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Sermon Outline

Relationship Goals: Unity-focused

Pastor Clark Pfaff

 

21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man.23 “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh!She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” 24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.(Genesis 2:21-24, NLT) 

“Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it.” (Genesis 1:28, NLT) 

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-4, NIV)


Key Point: Humility

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…(Philippians 2:3-5, NIV) 

Regarding humility ask yourself…

  • Am I willing — in the interest of unity — to submit my desires, no matter how good, to God’s purpose in my marriage?
     
  • Am I willing to serve my mate, looking out for his or her interests above my own?


Key Point: Gentleness 

Let your gentleness be evident to all.
(Philippians 4:5, NIV) 

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness… 
(1 Peter 3:15, NIV)

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1, NIV)

 

Regarding gentleness ask yourself…

  • Am I argumentative with my mate?
  • Do I find myself responding with anger when my agenda is challenged?
  • What is my first, unfiltered response when my mate wrongs me?


Key Point: Patience

15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 
(1 Timothy 1:15-16, NLT)

Regarding patience ask yourself…

  • Am I willing to wait for God’s work through His Spirit in the life of my mate?
  • Do I find myself impatient with the slowness of change in my mate’s life?
  • Can I wait for the Spirit and the discernment of my marriage partner before making a change?


Key Point: Tolerance in love

…bearing with one another in love. 
(Ephesians 4:2b, NIV) 

Regarding tolerance in love ask yourself…

  • Do I insist on things being done my way?
  • Can I allow for the diversity of ways that the Spirit works through other people?
  • Do I work well when my mate’s preferences conflict with my own?