Marriage is under attack. It always has been attacked – look how quickly the design of marriage is perverted in the historical accounts in the Scriptures – and will continue to be attacked. Some opposition comes in the form of pressure from the world to conform to a pagan plan for marriage, or from the calculated attack of anti-christs who desire to destroy the biblical model, and of course from the evil one who seeks the failure of all that is good. The line of attack is recognizable historically and culturally from abdication of biblical roles in marriage and family, to divorce, then the floodgates of no-fault divorce, the prominence of egalitarianism, homosexuality introduced through humorous media, arguments for same-sex marriage, and the current attempt to eliminate gender through opposing male and female restrooms and the introduction of new, non-gender pronouns. The attack on the biblical design of marriage is certainly apparent and continuously demonstrated.
The people of God must return to a healthy conviction of Hebrews 13:4 and faithful application of its principle. “Let marriage be held in honor among all,” writes the author of Hebrews. We call attention to this principle in particular as we reach Matthew 19:1-12 in our study of the first Gospel, making this first Sunday in June not only a significant gospel opportunity as always but also a poignant cultural moment as well. As we seek to live faithfully and respond appropriately in the context of marriage, I would call attention to several recommended resources on the topic of marriage.
The Meaning of Marriage, Tim Keller
Two Becoming One, Don and Sally Meredith
When Sinners Say I Do, Dave Harvey
God on Sex, Daniel Akin
Sacred Sex, Tim Gardner
What Did You Expect, Paul Tripp
The Mingling of Souls, Matt Chandler
If you prefer a sermon to a book, or find it easier to listen to audio, John Piper has preached “Marriage, Christ, and Covenant: One Flesh for the Glory of God,” a series of 14 sermons on marriage.
