Who Did It?

“All Right…Who Did It?”

1 Cor. 7:2-5

But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. [3] The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. [4] The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. [5] Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Illust:

· I remember mom getting all of us four boys together and asking that most famous question, “Who did it?”

· When the question was asked “Who took a hammer and hit moms good living room table leaving a big dent in the wood”….I had to confess it was me.

· Mom still brings it up once in a while when I’m home…and shows me the dent.

Whenever a marriage falls apart the usual question is the same…”Who’s fault was it?”

I have always found out that it usually takes two people to see a marriage spiral downward…but there always seems to be one who plays a major part.

There are such problems in a marriage such as:

A. INCOMPATABLILITY:

· It is true that you don’t put a donkey with an ox to plow.

· It is also true that you don’t put two people together who fight against each other…both having no similarities.

· But I have also seen where the differences in a marriage was for the good….one persons strength helps the weaker one.

B. FRIGINESS/COLDNESS:

· There are those marriages that has a spouse that seems to have no feelings or relationship skills.

· There are needs that need to be met in a marriage for both the woman and the man…if these needs are not fulfilled…may lead to unfaithfulness…and many times to!

C. SELF-CENTEREDNESS:

· One refusing to yield their rights…always winning.

· It is best for us to realize that when we get married…we give up our rights for the other.

· The scripture we read…shares this.

1. THERE COMES A TIME WHEN WE ASK THE QUESTION…”WHO DID IT”?

I guess the proper way to answer this question is to ask….”Who can fix it?”

Illust:

· Most of the talk shows are spent talking about who had the affair, who was cheating on who…or how many people they have been sleeping with.

· Much of our news consists of broken marriages and broken homes.

· Yet the world still cries out….”How can my marriage be fixed.”?

· Everyone dreams of a happy home…If this were not true then there would not be so many re-marriages!

2. I BELIEVE IN MARRIAGE!

· It is the unselfish union of two people who care more about each other than themselves.

Illust:

A cynic defined marriage as, “A community consisting of a master, a mistress and two slaves…making in all, two.”

Illust:

Miguel de Cervantes in his 17th Century novel said, “Marriage is a noose.”

Illust:

Robert Louis Stevens said, “Marriage is like life…it is a field of battle not a bed of roses.”

Illust:

· A Pastor who was in the ministry for many years was asked the question, “When was there a time when the occasions left you speechless?”

· He said it was one of his first funerals and he went to the casket to talk to the husband of this lady who hardly ever had attended church.

· He was told that they had been married for 57 years.

· He didn’t know what to say so he said to the man, “57 years is a long time.”

· The man said without hesitation, “Too long, she was meaner than blazes.”

Illust:

· Poet Francis Quarles wrote in 1635, “Let all thy joys be as the month of May and all thy days be as a marriage day.”

· Alfred Tennyson said, “Marriages are made in heaven.”

· Andrew Jackson said…”Heaven will be no heaven for me if I do not meet my wife there.”

· Martin Luther declared…”There is no more lovely, friendly and charming a relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.”

3. THE FOUNDATION UPON WHICH A HAPPY HOME IS BUILT IS TRUST AND AFFECTION

· A beautiful, modern home does not necessarily mean happiness

· A handsome husband or a beautiful wife does not assure happiness

· Plenty of money or lack of money does not assure peace of mind

Only where there is love and confidence….where there is respect and honor…there the real home is found!

Illust:

On a talk show the question was asked, “What makes a great lover?”