The stormy sea still lies before me, and the wind is blowing strong. Now there's a sense around me, and my strength is almost gone. When the valley plunges deeper, and life shatters all my dreams, can I lift my voice to Jesus, as He gives my spirit wings? God gives wings as he goes. God gives wings to fly and strings to rise above. God gives wings. And my feet begin to stumble And my dreams begin to crumble I mount up a eagle's wing Let us run the race Let us lay each weight aside. We know the answer, Jesus. He will be our faithful guide. He has won the victor's crown. As he calls to every Christian, follow me to higher ground. God is great! God gives wings to fly the string to ride the love God gives wings as we fall My feet begin to stumble and my dreams begin to crumple I'm out of body goes away I'm out of body goes away goes away I'm out of body Thank you for that song this morning. Mark chapter 10 in your Bible. Hope you have your Bible with you. Mark chapter 10. In our bookstore we now have available these personal listening assist devices if that would be a benefit to you. It's a first-come first-served. You can buy or bring your own headsets but this device you can check in and out of the bookstore and so that's in there that'll be a help to you it's available so we want to be a blessing it's good to come to church and be able to hear what's happening having a good PA system things like that it's all a blessing and so that's part of that as well. Mark chapter 10 an elderly man lay in a hospital with his wife of 55 years sitting at his bedside he said is that you Ethel at my side again And he whispered that to her. She said, yes, dear. He softly went on and started speaking with her. He said, remember years ago when I was in the veterans hospital, you were right there with me. He said, remember when we lost everything in the fire? He said, Esther, you were right there with me. He said, remember that car wreck and the tragedy that that was? He said, you were right there with me. He said, remember when we lost everything? You were right there with me. On his deathbed there, he said, you know, I think that I'm starting to realize I think you're bad luck. You know, actually, that's not the case. And however your relationship is, you should thank God, the spouse God has given to you. Relationships are the most difficult thing in life. I believe that. Relationships are the most difficult to start. and the most difficult to maintain. Yesterday we had an event called Freshness in the Family that had to do with maintaining a fresh atmosphere in our relationships. There are relationships all throughout life. The most important one is our relationship to God through Jesus Christ. And today we would implore you and encourage you and challenge you to know God through Jesus Christ. That's why Christ came into this world is to die, on the cross for your sins and mine, so that we can have a relationship, so that we can have a connection with God, and it's only through Jesus. As we are born into this world, we establish relationships. We have a relationship with a mama and a dada, and we have those relationships that develop over time. And then we have school and classmates, and we have teachers, and we have people that we work with, and we have people in church. And so there are relationships all throughout our lives And friends, then there comes one that is the most difficult, perhaps, of all of them. It's the marriage relationship. And should God call you to be married, it can be one of the most difficult ones. Because relationships are so difficult. Marriage relationships are the most basic human institution. And they are the most delicate. The most basic. It's the first one that God gave to us. Adam and Eve. And then that relationship we find continues on even to today. Marriage requires great commitment. Now marriage is available to some people, but not every person is called to be married. And so know that this morning. The Bible calls us in 1 Corinthians chapter 7. This is a passage dealing with relationships and marriage relationships in particular. that not everyone's going to be married. There is such a thing that we would call the gift of singleness. It's a gift that a person could go throughout life and they are self-sufficient or able, they are gifted of God where they don't need a help me. So not everyone is called and they have such blessing in other ways. And the Bible tells us in that passage that they can walk close to the Lord without having a spouse and they can serve the Lord with no distraction as the Bible says that we are to attend upon the Lord without distraction. Right there in that passage. Look at that chapter sometime if you're considering marriage. Now some people must be married in order to avoid sin and in order to avoid sinning lifestyle. And that passage also expresses that. For example, in John chapter 4, Jesus goes to the well, and there's a woman at the well, and he speaks with her, and she tells him after he acknowledges something in her life, and she says, you're right, I had five husbands, and the man that I'm with right now is not my husband. She admits to that. She was living with somebody. Listen, it would be better to get married than to live with someone instead. And that would be the proper response to that. Living with somebody as if they're your spouse and living as if you were married But not being married the Bible calls that adultery the