“A Marriage Made in Heaven” - Make room for Jesus

Big Idea:

Honor God with your marriage (life-relationship with Him) by holiness and purity. Make room for Jesus.

Child Dedication:

Good morning everyone…

We have a very special morning. May I have the following families come up to the front?

1st Service:

1. Sams family…

2. The Gibbons.

3. The Davuluris.

4. The Mansurs

2nd Service:

Stratton Family

Parents will you stand along the stage with your child in front of you? Also I’d like to invite Clif Render, our River Kids Coach, to join me?

The Bible says…

Proverbs 22:6 ESV

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Jesus said…

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

… “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples (no age requirement) of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you...”

He also said…

Matthew 19:14 ESV

… “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Today, we are having “child dedications.” Maybe some of you are familiar with this, maybe not. So, I want to briefly talk about what this is.

First, it is not the same as a child baptism. While children can be baptized, a child dedication is different. They are not what we call an “ordinance” or a sacred religious practice in obedience to Christ (like communion or baptism); rather, they are a tradition. A tradition that’s more about the parents than the children.

The reason these families stand before you today is they desire to dedicate their children to the Lord. To publicly say - in front of our church family, “I am committing to raising my child in the Christian faith – to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.”

And we - as witnesses – are saying, “We will support you in this!” And so, in a moment, we’re going to pray for these families. But first… I have a question for the families…

First off, I’m so thankful for all of you. It is a great privilege to stand here and witness this moment - to be part of your spiritual family and faith journey. So, my question is:

As the parents of the children standing before you - precious lives that God has gifted to you - do you commit to the responsibility of raising your children to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior, and willing to be accountable to both the Word of God and your church family in this?

Then, let’s pray… [stretch your hands towards them]

Father, I thank you for the families standing before us. Together, as your church, we pray the following blessing (found in Your Word) over their lives…

Numbers 6:24–26 ESV

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

God, give these parents Spirit-filled wisdom, strength, and love. We pray that Your will would be done in their lives. And that these children would become mighty men and women of God. And we pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

Thank you everyone. Please feel free to take a moment to take pictures.

Actually, before that, can we also give a special thank you to the River Kids team. Their sacrificial service is a weekly, strategic part of how we (as The River Church) support parents in discipling their kids.

Additionally, the River Kids team has put together a pop-up library by the Connect Table. For the families participating in the dedication, please feel free to take a book as a resource to help you raise your child in the faith.

Intro:

Good morning church…

My first pastoral calling was to a youth group in Wildomar, CA in 2010 (that’s a little north of San Diego). At the time, there wasn’t a current youth group. But the Senior Pastor asked me to start one.

So, with 3 kids, we moved forward. And God did a new thing! Honestly, it was amazing. We would have Bible Study on Thursday nights and sometimes there’d be like 50 kids there. And it was just pizza and the Bible. No gimmicks.

And these kids were not church kids. Somebody would invite them, and they would hear about Jesus (sometimes for the first time), and get saved. Then, these kids (without their parents) would come on Sundays too. Sometimes riding their bikes in the rain.

It was a small church. Maybe 100 people on a good day. And I remember the youth would fill up half the sanctuary. God was doing a work! And I’m grateful God allowed me to be a part of it.

However, to be honest… it was messy. I was a new, young, inexperienced pastor. And these kids were fresh off the street. They followed Jesus as best as they could… but, like most teenagers, they still made a bunch of poor choices. One of them being… boyfriend-girlfriend relationships in the youth group.

The practice in and of itself isn’t wrong. I mean, if our kids are going to date, it’s best if they do so with someone who shares their faith. But teenage dating - Christian or not - is messy.

Last week at youth group, I was reminded of this. A certain guy and girl were walking too close to each other, and I yelled out, “Hey, yall better make room for Jesus!”

That’s what I used to tell the kids in my old youth group. We’d be in the living room, a bunch of couches, about to start Bible study, and the guys and girls would be sitting a little TOO CLOSE to each other. And so we’d throw a pillow in between them and say, “Make room for Jesus.”

Today, as we continue in our sermon series on marriage titled “A Marriage Made in Heaven,” the Youth are gonna - STRANGELY - help teach us about this relationship we call marriage. Because healthy (heavenly) marriages “Make room for Jesus.”

But as I’ve mentioned before, this series is for more than married people. Unmarried people need to learn to make room for Jesus too. Because one day, we will be with Jesus in Heaven for all of eternity as His “bride.”

