Greg Laurie at Harvest Ministries recommend a great resource about the end times by Dallas Theological Seminary professor Mark Hitchcock. He's written a brand new book called The Revelation Answer Book, 125 Common Questions People Ask About Earth's Final Days. And guess what? We have a copy with your name on it.
So for your gift of any size, we will rush you your own copy of the Revelation Answer Book. Available at harvest.org. If you see a marriage that is strong, it's because they're working on their marriage. They're not taking their hand off the wheel. To have and to hold.
We've all heard those words in a wedding, right? Pastor Greg Laurie says, if you want to have, you have to hold. tightly. To have a successful marriage, the couple must cleave. Think of yourself climbing up the face of a mountain.
You're holding on to your dear life. That's how a husband and wife are to be: holding on to each other. When the lost are found, this is the day for a new beginning. Amazing graves out sweet the sound. Again you hear all the angels are singing.
This is the day, the day when I begin. Many products have labels noting where they were made. Maybe made in China. Japan, Mexico, or made in the USA. Metaphorically, if we were to look at our label, the label of man himself, it would say, made in the Garden of Eden.
by God. You and I were handcrafted by our Heavenly Father. And today on a new beginning. Pastor Greg Laurie points out, not only were man and woman handmade by God, the institution of marriage was as well. Today we'll get the full story.
Why don't we all grab our Bibles and hang a hard left and go all the way to the book of Genesis? The title of my message is. Trouble in paradise.
So we've looked at the creation of all things.
Now we're looking at the story of Adam and Eve's sin against God in the Garden of Eden. We're reading about the creation of men and women. And in Genesis 2, Moses zooms in from the cosmos to the Garden of Eden. This new section of Genesis deals with the relationship between God and man. Here's an interesting little point.
The name that God has used of himself up to this point is Elohim. But it shifts in chapter 2 to Yahweh.
So we might say the name of God Elohim would be the name describing him as majestic creator, and Yahweh is dealing more, well, as. In a personal way with us. For instance, Um my son calls me dad. My grandchildren call me Papa, you know, so it's a different terminology. You call me Greg, or maybe Pastor Greg, or a bald guy, or whatever you say to me, I'll answer to almost anything.
But the difference is relationship.
So when Jesus taught us to pray, He did not say, after this manner, therefore pray our Creator who art in heaven, though He is that. But he said, after this manner, therefore pray our Father who art in heaven. That's a privilege. That's access. That's relationship.
And we all have that access to God.
So I wanted to point that out. that He changes the use of his name from Elohim to Yahweh.
So let's read together Genesis 2, verse 7. And the Lord God formed man. of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. And man became a living being. The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had formed, and out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow, and is pleasant to the sight and good for food.
The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
So if you're taking notes, here's point number one. God created man and breathed life into him. This word breathed is interesting in verse 7. It's warmly personal. God was face to face with man and with the intimacy of a kiss.
or a little puff of air. God brings man to life. And now drop down to verse 15. Then the Lord took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat.
For in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die. We'll stop there. Eden. The Garden of Eden. By the way, the word Eden means delight.
The very name Eden is used synonymously with names and phrases like, oh, it's like Camelot or Atlantis or Utopia or Shangri-La.
So we might think of Eden as a fictitious place, but it was a real place. that God placed Adam in, in this garden of absolute delight. It was a paradise beyond anything you could imagine. I mean, think of the most beautiful places you've ever been to. Uh in this world, Sembernadino or I didn't mean that as a joke.
Why did you let him? No, but think tropical paradise or some incredible island or some other place or maybe something you've seen in a movie or on television. And that looks like paradise or the Garden of Eden. Eden was that and much more. Hand made by God Himself.
Untouched by sin, it was literally perfect. Adam had the coolest job of all time. He was the gardener in the Garden of Eden. His job was to discover what the Lord had made. to enjoy what God had created.
and to tend to this garden.
So, someone might walk up to him.
