Introduction: God created man and gave him work to do (Genesis 2:7-8, 15, 19) but there was still something lacking. Man was alone.
- THE PROBLEM OF MARRIAGE
- A Wife is a Good Thing (Proverbs 18:22)
- Marriage is Trouble in the Flesh (1Corinthians 7:27-28)
- THE BENEFITS OF MARRIAGE (Genesis 2:18)
- Companionship not alone
- The strength of companionship (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
- The companionship of marriage (Matthew 19:4-6)
- Comfort an help
- The wife to her husband (Titus 2:4-5)
- The husband to his wife (Ephesians 5:25-29)
- Completion meet for him
- The word, meet, means fit, proper or just right for a particular need (2Timothy 2:21)
- Made for each other (1Corinthians 11:10-11)
- Complementing each other (1Peter 3:1-7)
- THE SACRIFICE OF THE MAN (Genesis 2:21-22)
- He Came to the Point of Death (Genesis 2:21; John 3:16; Ephesians 5:25); Note: Jesus Christ is the last Adam (1Corinthians 15:45). His bride is the church (Ephesians 5:23-25). Adams deep sleep is a type of the death of Christ and His giving of Himself for the church (Ephesians 5:25). The rib taken from Adam and the declaration that Eve is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh is a type of the relationship of Christ to the church. For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones (Ephesians 5:30). No wonder Paul said that this was a great mystery (Ephesians 5:32).
- He Gave Up One of His Ribs (Genesis 2:22; Ephesians 5:28-29)
- THE SACRIFICE OF THE WOMAN (Genesis 2:23-25)
- Her Husband is Part of Her (Genesis 2:23)
- Her Family is Left Behind (Genesis 2:24); Note: From the beginning, marriage consisted of a man leaving his family, cleaning unto his wife and becoming one with her. Read especially Matthew 19:4-6. As such, marriage is the first earthly institution established by God. The other two are human government and the church.
- Her Privacy Has Departed (Genesis 2:25; Hebrews 13:4)
Conclusion: Great sacrifice for a worthy cause can lead to great joy (Song of Solomon 3:1-4; Song of Solomon 8:6-7); but you must pass through times of trouble in the flesh (1Corinthians 7:27-28).
