Bible Text: Genesis 2:18-25 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: Marriage Matters
The Foundational Biblical Equality Of Men And Women
Genesis 1:26-28 Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.  So, God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.
Men And Women Are Unique Created Beings
So God created man in his own image: humankind is the divine creation of God.
In the image of God he created him: we are created in the image of God.
Male and female he created them: this affirms the dual unique sexuality of a man and a woman.
We Are Designed To Be COMPLIMENTARY To Each Other
Genesis 2:18-20 And the LORD God said, It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him. So the LORD God formed from the soil every kind of animal and bird. He brought them to Adam to see what he would call them, and Adam chose a name for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, birds, and wild animals. But still there was no companion suitable for him.
Our Marital Roles
The husband:
Loving Leader,  Provider and Protector
The wife:
Loving Compliment, Provider and Protector
Together a UNITED Married TEAM:
God created marriage to function best as a team, a husband and wife working together.
Genesis 2:21-25 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. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.  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. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
LEAVE
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother
Leaving our family of origin.  Leaving is the legal act in which husband and wife make a public commitment of ultimate loyalty and lifelong devotion one to the other, above all others, even parents.
CLEAVE
and be joined to his wife
Cleaving to one another is the process of nurturing and bonding to our mate or the personal aspect of tender love and faithful responsibility which is permanent and binding. The Hebrew word for “cleave” suggests the idea of being glued together. It is used in Job 38:38 of dirt clods which stick together after the rain.
COMMIT
and they shall become one flesh
Committing for a lifetime to a partner by becoming “one flesh,” or the physical or sexual union which symbolizes the beginning of a union of souls, and especially the spiritual and psychological connecting of persons.
Two Becoming One
…and the two are united into one. Now, although Adam and his wife were both naked, neither of them felt any shame.
Team
Knowledge
Trusting
Transparency
Security and Safety
Marriage Is HONORABLE
(Proverbs 31:10,12; Hebrews 13:4)
God intends that marriage provide a lasting companionship for the mutual enrichment, happiness and blessing of each partner (Genesis 2: 20-24).
God intends that marriage is for the enjoyment of one another through sexual relations as well as for the bearing of children (Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Cor 7: 2-5, 9).
God intends that marriage is for child-rearing and the adequate management of the family (Genesis 1:27,28; Psalm 127, 128; Proverbs 22:6).
Marry The RIGHT Person According To God’s Will
Marriage is to be monogamous (Genesis 2:24; 1 Timothy 2:12) only between a man and women
Marriage is a relationship in which fidelity for life is pledged by each spouse (Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:27, 28).
Marriage is to be permanent and committed (Matthew 19:3-9,1 Corinthians 7:10-15 and Mark 10:9).
Marriage Is LOVE
Phileo love: literally means to be fond of, care for affectionately, cherish, take pleasure in.  In is a friendship built on common insight, interest or activities.
Storge love: This term means something like natural love or family love. Parents love children and children love parents and children love one another.
Epithtmia love: This word denotes strong desire and in Greek writings generally it is used to refer to sexual desire and imply passionate love.
Eros love: Eros is romantic love, the passionate love that bonds two people together in an experience of emotional and physical fusion.
Agape love: the love of God toward His Son (John 17:26), toward the human race (John 3:16; Romans 5:8), and toward those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:21).
Agape love conveys God’s will to His children about their attitude toward one another.  Love for one another is a proof to the world of true discipleship (John 13:34–35).
Agape love also expresses the essential nature of God (1 John 4:8).  Love can be known only from the actions it prompts, as seen in God’s love in the gift of His Son (1 John 4:9–10). Love found its perfect expression in the Lord Jesus. Christian love is the fruit of the Spirit of Jesus in the believer (Galatians 5:22).