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The Purpose of Relationships
Sermonette by Ryan McClureThe marriage covenant was designed to bring incomplete components of the God image together in one flesh, from which other relationships developed.
Choosing to Have a Good Relationship
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMarriage stands as the primary bond of society, the very foundation of social life, preceding both family and society itself. From the beginning, it was established as a union between a man and a woman, reflecting a divine institution. The Bible illustrates this through notable couples such as Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel, Ruth and Boaz, Esther and the king, and Joseph and Mary, providing a comprehensive view of marriage's essential components: divine institution, companionship, romantic relationship, sexual union, covenant, joint livelihood, parenting, and a shared relationship with Jesus Christ and the Father. God Himself ordained marriage, as seen in Genesis 2:18-24, where He declared it is not good for man to be alone and created a helper for Adam, bringing Eve to him and establishing the first marriage union. This act underscores that in marriage, two become one flesh, a principle echoed in Matthew 19:3-6, where it is affirmed that what God has joined together, let not man separate. Marriage, thus, is not a human invention but a divine plan to teach the relationship the church will have with Christ. The purpose of the marriage relationship is to prepare us for an eternal faithful marriage with Christ, emphasizing the sanctity, sacredness, and permanency of the bond. Faithfulness in marriage mirrors the fidelity required in our spiritual relationship with God, reflecting the divine Family structure where God is reproducing Himself. Human marriage serves as a type of the divine marriage setting of God's Kingdom on earth, highlighting the importance of choosing the right mate and fostering peace within the union for the fruit of the Spirit to grow. Throughout the Bible, God's relationship with His people is depicted as a marriage, with God as the Husband and His people as His wife. This metaphor is evident in the Old Testament, where Israel's covenant with God is likened to a marriage bond, and unfaithfulness to God is equated with adultery, as seen in Hosea, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah. In the New Testament, this imagery continues, with Paul expressing concern for spiritual fidelity in II Corinthians 11:1-4, betrothing the church to Christ as a chaste virgin. Ephesians 5:22-32 further illustrates this parallel, instructing husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church, and wives to submit to their husbands as to the Lord, revealing the profound mystery of Christ and the church. The ultimate union of God and His people is described as a marriage in Revelation 19:6-9, where the marriage of the Lamb signifies the eternal bond with His faithful people. In practical terms, fostering a successful marriage involves deliberate choices: commitment to the spouse for better or worse, effective communication, making the house a home through shared responsibilities, embracing the extended family with patience, living in love as described in I Corinthians 13:4-8, and choosing to stay until death parts the couple. These choices not only strengthen physical marriages but also prepare us for the spiritual marriage to Christ, reflecting the sacrificial love and unity required in both relationships.
Strengthening the Family
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod ordained marriage and the family for the physical and spiritual growth and nurturing of children. God's goal is a Family composed of mature spirit beings.
God's Pattern of the Family
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe family structure, with assigned orders of responsibility (not orders of importance implying superiority or inferiority), is paramount to God's plan.
Privileges of the Family of God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIt is impossible to be a Christian without being a child of God. When we are in God's family, we have distinct privileges.
The Purpose of the Marriage Relationship
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMarriage prepares God's called-out ones to collectively become the bride of Christ. God hates divorce but allows it on grounds of adultery and violence.
The Church Family - Convinced and Persuaded
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsChurch government should reflect God's government, typified as a family, with Christ as the loving husband and the church as the submissive wife.
A Heritage and a Reward
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAmerican society is cursed because the family, its most important component, is dysfunctional. It is impossible to raise families without God.
The Fifth Commandment (1997)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe fifth commandment begins the section of six commands regarding our relationships with other people. Children should learn proper respect in the family.
The March Toward Globalism (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We cannot instill sound-mindedness in our offspring unless we are personally filled with the fruits of God's Holy Spirit, modeling these for our children.
Mightier Than The Sword (Part Seven)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Rousseau's modern disciples, gaining ascendancy in today's political climate, have plans to dismantle the family, replacing it with the State.
The Fifth Commandment
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe fifth commandment teaches our responsibility to give high regard, respect, and esteem to parents and other authority figures, leading to a prosperous life.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Solomon teaches us that money may provide some security, but it cannot be relied upon for satisfaction; only a relationship with God will fill that vacuum.
The Perfect Marriage
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughUnder the best of conditions, marriage takes work to make it succeed. Next to baptism, marriage is the most important decision we could ever make.
The Seventh Commandment
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThe seventh commandment protects family relationships from a sexual standpoint. Sexual sins are highly destructive, and God wants His children to be pure.
The Commandments (Part Eleven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughHonor of parents is the basis for good government. The family provides the venue for someone to learn to make sacrifices and be part of a community.
Childlike
Sermon by Bill OnisickOur physical family provides a type of what we aspire to become as children of God, realizing that God loves us as much as He loves Jesus Christ.
The Handwriting Is on the Wall (2005)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe family is under savage attack, with more and more children born out of wedlock. With the destruction of the family, we are witnessing the death of the U.S.
Our Father
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidEmotional and spiritual well-being of children improves when fathers fulfill their role. People from dysfunctional families have a skewed image of God.
Sanctification and the Teens
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughYoung people in the church must realize that they are not invincible. Not only is God's law no respecter of persons, but also sanctification can be lost.
Political Correctness in Spades (Part Six)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Globalists want us to believe that embracing illegal immigration is compassionate, even though it has led to horrific crimes in every nation.
Genesis 3:16: Consequences for Eve
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSpiritually, male and female have equal potential. Rights and legalities are far less important than spiritual development, subject to God-ordained gender roles.
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe husband is charged to exercise love to his wife, actually a more demanding task than submitting, carrying more instructions than the command to submit.
Loyalty and Submission (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLoyalty and submission to God (not always easy) empowers and guarantees ultimate success and leadership, actually freeing us from the fear of death.