Bible calls that sin And it's not right before God so it would be better to get married in that case Now some people who are married are thinking that they would not like to be married, and that's not good thinking either And there are some people who are saying, well, I married the wrong person. You're already in a relationship like that. You stick with that. You go ahead and stick with that commitment that you made. Some would say, I have a spouse and that spouse is not saved. And God says, stay with that spouse. And by living a right life, by being a holy witness, that spouse could become saved. They could become a believer in Jesus Christ. Some people are saying, I wish I were married to somebody else. Listen, that's sin as well. And that's the form of covetousness in a way. And so these are ways that people can sin when it comes to marriage relationships. Now, as we get to this passage, here's some Pharisees that come and speak with Jesus. And they're tempting Him. They're testing Him. They're trying to get Him to say something that's out of sorts, something that they can latch ahold of and use in a wrong way against Him. Notice in Mark chapter 10. will begin in verse two. The Pharisees came to him and asked him, is it lawful for a man to put away his wife, tempting him? And he answered and said unto them, what did Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement and to put her away. That's a term that was used to mark somebody, to divorce them, to put them away. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall flee to his wife. And they twain too shall be one flesh. So then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Jesus is teaching about how the Lord brings two people together in marriage. And Moses said you could do that because of the hardness of your heart. And you can have this divorce if you want to, but it's because of the hardness of your heart. But let me tell you something, here's what God says to do about marriage. He puts it in that context and he says, three major and very important things for us to understand. Number one, in verse six, we find that marriage is for a man and for a woman. That's very clear from the beginning. It was not so, for God made them man and woman. It was Adam and Eve. Now, friends, today, if we would define marriage by the way that the world is trying to redefine marriage, we wouldn't even be here today. Because biologically we could not be here because a man and a man, it just does not work. Neither for a woman and for a woman. God makes it clear. It's a man and a woman. From the beginning, that's the way that God intended. Number two, marriage is for life. That's in verse nine. It's a lifelong commitment. What God has joined together, not man, put asunder. It is not a limited time commitment. And number three, marriage is the creation of taking two and forming one. Two become one. It's talking about a united relationship. And this third truth is the one that we're going to focus on here today, is this united relationship. Unity in marriage is brought about by the Lord. He must be central in our lives, right in the middle of our lives. And He must be paramount in your lives. We can say it this way, He is the glue that holds us together. He brought us together, and if we're focused on the Lord, we will stick together as a husband and as a wife. Now, man or a person consists of three parts. God teaches us this in various passages in the Bible. Here's an example, that we are body, soul, and spirit. Three parts to your being. In 1 Thessalonians 5, verse 23, And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly. And I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, if two become one, and if that's your whole being, body, soul, and spirit, two become one, there's a unity in those three areas as well. There must be those three unities for a marriage to be holy and right. before our God. Marriage relationships consist of the same. Now today perhaps you're dating someone or you hope to be dating someone. Maybe you want to be married one day. You should take notes. Think about these characteristics and the things that will go over because these are necessary in a marriage relationship. And if you're going to start dating or courting or whatever term you want to use for that, if you want to get to know someone, you should be intentional about it. Where I have a goal, not just to waste time or to pass the time, but I have a goal of being married one day. And so you want to date intentionally or court intentionally. You have a purpose with it. It's not just to pass the time. So take some notes because these are characteristics that you will need. If you are married today, determine how to make your marriage stronger. Thank God for your spouse. And look for some of these things and see how you can instill some of these truths that we're going to look at into your home starting today. And then if you have a spouse that's already entered into eternity, you thank God for the spouse that you've had. And you purpose that in this life and with these truths, you can encourage other people in their life. And that you can help others along life's way. Relationships are the most difficult thing in life to start and to maintain. And so let's consider the relationship of marriage today. A holy marriage takes three. It's you, too, and God. Let's go together to the Lord in prayer. Father, we thank you for your word today. And as