9. The Wedding at the End of the World | Michael Bouterse

9. The Wedding at the End of the World

What is the Bible all about? One answer is: marriage. The Bible begins and ends with a wedding, and in between you find a tempestuous love story between God, the lover, and his people, the beloved. So to wrap up a series that’s looked at human marriage, we’re taking a look at what you might call “God’s marriage”—the greatest love story ever told.

Scripture passages cited in this message include Revelation 19:6-8; 21:1-4; Ephesians 4:22-24; and Hebrews 13:5.

8. Waiting (Psalm 37:3-7) | Michael Bouterse

8. Waiting (Psalm 37:3-7)

Seasons of waiting are hard. You want to be married and aren't. You feel behind on life and are stuck. You need direction and are confused. But Psalm 37 points us to the good news that waiting is always an invitation to go deeper with God.

Scripture passages cited in this talk include Psalm 37:3-7; Deuteronomy 33:27; and Proverbs 16:3.

7. Dating: Part 2 (Song of Solomon 1-3) | Michael Bouterse

7. Dating: Part 2 (Song of Solomon 1-3)

Dating can be great... and really confusing. So what does it look like to date well? This second talk on dating looks at the Bible's wisdom on how to do that.

Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Song of Solomon 1:4-6, 8-10; 2:3-4, 7-16; 3:5, 10-11; 5:9; 1 Corinthians 7:2; Proverbs 5:18-19; Romans 8:1; and Proverbs 30:18-19.

6. Dating: Part 1 (Song of Solomon 1:1-10) | Michael Bouterse

6. Dating: Part 1 (Song of Solomon 1:1-10)

Dating isn't in the Bible, nor is there a "biblical model of dating." But the Bible does offer wisdom about how to date well. This first talk on dating looks at the Bible's wisdom on whom to date: is the guy or girl who's caught your eye someone you should be in a relationship with—or not?

Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Song of Solomon 1:1-10; 2:16; Galatians 5:22-23; Matthew 11:29; 19:6; 1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Kings 11:3-4; Proverbs 31:30; Romans 8:1; and Genesis 24.

Note: Due to a technical issue, the recording begins a few minutes in to the talk.

3. Why God Made Marriage (Genesis 2:18-25) | Michael Bouterse

3. Why God Made Marriage (Genesis 2:18-25)

Today far fewer people are getting married in Western countries than just fifty years ago. Some want to be married and aren't, but others have dismissed marriage as an outdated tradition we no longer need. In the face of so much skepticism about marriage, why does the Bible see marriage as such a good thing? This talk seeks to answer that question by going back to the very first marriage in human history, where we see why God invented marriage in the first place.

Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this talk include Genesis 1:28; 2:18-25; 1 Corinthians 7:2; and Ephesians 5:31-32.

1. Singleness (1 Corinthians 7:1-2, 25-38) | Michael Bouterse

1. Singleness (1 Corinthians 7:1-2, 25-38)

Our culture has a conflicted attitude toward singleness. Traditionally-minded people tend to see being unmarried as bad and even shameful. Progressive-leaning people tend to see it as a badge of freedom and liberation. So which is it? The Bible cuts through both stereotypes. It exalts singleness as a glorious gift that can be even better than marriage. But it also warns against choosing to stay single for the wrong reasons.

Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this talk include 1 Corinthians 7:1-2, 7, 25-38; Genesis 30:22-23; 1 Samuel 1:10-11; Isaiah 4:1; Hebrews 1:2; 1 Peter 1:20; and Matthew 22:30.