God's design for family works.

Isaiah 55:11 NIV so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

His word challenges, changes and transforms us. Marriage is perfectly imperfect. Marriage is God's self portrait. The Bible says He formed us.

Genesis 1:27 NIV So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

He made us like Him. The world has very little to offer in the way of marriage help, but lots in self help. Culture emphasizes the moment. Marriage is incredibly hard to fit into a moment

Did you know that the US is number 6 in the world for divorces. Our help must come from where marriages are created from.

What we need to know about God and marriage.
God is collaborative not competitive
Genesis 1:26 NIV Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

We serve a collaborative God.

Genesis 2:18 NIV The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Ephesians 5:28-29 NIV In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—

We need challenge in order to collaborate.

John 17:23 NIV I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

This is perfect unity. Collaboration takes relationship.
God is relational not transactional
We must get past the small talk and get to the real us.

Isaiah 1:13-14 NIV Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.

He wants the real us. He wants us to wake with Him everyday and share our lives with him.

Psalm 51:16-17 NIV You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

He wants us to give Him our whole heart. Not our rituals or rules. In a Contract we protect your rights. In a Covenant we give up our rights.

Proverbs 31:26 NIV When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.

Wives and husbands are equal. In the original hebrew Ezr Kenegdo means helper, strong, complimentary rescuer. This is the same word God uses for Himself when He leads the Israelites out of Egypt.
God leads with love not law
Did you get married to win? Or did you get married to reflect the Holy Spirit?

His love covers all our mistakes. It is not our job to call out all the mistakes. It is our job to love. Marriage is not about getting what we deserve.

Ephesians 5:25 NLT For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her
Will we practice the art of marriage the way it was designed? It is a supernatural love that is begging to be shown.

It’s when Adam and Eve are together that the devil shows up. The enemy does not like marriage. He is trying to put a seam in this kind of relationship. The enemy hates the art of marriage.