The Glory Of A New-Covenant Marriage - Zac Poonen
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Summary
The speaker contrasts the nature of marriage under the Old Covenant with the ideal established by Christ in the New Covenant. He argues that while Old Testament marriages often suffered from division, conflict, and divorce due to hard hearts, the New Covenant aims to make husband and wife 'one flesh,' mirroring God's original design. This transformation requires the Holy Spirit to remove the 'hard heart of stone' and replace it with a soft heart, as prophesied in Ezekiel 36.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
God's original plan for marriageWhen God first made Adam and Eve in Genesis, He made them one with perfect fellowship, but Satan introduced division.
Why divorce was permitted in the Old TestamentJesus explained that Moses permitted divorce because of the hardness of people's hearts, not because it was God's original will.
Modern Christian marriages that resemble the Old TestamentMany Christian marriages today mirror Old Testament marriages with strife, division, and lack of true fellowship.
The hard heart of stone versus a soft heartArguing and raising your voice are proofs of a hard heart, which God promised to replace with a soft heart in the new covenant.Ezekiel 36:26
Blaming your partnerFollowing Adam's example when he sinned, people blame their spouse for their own hard hearts and conflicts.
The devaluing of the word ChristianJust like currency loses value over time, the label Christian has been devalued so that being born into a Christian family changes nothing.
Who is a true disciple?Disciples of Jesus were first called Christians in Antioch, and a true disciple loves Jesus more than family, self, and possessions.Acts 11:26
Recognizing human impossibilityLiving this life is impossible in human strength, which is why we must reach the end of ourselves and seek the Holy Spirit.
What is impossible with man is possible with GodJust like the disciples catching fish after an all-night struggle, God can perform a miracle in your marriage when you admit your helplessness.Mark 10:27
Husband and wife as head and bodyIn Ephesians 5, Paul compares the husband and wife to the head and the body, which never fight or oppose each other.
A new commandment to love one anotherBoth husband and wife are commanded to love one another just as Christ loved the church, which required a cross.John 13:34
Endless forgivenessJust as Jesus never tires of forgiving us, a new-covenant marriage requires being quick to ask for and grant forgiveness.
A mutual attitude of servingUnlike worldly culture where only the wife serves, Christian culture calls for both husband and wife to serve one another.
Living for the glory of GodWe do not live a godly marriage to impress others, but to prevent the devil from accusing us and to bring glory to God.
