“Elegantly Bound!” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

S-1442 7SAP/3A 7/26/2014 Hymns:

Texts: Genesis 2:19-25; 1 John 4:7-11,19; Matthew 22:36-39

Theme: “Elegantly Bound!” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

Wedding: BRYANT THOMAS SOULEK AND ELAINA LEA DEADRICK

Bryant and Elaina, family and friends, in the name of Him who is love Jesus Christ. Amen. They tell me that you folks are here to get married. Is that true? (Wait for response). Are you folks sure this is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with? (Wait for response). Is there any doubt about it? (Wait for response). Well then, if that is your answer, then let me speak to those who have come to celebrate your special day with you. I want you to know that this message is specifically written for Bryant and Elaina, but if you want to eavesdrop, I can’t stop you. PAUSE.

Well, here we are. No more counting down the days. No more practicing to write Soulek instead of Deadrick. No more single life, but hello married life. Today by the grace of God you will be joined as husband and wife in His sight. Therefore, it is fitting that we would call upon the Lord God Almighty, to let His life-giving Word guide and guard your hearts throughout your blessed Journey of life together.

On this joyful day, we stand in God’s house and in His Presence asking Him to be the honored guest and to bless you as you begin this chapter in your lives called marriage. The text I have chosen for this wonderful celebration is tested, tried and true. The author of this book knows what he is speaking about. He is speaking from personal experience. Listen to Solomon as he gives you a golden nugget that will help you throughout your married life: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (4:12b).

What a wonderful text along with the others you have chosen to be part of God’s loving wisdom as a lamp to your feet and a light to your path in your married life. Solomon says: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” How true that is and I pray that you will remember this for the rest of your lives. Not sure if you have ever tried this exercise, but if you took a single rope, and tried to cut it, you can do so easily. But if you bound three (3) together, it will be more difficult indeed.

That is why I title your message Elegantly Bound. The title was born out of the initials of your names E for Elaina and B for Bryant and thus Elegantly Bound. This binding is taking two of God’s children—a man and woman and joined them to Christ through the gift of Baptism. When Christ is the One binding you, the devil and all other temptations in the world would have a hard time breaking you apart. Today, by the grace of God you will be Elegantly Bound together as husband and wife. PAUSE.

Elaina, I have known you for almost 19 years. I watched you from when you were a little girl running around the church in Sunday School, VBS, midweek classes, confirmation classes, and as you grew up you began teaching Sunday School and VBS; then on to college. I have seen the wonderful transformation God has worked in you to become the lovely and beautiful godly woman you are.

I even asked your father to describe his thoughts of you his little princess. This is what he said. “When I see Elaina I see a child of God, full of love.  A young lady who knows God and knows that God knows her.   I see my daughter who at one time woke in the night crying for her father looking for comfort and now knows that if she needs to cry out I am there, but more importantly, it is God to whom the petition for help and thanksgiving ultimately needs to be given…I see a young lady who is ready to take the next step in life, giving all whom she is to Bryant, the young man she loves.” That is a wonderful commentary and I agree wholeheartedly.

I asked the same of your mother and these are her thoughts: “…Elaina is my Sweet Pea she loves Jesus and knows how much the Savior loves her. As a parent, I loved going into her bedroom and seeing how she wrote her favorite Bible verses on sticky notes that she posted all over her walls.” Now that is a lady who is bound to Christ and His Word.

Bryant, I have not known you that long nor do I know your parents. But I have had the pleasure of getting to know you through the pre-marriage counseling sessions. I want to thank you for being the godly man that you are. As we visited throughout the course of our sessions few things came through loud and clear. 1. You know the Lord Jesus Christ and He knows you as His own blood-bought child. 2. You love Elaina and want to be a good husband to her. And 3, you want to be a good provider for her and in time for the children the Lord will give you in the future. That is a great testimony to your relationship to the One who bound you to Him, Jesus the Christ.