we look at this passage and consider others, we pray that you would teach us. We pray that you would strengthen our homes and our marriages and those who would be married one day, that we would learn things that would help in our lives today and in the future. Lord, we commit this service, this message to you for your honor and glory. We pray in Christ's name. Amen. Marriage does take three. There's a unity in marriage that must be there. Number one, let's consider spiritual unity. Spiritual unity. What an important thing this is. but spiritual unity. Listen to the Bible in 2 Corinthians 6, verse 14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness, and what communion hath light with darkness? There must be spiritual unity, and spiritual unity begins with one word, salvation. Salvation. If you're going to find someone and say, well, I think I would like to marry them one day, they better be a Christian. They better be saved, born again, knowing Jesus Christ. Let me ask you this. What is your salvation testimony? Apply it in your marriage and think about this. What is your spouse's salvation testimony? Now, when I was saved, I was seven years old. And it was after an evening service. My father came in to where we were at. And the preacher had preached on heaven and hell, I didn't want to go to hell, and so my father came in, we prayed, and I said, I would like to trust Jesus Christ as my first receiver, so I would save that guy. A very similar thing happened to Natalie, and her mother shared the gospel with her, and she trusted Jesus Christ as her first receiver. And see, these are things that we need to know in our marriage relationship. If you are looking at dating someone, or courting someone, or thinking about being married one day, know about their salvation. Because you cannot be spiritually united if they're spiritually dead. If they're still lost and they're trespassing in sin. Think about this in your marriage then, and apply that. Have a salvation testimony. Know that spiritual unity must begin at salvation. I've known young ladies, I've known young men, and they'll say, well, I know that's true, but I don't care if he's saved or not right now, because I will win him to Jesus Christ. And that sounds very noble, and that sounds good, but why not win him to Christ before you start today, before you start tomorrow, and especially before you get married? Why not do that before? Now, there's hope. If you're married to a spouse who is lost, not Jesus Christ, They were brought up in a false religion. They were brought up in a word-based religion or something like that. And maybe if you're already married, you can thank God. 1 Corinthians chapter 7 talks about how you can win them to the Lord. And other passages speak about how you, by your witness, by your testimony, can win them to the Lord. But spiritual unity begins with salvation. Jesus Christ died on the cross. shedding His blood for our sins. He rose again three days later, and we're not saved by our works or by our righteousness because those things are zero, those things are nothing, but we're saved by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and His perfect sacrifice. And Jesus is alive in heaven today, and He will save your soul. You have a testimony of expressing your faith, utmost dependence upon that truth, salvation. Secondly, with spiritual unity would be sanctification. Now these are all spiritual issues. Turn over to 1 Thessalonians if you would. We understand as we're looking at our God being holy, the Lord is holy. From Psalm 99 verse 9, we worship at his holy hill, we worship at the holy throne of God. And so we've understood last month, we've had messages about holiness, the holiness of God, holy in worship. Here He is holy and weaving. He brought us together. There must be spiritual unity beginning with salvation and also with this word sanctification. Look at 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication. That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor, not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles, which know not God." And then it continues on with this teaching in the rest of the chapter. But notice, if you would, these are all spiritual concerns. This word called sanctification. The Bible calls us out from this world. This has to do with our thinking. This has to do with our actions. Folks, we all drive cars and live in houses. We all may have a television or books that we can read. It's the books that we read. It's what we watch on the screen. And it's what we do with the cars and the houses that God's given to us. And it's the sanctification in how we live. That's where the difference lies. It's the worldly thinking or the philosophy. Because we all have the same stuff of life. It's what you do with the stuff of life. that counts before God. And so, sanctification. Am I going to be more like Jesus Christ with the opportunities that he's given to me, or will I be more like the world? Because everyone lives, why? Everyone has opportunities, but the difference lies in how you see and how you perceive and how you think and what you do with what God has given to you. Now these are spiritual issues of sanctification. Here's a question that you must ask for spiritual unity. When it comes to sanctification, what standards of conduct will we have? How are we going to conduct ourselves on a daily basis? How are we going to live our lives? That's a question