This document discusses four cracks in the mortar that can weaken marriages: 1) prioritizing public opinion over God's commands, 2) changing theology to accommodate one's desires rather than changing one's life, 3) failing to consider delayed or eternal consequences of sin, and 4) seeking Christian approval over divine approval. The conclusion emphasizes that foundations are crumbling and Christians must be alert to issues that can damage their marriages.

1. BUILDING THE HOME
A Series of Lessons

2. BUILDING THE HOME
Consult the Architect
Bricks for Wives
Bricks for Husbands
Termites in your Troth
Cracks in the Mortar

3. Introduction
Construction foreman - “Make the mortar good
and rich. Put in lots of sand.”
Marriages are falling apart.
Why are they not holding together?
Where are the cracks coming from?
Today – 4 Cracks in the Mortar

4. Deuteronomy 4:6-9
6 Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your
wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the
peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say,
'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding
people.' 7 For what great nation is there that has
God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for
whatever reason we may call upon Him? 8 And what
great nation is there that has such statutes and
righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set
before you this day?
9 "Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep
yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have
seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the

5. 1 – Public Opinion / Commands
How often do we hear it? “Everybody is doing it.”
Talk shows – Judge programs
Lance Armstrong – “Everyone was doing it. I
needed to level the playing field.”
Our text says, “Parents – teach them”
Not TV and movies
Not their peers, others in the world
We must teach them God's commandments

6. 2 – Accommodating Theology / Life
Many change their belief to fit what they want
About divorce and re-marriage - “I used to believe
that – but not any more.”
Instead of changing our life – we change the Bible
to fit what we are doing.
We rationalize, explain away, or ignore

7. 2 – Accommodating Theology / Life
Ezekiel 33:30-31
30 "As for you, son of man, the children of your
people are talking about you beside the walls
and in the doors of the houses; and they speak
to one another, everyone saying to his brother,
'Please come and hear what the word is that
comes from the Lord.' 31 So they come to you
as people do, they sit before you as My people,
and they hear your words, but they do not do
them; for with their mouth they show much love,
but their hearts pursue their own gain.

8. 2 – Accommodating Theology / Life
Ezekiel 33:32-33
32 Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song
of one who has a pleasant voice and can play
well on an instrument; for they hear your words,
but they do not do them. 33 And when this
comes to pass--surely it will come--then they will
know that a prophet has been among them."

9. 3 – Delayed Consequences /
Eternal Consequences
Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because the sentence against
an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore
the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them
to do evil
“Because sin is not punished instantly, people feel
it is safe to do wrong” - Living Bible
God is Just – Punishment is coming!
There will be a Payday – Someday!

10. 4 – Christian Approval /
Divine Approval
1 Corinthians 5:1-2 1 It is actually reported that
there is sexual immorality among you, and such
sexual immorality as is not even named among
the Gentiles--that a man has his father's wife! 2
And you are puffed up, and have not rather
mourned, that he who has done this deed might
be taken away from among you.

11. 4 – Christian Approval /
Divine Approval
Lady came to door – wanted me to perform a
wedding for her - 3rd marriage
I read Matthew 19:9
She said, “That's just your interpretation.”
She did not want what God said. She wanted
some preacher somewhere to agree with her.

12. Conclusion
Realize the world around us
has weakened the home
The foundations are
crumbling
Psalm 11:3 If the
foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous
do?
We must be alert for the
cracks in the mortar.