I did however, go behind your back and asked your parents for their thoughts. Here is what your mom said: “Bryant has become an amazing man, kind, caring, responsible, yet witty and funny when he wants to be.  As he’s matured, he has become more than just our son - he’s also become our friend and companion!  And I am so very proud of the wonderful person he is, and thank God for him every day!” and your father added these words: “Bryant is responsible… who can work easily with others.  He is also hardworking and committed. He is also a good cook—his ribs are awesome!”

I pray that you two remember this message that it is Christ alone who Elegantly Binds you together in holy matrimony. Remember that it is Christ that first bound Himself to you through His death on Calvary’s cross, in the tomb and out of the tomb. He bound you to Him when you were baptized into His name—Father, Son and Holy Spirit and He will continue to bind you both to Him as you hear His Word and feed on His life-giving Sacrament.

Elaina and Bryant know this and remember it well as you go on in life. Three (3) things you will need to make your marriage happy and blessed. Waiting, trusting and hoping.

Waiting, trusting, and hoping are intricately connected, like golden strands interwoven to form a strong chain. Trusting is the central strand, because it is the response that God desires most of His blood-bought and baptized children. Waiting and hoping embellish the central strand and strengthen the chain that connects you to Your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Waiting upon the Lord’s timing will help you to put your trust in Him and not in yourself. Hoping is the joy of knowing that God will work in your lives for good in every situation. As you wait, trust and hope in Him, know He will not abandon or forsake you. Look to the cross and you will know that His words are golden and they can be trusted. He has proved His worthiness by giving His life for you to be with Him forever in heaven. Hoping is future-directed, connecting you to your inheritance in heaven.

Jesus says to you today as you will become Elegantly Bound together as husband and wife—you are Mine! Don’t just pass time in your waiting. Through the working of the Holy Spirit, you can wait expectantly, in hopeful trust. Keep your “antennae” out to pick up even the faintest glimmer of His Presence.

To help you remember His presence in your lives, I have made you something for your wedding gift. It is a stressed cross with a heart on it. I made it to help you remember that you are indeed Elegantly Bound.

First, notice the golden color heart. If you look closely, you will notice the heart is bound by 3 wires. I bound it together as I formed the heart to remind you that you are bound to Christ. The heart is pointing to Your Savior who loved you first. The heart reminds you of the loving sacrifice of Jesus for your souls. The heart is to keep you focused on the love of Christ that has been planted in your hearts and that will help you love each other. The golden color of the heart is a reminder of the joy and blessings Christ has in store for you in your married life together.

Second, notice the cross it is crooked. I call it, “The stressed cross.” That is to remind you that though you think you have married the greatest woman or the greatest man in the world. Know this, there will be days when you wonder what in the world was I thinking when I married this person. You will get angry with one another and might even get mad at each other. But as we talked during our counseling sessions, never go to bed angry. Never turn your buts to each other and attempt to go to sleep, because you can’t. Instead, work at it long and hard. Go to the Lord in prayers remembering that you are not perfect, your partner is not perfect and your marriage will not be perfect—and ask your partner and Your Lord’s forgiveness and then hug and make up. DON’T YOU EVER, I MEAN THAT, GO TO BED ANGRY!

In this broken world, you will have pain, difficulties, hardships and trials. It is not if you will, but when you will. And when this happens, you go back to the promises of Christ who in love has Elegantly Bound you together and will see you through these challenges. Go to Him who has bound you in love and mercy. Go to Him and pray for His guidance and directions. Go to Him and know that He will be with you all the time and will work through these hardships for your good and for His glory.

The cross is Elegantly Bound, as He binds Himself to us in the incarnation... in His Cross... in His empty tomb!  Yes this is the elegant binding that brings the two cords of Elaine and Bryant together into the unbreakable strand of three.

Elaina and Bryant, by the grace of God soon you will be Elegantly Bound. Therefore, accept this humble gift made specifically for you. Place it in your home someplace and remember through Christ you have been Elegantly Bound to one another until death do you part. May the Lord bless this Elegant Binding now and always. Amen.

