"Memories And The Marriage Vows"

Proverbs 5:18 (KJV); 26 March 2006

by

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris

CP Walker, Taegu South Korea

BIG IDEA: Christian husbands should live under the assumption that the wife of their youth, will also be the wife of their Middle Age, and the wife of their Old Age too.

REFERENCES: Ephesians 5:21-29 (KJV) The Marriage Vows; Malachi 2:10-16 (MSG); Malachi 2:14-15 (MSG) Do you know why? Simple. Because GOD was there as a witness when you spoke your marriage vows to your young bride, and now you’ve broken those vows, broken the faith-bond with your vowed companion, your covenant wife. 15 GOD, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that’s what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don’t cheat on your spouse; Proverbs 21:9 (GW) Better to live on a corner of a roof than to share a home with a quarreling woman; Proverbs 5:18 (KJV) Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth; John 13:34-35 KJV (A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another); Philippians 2:5 KJV - (Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus); Matthews 6:24 (KJV) (No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.);

I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Malachi 2:10-16 (MSG); Proverbs 5:18 (KJV)

II. READ THE PERICOPE: Malachi 2:10-16(MSG); Proverbs 5:18 (KJV)

III. READ THE TEXT: Malachi 2:14-15 (MSG): Do you know why? Simple. Because GOD was there as a witness when you spoke your marriage vows to your young bride, and now you’ve broken those vows, broken the faith-bond with your vowed companion, your covenant wife. 15 GOD, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that’s what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don’t cheat on your spouse.

IV. PURPOSE: To motivate Married Couples to remember their Wedding Day, and their Marriage Vows by reawakening their Flames of Love.

V. SERMONIC THEME: ”Memories And The Marriage Vows”

INTRODUCTION: ”I would like to take this time to shower praises and accolades upon two individuals today: Toni Duncombe and Angie Lambert for having planned and strategize a flawless SWEETHEART Retreat in February 2006 for 30 couples of CP Walker’s Multicultural Gospel Service.”

Now, I’m quite aware that this is an awkward time to have accolades and kudos rained down upon them, because most of our participants aren’t with us today. Instead they are participating in our Korea-wide exercise: Joint Reception Staging and Onward Movement & Integration (JRSO&I 2006).

Nevertheless, if you were bless to witness February’s Retreat, first hand, then you know exactly how deserving these two ladies are …

therefore … please join me by standing and giving Toni and Angie a thunderous round of applause!

**********Take 5 Beats ************

Move 1: Ladies thank you so much for making The Sweetheart Retreat 06, one of the most memorable moments in my life, and in the life of many other couples.

a. Your personal sacrifice to ensure we had the time of our life will forever be remembered.

b. Although you deserve pay and so much more.

c. We can’t afford to pay you.

d. So, please accept these flowers, from Dedra and me, as a token of our Multicultural Gospel Service Collective appreciation for all you’ve done.

e. Lets give these ladies another round of applause!!

*********** TAKE 5 BEATS *********

MOVE 2: What a memorable moment etched into the minds and hearts of those that were in attendance.

a. The Sweetheart Retreat was truly an unforgettable series of events.

b. We learned from one another in the classroom/seminar setting and “Journey toward Intimacy”.

c. We ate and fellowship together in a Fine Dining atmosphere;

d. we experience a Korean Mall together … walking, shopping and laughing … while holding the hands of spouses.

e. We collectively stroll down the isles of the Weston Chosun Ballroom to participate in a Korea-Style Wedding … as we refreshed our memories and renewed our Marriage Vows one to another!!

f. And who can ever forget how we slow danced to the Love Songs of Kenny Rodgers …

g. …. and parted the isles of the Weston Chosun as we ushered our love ones to our various quarters …

h. What an awesome experience that was … and what awesome experience and Oneness Marriage is to become!