Ch 2: Reason to Continue

Got a Reason to Continue?

• We are all treasure-hunters.
• Tom: wants to "quit his own life."  It wasn't enjoyable any more.
• Cindy: there was no tenderness with her husband any more.
• Erin: tired of how her marriage intertwines with her husband's extended family.
• Nathan: finds a love note from wife's coworker.
• Sandy: feels more a custodian than a wife.
• Brandon: can't win at work; can't win at home.
• Nora and Chris: endless arguing.

Not the Way it Was Meant to Be

• "The person who was once your escape from responsibility has become your most significant responsibility."
• "Spending time together is radically different from living together."
• Need something sturdier than romance.
• Where do you look when...?

Rooted in Worship

• Strong marriage not rooted in romance; rooted in worship
• Worship is about identity before activity
• We act with purpose; we do things for a reason
• We are all in constant pursuit of life
• Jeanie attached her identity to comfort
• Made her home into a "museum"
• Tony attached his identity to success
• His marriage existed "outside his circle of value."
• Abby attached her identity to her husband
• Paid close attention to his every reaction
• "We have to deal with what is driving us before we ever deal with how we are reacting to one another."
• "It is only in the worship of God in our marriages that we find reason to continue."

What Does a Marriage Rooted in the Worship of God Look Like?

• "Love your neighbor as yourself."
• "A marriage of love, unity, and understanding will flow out of a daily worship of God as creator."
• God created every aspect of us.
• At times we want to "re-create" our spouses to suit our own purposes.
• "A marriage of love, unity, and understanding will flow out of a daily worship of God as sovereign."
• Life does not unfold according to our plans.
• We enter marriage with disparate expectations.
• "A marriage of love, unity and understanding will flow out of a daily worship of God as Savior."
• When you see your spouse in sin, you do best to respond as one who needs the grace of God himself/herself.
• Be a source of grace to your partner.
• Be ready to encourage her when she fails.
• Be ready to restore her when she falls.

Reason to Continue

• You won't find it in your spouse.
• You won't find it in easy circumstances.
• You'll find it by looking to God.