“Marriage is A DIFFICULT Journey” (Psalm 15:4)

S-1329 8AP/3B 7/28/12 Hymns: (O) #464; (S) #; (C) #

Text: Ruth 1:16-18; 1 Corinthians 13; Matthew 19:4-6

Theme: “Marriage is A DIFFICULT Journey” (Psalm 15:4)

Marriage for Wade Lynn Wright and Molly Jane Andersh Armour, SD

Let us pray: O Lord our God, source of all blessing in happiness and joy, we thank You for the gift of marriage, which we celebrate today. May you give Wade & Molly the ability to rejoice always in Your true and genuine love that has bound them together as man and wife. May You fulfill every worthy wish of their hearts? May You open their eyes to the beauty and the mystery of the love they hold for each other, every day as today. And may their life together embrace and nurture the promise of this moment, so that all who know them will call them truly blessed; through Your Son, our Savior, we pray. Amen.

Wade and Molly, I hear you are here to get married, is that true? (Wait for response). Are you sure this is what you want to do? (Wait for response). Do you realize that getting married is a very difficult journey? (Wait for response). Do you still want to go ahead with it? (Wait for response). If so listen carefully to God’s Holy Word that it might help you do what you can’t do on your own.

The text I have chosen for this blessed occasion is from Psalm 15:4 “Who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind” The Psalmist teaches us that the Lord honors those who keep their promises even if and when it hurts.

Today, you are so excited because you are going to marry your best friend and begin a journey together. Today, you are so happy, all your family and friends are with you helping you celebrate the moment. Today, you are dressed for the special occasion (and you really look lovely). But, after all of the hoopla and music dies down, there will be just the two of you traveling down the road of marriage together; and this will be a big change and a difficult journey indeed.

Going on a journey (like the one you are taking in September to the Bahamas) takes a lot of efforts. First, you have to contact your agent or go on the website and set the date. Second, you have to pay for it from your hard earned money. And finally, you need to pack for the long trip.

At times, those cruises are the most memorable and most beautiful. And at other times they can be a nightmare. No matter how much you plan, things happen that your dream trip becomes your worst nightmare.

Today, by the power of the Holy Spirit I want to give you three “L” words that will help you make your difficult journey better and grant you a life-long relationship as husband and wife. They are: 1. Listen, 2. Learn. And 3. Love.

The first word is “Listen.” Now as you hear this word, you think listening is easy, but I assure you it is very difficult. As a matter of fact if you were to turn around and ask the women sitting here how well do their husbands listen to them, they will tell you hardly. Every woman knows that men have a problem called “Selective hearing.” And to be honest even women have “selective hearing.”

But this is very important for you to practice and it will take a lot of hard work. That is why God gave us two ears and only one mouth. Listen twice as much as you talk. Don’t just talk, listen first and then share only that which is good. Listen to your partner so that you may give her or him the benefit of the doubt of what it is they are talking about.

The second word is “Learn.” Learn all you can about your partner. Learn what it is that makes them happy and that which makes them sad. Learn what makes them click and that which makes them pout. Learn to read the sign language of one another. So be attentive and study your partner’s needs and supply it, so that you this dream journey doesn’t end up being a terrible nightmare.

Learn to communicate well with one another so that you may have a healthy marriage. You may have heard of a young man who walked into the college library. ‘I’m looking for a book titled, “Man, Master of Woman,” he said. The librarian thought for a moment, then replied, ‘Try the fiction shelf over there’.

We smile at that because most men at some time or other struggle to comprehend the mind of a woman. Yet the Scriptures clearly instruct husbands in 1 Peter to ‘be understanding towards your wife’ (1 Peter 3:7). Make sure you talk to each other, both in the good times and in the bad.

