Introduction

In Gen 2:21-25, we have these words: And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. {22} Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. {23} And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." {24} Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. {25} And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

There you have a summary of the first marriage. It is recorded in very simple form. It consisted of God bringing, or giving Eve to Adam as his wife. This was God’s plan.

Body

I. Clearly, God’s design for marriage is one man and one woman, joined together for life.

A. Jesus confirmed this principle.

(Mat 19:3-8 NKJV) The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?" {4} And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' {5} "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'? {6} "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." {7} They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" {8} He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.

1. Marriage was under attack by the Pharisees in the first century.

2. Marriage is under attack today by the liberal politicians of our country.

B. Marriage is to be honorable in all.

(Heb 13:4 NKJV) Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

II. Today, we are engaged in a great battle to keep marriage honorable.

A. The marriage amendment is not expected to pass.

1. But this is only the beginning of the war.

2. After the vote is taken, those who voted against it will be clearly marked.

a. The next battle will be to work to vote those out of office who vote against the amendment.

b. We need to do all we can to support the marriage amendment.

c. As far as we know today, both of our senators are committed to voting for he marriage amendment.

The Marriage Amendment

Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution or the constitution of any state, nor state or federal law, shall be construed to require that marital status or the legal incidents thereof be conferred on unmarried couples or groups.

B. Paul has outlined the battle for us.

(Eph 6:10-12 NKJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. {11} Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes] of the devil. {12} For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

1. He also encouraged Christians in Corinth to be strong and brave.

(1 Cor 16:13 NKJV) Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

(1 Cor 16:13 KJV) Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

(1 Cor 16:13 NASB) Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

(1 Cor 16:13 NIV) Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

2. The battle is real, and the devil is fighting it on many sides.

C. Much is said in the news about “gay rights.”

1. What is never mentioned by the news is that it is wrong.

2. The Bible is very clear that it is wrong.

(Rom 1:24-27 NKJV) Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, {25} who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. {26} For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. {27} Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

III. Sodom and Gomorrah.

A. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because they had given themselves over to homosexuality.

1. The account is recorded in Genesis.

(Gen 19:24 NKJV) Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens.

(Gen 19:24 NIV) Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah--from the LORD out of the heavens.

2. Jude makes reference to what happened to these cities.

(Jude 1:7 NKJV) as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

B. What can we do?

1. Live our lives according to God’s ordinances.

2. Teach our children and those whom we can influence to live lives that honor God, including honoring God in our marriages.

Conclusion

I. Those with computers can go on line to sign a petition.

II. There are copies of petitions at the back if you would like to sign one.

III. If you have friends in other states you can contact them.

IV. You can encourage our own Senators who have already said they will support the amendment.

V. Is your life right with God?