Bennt.wed

®FF204¯®TP2¯®PL49¯®OF2¯®TW51¯®IP0,3¯Susan Bennett & Roger Hinsperger Wedding - 12/27/92

Texts: Eccl 4:9-12 Rom15:5-7 John15:9-12

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There is a simple explanation why we are all gathered here today: Susan and Roger fell in love, and now want to be married and live happily ever after.

It's as simple as that... except we all know that nothing is as simple as it seems

From what I've been able to learn about you, it's been hard enough simply finding time to be together, especially when Roger's been off working somewhere

Even getting ready for this simple wedding service has been no simple matter (it's been hard simply getting a date when we could do this)

but wait, more: once start thinking about all the obstacles and hurdles to living happily ever after, and ... well, nothing is as simple as it seems

and then as you start to think about managing money and juggling the demands of jobs and family and time together, and making big decisions about where you will live and who will do what, it gets downright discouraging to think about how tough it is to live as husband and wife

and suddenly it seems that nothing is simple at all

I know I'm not telling you anything new, but in a few moments, you two are solemnly going to promise your lifelong love for each other even under the most complex and difficult of situations

Now, I am certain of your sincere desire to be faithful to your promises

I am certain that you will both do your very best to live out your good intentions, but we all know: Nothing is as simple as it seems®PG¯

So, when the going gets tough, the... person like me turns to the Bible and hopes to find some words of encouragement and guidance

the Ecclesiastes lesson which I read does remind us that two are better than one in responding to a problem

but sometimes little problems have the power to turn one couple into two opponents and the simple matter of a relationship becomes a hard thing to maintain

So what guidance can the Bible give us for the long haul? what advice can Scripture provide which will handle all the hard times a husband and wife might face?

in John 15, lesson I read, Jesus gives you the key to getting through the most difficult and challenging situations you might face

okay, this is impt, are you ready for this comprehensive, all-encompassing, works-every-time guideline?

This is it: Love one another

It's as simple as that... except we all know that nothing is as simple as it seems

After all, how can these 3 simple words address all the hard predicaments you may have to face?

It probably seemed simple enough for you to ®MDIT¯fall®MDNM¯ in love with that good-looking guy you saw across the room that one evening 4/5 years ago

I suppose it was simple enough for you to ®MDIT¯fall®MDNM¯ in love with this person who has brought so many good things to your life

but while it may be simple enough to ®MDIT¯fall®MDNM¯ in love with someone, all those hardships I mentioned earlier may seem to make Jesus' command to ®MDIT¯keep on®MDNM¯ loving each other way too hard®PG¯

But just when it seems too hard, J makes it simpler, because with his command he also gives an assurance

Listen again to the entire command which Jesus gave: Love one another---as I have love you

The real reason why we are here today is because J's love for you makes possible your lifelong love for each other

J's love for you, therefore, is the simple reason why this day, this ceremony, this gathering of witnesses is taking place

J's love for you is the simple reason your love, your marriage, your future life together are all possible

J's love for you is the simple reason why I am glad to affirm your vows to each other

You see, it is not simply your promises to each other that are going to make your marriage work

It is, in fact, also J's love for you which will provide the strong cord that keeps the two of you as one couple

And that's why J goes on to say: ÿ"[These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.ÿ"]

Because of Jesus' love for you, God does wish you, Susan and Roger, a joyous and happy marriage

And it is God who steadfastly promises to encourage you, and to strengthen and support your love for each other so that a hard command becomes a simple lifelong habit

It is God who promises to grant you to live in harmony with each other even in the most difficult of times of our complex lives so that you can live and love happily ever after... and in the hereafter as well.

It is as simple as that.

Thanks be to God. Amen.