesus yourself, then bring the children. It is your responsibility to teach them the way of salvation. The church is a help. The teaching should begin in the family. Matthew 9:14
- SANCTIFICATION
The word sanctification means to set apart for God.
Teach your children by your example and your words what it means to be God’s servant.
What you teach your children by your example and words will help to determine what your child will be like and what he will teach his children when you grow up.
1 Peter 1:15-16 – But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
PRACTICE PURITY IN MARRIAGE
I begin by saying that the physical relationship between a husband and wife is a beautiful thing. It is something that is ordained of God. It is meant to be enjoyed.
Hebrews 13:4
But Satan has a great time in exploiting this principle.
In Jesus’ day the religious leaders were teaching that the physical act of adultery, having sexual relations with another man’s wife or husband was wrong. They were right.
But in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expands the definition of adultery. Matthew 5:27-28
If, in your heart you look upon a woman or a man and imagine a sexual relationship with that man or woman, you are committing adultery in your heart.
Husbands, that’s why pornography is wrong. Looking at scantily clad women or naked woman will only get your thoughts going, and cause you to be unfaithful in your heart to your own wife. And it is from the thoughts of our hearts that our actions result. Very often the thoughts will lead to the actual act.
How do we go about maintaining purity?
Matthew 5:29 – And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Jesus is not speaking literally here. He doesn’t want you to literally pluck out an eye or cut off a foot.
But he is telling you to do whatever it takes to maintain purity, no matter how radical it may seem.
If watching certain movies or television shows causes you to have impure thoughts, don’t watch them!
If looking at certain magazines causes you to have impure thoughts, don’t look at those magazines.
If going to certain places, causes you to have impure thoughts, don’t go to those places. 1 Corinthians 10:13
UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSES OF MARRIAGE
PRACTICE THE PRIORITY OF MARRIAGE
PRACTICE PURITY IN MARRIAGE
PRACTICE THE PERMANENCE OF MARRIAGE
Matthew 5:31-32
First, a word to some of you who have not had permanent marriages. We love you the way you are now. The past is the past. The marriages that you are now in should be permanent. You can’t go back.
If God convicts you that you were wrong to divorce and remarry, confess it and allow God to forgive you. Leave the past and work on the right relationship now.
In the days of Jesus, any excuse for divorce would do. A bad meal could be grounds for divorce.
In the verses before us Jesus shows us that the reasons for divorce are so limited, that no one should plan on practicing them.
The reason for divorce given here is fornication. What this means is hotly debated by scholars. It certainly has to do with some form of immorality.
Let’s just say this morning, as our time is gone, that Jesus wants your marriage to be permanent. Husbands, that should be your goal as a good husband.