INTRO: America has changed a lot in the last 50 years. We've been through some wars. Women have gone to work and to college in ever increasing numbers. Television came on the scene. The economy has boomed. Our population has doubled! The family has changed tremendously due to all these cultural changes. This is an important fact for Christians, because the family is at the heart of the church. Circumcision/baptism is a sign of the covenant, and is for believers, and for their children. The church is called the family of God. He is our heavenly father. Jesus is our brother. Paul told Timothy that a Christian who would not care for his family was worse than an unbeliever. We are taught in the Bible that the relationship of Christ to the church is that of the groom to the bride. The Psalmist teaches that God blesses those who love Him with solid families (Psalm 127:3-5 and 128:3-4). So, bearing all that in mind, we must give attention to strengthening our families and our marriages. How can we do that?

I. Recognize that God is the Author of Marriage.
A. Unbelieving scholars say that marriage is merely a human convention, the
product of biological and societal evolution. It can be whatever we want.
B. The Bible says that God made marriage.
C. This is important. If you drive a Ford, and try to maintain it with the Toyota
manual, you will have trouble!

II. Recognize that Marriage is Good and Normal.
A. In modern American society, marriage is becoming simply an option.
For example: Many (not all) TV sitcoms are revolving around single, urban
men and women, in their twenties and thirties, living and working without any
concern about marriage. Seinfeld is a good example of this type of TV show.
For example: The increasing number of men and women waiting until their
thirties to get married and have children. For example, the increasing number
of married couples electing to have but one child. For example, the increasing
number of women deciding to have children without ever getting married. For
example, the increasing number of same-sex marriages, and the push for our
governments to recognize these unions as marriages.
B. Genesis 2:18-22 "It is not good for man to be alone."
Now, except for the animals, Adam was truly alone! But God did not bring
Adam a male friend, nor did he create a city full of other men and women,
but rather He brought Adam a wife named Eve, and told them to have
children. God invented marriage, and sanctified it.

III. Recognize that marriage is meant to be a profound UNITY (Gen. 2:23-25).
A. Eve literally came from Adam's body. They were literally one flesh.
This symbolizes the spiritual unity God wants spouses to develop.

B. This unity between husband and wife transcends other family relationships.
Parent/child. Sister/brother. etc. No one must come between!
C. Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed with one another.
This symbolizes that spiritually/mentally, etc. husband and wife must be
completely open, honest, faithful and trusting with each other.
D. This spiritual union is there technically the day you get married. But
practically speaking it takes years to become truly deep and permanent.
So we vow at the ceremony, "For better, for worse, in sickness and in
health, til death us do part." And we vow before God, in public!
(24% of marriages end in divorce, and 28% of Christian marriages
end in divorce!)

CONCLUSION: The family, and the marriage bond, is crucial to the survival and health of the Church. We must strengthen it. We must take up the "owners' manual" provided us by our Creator, and put it into practice.