Introduction

• Proverbs 23:23
• John 17:17
• Expectations about marriage are critically important.

Pessimistic – “Marriage is horrible.”

• Genesis 1:26-31 – God’s creation is very good, including marriage!
• Genesis 29:20 – How good it feels to be in love!
• Proverbs 18:22; 19:14
• Ephesians 5:28, 33

Idealistic – “This will solve everything.”

• You may still face money problems or depression.
• Your spouse is not your purpose in life.
• Acts 17:26-28 – God is our purpose in life.
• Luke 18:28-30
• Luke 20:34-36 – We can be happy in heaven without marriage.
• I Corinthians 7:1-9 – Being marriage won’t instantly cure lust and temptation.
• Romans 7:3 – Why is this verse here if marriage is the end of temptation?
• Ecclesiastes 5:10 – Getting a great job won’t necessarily solve your money problems.
• I Thessalonians 4:3

Materialistic – “Everything’s gotta look good.”

• II Kings 9:30; I Kings 21:25 – Everything is not what it appears to be!
• Proverbs 31:30 – Fearing the Lord is what makes a good marriage.
• Proverbs 21:19
• John 2:1 – It’s about more than just the wedding.
• I Peter 3:3, 7-8
• Ephesians 5:25

Not a marriage myth: Optimistic – “Marriage takes work, but it’s a great relationship.”

• Proverbs 31:10

Notice your green grass

• Hebrews 13:5
• Luke 12:15-31
• Philippians 4:11-13 – Be content in whatever situation you find yourself in.
• Philippians 3:7-11
• What does contentment have to do with humility?
• I Timothy 6:6-11
• Exodus 20:17
• Colossians 3:5-6
• Hebrews 11:24-25
• Philippians 3:14
• Social media can be a breeding ground for discontentment.
• II Corinthians 12:9-10

Hold your tongue

• James 3:2-12
• James 1:26

What is a church?

• A spiritual team working together in the things of Christ.
• Matthew 18:15-17
• Acts 4:32; 5:4

What about church membership?

• I Corinthians 1:2; 5:1, 10, 12-13
• III John 1:9-10
• Acts 9:18, 26-28
• Acts 11:25-26
• Acts 13:1
• Acts 15:22
• What about college students? Join the church where you are while you’re there.

Introduction

• Matthew 22:35-40; 16:24-27 – Love your neighbor; there is nothing more valuable than a soul.

Every soul must be valued

The saved – need edification

• I Thessalonians 1:1-7
• II Thessalonians 1:1-4
• Why spend time writing to people who are already saved? Because they needed to continue to grow.
• I Thessalonians 4:1
• II John 1:1-2, 4-11 – Saved people need to be warned and encouraged.
• Acts 14:21-22

The straying – need restoration

• James 5:19-20 – There’s no greater help we can give someone than to turn their soul back to God!
• Hebrews 3:7-13 – Don’t let this happen to you!
• Hebrews 4:2-3, 11
• Hebrews 10:24-25

The lost – need conversion

• Romans 15:20
• Acts 8:4
• Acts 19:1-5 – These people were already spiritually minded, but didn’t have all the information yet.

Getting better at loving souls

Open your eyes

• John 4:35

Gladly spend and be spent

• II Corinthians 12:14-15

Develop skills

• Acts 11:22-23
• We may need to expand our spiritual skill set.