A Need for Newness
Sermon
Together Till Death Us Do Part
(Name) and (name), in the soft, romantic glow of this candlelight wedding, everything seems so warm and wonderful that it's hard to imagine that you will experience anything in your life except joy and happiness. Everything about your marriage has a newness and a freshness to it. It is so enchanting that you might think you're dreaming.
Of course you're not, although I know you do have dreams - dreams for yourselves as you begin this marvelous enterprise of life. If only you could live the rest of your years with the guarantee that all your days would pass by in peace and happiness as you pursue your dreams of wedded love.
Well, I'm pleased to tell you that it's possible, if you're well-informed. All you need to do is select the right kind of coffee; be sure you know if prefers Stovetop Stuffing over mashed potatoes; keep a plentiful supply of Coke on hand (for Coke adds life); and buy pre-cooked sausages so you won't have to wait for breakfast. Already, if you've been paying attention, you're on your way to marital success, at least according to Madison Avenue.
There's more. If your tensions rise, Compoze will handle the problem; pain is no trouble as long as there's extra-strength Excedrin; and rest assured, Sominex guarantees 100% safe sleep. Furthermore, you will always and forever be fascinated with each other. All you need to do is use Scope (it even smells good); apply the proper deodorant, and sprinkle yourselves liberally with an irresistible after-shave or cologne. Follow these instructions and you will be enchanted with each other - forever!
You are both mature enough to realize that happiness and fulfillment in marriage is far more evasive than that. Yet it is interesting that people buy certain items in the sometimes desperate hope that maybe - just possibly - this or that product can help their relationship, or at least provide a moment of contentment or satisfaction in their marriage. That's a sad fact of life.
The problem is that marriage relationships can easily grow stale. Bored spouses look for something which might rekindle the spark of excitement they once knew. Thus, keeping a marriage fresh is very important. That is why I would share with you a few words from the prophet Jeremiah: "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning." Lamentations 3:21-23
The prophet is simply pointing out that God works at keeping our relationship with him alive and vital by pouring out his mercies (his gifts) upon us anew each day. A key to joy in your marriage, ________ and ________, is to follow the example God sets for you.
First you must fasten yourselves to Jesus Christ, for if you worship our Lord together and pray to him for each other, the cohesive power of the Holy Spirit can enter your lives in beautiful and powerful ways.
Then you must stand ready to forgive each other as Christ yearns to forgive you. Forgiveness brings continual resurrection to a marriage relationship. I tell you sincerely, ________ and ________, that some of the most precious moments of your marriage will be found in times of reconciliation because it is there that love has had to go the deepest and, therefore, finds its greatest expression.
Another way to keep your marriage renewed is to be unsparing in words of love, trust, and encouragement. It is more than sad when couples do not express their affection for each other; nothing can cause a marriage to grow flat faster. Again, we follow the example of our God who is constant in reminding us of his great and steadfast love. Words of encouragement can bring fresh luster to a relationship and, of course, the little phrase, "I love you," when spoken from the heart, never loses its power to revitalize a marriage.
Actions which say, "I love you," are equally important in keeping the romance in marriage akindle. If you continually look for ways to make each other happy, you will always have something to look forward to in life. Each day can bring the possibility of some new experience of joy.
You see, ________ and ________, marriages need to be kept fresh and alive and vital, and it must be done each day - every day. Marriage cannot be preserved against the future; it has to be won fresh each new day.
So today you begin one of life's great experiences, the relationship of marriage. It can be a source of great joy and satisfaction for you both. I pray that you will live in close harmony with our Lord Jesus Christ. Through your fellowship with him, God can constantly flood you with the gifts of love, patience, kindness, and unselfishness. And, like his mercies, your love will never come to an end; it will be renewed every morning. Amen
Of course you're not, although I know you do have dreams - dreams for yourselves as you begin this marvelous enterprise of life. If only you could live the rest of your years with the guarantee that all your days would pass by in peace and happiness as you pursue your dreams of wedded love.
Well, I'm pleased to tell you that it's possible, if you're well-informed. All you need to do is select the right kind of coffee; be sure you know if prefers Stovetop Stuffing over mashed potatoes; keep a plentiful supply of Coke on hand (for Coke adds life); and buy pre-cooked sausages so you won't have to wait for breakfast. Already, if you've been paying attention, you're on your way to marital success, at least according to Madison Avenue.
There's more. If your tensions rise, Compoze will handle the problem; pain is no trouble as long as there's extra-strength Excedrin; and rest assured, Sominex guarantees 100% safe sleep. Furthermore, you will always and forever be fascinated with each other. All you need to do is use Scope (it even smells good); apply the proper deodorant, and sprinkle yourselves liberally with an irresistible after-shave or cologne. Follow these instructions and you will be enchanted with each other - forever!
You are both mature enough to realize that happiness and fulfillment in marriage is far more evasive than that. Yet it is interesting that people buy certain items in the sometimes desperate hope that maybe - just possibly - this or that product can help their relationship, or at least provide a moment of contentment or satisfaction in their marriage. That's a sad fact of life.
The problem is that marriage relationships can easily grow stale. Bored spouses look for something which might rekindle the spark of excitement they once knew. Thus, keeping a marriage fresh is very important. That is why I would share with you a few words from the prophet Jeremiah: "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning." Lamentations 3:21-23
The prophet is simply pointing out that God works at keeping our relationship with him alive and vital by pouring out his mercies (his gifts) upon us anew each day. A key to joy in your marriage, ________ and ________, is to follow the example God sets for you.
First you must fasten yourselves to Jesus Christ, for if you worship our Lord together and pray to him for each other, the cohesive power of the Holy Spirit can enter your lives in beautiful and powerful ways.
Then you must stand ready to forgive each other as Christ yearns to forgive you. Forgiveness brings continual resurrection to a marriage relationship. I tell you sincerely, ________ and ________, that some of the most precious moments of your marriage will be found in times of reconciliation because it is there that love has had to go the deepest and, therefore, finds its greatest expression.
Another way to keep your marriage renewed is to be unsparing in words of love, trust, and encouragement. It is more than sad when couples do not express their affection for each other; nothing can cause a marriage to grow flat faster. Again, we follow the example of our God who is constant in reminding us of his great and steadfast love. Words of encouragement can bring fresh luster to a relationship and, of course, the little phrase, "I love you," when spoken from the heart, never loses its power to revitalize a marriage.
Actions which say, "I love you," are equally important in keeping the romance in marriage akindle. If you continually look for ways to make each other happy, you will always have something to look forward to in life. Each day can bring the possibility of some new experience of joy.
You see, ________ and ________, marriages need to be kept fresh and alive and vital, and it must be done each day - every day. Marriage cannot be preserved against the future; it has to be won fresh each new day.
So today you begin one of life's great experiences, the relationship of marriage. It can be a source of great joy and satisfaction for you both. I pray that you will live in close harmony with our Lord Jesus Christ. Through your fellowship with him, God can constantly flood you with the gifts of love, patience, kindness, and unselfishness. And, like his mercies, your love will never come to an end; it will be renewed every morning. Amen
