Revive
Marriage Series
Let Not Man Separate
March 6, 2022 • Chan Mitchell
Mark 10:1–12 carries profound implications for marriage and sexuality. In Jesus' time, a man could divorce his wife for the slightest offense. Jesus reveals people had corrupted God's definition for marriage: that one man and one woman become “one” by a covenant made before God. As Jesus rebukes the religious leaders, He explains that, even though the Law makes our private sin(s) public, grace always comes running to tell us our sin(s) can be forgiven. The truth of God's protects the weak and powerless, and rebukes those who choose to harden their hearts against His truth.
Unity in Conflict
February 27, 2022 • Chan Mitchell
Conflict and struggle are a part of every marriage. It doesn’t matter if we’ve been married 1 year, 10 years, or 60 years, struggle and conflict are inevitable. The only difference from marriage to marriage is the frequency and the severity of those struggles and conflicts. Unfortunately, many of us go through life trying to avoid conflict, while others might try to create conflict. The key in any relationship is NOT to figure out how to avoid conflict, but how to pursue unity amid conflict. 1 Peter 3:8-11 lays out some qualities that are helpful in the Body of Christ, as well as in marriage, to help maintain unity in the midst of conflict.
No Longer Two but One
February 20, 2022 • Chan Mitchell
The word, revive, means to restore new life. So many marriages today are in need of revival and new life. Marriage was originally ordained by God at creation. From the beginning man was instructed to leave his family so that he could be joined to his wife as “one flesh”. To be joined as one means “to glue or cement together, stick to, or be braided together firmly.” The vows and promises that a Christian man and woman share with one another during their wedding ceremony implies permanency. The fact that God joins a husband and wife together reinforces the concept that marriage was meant to be until “death to you part.” When the two become one, unity is established, unity in spirit and in flesh.