Well, there wasn't anyone to walk up to him at this point, but later. Hey man, what's your job? I'm a gardener in the Garden of Eden. Pretty great opportunity the Lord gave him. He had carte blanche.
Enjoy everything in the garden, Adam. There's just one tree I want you to avoid: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. That was the one thing to stay away from. And now Adam is given the task of naming the animals. Look at verse 20.
Adam gave names to all cattle, birds, and so forth. I mean, he must have run out of names after a while, right? I mean he's looking at these incredible creatures. Whoa, look at this thing. Elephant.
Oh look at this stubby little dude with a big mouth, uh, hippo.
Well, what's going on with this horse? I've never seen a horse like that. I'm gonna call him a zebra. Oh, this one, that bird, that's a peacock for sure. I mean, after the hundredth, thousandth animal, he's just getting tired of naming them and he's just making up stuff.
when he came to this fish. Oh, this fish, I'm sick of naming animals. I'm gonna call him the Huma Huma Nuka Nuka Apawaka. Go swim and buy. That is the official state fish of Hawaii.
That's actually the name of the fish. And so Something was missing in Adam's life. And more specifically, it wasn't a something, it was a someone. But Adam didn't know that yet because he had not yet met the someone. Here she comes.
Genesis 2 verse 18. The Lord God said, it's not good that man should be alone. I will make a helper comparable to him. Drop down to verse 21. And the Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam.
And as he slept, he took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man, he made into a woman, and he brought her to the man. Adam said, This is not bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh, and they were both naked, the man and the wife, and they were not ashamed.
So, my next point. God created woman. and brought her to the man. It's worth noting at this point in Genesis, after God created each successive thing, he said, it was good. It is good.
This is good. Then he looks at the aloneness about him and he says, this is not good. This is not good. I'm going to make verse 18 a helper comparable to him. In the Hebrew, that could be translated to someone who assists another to reach.
fulfillment. Another way you can translate it Is someone who comes to rescue another. Eve would provide what was missing in Adam's life. Adam would provide what was missing in Eve's life. And by the word, this word helper, God will create a helper.
In no way does it imply that Eve was somehow inferior to Adam. In fact, it's the same word. God uses to describe Himself as a helper to His people. but he's bringing them together and this just reminds us We are built for relationship. with one another.
We're not meant to do life alone.
So Adam is put into a deep sleep, and Eve is produced from his side. Adam's enthusiastic response is verse 23: This is not bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called woman. She was taken out of man. It comes from the Hebrew word stokedo.
We get our English word stoked from it. I made that all up.
Okay. But The idea is implied here that Adam was Astonished. He was blown away. He was thrilled. In fact, In a way, Adam is waxing eloquent in the way he makes this statement.
There's a poetic quality to it. The five lines employ the standard techniques of Hebrew poetry. This is not bone of my bones of flesh of my flesh. She shall be called woman because she was taken out of man. He probably said it with an English accent.
This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my bones. I sound more like Carrie Grant, I don't know. Judy, Judy. I mean it There's something about the English accent that makes things sound more eloquent. I mean, if he said it like he was from the South, y'all bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.
You call woman, no. Or East Coast, yo, you're bone on my bones, I'm flesh and my flesh, forget about it. You want some coffee? Yeah. For California, dudes.
You're not bone and my bones of flesh and my flesh so awesome, you know Sort of an exaggeration of California. I don't actually know anyone California that talks that way, but Since everyone thinks we do, I'll just roll with it. Boned by bones of flesh of my flesh, your woman, you're taken out of man. You know, there's a little known story that happened after this, and Adam said to God, Lord. Why did you make Eve so beautiful?
The Lord said, so you would love her. Why did you make her so soft? The Lord said, so you would love her. Then Adam asked God, why did you make her so stupid? God said so she would love you That never happened.
That's just a dumb joke, okay? Pastor Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message in just a moment. Hey everyone, I want you to know about our app called Harvest Plus. Think of it as a harvest version of Netflix. We have all of our resources in one place.
We have our movies like Steve McQueen, The Salvation of an American Icon, Johnny Cash of Redemption of an American Icon, A Rush of Hope, and much more. Then we have our television program, daily devotions, and much more.
