Bible Text: Matthew 7:24-25 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: Marriage Matters
We Are All House Builders; Each House Faces A Storm
Matthew 7:24-27 Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.  When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.
Two Houses Two Different Foundations
It’s not about AVOIDING the storms but about building houses FOR the storms.
It costs more to build on rock. It costs time, energy, extra effort and additional funds if you’re going to GO DEEP!
How can we BUILD SOLID marital relationships?
Develop and grow the FRIENDSHIP and TRUST in the marriage
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
Marriage is best when we are a TEAM
How can we BUILD SOLID marital relationships?
Learn to KNOW and UNDERSTAND your partner
Colossians 1:9-10 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.
How can we BUILD SOLID marital relationships?
Regularly PRAY together keeping strong spiritually
Ephesians 6:18 Pray at all times and on every occasion…be persistent in your prayers.
Worship Together
John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done…
Pray Together
We talk to God – Philippians 4:6-7
God talks to us – Jeremiah 33:3
How can we BUILD SOLID marital relationships?
DEPOSIT into the emotional bank account of your partner through shared appreciation, admiration and affection
2 John 5-6…we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.
How can we BUILD SOLID marital relationships?
Turn TOWARDS each other through emotional connecting words, actions and gestures.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
How can we BUILD SOLID marital relationships?
Have a POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE/ATTITUDE
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Build Community Together
Be Best Friends: Ephesians 5:31-33
Have Other Friends: Hebrews 10:24-25
How can we BUILD SOLID marital relationships?
Learn the skill of HANDLING CONFLICT with (EQ) MATURITY
2 Corinthians 13:11 I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity.  Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.
Honor each other life’s DREAMS
1 Peter 2:17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood…
How can we BUILD SOLID marital relationships?
Create shared meaning and build a sense of marital purpose and mission that leaves a marital INHERITANCE
Proverbs 29:18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is happy.
How can we BUILD SOLID marital relationships?
Build COMMITMENT through sharing and bonding.
MARRIAGE APPOINTMENT one hour one day a week
James 1:19 My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.