Biblical Sexuality – Pt. 4

Biblical Sexuality – Pt. 4

Weekly Update – May 25th, 2023

Over the last 5 months, we have been slowly walking through our newly adopted statement on Biblical Sexuality.  There are nine points to this statement.  This week we will look at point four.  Point one can before found HERE.  Point two, HERE.  Point three, HERE.  Point four is as follows:

God has designed marriage to be a covenantal, sexual, procreative, lifelong union of one man and one woman, as husband and wife.  This covenant before God is meant to signify the covenant love between Christ and his bride, the church.

In addressing this statement, there are three different aspects that are necessary to understand if we would hold to this point rightly.  First, is the definition of marriage.  Second is what marriage signifies.  Then third is marriage being God’s design.

First, a definition of marriage.  Our statement says that marriage is to be a covenantal, sexual, procreative, lifelong union of one man and one woman, as husband and wife.  Lets break down these terms. 

  • Covenantal and Life-Long:  Paul Williamson defines a covenant as “the idea of a solemn commitment, guaranteeing promises or obligations undertaken by one or both covenanting parties.”  The core aspects of a marriage covenant are faithfulness and loyalty, and it is not to broken until death (Gen. 2:24; Pro. 5:19; Matt. 19:5-6; Mk. 10:9).  The marriage covenant is an agreement made publicly, with vows, normally solidified through the couple physically uniting as one flesh. 
  • Sexual and Procreative:  The “one flesh” bond in marriage (Gen. 2:23-25) is the most intimate of all relationships.  It includes a “leaving” of one’s family and a “cleaving” to one’s spouse (Gen. 2:24). The implication here is that marriage is meant to be a sexual relationship.   Now there may be exceptions due to physical incapabilities that would prevent a married couple from having a sexual relationship, just as there may be exceptions for couples not having children.  That doesn’t mean that a couple is not married or considered one flesh.  The main point here is that marriage is the relationship where sex is meant to occur (1 Cor. 7:1-5; Heb. 13:4), with the general outcome of this relationship producing children (Gen. 1:28). 
  • One Man and One Woman:  The creation calls given in the beginning were for man to have dominion over the earth and to multiply (Gen. 1:28).  The outcome of these calls was that God’s image would be displayed over all the earth (Gen. 1:27).  The means by which man is to fulfill these calls and display God’s image is through uniting as male and female (Gen. 2:18-25) in marriage (Matt. 19:5-6; Mk. 10:6-9).  This doesn’t mean that everyone will marry (1 Cor. 7:8), but to those who do, marriage must be displayed by one man and one woman. 

Second, what marriage signifies.  Our statement says that marriage signifies the covenant love between Christ and his bride, the church.  The apostle Paul makes this point clear in Ephesians 5:31-32 as he quotes Genesis. 2:24. He says that a man “leaving” his family and “cleaving” or “holding fast” to his wife in order to become “one flesh” is ultimately meant to display the covenant keeping commitment and love that Christ has for his church.  This makes the proper display of roles between a husband and wife all the more important.  The husband is to love his wife (Eph. 5:25), just as the wife is to submit to her husband (Eph. 5:22) in order to display the way that Christ loves his church and the way that the church honors Christ. 

Third, God’s design of marriage.  In Mark 10:6-9, Jesus says, “…from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.  What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”  Marriage is not a cultural phenomenon, nor is it rooted in some sort of religious tradition.  God designed marriage “from the beginning” and it is under his authority that a man and woman are “joined together.” 

As we consider a biblical view of sexuality, a proper view of the marriage relationship is key.  We must not be people who hold only to the right scriptural teaching though.  Instead, we ought to have the right teaching manifest itself through the marriages that we display to one another.  As we speak the truth about marriage, let us also be people who display a covenant commitment to our spouses as we seek to display the relationship between Christ and his church, according to the design of God.

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

"To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
- Romans 12:20-21

Announcements:

Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal.

Meal Train: If you would like to be a part of the meal train for Gideon and Heather Wild, click HERE.

Vacation Bible School: Mark your calendar. This year, we will host Vacation Bible School on Monday, July 10th-Friday, July 14th from 5:45-8:00pm. More information on how you can help is available on the bulletin board in the hall and more information about how to register your child is available HERE. We are now collecting items for VBS decorations. We are looking for large square cardboard boxes, white wrapping paper, black wrapping paper, large sheets of insulations foam, large sheets of sturdy cardboard, and any leftover interior acrylic paints in bright colors, pastel colors, black, or white.

Volunteers Needed: Volunteers are still needed during the 10:30am nursery time. Check the update or email the office for more information on how you can serve.

Annual Church Picnic: the annual church picnic potluck dinner will begin at 5pm on Sunday, July 2nd, at Freedom Park. Visit the church calendar for more information about this and other upcoming events.

Awana

We had a great year this year! We look forward to starting again in September.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Evangelism: Engaging the Lost” will meet in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of 1 and 2nd Thessalonians will meet in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the Old Testament will meet in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE

Worship Service

Worship Service begins at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Nursery care for children ages 0-4 years is available during the worship hour. 

Livestream

Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. 

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Join us and invite a friend or family member to watch with you.   

Sunday School

Children and Youth Sunday School take place at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. 

Ages 0-4 meet in the nursery suite.

Grades K-3rd meet upstairs in U-5.

Grades 4th-6th meet upstairs in U-6.

Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.

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