that must be asked. Standards of conduct. The Bible says in 1 John 2, verse 15, love not the world. These are the things that are in the world. If any man loved the world, the love of the Father is not in death. And so, what are we going to watch on television? That's a question that you're going to have to ask. It's a spiritual concern, and it's a spiritual thing. Well, that's just something that I want to do. It's a spiritual thing. It reflects some spiritual decisions in your life. What kind of music are we going to listen to? Well, everyone listens to music, but what kind of music am I going to listen to? And that's a spiritual concern. That's a concern of sanctification. What kind of books are we going to read? Am I going to read this novel or read this book? Or am I going to read this other one over here? That's a spiritual concern. It's not just what I just feel like. It has to do with where we're at walking with God and how close we are to Christ or how close we are to this world. What are we going to drink? Everyone has to drink something. Are we going to drink water? Are we going to drink juice? Are we going to drink milk? Are we going to drink alcohol? Everyone has to drink something. That's a spiritual concern. you're going to drink alcohol and become an inebriated and not control your faculties and become drunk and the Bible tells us after all that wine is a mocker strong drink is raging and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise it's not just why I just feel like the rest of us brought up it's a spiritual decision we don't drink alcohol what kind of language are we going to use what kind of words are we going to use Proverbs 15 verse 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but the words of the pure are pleasant to the world." Well, we don't use curse words in our home. Hey, listen, we try to take this a step further. We don't use crude words in our home. Things that aren't curse words that are not wrong, but they just maybe come across crude, we don't say things like that. That's not something we're supposed to do. And these are spiritual things. How are we going to talk? What are we going to look at? Standards of conduct. What standards of living will we display? You see, this has to do with spiritual unity. Are we going to max out our credit card? Well, that's a physical thing. I mean, no, it has to do with the spiritual. I'm looking for satisfaction in the things of this world where I'm going to rip people off, not pay the debt that I've owed. That's a spiritual problem or a spiritual concern. Will we max out our credit card? How are we going to discipline our children? That's not just, I'm going to read a therapy book about it or something. That's a spiritual decision. That's a spiritual decision that you must make and you make that together. These are things that we are united on. They are spiritual decisions that you must unite together on a husband and a wife, spiritual unity with salvation, with sanctification. How about service? Are we going to serve God together? Are we going to go to church together? And I've heard of families, the husband goes to church here, the wife goes to church here. I've heard of things happening like that. Listen, if a spouse is sick and stays home, we understand that. But come to church together. Make a spiritual effort together. Listen to the Word of God together. Be in Sunday school together. Come to the prayer meeting together. These are things that we can connect with in a spiritual way. Will we serve God together? Will we go to church together? Will we help each other in ministry service? Natalie, some of the things that we did early in ministry were very beneficial in our marriage. Let me tell you some of the things that we did. On Saturday morning or afternoon, we would go for two or three hours, driving a bus around, looking for kids to commit to come to church the next day. And we did that every Saturday for three years, just the two of us. We would sing songs, we would hold hands, we would talk, we would have a good time right in the church bus. We did that together. And you could teach a class together. You could work together. Those would be special times. Doing ministry together, a spiritual type thing. What a blessing. It can be in your life. Have spiritual unity. It's the first and most important unity in marriage, to have spiritual unity. Number two, emotional unity. Emotional unity. Look at Colossians chapter three, if you would. Colossians chapter three. emotional unity. What's your soul like? Your drive? Your thoughts? We understand spiritual unity. Some of these will seem to overlap a little bit when it comes to emotional unity. Consider your emotional unity today. Colossians chapter 3 verse 19. Husbands, love your wives and be not bitter against them. Now, men, let's go ahead and read that together. Let's try that. Men, all the men, get a speaking voice out. Let's try to read this together. