Kreigeit.wed

®TP2¯®PL50¯®OF2¯®TW51¯®IP0,3¯®FF204¯®PT11¯Wedding of David Krieger/Lori Geithman

®MDUL¯Oct 9, 1993, HLC, Fargo Texts: Eccl 4:9-12; John 15:9-12

®MDNM¯There is a simple reason why we are all gathered here today: Lori and David 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

It is a hard enough thing for any couple to finally get to the point where they decide to be married;

getting ready for a simple wedding service is no simple matter,

now must say, you 2 are one of the best organized couples I've met, but planning a wedding service is least of obstacles a couple has to face

the greater obstacle is planning how to live happily ever after:

as you start to think about managing money, mortages, and juggling the demands of jobs and family and time together, it can get downright discouraging to think about how tough it is to live as husband and wife

see, nothing is as simple as it seems

I know I'm not telling you anything new, but in 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 say it again: Nothing is as simple as it seems.

so how are you going to manage your marriage? how are you going to survive when work keeps you so busy that it seems like you hardly ever see each other? how are you going to keep your marriage together, keep it all together?

the Eccl passage I read did provide a practical, reasonable rationale for staying together: two is better than 1, 2 can succeed where one might fail

but last verse of reading goes on to say that a rope of 3 cords is not easily broken. What is that 3rd cord? the cord that will keep your marriage tied together is God himself

now that is a simple enough solution, but the thing is, God doesn't do windows, won't vacuum the floors or get grocery or fix supper etc

ah yes, nothing as simple as it seems®PG¯

and so for guidance for the long haul, we need to turn to the verses from John:

there Jesus gives you the answer to get you through the most difficult and challenging situations you might face: (are you ready for this comprehensive, exhaustive, all-encompassing guideline?)

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 situations you may have to face

now you may be thinking: it was simple enough to ®MDIT¯fall®MDNM¯ in love with each other, but J is undoubtedly correct to need to command you to keep on loving each other: Strange?

can everything be solved by simply commanding you to love one another?

No--love is certainly not that simple; but listen again to the entire command J gives: love one another---as I have loved 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 making this marriage happen. It is, in fact, J's love for you that is a critical factor.

For as J also says: "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

Bec of J's love for you, God does desire for you, Lori and David, a joyous and happy marriage.

it is God who steadfastly promises to encourage you, and to strengthen you, to be that unbreakable 3rd cord to support your love for each other so that a hard command becomes a lifelong habit.

and so it is God who has called you to stand here today, and God is the one who will complete your joy so that you can live and love happily ever

It is as simple as that. Thanks be to God. Amen.