The Joy of a Christ-Centered Covenant
Series: A Meaning-Full Marriage
Title: The Joy of a Christ-Centered Covenant
Text:
Starting Points:
(1) Marriage is the institution created by God -
(2) God's created intention is confirmed by Jesus Christ -
(3) The gospel of Christ allows us to understand marriage - ,
Over the next three lessons, we will see God's mercy in Hosea as:
(1) Initiatory
(2) Intentional
(3) Inclusive
Points for tonight:
(1) God's mercy is initiatory ()
(i) Initiatory mercy is motivated by genuine compassion -
(ii) Initiatory mercy is making the first step towards the undeserving spouse
The story has been told of a mother who sought from Napoleon the pardon of her son. The emperor said it was the man’s second offense, and justice demanded his death. “I don’t ask for justice,” said the mother. “I plead for mercy.”
“But,” said the emperor, “he does not deserve mercy.”
“Sir,” cried the mother, “it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask.”
“Well, then,” said the emperor, “I will show mercy.” And her son was saved.873
(2) God's mercy is impossible without Christ
2100 Court Could Not Give Mercy
Judge Kaufman presided at the trial of the Russian spies, the Rosenbergs. They were charged with and convicted of treason against the United States and sentenced to death.
In his summation at the end of the long and bitter trial, the lawyer for the Rosenbergs said animatedly, “Your Honor, what my clients ask for is justice.”
Judge Kaufman replied calmly, “The court has given what you ask for—justice! What you really want is mercy. But that is something this court has no right to give.”
—Selected
(i) Impossible mercy is made possible through the new creation (, )
(i) Impossible mercy is made possible through the new creation (, )
(a) "elect"
(b) "holy"
(c) "beloved"
(ii) Impossible mercy is made possible by kindness rooted in bowels of mercies () - see , , (gentleness)
(3) God's mercy is illustrated practically by faith
(i) Husbands/Wives, soak in the truth of Christ's finished work every day ( "as")
(ii) Husbands, as leaders, learn to initiate merciful kindness through words and deeds, even when she may not deserve it.
The story is told of a politician who, after receiving the proofs of a portrait, was very angry with the photographer. He stormed back to the photographer and arrived with these angry words: “This picture does not do me justice!” The photographer replied, “Sir, with a face like yours, you don’t need justice, you need mercy!”874
(iii) Wives, refuse the unmerciful narratives of the culture, and allow your heart to be shaped by Jesus Christ. Men are not dumb, and your worth is not found in equal opportunity or function.
(iv) Husbands, compassionate kindness means you are committed to gentleness when you feel your wife has intentionally offended you. (not withdrawing)
Duke University Study
Duke University did a study on “peace of mind.” Factors found to contribute greatly to emotional and mental stability are:
1. The absence of suspicion and resentment. Nursing a grudge was a major factor in unhappiness.
2. Not living in the past. An unwholesome preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression.
3. Not wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change. Cooperate with life, instead of trying to run away from it.
4. Force yourself to stay involved with the living world. Resist the temptation to withdraw and become reclusive during periods of emotional stress.
5. Refuse to indulge in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal. Accept the fact that nobody gets through life without some sorrow and misfortune.
6. Cultivate the old-fashioned virtues—love, humor, compassion and loyalty
7. Do not expect too much of yourself. When there is too wide a gap between self-expectation and your ability to meet the goals you have set, feelings of inadequacy are inevitable.
8. Find something bigger than yourself to believe in. Self-centered egotistical people score lowest in any test for measuring happiness.
(v) Wives, compassionate kindness means that you are committed to gentleness when your husband is selfish. (not nagging)
A woman brought suit against her husband for divorce. She told the judge she had nagged and nagged the man but he just wouldn’t do right. Referring to Paul’s words in Romans 12:20, the judge asked the woman if she had tried to “heap coals of fire on his head.” The woman answered, “No, but I don’t think it will work. I’ve already tried scalding water, and that didn’t do any good.”