Introduction: Marriages are in _____________.

We have witnessed the following in Christian marriages:

People ask: Can I have a Better Marriage? Here are the steps you need to take.

I. Recognize that God ____________ Marriage – Genesis 2:18-25

Marriage is one of the _____________ institutions on planet earth.

Genesis 2:18-25 Matthew 19:3-10

Their question was: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce him wife for just any reason?”

The USA Today – ____% to _______% of married couples in the United States divorce. And 24/7 Wall Street reported that _______ is the second highest divorce rate in the

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country, and that ______________ has the highest divorce rate in the State. (WATCH VIDEO). It’s not your fault your _________, it in your ________!

Jesus said, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate.”

The Pharisee pressed Jesus with a second question: “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?

Jesus answers it marvelously. He says, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wife, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commit adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”

Your will never have a Better Marriage if you have a _________ heart against your spouse. Every one of us in this auditorium needs to understand that all of life flows from our _______ (Proverbs 4:23).

Please hear this: According to Jesus _________ immorality is the only reason for divorce. A cheating spouse. Adultery. 2

Matthew 19:10 - “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.”

II. Understand that Marriage is a ___________ Relationship – Malachi 2:10-17

Marriage is a ________ relationship between one man and one woman for one life – till death do you part. A Contract Marriage is:

Marriage is not a contract, but a _________. If you and I would see the difference, it would make all the __________. Marriage is a union of two people for one life.

Malachi, Chapter 2:10-17

How is marriage presented in this passage? III. Accept the truth that Marriage requires ________

If you want to have a better marriage you will need to learn that it requires _________.

Marriage Work

“WORK” - I want to hang four principles for a Better Marriage on these four letters. Are you ready to receive them?

1. W stands for _________

Colossians 3:173

Colossians 3:23 Just about everything we do in life is _____. LIFE = WORK! We must work at:

2. O stands for ______________

Opportunities abound every day for ways to serve your spouse. See them as that – opportunities!

Ephesians 5:16

Kim’s Ideas for a Better Marriage

3. R stands for _____________

Every married couple has responsibilities, and they should be shared. How sad that so many couples take advantage of the service of the other. You cannot have a Better Marriage if you are _____ and depend on the other person to do everything.

Galatians 5:16 – “through love serve one another”

4. K stands for _________

Our homes ought to be a _______ PLACE, and ______ should rule in our homes.

Ephesians 4:32 – “and be kind to one another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you”

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What is kindness? Illustrated:

Conclusion: Do you really want a Better Marriage? You have to answer this question truthfully. If you really want a Better Marriage than you need to receive the TRUTH that you heard today. Receive the truth that: (Take notes):

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