Marriage

Scripture: Luke 12:22-25, Philippians 4:4-7, Genesis 1:26-28, Luke 12:44-48, Psalm 8:4-9, Genesis 1:28, Genesis 2:18, Genesis 2:24-25, Matthew 5:27-28, Ephesians 5:25-28, Ecclesiastes 9:9, John 15:10-12, Romans 14:17-19, Mark 3:28-30, 1 Peter 3:15,

(SLIDE) I have struggled this week with what and how the Lord wanted shared this week. Part of that comes from the burdens, if you will, the stress of starting a new full-time job and the blessing and responsibility of related to the vote you have today. Have you ever noticed that at times when God blesses us, and that could be in many ways. Even as we give Him all the praise and glory for what He’s done, there’s still some part of us that’s afraid to walk in that blessing. With blessings come responsibilities. Amen? Then yesterday I got a text message, that confirmed that today’s message is what He wanted preached.

In the testimony’s gathered by Luke, Jesus was teaching to a large crowd and after sharing the parable of the rich fool, He tells us not to worry. (SLIDE) Luke 12:22-25 22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. (SLIDE) 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Paul in writing to the church at Philippi in chapter 4 leads us in this way. (SLIDE) Philippians 4:4-7 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness (gentleness) be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. That passage will be a whole sermon another day. Both the words of Jesus and Paul are easy to read, easy to say. In practice, at times, I find anxiety to be quite difficult as my mind races over all the things that need to be done. As the enemy tempts me with thoughts about how I’m not worthy, not good enough, or what will other people think as I walk in obedience. (SLIDE) Let’s pray.

We finished up last week in a conversation about Christian unity and a little bit about stewardship. In Genesis, we talked a couple of weeks go about women in ministry and leadership with this foundation. (SLIDE) Genesis 1:26-28 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

(SLIDE) We understand that in the beginning, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, created the universe and all that is within it. They created man and woman equally in their image. There isn’t anything difficult about the word rule or dominion if you’re reading the ESV and other translations here. The Hebrew word is Radah (raw-daw) and it simply means to rule or have dominion over, but consider the context of the whole sentence. “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule. It doesn’t mean that as stewards of God’s creation, that we can do anything we want with His creation. Adam and Eve discovered that.

(SLIDE) When your parents, as you grew old enough to have responsibilities, your teachers in school, your boss or manager at work, gave you “dominion” over something, they were making you the steward. You were responsible for completing the chore, the task, whatever had been assigned to you, on time, with quality work, and done correctly. Right? Reading Genesis here this means that as stewards, we’re made in the image and likeness of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. When we’re living, playing, working, in the image and likeness of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we have a responsibility to care for His creation as they care for and love what He’s created. Does that make sense to you?

(SLIDE) Going back to Luke just a little farther down in Chapter 12 Jesus is talking to an audience of thousands about being watchful for the master returning from the wedding banquet. Being ready for the Son of Man to return at any hour when most won’t be ready. Peter asks if Jesus is telling a parable to just the disciples, or to everyone who’s listening. Jesus continues about being a faithful and wise manager, and the variations of failure that we, as humans often experience as leaders or as servants. The good servant is given more responsibilities by their master. And then Jesus says this.

(SLIDE) Luke 12:44-48 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. (SLIDE) 47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

I’ll tell you that I was considering leaving some of that text out this morning. Understanding that all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Most of us in some ways have known the word of God from a very young age. Many of us know what it was like to get a good old-fashioned whooping when we were disobedient to our parents, so let’s not talk about that, right. We’ll just ignore punishment and go right to: To whom much is given much is required, and skip over the fact that there are always consequences for the choices we make or have made in our lives.

(SLIDE) Luke 12:48 echoes the Mosaic law in Levitus 5:17 and Numbers 15:27-30 which talk about not knowing that we sinned until afterwards we learn of our failure. So then in the law make a sacrifice at the temple to the Lord. Jesus Christ has made that sacrifice for us when He gave His life as a blood atonement for all humanity and died on the cross at Calvary. Obedience. Not my will but yours be done Father. It is finished. And of course, three days later by the power of the Holy Spirit, God raised Jesus of Nazareth from the grave and He sits now at the right hand of the Father.