So go and download the Harvest Plus app.
Well, we're digging into the Lord's design for marriage today. in Pastor Greg's message called Trouble in Paradise. Let's continue.
So God is now establishing the family. Long before there was a government or there were schools or any of their social structures, God establishes the family. And a home. This is God's order, a man and a woman. Together in marriage.
Not a man and a man. Not a woman and a woman. Not a man who wants to become a woman or a woman who wants to become a man. A man and a woman. This is the only order that God will bless.
That's true. We have strayed from God's order and we're reaping the consequences of it in our nation today. Almost every social ill And is happening in America today can be directly traced to the breakdown of the family and specifically the absence of fathers. I could speak for 45 minutes just giving you stats to prove what I just said. It's an undeniable fact.
And we've tempered with this. We want to eliminate the family. We want to redefine the family. And as we've done this, it's like we're striking at the very foundation of our nation. You know, it's been said: a family can survive without a nation, but a nation cannot survive.
without the family.
So God establishes the family. And now we're also given some secrets to a successful marriage.
Now, how many of you are married? Raise your hand. You're married.
Okay, good. How many of you. Are single. You're single, raise your hand up. How many of you who are single want to be married?
Raise your hand up.
Okay. How many of you who are married wish you were single still? No, don't. Don't. All right.
How many of you are happily married? Raise your hand up.
Okay, good, good. Very good. Here's some secrets. to a happy marriage. People think that marriage will not be happy.
It's been said marriage is like a three-ring circus. engagement ring, wedding ring, and suffering. But It doesn't have to be that way. You can have a very happy and fulfilling marriage. How do you do it?
to have a successful marriage. You must leave other relationships. Again, look at verse 24. Therefore, shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
So marriage begins with the leaving of other relationships. The closest relationship outside of marriage is specified here: that of a child to the parent. Implying that if it's necessary to leave your father and mother, and certainly all lesser ties must be broken, changed, or left behind. The primary commitment of a man to a woman, of a husband to a wife, and of a wife to a husband. must be to them.
You're still to honor your parents. You're still a child to your parents, but a new family has begun. And now your primary responsibility is to your spouse above other relationships. In this does not happen in some marriages. They don't engage in the leaving.
They don't understand. The priority of marriage and how they should treat their spouse. And I think it's so important to Have intimacy and closeness and friendship in this marriage that you cultivate and keep alive. Forever. It doesn't happen by default.
If you see a marriage that is strong, it's because they're working on their marriage. They're not taking their hand off the wheel. And your wife, husband, should be your best friend. Your husband-wife should be your best friend, leaving other relationships and being joined to them. And then to have a successful marriage, the couple must cleave.
Cleave.
So you leave and you cleave. The word cleave means to glue or to cling. When we come to the New Testament use of the word, it means to cement together or stick like glue or to be welded together so the two cannot be separated without serious damage. Two. Both.
You know, when I was a kid, I used to build little model airplanes. I was never very good at it, I was very sloppy with the glue. The glue got everywhere. Then they invented super glue, and I was so excited. And I would put super glue, it's almost like it wasn't really working.
I'll be boom, it sticks, and they'd warn you: don't get it on your skin. And I got it on my skin. I glued my finger to my thumb.
So the rest of the day, hey, everything's okay, you know. But that's the idea, like super glue. And it's not like glue isn't stuck together, I'm stuck with this person. It's glued like I'm holding on to you. Think of yourself climbing up the face of a mountain.
You're holding on for your dear life. That's how a husband and wife are to be holding on to each other. In fact, Marriage is a picture of Christ and the church. The Bible says husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church. And the wife is to submit to the husband as unto the Lord.
And so it's almost as though God is saying, hey, lost the world. I want you to look at this Christian family right here. Look at the way this Christian husband loves his Christian wife. That's how I love my people. Hey, people that don't believe yet, I want you to look at this woman here married to this Christian man, the way she lovingly submits to his servant leadership and how she respects him.
