This Could Be the Start of Something Big:
Celebration of Marriage
I Peter 3:1-7
1 Peter 3:1-7
1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,
2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.
3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands,
6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
(NIV)
God says that the two shall be one and for centuries, husbands and wives have tried to figure out which one!
Genesis 2:24
24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
(NIV)
Kids on Love and Marriage
Some fun hearing what kids think about husbands and wives.
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?
Alan, age 10—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.
Kirsten, age 10—No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides for you, and then you get to find out later who you’re stuck with.
WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Camille, age 10—Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
Freddie, age 6—No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.
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.
Sally, age 9—If they look mad at each other, they are probably married.
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Lori, age 8—Both don’t want any more kids.
Billy age 7—They both want me to go to bed at 8 o’clock so mommy doesn’t get a headache.
WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE? Pam, age 7—When they’re rich.
Curt, age 7—The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn’t want to mess with that.
Howard, age 8—The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It’s the right thing to do.
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.
David, age 7— If you like each other then it is better to be married especially if you want to kiss her.
Contributed by: D. Greg Ebie
At a wedding, the little boy who was the ring bearer marched deliberately down the aisle, letting out a loud "Grrr" with each step. As he passed, everyone smiled and wondered what the boy was doing. After the ceremony, curiosity got the better of someone, who asked him, "Why were you making those loud 'Grrs' as you came down the aisle?" "Oh, those were growls," the boy answered. "I wanted people to know I was the ring bear."
While love and romance are a vital part of a solid union, it’s the commitment that holds a marriage together through good times and bad. It’s that commitment that binds you together no matter what comes. It’s only when you have reached deep inside to know what your needs are, honestly and without reserve, and have also peered deep into the heart and mind of the one to whom you are promised — only then can you truly say, “I love you for now until eternity”.
From the creation, God has declared
that it is not good
for man to be alone.
Man left alone is incomplete. So God created a partner for man, fashioning her from a part of Adam’s own being, a bone. God did not take the bone from Adam’s foot, so that he could walk on Eve. Nor from Adam’s head so that Eve would lord over him. But from his side, near Adam’s heart, that they might love each other and protect each other forever. Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God.
Matthew 19:5-6
5 (Jesus) said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'?
6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
(NIV)
The science of mathematics declares that One and one make two,. But Jesus declared that one man and one woman create one union! How can two become one? It happens not by accident or ceremony. It happens as two lives each fulfill the lack in the other. It happens as each learns to laugh at himself and not at the other. It happens as each cries for the other and not for himself. It happens as two hold separate ideas and then talk and talk and keep on talking until one idea emerges with the best of the two in it. It happens as two hold separate dreams and keep melting those dreams with warm tears until they are fused into one. It happens when two personalities cease struggling for supremacy and each surrenders what is his to the union until that union takes on a personality of its own. The process by which all this is accomplished is not the repeating of vows or the signing of documents; it is LOVE!
1 Corinthians 13:7
7 If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.
(TLB
Test of Your Love for Your spouse:
1) Are you Loyal No Matter what?
2) Do you always believe in your spouse?
3) Do you always expect the best of your spouse?
4) Are you your spouse’s greatest defender?
Malachi 2:16
16 "I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel.
(NIV)
Remember Your Vows!
A vow is a solemn promise by which one binds himself!
1) for better or worse,
2) for richer or poorer,
3) in sickness and in health,
4) to love and to cherish,
5) according to God’s Holy Word,
6) till death do us part.
Wives – Be submissive
Be pure
Be reverent
Husbands-Be considerate
Be respectful
Be protective
VOWS
(repeat after me) I, GROOM, commit myself to you, BRIDE, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, according to God’s Holy Word, till death do us part.
I, BRIDE commit myself to you, GROOM; for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, according to God’s Holy Word, till death do us part.
