1. As tragic as the sinking of the Titanic is, with over 1500 lives lost, we can multiply that number exponentially when it comes to counting the death toll of marriages in America

2. So many couples begin the maiden voyage of matrimony with intense excitement, forever optimistic, in extreme anticipation; yet do not know how to avoid the icebergs attacking marital commitment

3. The Titanic did not sink because it had to, but because those assigned to guide it stopped paying attention

1. Give attention, 1 Pet 1:22; 3:7

• The opposite of love is not hate but apathy.

1. Give attention, 1 Pet 1:22; 3:7

2. Grant acceptance, Rom 14:13; 15:7

• The same differences that attracted you to them before you got them, are going to irritate you once you have them.

• Do you have the maturity, flexibility love and desire to accept your mate’s differences?

I now pronounce you fork and knife

1. Give attention, 1 Pet 1:22; 3:7

2. Grant acceptance, Rom 14:13; 15:7

3. Give affection, 1 Cor 7:3-5; Song 4:1-6

• It is a legitimate need• It should be mutually

pleasing• It has spiritual overtones

3. Give affection, 1 Cor 7:3-5; Song 4:1-6

A. Take the initiative

3. Give affection, 1 Cor 7:3-5; Song 4:1-6

A. Take the initiative

B. Do the unexpected

3. Give affection, 1 Cor 7:3-5; Song 4:1-6

4. Make adjustments, Eph 5:21

• In order to make marriage work, every believer needs the power of an ungrieved Holy Ghost.

3. Give affection, 1 Cor 7:3-5; Song 4:1-6

4. Make adjustments, Eph 5:21

5. Grant amnesty, Col 3:13

• Love means having to say you are sorry, regularly, repeatedly and quickly—

sometimes even if you have not done anything

wrong.

• Curse it—anger intensifies• Rehearse it—hurt magnifies• Nurse it—wound amplifies

• Reverse it—hurt is crucified!

5. Grant amnesty, Col 3:13

A. By a decision

B. By a discipline

• God demands that you treat others just like he is treating you in this life—by forgiving

5. Grant amnesty, Col 3:13

6. Give appreciation, 1 Thes 5:12-13, Rom 14:19; Eph 4:29

• To appreciate something means to elevate its value.