MAY 12, 2024
THE CHALLENGE OF MARITAL STORMS
Matthew 7:24-25
Matt. 7:24-25 – Everyone who hears these words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
Preparing For three Storms That Can Shatter
Your Marriage
1. Prepare for the culture we live in.
II Tim. 3:1-4 – In the last days, its going to be difficult to be a Christian. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be proud and boastful, sneering at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful to them, and thoroughly bad. They will be hardhearted, constant liars, trouble-makers and will think nothing of immorality. They will be rough and cruel and sneer at those who try to be good. They will betray their friends, they will be hot-headed, puffed up with pride and prefer good times to worshiping God.
Three Thoughts
Humanism
Materialism
Hedonism
Romans 12:2 – Don’t copy the fashions and customs of this world, but be a new and different person.
2. You need to prepare for the crisis that you are going to live through.
Twelve Crisis of Marriage
Death of a Child Miscarriage
Jail Sentence Court Appearance
Unfaithful Spouse Unwanted Pregnancy Financial Difficulties Major Illness
Business Failure Long Unemployment Being Fired Death of Close Friend
How To Handle The Crisis
Isaiah 43:1-3 – Don’t be afraid when you go through deep waters and great trouble. I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
1. Relax in God’s plan
2. Recognize God’s Presence
3. Rely on God’s Protection
The key to coping with the crisis is commitment.
3. You need to prepare for the winds of change.
Ecc. 3:1- To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.
Prov. 20:30 – Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways.
The Secret To Coping
Phil. 4:11 & 13 – I’ve learned to be content whatever the circumstances may be. I’m ready for anything through the strength of Christ that lives within me. Three Attitudes:
1. Contentment
2. Flexibility
3. Faith
I Cor. 3:11 – God has placed Jesus Christ as the one and only foundation and no other foundation can be laid.