To whom much has been given, much is required. Often, we want to turn scriptures into something that has to do with money or wealth, but I want us to think beyond that very simple, basic understanding. The bible does have a lot to say about money and wealth but that’s today’s conversation. First, Jesus was talking about the Pharisees. About those who knew the law, but then used the law not to bring about love, compassion for all God’s children. Empathy and service to others that brings redemption, but to condemn, threaten and hurt people. Understanding that Jesus is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity is always in unity, I want us to consider to whom much is given, much is required going back to the beginning when they created us.

(SLIDE) In Genesis. Men and women both are created equally in the image of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and given dominion over all of God’s creation here on earth. Given responsibility for managing and caring for all creation, the way the Lord cares about, and loves what He has created. Us. Humanity as well as the rest of this creation. (SLIDE) What did David say in Psalm 8:4-9 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is humanity that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? 5 You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. (SLIDE) 6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: 7 all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, 8 the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 9 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Amen! I added the Amen.

(SLIDE) Three related passages from Genesis to look at briefly. We read in Genesis 1:28 28 God blessed them (Adam & Eve) and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number. Genesis 2:18 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Genesis 2:24-25 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

(SLIDE) At this point in history Adam and Eve were one with God. In perfect relationship and harmony with their creator, and with His creation. When, as Genesis describes, God removes a rib from Adam to create Eve, in “our image”. Adam, and Eve, were united at creation. Flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone.Their hearts, their minds, their spirits together, as one with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit who gave them responsibility over the earth. And as certainly as you and I at times have failed the Lord God, so did they. Not Eve alone. Both failed. Together. Causing sin and death to come into the world.

Adam and Eve. This is the first marriage. Be fruitful and multiply. I don’t think I have to explain that in any sense. If I do, well, it’s not coming from this pulpit. I often listen to Tony Evans, an amazing pastor and teacher if you’re not familiar. He uses very specific words to describe Mary becoming pregnant with Jesus, and I just can’t do it. Valentine’s day is this week, and we’re of course having a luncheon right after service today. Some of us might remember a Jewel Akens song from 1965 “Let me tell ya 'bout the birds and the bees And the flowers and the trees, And the moon up above, And a thing called love.

Valentine’s day didn’t have anything to do with couples and love originally. (SLIDE) Saint Valentine was a 3rdcentury priest who ministered to persecuted Christians, healed cripples, lepers and he was martyred. Beheaded for his faith and obedience on … February 14th. He was executed for refusing to deny Christ by the order of the "Emperor Claudius" in the year 269 CE. Before his head was cut off, Valentine restored the sight and hearing to the daughter of his jailer so some historical writings say.

So, Valentine’s Day was originally created in remembrance of a servant of God, who gave His life in sacrifice for what He believed in. I’d bet most of us didn’t know that. (SLIDE)Then in 1382, over a 1,000 years later, Chaucer wrote a romantic poem called Parliament of Fowls.

"For this was on Saint Valentine's Day When every bird comes there to choose his match Of every kind that men may think of And that so huge a noise they began to make That earth and air and tree and every lake Was so full, that not easily was there space For me to stand—so full was all the place."

Every bird comes to choose his match. (SLIDE) The earliest official description of February 14th as a celebration of couples and love, appears in a document from 1400 CE supposedly issued by Charles VI of France called Charter of the Court of Love. It describes lavish festivities, feasts, amorous songs, poetry competitions and dancing. Those are the kind of parties or gatherings that some of us got into trouble at. No testimonies please but Happy Valentine’s Day, a little early now that you know where it really comes from before Hallmark and Hershey’s took over.

