VanHousen and Watson Wedding

Exegesis 1: love is the most important thing

Paul reminds us of what is most important

Corinthians fascinated with displays of spiritual giftedness.

True measure of a person: How well do they love?

If can do all these amazing things, but not loving...then hollow.

Amazing acts of God in history — all motivated by love.

John even further: God is love. God’s very nature.

God desires us to love God and to love each other.

Wants us to love so we can be what we were created to be: givers and receivers of love.

Marriage is the context for exploring the depths of love.

Application 1: You want love

Met online. Searching for companionship. Love to give and receive.

Nervous about dating again after years. But found a life partner.

From earliest dates…we melded together; like we should’ve been together all along.

God has brought you together.

Friends and family support you.

Now a context to love one another and show each other glimpses of God’s love for us.

Exegesis 2: Love is behavioral

Paul teaches us what love looks like

love is patient, kind, believes, hopes, endures.

Action words.

Love is feeling. Love is doing.

a lifestyle of profound commitment to Other, not Self.

God is profoundly other oriented. It is not that we loved God but God loved us first. Always wants what is best for us.

Christ was patient, kind, is not envious or boastful or arrogant, but rejoices in the truth, believed, hoped, and endured. For our welfare. To overcome all that would separate us from God or each other.

In marriage, we choose to be like Christ with each other. Other-oriented.

Application 2: Making a Commitment

getting married today because you want to make a commitment: Not to self but to Other.

Patrick: She is a fisherwoman. Snorkled. Got the Coke out of the back of the truck. Fetched goggles at a 40 ft depth.

She loves you.

Diana: He is fun and spontaneous. Listens to me. Makes me feel young and carefree.

He loves you.

Each of you

I want to commit to him/her

Show love in practical ways

Diana is patient; Patrick is kind; Patrick rejoices in the truth; Diana believes and hopes.

being like Christ for each other, overcoming anything that would try to separate us from God, from one another, we are FOR each other.

Exegesis 3: Paul assures us that love endures

Choosing the path of love moves us into a new chapter in life.

Paul: Putting away childish things and embracing adult...mature life.

He does not mean this by age. He means it spiritually.

Less fascinated with superficial, transient...concerned with lasting, eternal.

Loving helps us really know God as God knows us.

Paul says we can only glimpse that relationship here in this life in reflections.

But one day, when the Kingdom of Heaven comes, then we will see God, ourselves, and others perfectly.

when that day comes we will see that all we did in faith, hope, and love is of eternal significance.

it wont’ be the possessions, the hours at work, titles attained, it will be the people we loved, the times we had faith and hope.

those were grown up steps toward heaven: knowing and being known.

Application 3

You are getting married today because you want to “grow up” together…better: “grow old’ together

To be there for each other as a team for the rest of your days.

to enjoy quality time together

I just want to come home had have him/her there, enjoy dinner, sit on the patio.

In these next steps you will be getting to know each other in new ways.

husband. wife.

how handles illness, health

wealth, poverty

good times, bad

As you go through life together you will be fully known. More fully known than by any other save God.

In all of this God is your bond. God is love. Love endures forever.

the love of God made visible and real for each other. Like a reflection in mirror.

when I look at Patrick I see a reflection of God’s love; when I look at Diana I see a reflection of God’s love.

Conclusion

you are choosing love.

you are committing to putting your love into practice.

you are starting a journey of knowing each other and God more deeply.