Sermons

S. R. Genesis 29:18 – 20

1. “Now Jacob loved Rachel; (Gen. 29:18 – 20)
2. Marriage is the foundation of all societal relationships. (Prov. 14:34)
3. Jesus has spoken: "But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 'and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." (Mark 10:6 – 9)

1. Commitment to Love, Honor and Serve:
   1. Compare your idea of commitment to the commitment to principle and honor that is seen in a letter written by Major Sullivan Ballou of the Union Army. He penned it to his wife, Sarah, a week before the battle of Bull Run , July 14, 1861. They had been married only six years....
      
      
2. Questions to Ask Before Marriage
   1. Note: Relationship experts report that too many couples fail to ask each other critical questions before marrying. Here are a few key ones that couples should consider asking:
      1. Have we discussed whether or not to have children, and if the answer is yes, who is going to be the primary care giver?
      2. Do we have a clear idea of each other's financial obligations and goals, and do our ideas about spending and saving mesh?
      3. Have we discussed our expectations for how the household will be maintained, and are we in agreement on who will manage the chores?
      4. Have we fully disclosed our health histories, both physical and mental?
      5. Is my partner affectionate to the degree that I expect? (Five Love Languages)
      6. Can we comfortably and openly discuss our sexual needs, preferences and fears?
      7. Will there be a television in the bedroom?
      8. Do we truly listen to each other and fairly consider one another's ideas and complaints?
      9. Have we reached a clear understanding of each other's spiritual beliefs and needs, and have we discussed how we will care for and discipline our children?
      10. Do we like and respect each other's friends?
      11. Do we value and respect each other's parents, and is either of us concerned about whether the parents will interfere with the relationship?
      12. What does my family do that annoys you?
      13. Are there some things that you and I are NOT prepared to give up in the marriage?
      14. If one of us were to be offered a career opportunity in a location far from the other's family, are we prepared to move?
      15. Do each of us feel fully confident in the other's commitment to the marriage and believe that the bond can survive whatever challenges we may face?
          
          
3. Marriage is Risky Business
   1. All is not roses in marriage…while God created this wonderful relationship it is not without risks.
   2. The risks introduced
      1. Life is uncertain “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (Jas. 4:14)
   3. Aging occurs: (Eccl.12:1 – 7) We tend to lose things as we get older. The beautiful new house has changed into a creaking and sagging old one.
   4. Love must “bear and believe” all things.
      1. God - generated love seeks the best interest of the beloved.
      2. One must move beyond self – interest, at times to endure unloving behaviors of a spouse.
      3. It would be easier to react with anger and blame (James 4:1 – 3).
   5. Life Risks: Financial losses, Physical illnesses, death or disease of close family, spiritual heartbreak.
   6. Financial Success: It is necessary to work to eat and provide (1 Tim. 5:8; 2 Th. 3:10)
      1. It is an ever present danger to place our trust in things and not God.
      2. Things won’t last. Relationship with God will.
   7. Willingness to Accept Constructive Criticism.
      1. To be worth anything we all need constructive criticism from one who loves us.
      2. I don’t always measure up to the high standard God and Cindy expect from me.
      3. When she gently reminds me of that I appreciate it…eventually.
   8. Questions we need to ask and answer:
      1. Must I be guaranteed a successful outcome in marriage to risk loving someone until death?
      2. Must I be sure that my mate will never change, age, or lose the qualities that attracted me to him/her in order for me to love and marry that person?
      3. Must I be sure that all my needs will be met to my satisfaction in order to love my wife/husband?
      4. Can I bring the kind of love that “bears all” and “believes all” and is “longsuffering” to the relationship?
      5. Can I encounter disagreement or criticism from my spouse even though I think I may not “deserve it,” without raging, pouting or withdrawing?
      6. Can I commit to my wife/husband fully even though I may survive her in this life?
      7. Can I risk leading her/him to discuss off limit subjects of contention between us in the spirit of Christ?
         
         Note: Questions offered by Don Alexander, a licensed marriage and family therapist.
         
         
   9. I.Perhaps the greatest risk is simply to love without a guarantee of love in return?
   10. J.Willingness to forgive and restore (Matthew 6:14 – 15) “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
   11. K.Will you learn to love the helpless, the enemy? (Romans 5:6 – 8) “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
       
       
4. Conclusion:
   1. Those who vow to before God as witness to be true to each other and love until death are not cowards. This is a radical act.
   2. These persons are willing to risk all personal pleasure for love.
   3. They walked right up before God and man and declared that they will be “one flesh” until death separates.
   4. They took the risk of losing themselves to love another and should be admired for the honor brought to their commitment.
   5. We can display to the world the love of God by the love we show for our spouse. One of the best ways to love our children is by loving their mother.
   6. God risked everything to invite his bride to love Him back. Will you accept God’s marriage invitation? "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; 32 "not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. 33 "But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” (Jer.31:31 – 34)