That's how my church loves me.
So that's. How you can see when a Christian marriage falls apart. how devastating it can be. We need to be an example for people to see.
Now there are times that I understand divorce happens. There are grounds in the Bible for divorce. Unfaithfulness is one. Desertion is another, but I've never read the phrase irreconcilable differences in the Bible. I've been married for 50 years and I've had 50 years of irreconcilable differences with my wife.
You can work these things out. In fact, I've been married. I don't know if I've ever told you this before, I have been married to seven different women. All interestingly with the same name of Kathy. and spelled the same way.
What are you talking about? The Kathy I married At age 18 is not the Kathy I'm married to today. And the Greg she married back then is not the Greg I am today. When she married me, I had long hair. A long beard, the ugliest tuxedo ever made.
And she could see underneath all of that hair was A bald man. But let me say also, our love has grown stronger, not weaker. Because we have followed God's principles. And so this is so important.
Now, I don't mean to imply if you're single, you're missing out. On God's plan, because God Allows or calls some people to a life of singleness. And the fact of the matter is, when you're unattached, when you're unmarried, you have a certain mobility a married person does not have. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7: An unmarried man, or we'll say a single person, can spend their time doing the Lord's work. And thinking of how to please the Lord.
But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. That's not a criticism of a married man. It's just saying when you're married, you have responsibilities. You can't just make decisions without consulting with your wife. Or as a wife, you can't just go and do whatever you want without factoring in your husband.
But when you're single, you do have a freedom that a married person does not have.
So you have to find God's. Woe for you, but our greatest needs are not fulfilled in marriage. Our greatest needs are fulfilled in Jesus, right? That's the key. Because marriage is a picture of our relationship with Christ.
And Pastor Greg Laurie. Today, offering some great biblical insight on God's plan for marriage and the family. And there's much more to come as this study continues here on a new beginning.
Well, Pastor Gregg just mentioned that marriage is a picture of our relationship with the Lord. He'll develop that further next time. But do you mind us asking, do you have a relationship with Christ? Have you ever bowed your head and asked Jesus to be your Savior and your Lord? Pastor Gregg, someone can come to the Lord today and have their life changed, can't they?
That's right. The Bible says whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
So think of it this way. Maybe you're out in a riptide in the ocean and you can't get your footing and you're in trouble and you see a lifeguard. Call out for help and the lifeguard will rescue you. The same is true spiritually. You're drowning in your sin.
You need help. Jesus will save you. He will rescue you, but you must call out to him. And you know how you do that? You do it in prayer.
So let me just lead you in a simple prayer, and you can pray this prayer after me. You can pray it out loud if you'd like. And this is where you are calling out to Jesus to save you. Just pray this: Lord Jesus. I know I'm a sinner.
And I know you are the Saviour. who died on the cross for my sin. and rose again from the dead.
Now, Lord, I turn from my sin and I put my faith in you. Be my Savior, my Lord, be my God and my friend. I choose to follow you. From this moment forward. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen. Hey, if you just prayed that prayer, I want you to know that Christ himself has come to live inside of you. And I have a resource I want to send you. It's called the New Believers Bible.
So, the New Believers Bible is the New Testament in the New Living Translation with hundreds of notes that I wrote that will encourage you in this commitment you are making to follow Christ. There's some other materials included as well in what we call the New Believers Growth Pact. But let me get this New Believer's Bible into your hands as quickly as possible. Here's Dave to tell you more. Yeah, we'll be glad to send it all your way free of any charge if you prayed along with Pastor Greg today.
Just ask for the New Believer's Bible. When you call 1-800-821-3300. You can reach us any time 24-7 at 1-800-821-3300. or go online to harvest.org and click Know God. And then let us say a word of thanks to those who support us financially, those who make it possible for us to bring you these studies each day.
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Well, next time, more insight on what happened with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Important counsel for our walk with the Lord today. Join us here on A New Beginning. with pastor and Bible teacher Greg Laurie. This is a day, the day when life begins.
