Marriage
Our Pastor's are taking us through a sermon series on marriage right now, good solid Biblical advice whether you are married, engaged, or single.
I don't recall any sermons my Dad did in regards to marriage, but that could be because I wasn't paying attention. Also, by the time I was considering marriage I was not at my Dad's church anymore.
Regardless of whether it is my current Pastors or my Dad, most marriage sermons are directed at Christians. They have to be right? We are teaching from a Biblical Worldview that places Christ at the center of that relationship.
Today, a co-worker tells me that he thinks he and his wife are going to go there separate ways. They are not Believers and are from a culture and background completely different from mine. So what do I tell him? How can the Bible, which at this point holds no value for them, help me provide advice for him? That's not a rhetorical question, I am sincerely looking for answers!
I don't recall any sermons my Dad did in regards to marriage, but that could be because I wasn't paying attention. Also, by the time I was considering marriage I was not at my Dad's church anymore.
Regardless of whether it is my current Pastors or my Dad, most marriage sermons are directed at Christians. They have to be right? We are teaching from a Biblical Worldview that places Christ at the center of that relationship.
Today, a co-worker tells me that he thinks he and his wife are going to go there separate ways. They are not Believers and are from a culture and background completely different from mine. So what do I tell him? How can the Bible, which at this point holds no value for them, help me provide advice for him? That's not a rhetorical question, I am sincerely looking for answers!
(1) Gospel. It's what he most needs.
(2) Truth about marriage. Regardless of whether or not he accepts Christ, the biblical explanation of marriage is still true: the two become one flesh. Hence, divorce is a radical ripping apart of flesh. The divorce you have will not be the one you imagine.
Try and work it out.
(3) There are times when the Bible does allow divorce. So, that's to say it can never happen. But, it's not God's best.
(4) Gospel.
(5) Gospel.
(6) Gospel.
(7) It's hard on children.
I should rework my answer but that's my rough first pass. Either way, there are still biblical principles to offer as advice. But, he needs the Gospel above all.
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So if I understand you correctly the Gospel is the way to go.
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WELL, I think you sort of had to read between the lines to assume that's what I meant, but, "yes."
But, I also think that there's a time when you share biblical wisdom with people when they aren't open to the Gospel. . . I mean you try for the Gospel but you also say to them, this thing is going to be worse than you can imagine and the best thing would be to work it out if at all possible. . .
I should have also said that you need to show love and sensitivity and demonstrate how Christians are different.
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I don't have anything to add to Chris. He needs to hear about Christ and Christ's purpose for his marriage. Of course, this doesn't mean 4 Spiritual Laws, but maybe start with Eph. 5 so you can talk marriage and gospel from the same passage.
And keep the conversation going. Follow up over and over again. Show him the love of Christ through your love for him. Thats missional.
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