Joyful Are Those Who Receive God's Love
Sermon
THIS NEW LIFE TOGETHER
An Anthology Of Wedding Meditations
Blessed are those who know that without God they are incomplete
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
This passage is a poem,
a teaching by Jesus which ''covers the bases'' of life.
In the beatitudes, as the second passage is called,
Jesus is describing the nature of being in tune with God's love,
Most translations use the word blessed, some use the word happy,
and while both are legitimate,
I think the most appropriate translation is
joyful - I am filled with that which makes my heart leap;
a wholeness, a peace, a completeness,
and sense that this is right,
and while it will very often bring happiness,
it is not completely tied to that emotion that says,
I've got no troubles; everything's fine.
To be full of joy is to recognize God's place in the midst of
all things - relationships, household, job,
accomplishments, failures, arguments,
frustrations, possessions, confusion.
To know, when things are not under control
that we do belong to the one who
ultimately is in control,
and that our Creator, through Jesus has made us one.
__________ and __________, in your relationship, it is that joy that will sustain you,
That will give you purpose when obstacles with job and money
and goals overwhelm you.
That will give you the courage and determination to fight for
reconciliation, when conflicts arise,
That will give you the vision to see the life that you are building
together and the hope that is found
in the love of God through Jesus.
Joyful are those who mourn because they have had the courage to love,
they shall be comforted and assured that it was worth it.
Joyful are those who humbly accept what God has given them,
they shall have everything they could want.
Joyful are those who hunger and thirst to do that which God would
want them to do - they shall be fed.
Joyful are the merciful, the forgiving, for mercy and forgiveness shall return to them.
Joyful are those who understand that God is present and loving in all things,
they shall see God active in their lives.
Joyful are those who work for ways which build wholeness and peace
in the world and in the home - they shall be called children of God.
Joyful are you when others do not understand your motivation for love and forgiveness,
and you are hurt because of it; God understands and is with you always.
And joyful are you, __________ and __________, as you allow the joy of love through Jesus
to prevail in your marriage. Amen.
Paul Lintern is associate pastor of First Lutheran Church, Mansfield, Ohio.
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
This passage is a poem,
a teaching by Jesus which ''covers the bases'' of life.
In the beatitudes, as the second passage is called,
Jesus is describing the nature of being in tune with God's love,
Most translations use the word blessed, some use the word happy,
and while both are legitimate,
I think the most appropriate translation is
joyful - I am filled with that which makes my heart leap;
a wholeness, a peace, a completeness,
and sense that this is right,
and while it will very often bring happiness,
it is not completely tied to that emotion that says,
I've got no troubles; everything's fine.
To be full of joy is to recognize God's place in the midst of
all things - relationships, household, job,
accomplishments, failures, arguments,
frustrations, possessions, confusion.
To know, when things are not under control
that we do belong to the one who
ultimately is in control,
and that our Creator, through Jesus has made us one.
__________ and __________, in your relationship, it is that joy that will sustain you,
That will give you purpose when obstacles with job and money
and goals overwhelm you.
That will give you the courage and determination to fight for
reconciliation, when conflicts arise,
That will give you the vision to see the life that you are building
together and the hope that is found
in the love of God through Jesus.
Joyful are those who mourn because they have had the courage to love,
they shall be comforted and assured that it was worth it.
Joyful are those who humbly accept what God has given them,
they shall have everything they could want.
Joyful are those who hunger and thirst to do that which God would
want them to do - they shall be fed.
Joyful are the merciful, the forgiving, for mercy and forgiveness shall return to them.
Joyful are those who understand that God is present and loving in all things,
they shall see God active in their lives.
Joyful are those who work for ways which build wholeness and peace
in the world and in the home - they shall be called children of God.
Joyful are you when others do not understand your motivation for love and forgiveness,
and you are hurt because of it; God understands and is with you always.
And joyful are you, __________ and __________, as you allow the joy of love through Jesus
to prevail in your marriage. Amen.
Paul Lintern is associate pastor of First Lutheran Church, Mansfield, Ohio.