And so far in this series, we’ve learned…

How marriage matters.

How the biblical roles within a marriage - between a husband and wife - matter.

And last week, how unity in marriage matters.

But this week, we’re gonna see how both holiness and faithfulness in marriage matters…

Body:

We’re gonna start in the Old Testament today - in the book of Malachi. It’s not a super-well known book. It’s the last book of the Old Testament. And Malachi was the last prophet to speak to Israel before what some call the “400 years of silence.”

God is a personal God. He is relationship. And He has always spoken to His people. The Bible is the record of these conversations. But, there was a season when God did not speak to His people. He spoke to Malachi in the 400 BCs and then, did not prophetically speak again until John the Baptist, in the first century of the current age.

And sometimes, the last thing said can be very important, especially before a long period of silence. Think about the last thing Jesus said to His disciples before He ascended to Heaven…

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Those final words authoritatively inform the church of it’s mission, even 2000 years later! And in a similar way, these final words before the 400 years of silence carry weight. The Lord, through the prophet Malachi, had important things to discuss…

He starts off this way…

Malachi 1:1–2 NLT

This is the message that the Lord gave to Israel through the prophet Malachi. “I have always loved you,” says the Lord. But you retort, “Really? How have you loved us?” And the Lord replies, “This is how I showed my love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob,

That’s powerful. That’s not even like when Jerry McGuire says, “You complete me.” Everyone cried at that part of the movie (except me… I don’t cry). But that was a powerful scene. We all knew what Jerry meant. He was poetically saying, “I love you.”

Yet, here, God straight up says, “I love you.” No interpretation needed.

…and then He reminds them of how His actions proved it. It was undeniable. God is FOR His people.

‌I believe it’s necessary for us to pause in this moment. In context, these words are written to the Jewish people 2000 years ago. But… they are rightfully applied to us today..….

Today, church, let me remind you…

God loves you…

And God has proven His love for you by sending Jesus (His only Son) to die on the cross for your sins.

God is FOR you. He’s cheering for you. He wants to heal and restore you. He wants you in His family.

But… like Israel, we know this… and still reject this divine love. That’s what Malachi talks about in the rest of chapter 1. He says how the people have…

Not taken worship seriously - they did not love God back.

How they gave God their left overs. Their mindset was…

IF I have enough time, then I’ll go to church or serve God.

IF I have left over money, then I’ll give.

Once I do everything I want to do, then I’ll see IF there’s room for Jesus.

Basically, they (and WE) love other things (unworthy things) more than God -who loves US more than anything.

And honestly, it’s kinda crazy because remember who God is. In verse 14, it says, “For I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among all nations.”

We forget He is King of the Universe. We’re lucky He even acknowledges us, let alone loves us with an everlasting love (as the prophet Jeremiah phrases it).

There’s a video circulating on social media of Lebron James (a self-proclaimed king) dismissing a kid wanting a picture with him after his Olympic Gold Medal victory. Many in the comments defend king James by saying he doesn’t owe the kid (or any fans) anything. Whether or not you agree with that, king James is NOTHING compared to King Jesus. And here’s the truth, Jesus would never do that to any of us. Because He loves us. He says…

John 6:37 NLT

However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.

The King loves us and wants to be with us. How amazing is that? But we’ve forgotten who He is… and treat Him like trash.

That’s what Malachi 1 is about. And you might be thinking, “Okay, but what does this have to do with marriage?” Well, think about this… God speaking to Israel says…

Hosea 2:19 NLT

I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion.

God’s people are married to him. Additionally, this relationship/marriage is holy. What I mean by that is, in the Bible, the word “holy” can have a couple of different meanings. Most of us are familiar with it referring to purity. And that’s true.

But “holy” can also mean “separate” or “sacred.” For example, when we say “God is holy,” it’s not just that He’s pure (although He is), but also, “He is completely separate from all created things.”

Not relationally. Because He is a personal, relational God. But rather, there is no comparison to Him. He is radically separate in quality. His goodness, beauty, and wisdom is infinitely more than we can imagine and matched by none.

Therefore, being married to God is a holy thing. It is a sacred. And it should be treated that way… as radically special. And yet, historically, God’s people have treated it as common and unholy - like it’s trash. We treat trash with little value, which is why we easily throw it away.

