SERMON ON MARRIAGE June 2, 2013
You know there are lots and lots of opinions and thoughts about the hot topic of marriage. But recently some children were asked what their opinions, and here is what they said:
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY? Alan, aged 10 said, “You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.”
HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
Derrick, age 8, “ You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Lori, age 8, “ Both don't want any more kids.”
IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED? Anita, age 9, It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
You know, it seems to me that marriage, at its best, can raise our hearts up to heaven; and at its worst, it can shatter those same hearts. Heck, how to make a marriage work is hard enough, but our society cannot even decide what marriage is!!! From my perspective, all the recent pontificating & and contention about marriage can be best understood by looking at the basic definition of marriage, which is underlies the whole debate. Is marriage a divinely created and ordered relationship, or is it socio-cultural created and ordered by human beings?
The three great religions of the world : Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, believe that marriage wais divinely created and ordered as a lifelong union between a man and a woman, that they might share in the promise of marriage, as designed by God.
You see, what many non believers do not understand, is that the divine design and love needed for a successful marriage only comes from God. To redefine marriage in secular terms, in opposition ot God’s Word, is to ensure marriage failure. Nor, are Human beings are not capable of such love, over the long haul of a lifelong commitment. Such love is divinely imparted by God when a couple receive his blessing as they exchange vows, trusting that God will empower and sustain them. God To unintentionally or intentionally exclude God from the marriage, is to deny the depth of love necessary for marriages to prosper and succeed.
To be honest, we Americans have trouble with “Love,” because the word is thrown around so loosely. Some of you have heard this before, but since love is so confusing, it bears repeating.
· I love pizza. I love my country. I love my fiancé. I love my children. I love my grandma. I love my friend. Certainly, I do not love pizza in the same manner that I love grandma, nor do I love my fiancé in the same way I love my children.
Some of the confusion about love is caused by the fact that in English, we have one term, “love,” which describes a variety of different “love” experiences. Indeed, secular culture’s definition of love isa pale imitationof love as desiogned by our creator.
Actually, the Greeks have 4 different words for love:.
· “Eros,” which means romantic love.
· The lives of their children.“Philia, “ which means brotherly love or friendship
· “Storge,” which means the love of family;
· And “AGAPE”--love, which is committed, self sacrificing love.
Agape-love, where you choose to love someone so much, that you put his or her interests and well-being and happiness above your own.
S vital for the survival and prospering of a marriage? All 4 are important; but romantic love, or Eros, without sacrificial love, agape, will not last. Agape- love is not all about me, but directed towards you. That’s why God , in his infinite wisdom, decided to create a setting for romance to grow and to become infused with agape-love.
· And within this sacred commitment, married women and men are free to love and to trust and to depend—because they both have made a solemn vow to continue loving one another, no matter what.
· And that, is real marriage….where vows mean something, and both parties choose to love one another by honoring their vows and promises.
Of course, the sad reality is that not all marriages fulfill God’s plan. When agape love is missing form one or both partners, then trauma , betrayal, disappointment, and sorrow may follow.
For all its brokenness, however, my guess is that each of you knows of one or more marriage which has fulfilled the God- given promise of agape love. Today, following the sermon, there are 7 couples who are going to publicly reaffirm their marriage vows. By doing so , they gave giving honor and thanks to God and each other. Last night, I met with them all and asked them to identify one way that God has blessed them through the love of their spouse.
But, then the discussion took a more intimate turn, as they said such things as
· He is someone that I can always count on.”
· His love of me has strengthened my love of God.”
· “He’s hoped me to become a better person.”
· “Always loving; always my friend.”
· “He helps me to get through the hard times. By working together, we’re not just two people, we’re more like 3.”
· She has helped bring balance to my life.”
· And finally, “He makes me laugh.”
That was a very moving conversation; and it made me think how happy I am that today, all of us can share in this celebration of Love.
That, is the way that God agape-loves you and me. Lets’ look at question # 3 in your sermon notes: As designed by the creator of the universe, all relationships , romantic, family, friends, are better and more lasting when both parties practice agape-love. Agape-love is patient and kind. It is not self-seeking. It keeps no record of wrongs. Agape-love will never end, all other things in life, and all relationships without agape-love, will fade away.
Church is meant to be a school to learn how to love, because God is agape-love. This love is intended for all people, whether you are married or not. Jesus -- agape-loved us all by laying down his life that we might be forgiven and loved by God.
So on this day of love, let’s remember the Prayer of the King of Love, that the whole world would know that we are His disciples, because of the way we love one another.
---The Rev. John Donnelly
No comments:
Post a Comment