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Marriage—A God-Plane Relationship (Part Five)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughA chief purpose of marriage and family is to teach proper, godly government, providing an environment to learn both submission to authority and oversight of others in love. In God's scheme, the husband has authority over his wife and family, similar to Christ's authority over His Bride, the church. The apostle uses the term head to denote one who has authority over an institution, just as the head directs the body. Love, as outgoing concern for everyone and everything, is the basis of God's government, and the husband, as the head, must work to produce a happy, successful marriage by sacrificing, sanctifying, cleansing, glorifying, nourishing, and cherishing, following the example of Christ. In the husband's role, authority is balanced by loving care, mirroring the relationship between Christ and the church. For the marriage to work best, a newly married couple should set up their own household, as remaining under the parents' roof confuses the roles and responsibilities God desires to develop. A man should be king of his own castle, and his wife, his queen, without interference from parents or in-laws, allowing the husband to fully assume his role as head.
The First Prophecy (Part Two)
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughGod's pronouncement to Eve in Genesis 3:16 includes a curse concerning her relationship with her husband, revealing the root of marital discord. The latter half of the verse states that her desire shall be for her husband, and he shall rule over her. This desire, translated from the Hebrew term tesuqah, carries a sense of longing to overcome or gain the upper hand over her husband. As the weaker vessel, however, the woman often loses this battle, resulting in the husband ruling over her, sometimes by force. History shows that women have frequently been treated as property, with little freedom, forced to serve their husbands' whims, a condition that persists in some cultures. In the New Testament, Paul upholds this curse in I Timothy 2:12-15, emphasizing that a woman should not teach or have authority over a man within the church, citing that Adam was formed first and Eve was deceived. He concludes that a woman's primary concern should be childbearing, which encompasses the broader duties of motherhood. God will judge and reward a woman based on her growth as a Christian within her appointed sphere of influence—her family. Christian men, as taught in Ephesians 5:25-29, 33, must exercise loving authority, not domination, being humble, caring, and patient. Likewise, Christian women should submit to and respect their husbands in faith and humility. By fulfilling these roles with excellence, progress can be made in reversing the effects of the curses from the Garden of Eden.
Is God a Male Chauvinist?
Article by David F. MaasGod has ordained the husband as the head of the wife, reflecting a divine order in the marriage covenant. This structure emphasizes the unity of man and woman as one flesh, designed to mirror the characteristics of God. Both male and female are created in His image, and together they form a composite reflection of His nature. The husband's role as head is not about superiority but about fulfilling a God-given responsibility within the family unit, contributing to the balance of masculine and feminine traits that God embodies.
Fatherhood
Sermonette by Ryan McClureWhen we were single, we had all the answers to the art of parenting, but actual practice humbles us as to how ill-equipped we are for this task.
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.
Marriage—A God-Plane Relationship (Part One)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughAs the end draws near, those who are married seem to have the deck stacked against them. Even in good times, marriage has its difficulties!
The Perfect Wife
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBiblically ordained marriage roles are at odds or in conflict with cultural expectations, especially the influences of radical feminism and postmodernism.
Father Knows Best
'Ready Answer' by Mike FordNegative role models and failure to take responsibility characterize more and more fathers today. Here's why this is happening and what to do about it.
Our Help
Sermon by Bill OnisickThe woman was created to be a strong, equal, complementary partner. Marriage was intended to mirror the intimacy between Christ and the church.
Wonderful Women
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAccording to God's vision of the institution of marriage, when man and wife follow the rule of submission and sacrificial love, patriarchy is a blessing.
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn the order of creation, the husband was designated as the leader. From the Garden of Eden to the present, there have been problems with this arrangement.
Virtues Hard and Soft
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe 'hard' virtues displayed by men and 'soft' virtues displayed by women are partial traits of the God being. Both male and female are in His image.
Christian Men: Personal Responsibility
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAlthough men have no moral or mental advantages over women, God has commissioned them to actively lead, providing security and stability to family and society.
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Eleven)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsOur concept of marriage must be positive and more mature, modeled after Christ's attentiveness toward the Church, as opposed to the world's distorted concept.
What's Wrong With 'Here Comes the Groom'?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsRadical feminism has tried to empower one gender by disabling and marginalizing the other gender, creating a pathological, dysfunctional society.
Men and Women, Hats and Hair
'Ready Answer' by Earl L. HennShould women wear hats to church? What is the correct hair length for men and women? Paul teaches on these subjects in I Corinthians 11.
Christian Marriage (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsCohabitation has led to increased divorce, marital violence, and lack of fidelity after marriage. Mass media has shamelessly used sex to promote materialism.
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.
The Role of Women
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsEven though feminist leaders have attacked the Bible for allegedly denigrating and demeaning women, God's Word emphasizes the honor and dignity of women.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Six)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughDespite having served mankind well for millennia, marriage is crumbling under a three-pronged attack. Marriage is vital to understanding God's purpose.
Do We Truly Honor God in Our Actions?
Sermon by Kim MyersWe've all read the verses that state that the Word of God is the Bread of Life, but do we consistently practice what it teaches, and thus honor God?
Loyalty and Submission (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAs wives are admonished to emulate the ideal of the Proverbs 31 woman, husbands must emulate the sacrificial spirit of Jesus Christ.
Manoah, Father of Samson
Sermonette by Mike FordMany Biblical scholars teach that Manoah was dimwitted, lazy, jealous, and faithless. But a close reading of the Scriptures proves just the opposite.
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Five)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGodly men, in scripture, far from the tyrannical dominance decried by feminists, demonstrate love and noble self-sacrifice and the way of outgoing concern.
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.
A Leader in Every Man!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAs Joshua felt fearful at assuming leadership, most men also feel the same trepidation, but God Almighty has placed in their DNA the ability to lead.
The Spirit of Babylon (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeDespite Inanna's marriage to a god named Dumuzi, she still took lovers whenever she wished—she would not be constrained by the divine order of marriage.