And over the past few weeks, we’ve discussed the special correlation between God’s relationship with His people, and a relationship between a husband and wife. Remember, Paul wrote…

Ephesians 5:31–32 ESV

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

Marriage, the highest, most intimate relationship God has given humans ultimately points to the marriage (or relationship) between God and His people.

So, when Malachi writes about the bad relationship between God and His people, it is relevant to our human marriages too. And here’s a question that arises to the surface…

If we (as God’s people) treat our marriage to Him as unholy, then what the heck will our human marriages look like? Because there’s a biblical connection between the two!

If our relationship with God is off, our marriages will be off.

If our marriage is off, our relationship with God is off.

And here’s the point: Marriage is holy. Whether divine or human…

It is special, not common.

Your husband is a gift from God.

Your wife is a gift from God.

Your status as a child of God is a sacred thing.

Therefore, take it seriously. Prioritize it.

Make room for Jesus.

But, here’s the problem. We find it in chapter two. Check it out…

Malachi 2:1 ESV

“And now, O priests, this command is for you.

The priests were the spiritual leaders of God’s people. They were to help people prioritize their relationship with God. And here’s why we need to pay attention too…

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Peter, in writing to the church (those who follow Jesus as Lord and Savior) - so he’s speaking to us - calls us “priests.” As sons and daughters of God, we are spiritual leaders with a responsibility to help others prioritize their relationship with God.

So, Malachi’s ancient words matter to us. And in chapter 2, the problem with the marriage between God and His people is their holiness. But this time I AM TALKING about their PURITY.

They didn’t take the sacred relationship seriously.

And they weren’t taking their SIN seriously either.

Actually, in the worst way possible, they WERE taking their sin seriously. They were enjoying it. Prioritizing their sinful desires. They were married (relationally devoted) to idolatry.

And don’t limit that word in your mind to wooden or metal statues. While idolatry can involve worshiping false gods shaped into created beings. In essence, idolatry is anytime we love something more than God.

Money can be an idol.

Your comfort can be an idol.

Your children can be idols.

You can be your own idol!

And Malachi’s warning is your sin has serious consequences. God loves you. But you have not been taking Him seriously. Instead, you’re married to your sin.

Is God speaking to any of us today?

Are we having problems in our marriage?

Are we struggling in our relationship with God?

Maybe there is SIN in our lives that we need to deal with…

As I was writing this sermon, I was praying about what God wants me to say next. Is there an illustration? Is there a specific sin to name? But as I was thinking, I was reminded of this verse… Jesus, speaking of the Holy Spirit, says…

John 16:8 ESV

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

I believe the Spirit of God is with us right now. And I don’t need to try and guess the sins that are ruining our marriages and relationship with God. You already know what they are. Mostly because the Holy Spirit is bringing them to mind RIGHT NOW. Because that’s His job, not mine.

So, whatever it is, listen to what the Spirit says. Turn from that sin right now. Take it seriously.

…and as the Holy Spirit was inspiring the prophet Malachi to write these words, here’s a specific sin He brought to mind…

Malachi 2:13–16 NLT

Here is another thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings and doesn’t accept them with pleasure. You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows. Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. “For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.”

There would be a lot to talk about in this passage if we were studying Malachi verse-by-verse, but today we’re talking SPECIFICALLY about marriage, so I’ll focus our attention on this…

One specific problem that was ruining both marriages and the people’s relationship with God is unfaithfulness.

To be faithful is to have loyal love towards another.

It’s to do what you say you will do.

God is faithful. In His love, He has committed Himself to us. And His promises towards us are always “yes and amen,” (2 Cor 1:20) meaning, they are true. He will do what He says He will do.

And because we are His people - His children - He wants us to be the same way. To share His heart and character. But all too often, we are not.

Instead, we’ve been unfaithful. How do we know this? Look at the marriages in the church - His people…

How many marriages are unhealthy?

How many are resulting in divorce?

How often are the husbands and wives unfaithful to each other?

This is serious. Because marriage points people to Jesus. In a sense, that’s what Malachi means when He says in verse 15, “And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring.”

Yes, this is referring to godly children coming from godly parents in a godly marriage. It’s a type of fulfillment of the divine mandate that said, “Be fruitful and multiply.” Or in other words, fill the earth with God’s glory!

But, I believe, this also refers to a greater purpose of marriage. Marriage is evangelistic. People should see the godly love and faithfulness between a husband and wife (which is intended to be radically different than what they see in the world, which is usually selfishness and unfaithfulness) and be pointed to Jesus!

