MARRYING FOR LIFE
INTRODUCTION
A. (Joh.2:1,2) Having been a preacher for a quarter of a century, I have had the privilege of being invited to a number of weddings, usually not as a spectator, but as a participant. I have performed several weddings. They are joyous occasions.
a. I have never been to a wedding were people were angry
b. happiness is in the hearts of the couple (Song of Solomon 3:11 – “On the day of his wedding, the day of the gladness of his heart.” Gladness – “exceeding gladness”)
B. Weddings are memorable, even though some may be of a humorous nature.
a. Ill of Scott & Kacy temporarily loosing their rings
b. Ill. from BI Title You May Now Kiss The Minister
C. In the midst of the joy associated with weddings, there is usually some sadness.
a. a mother and/or father shedding tears as they come to grips with the fact that their baby has grown up & is leaving the nest
b. in the back of my mind there is a little sadness as I wonder if this marriage will drown in the sea of divorce like many others
D. In spite of all the problems some marriages have it is a good thing.
I. MARRIAGE IS HONORABLE
A. (Heb.13:4) Some uncertainty as to how the Greek was to be translated into English.
a. “Marriage is honorable”
b. “Let marriage be had in honor among all”
B. The truth contained in each rendition is substantiated by other passages.
a. “Marriage is honorable” – a state of purity
b. “Let marriage be had in honor among all” – refuting the false teaching that celibacy was more honorable & marriage to be avoided)
C. Jesus honored marriage by using it as a favored metaphor in teaching us about His relationship with us, the church.
II. MARRIAGE IS FOR LIFE
A. (Rom.7:1,2) The marriage law to which Paul must have been referring is (Gen.2:24). This is the reference to which Jesus appealed (Mt.19:4,5).
B. There are good reasons why you should marry for life.
1. For the children’s sake - This truth is forcefully brought to light in the words of
Malachi (Mal.2:15)
a. “God made husbands and wives to become one body and one spirit for his purpose. This is so they would have children who are true to God. So be careful. Do not break your promise with the wife you married when you were young” (Mal.2:15). New Century Version
b. “Didn’t the LORD make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his.£ And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard yourself; remain loyal to the wife of your youth” New Living Translation
c. “He made one pair from whom all the rest might proceed, that he might have a holy offspring; that children being a marked property of one man and one woman, proper care might be taken that they should be brought up in the discipline of the Lord.”
2. Because you promised - Refer to marriage vows – “Till death do us part.”
a. sadly, some didn’t mean a word of that promise (to them it was a “piecrust promise)
b. some avoid the promise altogether – “Till the sun sets on our love”
c. “You cry out, “Why has the LORD abandoned us?” I’ll tell you why! Because the LORD witnessed the vows you and your wife made to each other on your wedding day when you were young. But you have been disloyal to her, though she remained your faithful companion, the wife of your marriage vows” (Mal.2:14)
d. (Mal.2:16) “I hate divorce”
A. Most people who marry intend it to last a lifetime. Tragically, many do not realize these intentions when the Judge in the Divorce court says, “Divorce granted.”
a. “Divorce, as a cure, is far worse than the disease.”
b. “A divorce is like an amputation: You survive, but there’s less of you.”
c. Ill. from BI Title Famous Last Words (“You don’t scare me. You couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with that old gun.”)
B. There are some things you can do to ensure a life-long marriage.
a. marry someone compatible – Ill. from BI Title The Danger of an Unequal Yoke (Neh.13:27; 2Cor.6:14,16)
b. don’t be a quitter (some people quit when the going gets tough)
c. try to be the best spouse you can be – Ill. from BI Title An unusual Auction
d. practice forbearance – Ill. from BI Title The Secret of a Successful Marriage
e. respect God’s marriage law (Gen.2:24; Mt.19:6) Ill. from BI Title No Guarantee (“You have my permission & my blessing, but remember, there is no refund on mail-order brides!”)
(Joh.2:1,2) The next time you are invited to a wedding, I hope you remember that
marriage is honorable & is to last a life-time.