GRANT COUNTY CHURCH OF CHRIST
May 3, 2009

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MARRIAGE CHECK LIST

1. Never leave God out of your marriage, He created it!
2. Never let both be angry at the same time.
3. Never yell at each other unless the house is on fire.
4. Never bring up past mistakes.
5. Never go to sleep with an argument unsettled.
6. If one of you has to win an argument, let it be your mate.
7. If you must criticize, do it lovingly.
8. Neglect the whole world, rather than each other.
9. Say at least one kind thing to him/her each day.
10. Admit your wrongs and ask for forgiveness.
11. It takes two to quarrel, and the one who is wrong is
usually the loudest.
12. Spend the majority of your leisure time together.
13. Set aside, at least, one three hour block of time every
two weeks for each other.
14. Plan at least one 2 day get-away every 3 months.
15. Balance your "at home" & "away from home" workload.
16. Settle disagreements with mutual satisfaction & no
bitterness.
17. Try to make your mate feel wanted, loved, &
appreciated.
18. Take inventory and immediately replace any necessary
thing that you find missing in your relationship.
19. Never give up trying to have a happy marriage.
20. When you are looking for faults to correct, look first in
the mirror!
21. Selfishness destroys marriages and families!


"I LOVE YOU"

It is amazing how many times one utters and hears the phrase
“I Love You.” It is sad however, to some extent, that the English language only has one word to cover the various aspects of love. The Greek language has four different words for love. Each word describes a kind of love. In reality though, each of these aspects of love must be present in a successful marriage.
Someone said, "Love is a blind thing." Someone else replied, "Yes, but marriage is an eye opener." We want to enter marriage with our eyes wide open. We want to have great marriages.
The philosopher, Socrates said: "By all means marry; if you get a good wife, twice blessed you will be; if you get a bad wife, you will become a philosopher."
Jesus is the foundation upon which marriage should be built. And the basis of that marriage must be love. Marriage should not be based on social status, economic status, rebellion at home, loneliness, nor pregnancy.
Successful marriages are based upon and strive to cultivate all four kinds of love.

I. STORGE (FAMILY LOVE).
A. Being a devoted spouse (My family is important to me).
1. Belonging (Genesis 2:24).
2. Oneness (Genesis 2:24).
3. Loyalty (Ruth 1:16-17).
4. Trust ( Proverbs 31:11)
5. Support (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
6. Familiarity (Proverbs 31:28)
B. Being a dedicated parent (Proverbs 22:6; 1 Timothy 5:8; Proverbs
31:10ff).
C. Being a delightful partner (Genesis 26:8).
II. EROS (SENSUAL LOVE).
A. An exclusive love (I am physically attracted to you).
1. Private (Genesis 24:67).
2. Personal (Genesis 4:1).
3. Pure (Hebrews 13:4).
B. An expressive love (1 Corinthians 7:3-5).
C. An emotional love (Ephesians 5:22, 25).
III. PHILEO (FRIENDSHIP LOVE).
A. Companionship (I like you).
1. Love of best friends (1 Samuel 18:1; John 16:27).
a. We spend time together.
b. We have fun together.
c. We share activities and interests.
d. We know and like each other.
e. We talk things over.
f. We confide in each other.
g. We call on each other for help.
h. We count on each other's loyalty.
B. Communication.
1. Converse not critique.
2. Promoters not provokers.
3. Positive not pessimist.
4. Agreeable not argumentative (Ephesians 4:25-32).
C. Cooperative (Acts 18:1-3, 26; 1 Peter 3:7).
IV. AGAPE (SACRIFICIAL LOVE).
A. Sacrificial love (I will be good to you).
1. Will (John 3:16).
2. Emotions (Matthew 22:37-39).
3. Includes: Action, Involvement, Unconditional love,
Permanent commitment, Consistency of behavior.
B. Selfless love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
1. Patient ........ Love suffers Long
2. Kind ........ Love is kind
3. Generous .....Love does not envy
4. Humble .......Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up
5. Courteous ....Love does not behave rudely
6. Unselfish ......Love does not seek its own
7. Guileless ......Love thinks no evil
8. Sincere ........ Love rejoices in truth.
C. Saving love.
1. It saves marriages (Ephesians 5:25; Titus 2:4).
2. It saves souls (1 Peter 3:1-2).
Conclusion:
A. There is no other relationship like marriage.
B. Your spouse is your Closest Kin & Best Friend; the Receiver of your devotion and Lover of your life.