(SLIDE) 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. That is the biblical standard by which we, in the Church of God believe in the institution of marriage. Marriage is between a man and woman, as described by God in Genesis. Marriage is a covenant relationship between a man and a woman that is intended to reflect the image and love of God with an intimacy that is unlike any other relationship. Consider we are both, men and women, made in the image of God, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit who are in complete unity, and that is how He intended marriage to be. Adam and Eve, one man and one woman together in complete unity.

Like many other areas of life, we tend to mess it up. With apologies, men, the male side of humanity tends to fail more often though women fail as well. What did Jesus say in the testimony of Matthew. Matthew 5:27-28 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

(SLIDE) The enemy knows that. That’s why I keep seeing adds from TEMU on my phone and computer that right next to some picture of a power tool, there’s a picture of a woman in a bikini or underwear showing thigh to shoulder only. Not something I really need to see, right? If we’re spending any time watching television, unless it’s the Angel Network or Right Now Media, then there are all kinds of imagery and behavior that to be honest these days I don’t want to spend any time watching or listening to. (SLIDE)They put thoughts in all our heads, that will interfere with our ability to walk in obedience to the Lord. Thoughts that will cause us to forget where it is that our worth, our value and the worth and value of every other child of God, comes from. Thoughts, that even if not put into practice, can harm our relationships with others.

In Ephesians 5 Paul begins talking about sexual immorality, anything that’s outside the bounds of marriage between a husband and wife would be considered impure, coveting of someone who isn’t our spouse, rude and crude jokes, filthy and foolish talk that’s just inappropriate. Yet, when we’re working on a new job, or spending time trying to build relationships when we move into a new community, we want to be accepted and liked by other people, and we tend to participate to gain acceptance as one of the guys or one of the gals.

(SLIDE) Decades ago, I was asked by some church leaders to write a lesson for a women’s bible study about obedience and what we feed our eyes, ears and our minds. And hopping right up on my high horse, I started talking about how dangerous that daytime soap operas were. You know, so & so is sleeping with somebody else’s wife or husband on the job and they’re sneaking off, and everybody’s lying about something. Those leading the ministry said it was too harsh, and they couldn’t tell the women who were meeting together to grow in the Lord that they shouldn’t be watching those kinds of things. And I’m not being judgmental ladies, I’ve also watched television and movies that aren’t whatever is lovely and pure. It’s just something to think about.

(SLIDE) A little farther down in Ephesians 4 we get this though. And I’m starting with the men on purpose. Ephesians 5:25-28 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

(SLIDE) Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. That’s a really tall order, and while all of us as men fail at that sometimes, some men are better at that than others, and we have a couple of great examples that sit right here in this room with us. I can tell you that although I loved my first wife, mother of my three sons who someday I hope you’ll meet here, (the sons, not the ex-wife) – For much of those 32 years I was absolutely miserable. Trying to fulfill that “gave himself up for her,” to the detriment of my health and our family. I was in an abusive relationship. That led to chain smoking, drug, and alcohol abuse. Those habits and behaviors can never demonstrate the love of Christ to a partner or spouse because they can drive away the Holy Spirit’s presence.

(SLIDE) Many of us have been married more than once, and placing blame on a previous spouse doesn’t help. Anyone. Too often in our society we think we’ve fallen in love, and it turns out that was just lust, and so we look for any reason we can to find someone else who, at least temporarily, makes us happy when our partner no longer does. But see, we forget to stand on His word when wrong thinking enters our brains and sometimes comes out of our mouths. And let’s not confuse the English language which is easy to do. Wife. Husband. Helpmate. Partner. Spouse. These are interchangeable words that don’t imply something beyond a covenant commitment to each other that often human beings fail to keep.

(SLIDE) Ecclesiastes 9:9 9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.Great poetry. Not very pleasant to think about the fact that marriage requires work on many levels. Right?

There is nowhere in the Bible that God promises us happiness. Specifically not if we’re relying on other people, a spouse or partner, our parents, our children, co-workers, friends, to make us happy. What did Jesus say in the testimony (SLIDE) of John 15:10-12 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full (complete). 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

(SLIDE) Paul writing to the church in Rome: Romans 14:17-19 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

(SLIDE) Righteousness, peace and joy come from walking in the Holy Spirit. From working to make ourselves one with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Verse 19: So let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. I share this for a very specific purpose because my heart aches over what is taking place in this country and around that is supposedly in the name of Christ. And it's not what Christ commands us to do.