But… too often all they see is more of the same. Even among God’s people, they see marriage treated as common, not holy, with God’s people divorcing each other as if marriage doesn’t matter. And many times this is motivated by unfaithfulness!

This should not happen! And that’s what God is saying through the prophet. He takes his name and the salvation of people very seriously. And unfaithfulness and divorce drag both through the mud…

So, what do we do? How can we fix this problem? I think Jesus’s teaching on the same subject can help us.

Mark 10:1–2 NLT

Then Jesus left Capernaum and went down to the region of Judea and into the area east of the Jordan River. Once again crowds gathered around him, and as usual he was teaching them. Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?”

The religious leaders are bringing up a controversial issue hoping Jesus says something that will help them - honestly - put Him to death. Their heart is wrong towards Jesus.

And I think there is immediately application for us too. The root of our unholiness and unfaithfulness is our heart towards Jesus.

What is your heart towards Jesus today?

Is He Lord?

Or are you trying to discredit Him?

Mark 10:3–9 NLT

Jesus answered them with a question: “What did Moses say in the law about divorce?” “Well, he permitted it,” they replied. “He said a man can give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away.” But Jesus responded, “He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts. But ‘God made them male and female’ from the beginning of creation. ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

Here’s an additional problem… the Pharisees started in the wrong place (for selfish reasons).

Jesus asks, “What did Moses say about divorce?” In other words, what does God (the authority) say? Not that Moses is God, he is not. But God inspired Moses to write. And so, what is recorded in the Scriptures under the penmanship of Moses is actually the very words of God.

And the Pharisees repeated something Moses DID write in Deut. 24:1.

But Jesus clarifies, “That’s not the authoritative verse on marriage. You start there for selfish reasons. And Moses only writes this because he knew how hard your heart is and how you would struggle with holiness and faithfulness!” That verse is not the authority on marriage, but grace God gives to a sinful people.

The real source of marriage is found in Genesis 2. At the beginning. What Jesus quotes. God’s plan for marriage is lifelong! Because the two should become one.

You’re asking the wrong question, and starting from the wrong place, because your heart is wrong. And whether it is in marriage or our relationship with God, that is often our problem too.

Ultimately, the problem is our heart towards God is wrong. Therefore, our lives do not sync with His standard. And we are unholy and unfaithful. And then we wonder why things are falling apart…

Response:

So, how do we respond to this problem? We make room for Jesus. Seriously. It’s that simple.

When I was a youth, I played Nintendo. And I played Super Mario Brothers. I feel like that game was super hard. Especially since you only have 3 lives and no continues. And it took forever to beat.

That is… unless you used the secret warp portals. Sometimes you’d duck down green tubes, or climb on top of bricks at the top of screens, or use special vines. And these would be shortcuts to higher levels.

In fact…

Level 1.2 could get you to Level 4.

Level 4.2 could warp you to Level 8.

Pass through the 3 stages of Level 8 and you’ll meet the final boss: Bowser.

Time your jump right and you potentially rescue the princess in a little over 5 mins.

Simple.

The solution to our marriages and relationship with God problems is that simple too…

We don’t need to fix it…

We need to make room for Jesus.

That’s the gospel. The good news. Jesus did all the work. At the cross He made every wrong, right. I know I’ve said this before, but I’m repeating it because it’s powerful…

John 1:12 NLT

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

The phrase “he gave the right” holds the sense that “Jesus removed every obstacle - every problem - every hinderance, when it comes to being part of God’s family and living the life He created us to live.”

If you will, Jesus is THE shortcut to God’s victory in our marriages and lives. And that’s because God wants this for our lives more than we want it. Because He loves us. He wants us to beat the game. So He made it simple.

Today, I believe for all of us, the next step is to make room for Jesus. I’m not sure what that looks like specifically, but - like before - I’m trusting the Holy Spirit is speaking clearly to your heart right now about what to do next…

Maybe it’s turning from your sin and putting your faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior for the first time.

Maybe it’s divorcing the sin in your life that is ruining your marriage.

Whatever it is, make room for Jesus.

Let’s pray…

Father, we are sorry for how we have not treated our relationship with You (or our marriages) with holiness and faithfulness. Forgive us for our sins. Forgive us for how we have not honored You in our relationships. But, in this moment, we want to make room for You. Make us holy. Make us faithful. Make us like Jesus. Transform our marriages. Change our lives. And may they give You glory. In Jesus name, amen.