Love Works: Marriage isn't That Great
Preacher: Joe Walser Series: Love Works Scripture: Matthew 19:10–12
Jesus is the “supply line” or headwater for SHALOM
He is the Singularly Sufficient Source of a Flourishing Life
Ephesians 2:14
Ephesians 3:16
For evidence, the United Nations report assembled statistics on the percentage of women who reach their late forties without ever having married (it is increasing), the average age at which people marry for the first time, of those who do marry (that is increasing, too), and the proportion of people in their late forties who are divorced or separated (also increasing). Global averages were reported, as well as separate statistics for eight regions of the world… in all, singleness is on a trajectory to bypass marriage…. - Around the World, Marriage Is Declining, Singles Are Rising - Psychology Today, 2019
The gospel flips the script…. Jesus, the perfect man was single as was the most prolific writer of Scripture, the Apostle Paul..
“One….clear difference between Christianity and Judaism [and all other traditional religions] is the former’s entertainment of the idea of singleness as the paradigm way of life for its followers.” - Stanley Hauerwas, A Commentary of Character
Nobody can completely flourish without understanding and equally valuing both marriage and singleness!
Matthew 19:10-12
Isaiah 56:4-5
Luke 11:27
Luke 11:28
Mark 3:31-35
Luke 14:26
Life in Christ in relationship to the church (believers) is more permanent and should be valued more than any other relationship
Christ is the single sufficient source of shalom
Singleness is not a problem to be solved and not a a state of languishing. God promises better blessings (better than sons and daughters) to those who remain single in Christ
DATING
Christ centeredness over chemistry
Clearly define the purpose…its isn’t intimacy
Embrace the good state of singleness
other sermons in this series
Jul 25
2021
Love Works: Unstoppable
Preacher: Joe Walser Scripture: Ephesians 6:23–24 Series: Love Works
Jul 18
2021
Love Works: At War
Preacher: Joe Walser Scripture: Ephesians 6:10–12 Series: Love Works
Jul 11
2021
Love Works: Shalom and Parenting
Preacher: Joe Walser Scripture: Ephesians 6:4 Series: Love Works