(SLIDE) 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Be fruitful and multiply. For many of us that time has passed. As a pastor in the Church of God I must plant two foundational stones in scriptural understanding here today. Particularly because you have a vote shortly and we need to be in Unity.

The first one isn’t part of today’s discussion overall, but it’s this. Human life is precious to the Lord, whether it is at the moment of conception, or it is near the time of returning to Him. You knew me when you knit me together in my mother’s womb. He knew you from creation. Pretty simple.

Then the second is today’s focus. According to the Lord, marriage is between a man and a woman. That is His plan, that was the Mosaic law as handed down on Mount Sinai. Now depending on the state one lives in and in this country that we live in, that’s no longer the definition. Individuals and couples who are LGBTQ+, have rights according to some state laws, and federal laws.

Even more important. They are also children of God. All humanity is created in the image of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit regardless of race, color, ancestry or location on the planet. There is tremendous pain and suffering being caused all over the world by people who claim to be Christians who then curse and condemn people of different races, different colors, different backgrounds, and different lifestyles and choices. We have men in particular, who belong to churches, claiming to be Christians, going into Synagogues, Mosques, restaurants, parades, Night clubs, refugee centers, and killing other human beings, because they somehow think, that will bring people to accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

(SLIDE) Ephesians 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

This is not my house. It’s not your house. It’s His house. If an alcoholic, a drug abuser, someone addicted to pornography, someone who cheated on their tax returns to save some money, or someone who was gay, lesbian or some other lifestyle, some scientists would say some other genetic makeup, were to want to join us in a pew on a Sunday to hear the Word of God. They are absolutely welcome here from my viewpoint. Jesus Christ came to save sinners. Of whom I am the worst. So are we all sinners to some degree.

Understand me though church. I will not officiate an LGBTQ+ marriage in this sanctuary. To do so would cost me my ability to serve in the Church of God that I know I am called to serve obediently. There are Christian congregations in Tekonsha and Union City that will. But that doesn’t mean we don’t love them as Christ loves them.

What’s Jesus say in (SLIDE) Mark 3:28-30 28 “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—

All sins will be forgiven except blaspheming the Holy Spirit. And I don’t say this lightly in front of you today. I don’t say it because I have, always, had LGBTQ+ family members and some friends. I say this because as I already said my heart aches. My heart aches daily for those who are suffering in any way, but particularly for those who are suffering because they are being persecuted by today’s Pharisees. By pious, religious, self-righteous individuals with personal and political motives who place themselves above every other child of God that needs to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. As if God loves them, more than those who are fallen and hurting. That’s not the example Jesus set for us when He walked on this earth. If Jesus was here today, He wouldn’t be in this building or in any other specific church denomination, He would be with those who are fallen, who are suffering and hurting, the outcasts from our society. Teaching. Healing. And saying “Go forth and sin more.” Can I get an Amen from anyone? It’s not the healthy who need a doctor.

(SLIDE) Please accept my apologies, if thinking about Valentine’s day you were expecting roses, chocolates and Cupid in a sermon today. I prayed hard in preparing this sermon. And I believe God has called me here to serve you for this time. With joy in my heart for what He’s doing. But I believe we must be in unity together, to be stewards not only of this building and the other resources that God has given us, but that we must be stewards of the Word of God as well. 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

(SLIDE) The Living Translation of 1 Peter 3:15 reads like this: 15 Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord, and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way.

(SLIDE) The Message is a useful translation. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick.

It’s time for those of us who love Jesus Christ, to stop doing things that cause the unsaved to throw mud at us. It’s time for us to demonstrate the Love of Christ, that draws others to repentance and obedience. For the glory and Honor of the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. What must I do to be saved. What must I do, that others will be saved.