TEXT: Genesis 2:18, 23-24; Psalm 127:3-5; Ephesians 5:22-33
Genesis 2:18 – 18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Genesis 2:23-24 – 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Psalm 127:3-5 – 3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
Ephesians 5:22-33 – 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Introduction:
Marriage is one of God’s greatest gifts to mankind. It is meant to be a sweet, fulfilling, and joyful experience when built on God’s principles. However, many marriages lack the sweetness that God originally intended. Today, we will explore how to make a marriage relationship truly successful and sweet in the light of the Scriptures.
Definitions:
1. Sweetness: Sweetness refers to a pleasant, enjoyable, and fulfilling experience. It is the opposite of bitterness, strife, or sorrow. Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
2. Relationship: A relationship is a connection or bond between two or more people, built on love, communication, and understanding. In marriage, this relationship is meant to reflect the love between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:25).
3. Marriage: Marriage is a divine institution established by God between a man and a woman for companionship, love, and procreation (Genesis 2:24). It is a covenant, not just a contract.
4. The Sweetness of a Successful Relationship in Marriage: This refers to the joy, harmony, and fulfillment that couples experience when they follow God’s design for marriage. A successful marriage is one that glorifies God, fosters love and unity, and brings blessings to both partners and their family.
Seven ways to experience the sweetness of a successful marriage
1. Put God at the center:
A marriage that is built on God’s foundation will stand strong. When couples seek God together, they experience peace and unity.
“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it…” (Psalm 127:1).
Note: Prayer, Bible study, and faithfulness to God help couples grow spiritually and emotionally.
2. Genuine love and sacrifice
Love is the heartbeat of a successful marriage. Christ demonstrated love by sacrificing for the Church, and husbands and wives must do the same for each other.
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” (Ephesians 5:25).
Note: Love should be expressed in words, actions, and service to each other.
3. Effective communication
Misunderstandings often arise due to poor communication. Speaking with love, listening attentively, and resolving conflicts peacefully lead to a sweet marriage.
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1).
Note: Honest and open conversations create trust and intimacy.
4. Mutual respect and submission
Both husband and wife must respect and honor each other’s roles in marriage. The wife is to submit to her husband as unto the Lord, and the husband must love and cherish his wife.
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord… Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church.” (Ephesians 5:22, 25).
Note: Respect fosters harmony and prevents unnecessary conflicts.
5. Faithfulness and trust
A marriage flourishes when there is honesty, loyalty, and faithfulness. Infidelity and dishonesty destroy trust and create bitterness.
“Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” (Hebrews 13:4).
Note: Trust is built over time through consistent honesty and integrity.
6. Forgiveness and patience
No marriage is perfect. Mistakes will be made, but learning to forgive and show patience strengthens the bond.
“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32).
Note: Letting go of past hurts brings healing and restores joy.
7. Intimacy and quality time together
Emotional, spiritual, and physical intimacy are essential for a sweet marriage. Couples must prioritize spending time together, showing affection, and keeping the romance alive.
“Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.” (Proverbs 5:18).
Note: Date nights, shared activities, and daily expressions of love deepen connection.
Conclusion:
Marriage is a beautiful institution designed by God to be sweet, fulfilling, and successful. However, it requires effort, commitment, and adherence to God’s principles. When couples put God first, love genuinely, communicate effectively, respect each other, remain faithful, forgive, and invest in their relationship, they will experience the true sweetness of marriage.
May the Lord help us build marriages that reflect His love and bring joy to our lives. Amen.
Prayer points
1. Prayer for God to Be the Foundation of Our Marriages
“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it…” (Psalm 127:1).
Prayer: Father, I invite You to be the foundation of our marriages. Build our homes according to Your divine plan, and let Your presence bring peace, love, and unity in Jesus’ name.
2. Prayer for Love and Sacrifice in Marriage
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” (Ephesians 5:25).
Prayer: Lord, fill my hearts with genuine love for my spouse. Teach me to love sacrificially, selflessly, and unconditionally, just as Christ loved the Church.
3. Prayer for Effective Communication and Understanding
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1).
Prayer: Father, grant me wisdom to speak with love, listen with understanding, and resolve conflicts peacefully. Let my words bring healing and unity in our marriage. In Jesus Name
4. Prayer for Faithfulness and Trust
“Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” (Hebrews 13:4).
Prayer: Lord, help us to remain faithful to each other in thoughts, words, and actions. Let our marriage be built on honesty, trust, and integrity. In Jesus Name.
5. Prayer for Forgiveness, Patience, and Lasting Joy in Marriage
“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32).
Prayer: Father, give me a heart of patience and forgiveness. Help me to let go of past hurts and embrace the joy and sweetness You have designed for my marriage. In Jesus Name.
Rev Dr A A Obe