"The Invisible Guest At Our Wedding" Series

Malachi 2:10-16 (MSG)

22 April 2007

(Kenny Harris III’s Birthday)

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris

Fort Ord Chapel

Seaside, California

BIG IDEA: God expects us to protect the spirit of marriage, within us, by not defrauding our spouses.

References: Malachi 2:10-16 (MSG); Deuteronomy 7:3-4 (ESV)You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, 4 for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods;

1 Cor. 7:5 (KJV) Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency; 1 Cor.7:1-16 (Apostle Paul discusses marriage); Proverbs 18:22 (KJV) Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD; Numbers 30:2 (KJV) If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth; Hebrew 13:4 (KJV) Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge; John 2:1-5 (KJV) - Jesus is present at wedding in Cana - (And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it); Deuteronomy 24:5 (KJV) When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken. Special Note (to our readers): The word defraud has at least nine definitions in the English Language. The definition that I have elected to utilize in both the “Big Idea” and “Purpose” is a verb and it means to “CHEAT”. In the Hebrew language it’s “baw-gad” which refers to an “unfaithful man”. However, the word “defraud” used by the Apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 7:5 (above) refers to depriving or withholding back, which derives from the Greek word “ap-os-ter-eh-o.

I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Malachi 2:10-16(MSG)

II. READ THE PERICOPE: Malachi 2:10-16 (MSG)

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 faithbond with your vowed companion, your covenant wife. 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: Motivate the hearers to affirm to others that God expects believers NOT TO DEFRAUD (or cheat on) their spouses.

V. INTRODUCTION:

Now, before we begin , I would like to take time to shower praises and mega accolades upon our Garrison Commander – Colonel Pamela Martis – and my wife: Dedra Yvonne.

Recently, Colonel Martis was responsible for approving the United States Army First Ever Marriage Enrichment Retreat for Civilians, here, at the Presidio of Monterey; and Dedra was responsible for ensuring the 15 couples in attendance (at San Luis Obispo’s Embassy Suites Hotel) experienced a flawless life changing retreat.

If you were a participant in our Garrison Marriage Retreat, then you know exactly how deserving these two ladies are today.

Therefore, please join me in standing and giving these ladies a thunderous round of applause! With all of the chaos in marriage and dysfunctional relationships, it’s great to see firsthand - in 2007 - that “marriage is STILL important to some believers”.

In Colonel Martis’ absence, and in Dedra’s presence, I want to thank you so much for making the sacrifices you made to ensure the Garrison Marriage Retreat was of the most memorable moments in my life, and in the life of many others.

It was truly an unforgettable series of events. We learned the importance of “Marriage Fitness” as we collectively decided to “Put Love First”.

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

MOVE 1: We experienced traveling together on the tour bus to Bispo Beach where we walked, shopped, and laughed while holding hands with our spouses.

a. And who can ever forget how we dined, renewed our vows, and slow danced to the Love Songs of Kenny Rodgers?

b. What an awesome experienced that was …