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. That's the commandment. Love your wives. There's no excuse. Well, she said this, or she did this, or she did that, or she didn't do that. It doesn't matter. Love your wives. And then the second part is for that. The problems that you may have is be not bitter against them. You don't hold that against her. You don't hold this against her at all. Be loving towards your wife. There must be emotional unity. And friends today, there must be stability in love. Stability in love. Love is a choice that touches our emotions. Can you say that with me? Love is a choice that touches our emotions. You choose to love or not. You choose how to love, how to demonstrate love. And it does touch your emotions. Sometimes people think about love as a feeling, but it's more than a feeling. It is a choice. Let's say that together again. Love is a choice that touches our emotions. Now here's a problem that happens many times. Relationships can be on roller coasters. And one day, oh, I love you. I love you. I love you. And here's some flowers for you. And here's some box of chocolates for you and anything that you want. And then the next day, I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I don't want to be around. That's not the way our marriage should be. That's not the way our relationship should be. Husbands, love your wives. Married men today, love your wives. Future, perhaps, married men, love your wife in that time. No doubt. There should be no doubt. There should be no second guessing. You are my wife. You are my husband. God has brought us together. There's no one else. There's nothing else in between or in between our relationship. And God has brought us together and nothing's in between. You are my spouse. You are my man, you are my woman, and nothing can change that. Our ladies need to know that, man. And we need to have that in our relationships. Stability in love. I read something that Glamour magazine had done a survey some time, and here's what they said about the marriage vow and what was hardest to keep. 19% said it was to love and sickness and health. 19% said it was hardest to love and richer and for poor. And the toughest one of all, according to this thing that I read, said that 60% of men said that it was hardest to forsake all Now that's a Fleshly magazine, I'm sure. I don't know much about it. I found this statistic that they found out. Listen, men. Listen, ladies. The marriage unity, emotional unity, the stability in love, there must be this knowing, and it must be known, that your spouse, that you love him or her more than dad and mom, more than other people more than former girlfriends or boyfriends former spouses or whatever the case could be they need to know that i love you more than the job or more than my friends they need to know i love you more than the children a lot of times even well-meaning people get that out of balance i love you more than even where you live there should be no no second guesses about love I like, and Natalie and I like, the old television show, Green Acres. Green Acres is the place to be. Anything agricultural we kind of like, I guess. I don't know why. Farming community or something. And in that song, the introductory song, He says, you are my wife. She says, goodbye, city life. That's the way it should be. We actually got that right. We're leaving everything else, anybody else, and we're clinging on to our spouses. And God's right there. That is the way a relationship is supposed to be in marriage. Spiritual unity and emotional unity, stability and love. How about sharing in life? sharing in life. By the way, when it comes to disability and love, recently, it was January 1st, we went to a wedding. And if you went to California, they had a marriage ceremony, or actually a civil union, a man and a man. And that was a tragedy. That was on national TV. It was during the Rose Bowl parade, things like that. But about the same time, we were at a wedding in Indiana, and here was a man Here was a woman, and they got married. We were able and blessed to be witnesses to that wedding on that day. And after the wedding, I spoke with Nan, and I said, well, where are y'all going on the honeymoon? And he said, shh, it's a secret. And he told me a secret. I said, now who in the world knows this? He said, nobody knows where we're going. So I felt really excited about that. I knew something no one else knew. I said, well, how about your bride? She said, she doesn't know. Here's what they were going to do. She didn't know. She said, bring clothes for warm weather. But other than that, she didn't know where they were going. For one week, they had their honeymoon. But they extended their honeymoon to the second week for a mission trip. And they went to an island. And they helped a missionary out. Let me tell you something. That's a good way to start a marriage with God at the center of your thoughts. I was excited about that. And so I knew what was happening. And Natalie was sitting here beside the bride. And I came over. And about that time, Natalie said, so where are y'all going? And she said, I don't know. I said, that's right. She doesn't know. And I said, you. And we had a good conversation there. And I said, now, what you just said in the wedding vows, you really believe that, don't you? And she said, yes. And I said, you really meant that, don't you? Because she did not know. And that's how our relationship, that's how strong our relationship is. Amen. It really should be like that. In our lives our marriage relationships stability and love she really loved her man Trusted him and was willing to go wherever wherever forsaking all else or so forsaking all others How about sharing in life marriage is a connection with your best friend we should do life together We should live life together spend the time together shopping shopping together Man, you can do that with your wife. You know