Furthermore, learn that your life together is not always going to be a smooth journey. Soon you are going to be saying the vows and part of the vows are these words: “For better and for worse”. Let me assure you Wade and Molly that there are going to be plenty of worse moments in your marriage. It is not always going to be good even better. You will know what I mean. Marriage is indeed a Difficulty journey.

The third word is: “Love.” Now we use that word so often, you hear it in songs and see it on the big screen. But this is not the Hollywood kind of love, or the country music type—this is not the mushy and gushy type or as one of my friends like to refer to it “merely a quiver in your liver or an ocean of emotion type of love. No I’m talking about the genuine and true love that takes a lot of hard work. This is the kind of love that is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the Epistle reading you have chosen: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:4-7).

Rather than reading it as it is, I suggest you read it this way: “Wade is patient and kind; Wade does not envy or boast Wade is not arrogant or rude. Wade does not insist on his own way; Wade is not irritable or resentful; Wade does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Wade bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”. And to you too, young lady, “Molly is patient and kind; Molly does not envy or boast Molly is not arrogant or rude. Molly does not insist on her own way; Molly is not irritable or resentful; Molly does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Molly bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”.

Wade and Molly, these words are hard for you to fulfill and do. On your own you can’t do them. It is impossible. What you need is Christ’s love, His sacrificial love that took Him to the cross to die for your sins and rise again so that He may equip you with the right ears to listen, gives you the wisdom to learn all that you can to make your partner happy and blessed; and fills your hearts with His love so that you can love your partner with His genuine and true love. PAUSE.

Wade and Molly, I exhort you in the name of the loving Savior, Jesus Christ to put to use these three “L” words so that you may not be part of the statistics. Keep the vows that you will make, not to me or to your friends or to your parents, but to GOD. Marriage is a DIFFICULT journey even more so, if it is traveled alone without the One who brought you together, Jesus Christ. Don’t make it more DIFFICULT than it is.

Instead, be equipped for this difficult journey by being connected to a church that feeds you His Words properly so that you may listen often to its benefits. Be connected to a church were others have gone through this DIFFICULT journey, learn from them and try to imitate them. Be in a church that teaches you the truth that you are a sinner and that Christ died for your sins and rose again to give you the gift of peace and love. And be steadfastly in the Church where Christ’s love is evident as He gives you His body and blood to nurture and nourish you.

Wade and Molly as I told you before, I say it again, Marriage is a DIFFICULT journey. Even though it is difficult don’t ever quit working hard at making it the most blessed and most beautiful marriage it can be. Remember your sermon text which I have chosen, “Keep your vows even if it hurts.” Yes, keep them when it hurts and especially when you know your partner is not doing his or her part. It is then that you will need to listen to the Savior’s Word again. Learn from Him to forgive and love your spouse unconditionally as He loved His church and died for her.

May God bless your marriage journey! Amen.

“Invited!” (John 2:1-2)

S-1257 7SOE/3A 06/09/11, (O) #; (S) #159; (C) #457

Text: Genesis 2:18-24; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; John 2:1-11

Theme: “Invited!” (John 2:1-2)

Wedding for Amy Barrick and Darren Schumacher

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

Well you have made it. The day has finally arrived and you are here. You must be nervous and excited all at the same time. I am happy for you and pray that the Lord will bless you in your married life.

For my meditation today, I have chosen the first two verses from the Gospel reading: Listen again to the words of John Please: “On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with His disciples” (John 2:1-2).

Amy and Darren, I am holding in my hand (show the invitation) an invitation that you sent my wife and me. On the invitation you have printed these words: “The Honor of your presence is requested at the Marriage of Amy Christina Barrick and Darren Dean Schumacher on Saturday, the 11^th of June, @ 5 in the afternoon @ Redeemer Lutheran Church. I showed up because I was invited and so did the people.

