8) A 'Very Good' Marriage by Zac Poonen
The Foundation and the Building: 8) A 'Very Good' Marriage by Zac Poonen
Summary
The speaker uses the creation narrative from Genesis to illustrate that God designs things to be 'very good,' not just 'good.' He applies this principle to marriage, arguing that God intended for marriages to be excellent and flourishing. He urges listeners not to accept a substandard or struggling marriage, but rather to seek the ideal state that God designed, viewing marriage as a gift that requires restoration to its intended 'very good' condition.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Examining the first page of the BibleOn the first days of creation God said good, good, good, but on the sixth day when man was alone he said it is not good.
Why accept a pathetic marriage?Many Christian marriages are not good, but we should not accept this as normal just because others struggle.
Like fixing an expensive computerJust as you would not accept a high-end computer that constantly crashes, you should not accept a marriage that fails daily when God designed it to be very good.
Jesus and the standard of the beginningWhen asked about divorce, Jesus pointed back to the beginning in Genesis where two shall become one.
The first step is to acknowledge failureAdmitting our mistakes by saying 'that was my mistake, I'm sorry' is difficult, but it is essential for changing our marriages.
Jesus's first miracle at a weddingJesus performed His first miracle at a wedding where the wine ran out, symbolizing that acknowledging when the joy is gone allows Him to solve the problem.
God can solve every problemJust as Jesus fed thousands with few loaves and calmed storms, He can solve financial and marital problems when we acknowledge our need.
Climbing Mount Everest with faithJust like people pushed forward to climb Mount Everest or go to the moon, we must have faith that God can bring our marriages to the highest standard.
Live in an understanding wayJust as learning any complex subject takes time and effort, husbands and wives must make an intentional effort to understand one another.1 Peter 3:7
Laying the axe to the root of sinThe root cause of all marital conflict is selfishness, and Jesus came to lay the axe to the root rather than just cutting off bad fruit with rules.
Choosing a happy marriage over being rightWisdom in marriage means prioritizing the happiness of both partners over trivial things like having a perfectly neat home.
Following the Manufacturer's instructionsBy following the rules in God's word and letting Jesus be Lord of your home, your marriage can become a foretaste of heaven.