what? That would express love. Sometimes I'll go shopping with my wife. And the last time we met, she said, you know, you've really grown a lot. You've expressed a lot more patience and kindness and things when I'm shopping. So we do that. And you know what? Sometimes we do a hobby together. We'll do our yearly golf outing. And she'll go golfing with me. And we'll do things like that. You may not necessarily like the object or the item or what you're doing, but spend time together, whether it's shopping or hobbies, maybe it's chores or cleaning, and maybe it's trips or traveling. And we love Just driving together in a car. Sometimes, if life is busy, just get in a car, turn off the cell phone, and drive somewhere, and talk to each other, and get away from some things, and connect together, and share life together. Emotional unity, stability in love, sharing in life. How about secrets are lifted? Secrets are lifted. No hiding from each other. Here's what happens. I don't want to hurt this person. This is my stuff. And maybe I'm upset about this, or I'm angry about this, but I'm not going to say anything. I'll just kind of hold it in. And that can be dangerous. We shouldn't have secrets like this from one another. A secret hurt, or a secret anger, or something that we are afraid to share with one another. And I think of Adam and Eve in the Bible, as they lived in utmost transparency. They were open and free, and they walked with God, and there was such a freedom of discourse between them, until sin came in. And we live in the same same time frame, sin in their lives. Because of that sin, there could be a problem with their communication. Friends today, husbands and wives, avoid bottling up or blowing up when it comes to emotion. Many times there are bottlers and there are blowers. Some people will blow up and sometimes it's the man. For the men who would deal with that and blowing up, Proverbs 21 verse 19 says, It is better to dwell in a wilderness than with a contentious and angry woman. Even a woman could be angry, contentious, and hard to live with or get along with. Some people will blow up. Ladies, help your man release emotions in a kind way or a right way. Proverbs chapter 15, verse 1 says, a soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up pain. Don't just keep poking and prodding, but help him. release of potential anger. Some people will bottle up, and then they'll blow up. And either way, whether you bottle up or you blow up, if you bottle up, you'll still blow up eventually. It'll still come out, maybe not in the way that you intended, or maybe even in a way that is damaging. Then listen to her cry. Listen to her quietness. If your wife isn't saying something, there must be something wrong. If there's a lack of communication, there may be something wrong there, some hidden hurt, something that's just not right there. Then take special account of Proverbs 22, 24. Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a curious man thou shalt not go, lest thou learn his ways and get astrayed thyself. There are some men that are just angry, it seems like, all the time. And if the wife was going to go, and she wasn't married and was going to look for someone to go get married to, she couldn't even be a friend to her husband, according to that verse. If he's just mean-spirited and angry all the time. Don't go with men like that, the Bible says. Examine your life. Examine your relationships. Secrets lifted. Be sharing in life. Have stability. in love. Marital stats, according to the Ohio State University College of Medicine, marital stats are harder on women than on men. Blood samples were taken from 90 newlywed couples after they had quarreled and fought for a little while and found that the females had higher levels of stress hormones in their body. The men in the study tended to drift away and just not really think about it. That's kind of what men do, kind of zone out sometimes. But the woman just kept thinking about it and kept affecting her body in a negative way. Stress. Man, I would do anything that you can and everything you can to reduce the stress in your wife's life. And one way to do that is to be a man who loves your wife and be not bitter against you. Emotional unity. By the way, don't ever let it get so bad that you say, I won't be around. I won't be around. Sometimes I'll try to help couples in marriage counseling. And I've found this to be true, and I've read it as well in my studies, that post-marriage, if you wait six years, you play a key role. Don't wait if you can't stand each other. You start uniting together in a spiritual way. You start to unite together in a proper emotional way and have emotional unity. Number three, physical unity. Now this is simple, if you would, when spiritual and emotional unity are in place. Let's start with 1 Peter 3, verse 7. Very simply, physical unity, how about the same house? That's a good place to start. And I don't say that in a light way, but notice what the Bible says here in this passage. In 1 Peter 3, verse 7, likewise ye husbands, notice the word dwell, that means to live. dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not tender. And so the same house, this would have to do with physical unity. Men, you need to be a protector. You need to be a provider. You need to be a planner. You should be a man with a plan and that you would work that plan in your marriage and in your life. And so having the same house