I am certain that it took you both along with your parents some time to come up with the list of who you wanted to invite to this special celebration. You looked the list over many times to make sure that you got all of your family, friends, and special people in your lives. And all of these people sitting in the pews (please turn around and look) have come because they have been invited, and want to help you share in your in your life together as husband and wife.

It is good to see many of those invited have answered the call—and came. They came because they care for you. They came because they are happy for you. They came because they want to help you make this day the happiest in your life and support you as you begin this life together.

But I would like to challenge you to make one other invitation. You might think well there is no time to get the invitation out. We have invited all of the people we wanted to! Who would send an invitation after the fact of being married? You two and only you two will make that possible.

Who is to be added to your list? None-other-than, the One who was invited to the wedding at Cana of Galilee—Jesus the Christ. Notice, again please that John tells us that “Jesus also was invited to the wedding with His disciples” Jesus was asked to be part of this special unknown couple’s celebration festivities. It was important for this couple to have Jesus with them and in their lives.

As you begin this new chapter called marriage, I pray that the Holy Spirit helps you extend the same invitation to the Lord Jesus Christ. For it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that you two can make this become a reality. I also want you to remember that Jesus is the most honored guest who will ever come to your marriage and married life. More important than anyone who is here today—including your parents, pastor and all of these people.

Why do you want to invite Jesus to be part of this marriage? Why do you want Him to be included in your married life? You want Jesus in your marriage because it is a holy institution. You need His forgiveness and love to make your married life work. You want Jesus to be in your marriage because it is only possible to be sustained in joy by His holy power. This is the way that God Himself cares for you in this endeavor.

Through these words from John we learn that the Savior cares for the needs of marriage. What He did at the wedding at Cana is a reflection of what God does in all marriages. Indeed the Lord who instituted this special bond between a man and woman could not and wouldn’t permit the wedding party to be embarrassed, so He used this opportunity to provide quick­ly and in a miraculous way, so as to reveal His glory. Our Lord always acts in this way.

Millions of couples enter into the state of matrimony with empty hands, with nothing to show for it, but in due time, their daily needs are met. By this we see the true evidence that God alone can supply the needs for each household and that is proof that He Himself honors marriage as His institution of love and companionship.

Just as Jesus was at the wedding of Cana, and by His presence blessed the couple with what they needed, so, too, today, this same Jesus will care for you, provide for you and bless you in all your ways.

In a Christian bookstore I saw a sign that read: “Christ is the Head of this Home, the unseen Guest at every Meal, and the Silent listener to every conversation.” If you want to have a happy married life, if you want to be blessed in more ways than you can imagine, if you want to honor the Lord with the life you have, then by all means may He be that Head to which both of you will bow and worship. May He be the unseen Guest and the listener to every conversation?

Why? Because, He will care for you and provide for you all of the things you need to have a happy and blessed married life. Just remember what you have been taught through Scripture is the absolute truth. That this honored Guest—Jesus is the One who indeed cares for you and He proved it when He went to the cross. On the cross His care was evident to all. He died for you. He rose for you. He forgave you your sins and reconciled you to God.

Because of His care for you, He, even now, remains faithful in caring for ALL of your needs. He meets your needs as you gather in His house around His Word and Sacrament. In this place you will learn how to forgive each other. In this place you will be enrolled in the school of the Holy Spirit that grants you wisdom, fortitude and blessing to care and love each other but more importantly your Lord and Savior—Jesus.

Of Christ’s presence at your wedding you need not fear. He has invited Himself. He doesn’t force Himself upon you, but because of His enormous love for you, He comes. He comes with His blessing and provision. He freely offers Himself to you for the forgiveness of sins. He freely and daily offers you with wisdom and peace which passes all understanding. In the name of the Guest at Cana’s wedding and your wedding, extend the arm of love to each other. Extend the oil of gladness to each other. Extend the perfume of forgiveness to one another and cherish each other from this day forth and forever more.

Amy and Darren, soon you will leave this church and head to the reception hall. There as the guests arrive, they will come bringing gifts. I would like to be the first to give you a gift—something I made just for you.

