Wedding sermon - Clive and Eva
1 Corinthians 13:4-4
3 Habits of an Effective marriage!!
Story: The bride was very nervous. It was right before the wedding and she wasn’t sure she could even walk down aisle. So her father gave her some words of wisdom. He said to her.
“There’s only three things you need to focus on. If you focus on these three things, you’ll be fine.
The first is walking down the aisle. Just focus on walking down the aisle of the church. I know it’s rather long, but just concentrate on that. Don’t get caught up with those on either side of the aisle. Just focus on getting to the end of the aisle.
Next, focus on the altar. It is your destination today. Make your way down the aisle to the altar. There you will stand before God with the man you love and will make vows to God and him. Focus on the altar – for the altar represents the love God has for you in Jesus Christ.
Lastly, focus on the hymn just before signing of the Register. In poetry and song, the hymn embodies God’s love for you in Christ, your love for your husband and his love for you.
So, to help you not be so nervous, focus on those three things.
Walking down the aisle,
Standing before the altar and
Listening to the hymn.
The bride was very thankful to her Dad for his words of advice.
The family and friends gathered watched as she walked down the aisle and noticed a look of calm determination on her face.
But as she passed them, she was heard mumbling three words over and over again to help calm her nerves.
“Aisle, Altar, Hymn… Aisle, Altar, Hymn… Aisle, Altar, Hymn.”
But, Eva you know you won’t alter Clive don’t you?
We need to accommodate one another in marriage - and live with our spouse’s little foibles.
You have come together today to express publicly the love that you have had for each other for many years.
You have come here today to make your vows of commitment to each other before God.
There are, I believe three important habits that you need to go on cultivating in your relationship - to keep your love fresh and your marriage healthy. I am sure you know them already – but today is a good time simply to reflect on them.
I. Habit 1 “Get your priorities right – make regular time for each another”
Story: Thousands of years ago Clive, our Creator had a divine thought: “I will give man a partner.”
The Lord knew that man could not do the job by himself. Isn’t that right Eva?
He needed someone to be a companion and friend. So God came up with a brilliant invention - woman.
We read in Genesis 2, in the story of creation:
….the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said,
"This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ’woman, ’ for she was taken out of man."
24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
She was created out of one of man’s ribs (Genesis 2:21-22).
Eva, it is worth noting that the Lord did not choose a piece of Adam’s head, when he created woman so that woman would lord over him.
Nor, Clive did God select a piece from Adam’s foot, so that man would trample all over her.
But rather, He chose to take a rib from man, so that woman could be taken from his side--to be his equal –
from under his arm--to be protected by him...and
from near his heart--to be loved by him.
In all good and successful marriages the partners are equal. Each brings his or her own unique contribution to the marriage.
It is also important to remember not to take each other for granted - and to remember to take time for each other.
It is so easy to get caught up in the bustle of life and accidentally to neglect our spouses.
II. Habit 2 - “Be proactive”
The second habit necessary to keep a marriage healthy is being proactive.
It was the little things in life that really made the difference.
Like remembering anniversaries and birthdays or helping in the kitchen – and Clive, emptying the dustbin.
And of course, we need to remember the emotional support that we can give one another.
Don’t take your love for each other for granted. Cultivate it. In our reading from 1 Cor 13:4-7 – we see
What love is…
What love does, and importantly
What love does not!!
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”. (1 Cor 13:4-7)
Marriage has been described as a bed of roses – but remember roses have thorns –
you need to handle them carefully!
III. Habit 3 Learn to protect the lines of communication
The third habit necessary to keep a marriage healthy is protect the lines of communication open. Often that will mean saying ”Sorry”
There be times when you will you have “a slight difference of opinion”!!!!!
But remember this saying of St. Paul “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.”(Eph. 4:26)
Don’t let any differences get in the way of taking time to communicate with each other.
Conclusion
Finally our ultimate strength and ability to
sustain and enjoy an happy marriage comes from
FAITH AND HOPE IN JESUS.
Having Christ at the centre of your relationship will bring stability to a marriage. It will give you a base line to operate from.
The prophet Isaiah said this:
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isa 40:31- NIV).
So in conclusion, let me give you three words.
Instead of Aisle, Altar, Hymn, may I suggest
Priorities
Proactive
Protect
1. Get your priorities right. Give each other quality time.
2. Be proactive in your marriage. Show your love by remembering the “little things in life”
3. Protect the lines of communication. It is not without reason that we said in the Lord’s prayer
“Forgive us our sin, as we forgive those who sin against us.” (Mt 6:12) Amen