and dwelling with her according to knowledge. And then I challenge you to take care of the physical needs of your wife. She shouldn't worry about where the next meal is going to come from or how we're going to take care of the house or the leak or something. We're going to buy a house, provide a house. You can look at it, write it down. Proverbs 24, 27. Look at it on another day. But the Bible says, go out into the field and then come back and prepare your house. And it's addressed to men getting a job, providing for their family, and men, I don't want my wife to worry about how we're going to live, or where we're going to live, or if she's going to make enough money. We don't want to have to live like that. We want to dwell together so that Titus chapter 2 verses 4 and 5 can be true in our hope. Speaking of the aged women, listen to this, that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, taste, Keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Men, do all that you can so that your wife does not feel that she has to do the work. Do all that you can so that she don't feel the need that she has to do the work. So that phrase, keepers at home, has to do with controlling and guiding and ministering. If you have young children in your home, listen, they're only young once. And kids need a mama to give them the guidance and the instruction. That's what that verse is teaching us. You can read it right there in Titus chapter 2. And so men, do all that you can. And friends, know this. It doesn't matter how we decorate the house, as long as we dwell. It doesn't matter what house we live in, as long as we dwell. We need to dwell. And men, dwell according to knowledge. The same house. How about the same finances? We're going to be physically united, the same house, have all the same finances. The mine and yours is dangerous to unity. We're talking about marital unity. The mine and yours is dangerous to unity. And so consider that. Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. And Jesus said in our passage in Mark chapter 10, that twain's two shall be one. spiritual unity, emotional unity, and physical unity. The same finances, paychecks, bonds, checking accounts, credit cards, they can be the same, and it may make it difficult for you to buy a surprise gift. But that's nothing to pay when you have emotional, spiritual, physical unity. Big deal! If he gives it to you. if it's hard to surprise her or him. There's so much better reward being united in every way possible. Same house, same kindness, same body. The world focuses more on this unity than all the others combined. But for this to be healthy and for it to be right, the other unities must be there. Otherwise, people will have broken hearts, they'll feel used throughout life, and marriages will be broken. So all of these unities are important in marriage. spiritual unity, emotional unity, and physical unity. Think of a triangle illustrated this way before. God is at the top. He's right there. Here's a man and here's a woman. They come together in holy matrimony. And together they're going to grow to the Lord and grow closer to the Lord. And as they grow closer to the Lord, they're getting closer to each other. And every day in our relationship, we should be more united spiritually, emotionally and physically. One person said marriage takes three. I once thought marriage took just two to make a go, but now I'm convinced it takes the Lord also. In not one marriage fails where Christ is asked to enter as lovers come together with Jesus at the center. In homes where Christ is first, it's obvious to see those unions really work. where marriage still takes place. The Lord is the one who brought you together. Don't let anyone or anything change that. Let's be united. Let's bow together for prayer. Thank you for your good intention here this morning. If you're married today, maybe you'd say, Pastor Harness, I have been challenged for greater unity, whether spiritual, emotional, or physical in my marriage. God has challenged my heart with that today. Would you raise your hand around the saints? Amen. Amen. Many hands were raised. Amen. Maybe you'd say, I want to be married one day. I've learned something that I will look for in a potential spouse. I've learned some things that should God call me to be married, if he calls me to be married, I want to see these things in that relationship. And God has taught that to me today. As soon as you raise your hand or other hand, amen. Thank you, thank you. However, God is working in your life. Whatever God is doing in the midst of your marriage relationship right now, why not decide today to be as united as you know that you can. That you would allow these truths to change your relationship now and your relationship We invite you to come to the altar. Maybe you want to pray for a spouse. Maybe you want to pray for a future spouse. Maybe you have children and grandchildren. You want to pray for their future spouse. You go ahead and do that. Because marriage is such an important thing that God has given to us. Let's pray about it today. Father, we thank you for the many decisions that are being made right now. We commit them to you that your will will be done and done through Jesus. Would you please stand at your feet as the pianist begins to play? The altar is open. Would you come? Do you want to pray with your spouse? Do you want to pray for your spouse? Maybe your loved one is lost.