Please notice the design. There are two different crosses representing your two lives joined together. The one that is flat is bigger to show you Darren as the one who will love her, protect her and spoil her. The other is smaller indicating the weaker vessel. What makes this cross special is the 3 strand wire that is holding everything together—indicating that Christ will hold you in His loving arms and bless you continually.

Please accept this cross of love and place it in your home so that daily you see it and remember that Jesus who died on the cross and rose from the grave is the honored Guest in your house, and in your hearts; and because He lives with you, you are able to live with Him and one another in peace and joy. Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“No Other!” (Exodus 20:3)

S-1206 14SAP/3C 3/03/10 Hymns (O) #; S#; #(C) #

Texts: Proverbs 3:3-6; Ephesians 5:15-21; John 15:12-17

Theme: “No Other!” (Exodus 20:3)

Wedding: Whitney Marie Wright and Michael (Angelo) Montoya

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

Angelo and Whitney, as we gather in the Lord’s house today to join you as husband and wife in His presence, I share with you these words to encourage you in your married life. “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3).

“I Am the LORD Your God…You shall have no other gods.” This is the first commandment God spoke to the people of Israel out of the thunder and lightning on Mount Sinai. The Lord had graciously rescued the Israelites from the bondage, tyranny and slavery in Egypt. They were His chosen people—His treasured possessions. He demonstrated His love for them, by the 10 plagues He brought upon Egypt to win their freedom. They would find every blessing of earthly life and for the future heavenly life ONLY in Him. So He commanded them to worship Him alone. Sadly, within the next 40 days, the people became guilty of open idolatry by worshiping the golden calf.

“You shall have no other God”, the Lord said. It is an important lesson for you to remember as you enter into this most solemn and blessed life style that He is granting you. Remember it well when the temptations come. Did you hear what I said, WHEN THEY COME, not if they come? Certainly the temptation to forsake God and partner are very high when you consider that almost half of marriages end up in divorce. Therefore, Angelo and Whitney be on the alert and have no other God in your lives BUT the Lord Jesus to reign and rule your hearts, heads and homes.

You shall have NO OHTER. Those are valuable words for you. Don’t take them lightly. Don’t take them carelessly, but think about them and ponder them often. What does it mean for you Angelo that you would take Whitney to be your wife, and you Whitney to take Angelo to be your husband. PAUSE.

In 1995 Mel Gibson directed and starred in an epic drama movie called Brave Heart. Mel Gibson played A Scottish warrior William Wallace. William married in secret the love of his life a farmer’s daughter called Murron. The reason they did it in secret was to avoid the primae noctis, (first night”). This was a law in the land that demanded any newlywed bride to sleep with the king before she sleeps with her husband.

The marriage was performed in secret, knowing full well the danger of being put to death. They chose to do it, because they will not have another person in their lives. As the vows were spoken by each to-be-spouse, each one said: “I shall take you and NO OTHER!”

With these words, the couple swore allegiance to each other and to the God who bound them together as husband and wife. With these words they were committed to each other and not to another. That is a good virtue.

As God’s holy and redeemed children, I exhort you to take this attitude and thought into your marriage as well. That you would have no other person or things come between you two. Not work, friends or even family. You be committed to the Lord Jesus Christ first and foremost; this will help you be committed to each other also.

Remember what I said earlier? “Sadly, within the next 40 days, the people became guilty of open idolatry by worshiping the golden calf.” It is the golden calf of today that I want you to be aware of. Be careful to avoid the golden calf of pleasure, power, and prestige that may get to your heart. Don’t let the golden calf of time, of job, or fun get in the way of worshipping the Lord together. Don’t let the golden calf of building your future and focusing only on earthly things, drag you down. But instead, feed yourselves on the Word of God. Worship together. Pray together and for each other. Pray that God will guide you to be a godly husband and father Angelo and you Whitney to be godly wife and mother. And when the child arrives, make sure you take him/her to the Lord’s house to baptise him/her and continue to be present around the Word and Sacrament so that he (and any other children) may grow in the grace, knowledge and love of Jesus.

Today is a very exciting day for both of you. You are so excited, you are not thinking about the challenges that will come 5, 10, 20 or 30 years from now. But I assure you they will come. And in order for you to be able to meet the challenges and your marriage survive; you need a personal relationship with Jesus and His Word.

Angelo, you will be the head of this house. As such, God lays upon you the responsibility to care for, protect, cherish, spoil, love and build Whitney up. You are to be the spiritual leader in the house. You make sure you know the way to the Church. Take Whitney by hand and the child in the other and spend time listening to Jesus and His Word. Grow as the man of the house in love, compassion and goodness towards your beloved Queen.

Whitney, you as the Queen of the house are to care for, love, honor, cherish and support your husband in every aspect of His life. Be quick to listen and slow to speak. Be patient with each other and forgive each other often. Let nothing get between you or go to bed angry with one another.

I pray that God’s Word and the text I have chosen for your special day would be of great help to you as you walk together in this lifestyle as husband and wife. Remember what the Lord said, “I Am the LORD Your God…You shall have no other gods.” And indeed He is a God like no other. He is a God who loves you with an everlasting love and cherishes the opportunity to embrace you with His grace and mercy. He is a God who supplies all of YOUR needs—in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). Indeed, we have a God like no other who desires to be our God, provide for our earthly life and the life to come with Him in heaven. This God doesn’t do anything in secret because of fear, but made His love known to the world, through the death and glorious resurrection of the world’s Only Savior, Jesus Christ, so that all may know of His everlasting love.

Angelo and Whitney, you have a God like no other, who loves you more than you love your future spouse. He made known this love to you as He sent His only Son, Jesus to die and rise for all of your sins and grant you life and salvation.

And with a God like this, who has given you such great blessings in Christ Jesus and in YOUR spouse to fill your every desire, you need NO OTHER. May God continue to bless you as you devote your love first and foremost to the God of love and from Him take that love and share it with each other.

Angelo and Whitney, I want to give you something to help you remember these words. A cross that I made for you to keep your eyes focused on the God of love, Jesus Christ. God’s richest blessings upon your married lives. Amen.

SDG.

“Two Little Words: I Will!” (Genesis 2:24)

S-1123 6/06/09 Pentecost 3B

Texts Genesis 2:18-24; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 Corinthians 13

Theme: “Two Little Words: I Will!” (Genesis 2:24)

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

Wedding for Eric DeWaard and Kim Morehouse Parkston, SD

Saints in Christ Eric and Kim, family and friends, in the name of Him who is LOVE Jesus Christ. Amen. Today, we stand in God’s house and in His Presence asking Him to be the honored guest and to bless you as you begin this new chapter in your lives. The text I have chosen for this wonderful celebration is from a man of God—Moses who saw first hand God’s love in action and left us a record to help us in life. Listen to Moses today. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24 KJV).

Eric and Kim, I know you have worked hard along with your parents for this special day. Many hours of planning has gone in making this a reality. And we are here today to help you celebrate this special moment. I know from first hand experience that many weddings get done too quickly. But this one will not. It will be done with class and style. It might be a little longer than you thought, but why not spend more time in the Lord’s house, receiving His blessings, made stronger in His Word, rather than on the dance floor. So to those of you, who are gathered here today, relax and give thanks to the Lord for the blessings He gives us in His Word.

Eric and Kim there is an old proverb that says: “Sticks and Stones may break my bone, but words may never hurt me.” That statement is absolutely false. Words hurt. Words harm. Words encourage and discourage. Words build up. Words do matters. Today, by the grace of God you will speak words that matters a lot. Sure they are only two little words, but very important words to guide and guard your hearts, heads and home as you begin on the road we call marriage. And what are these two little words? “I WILL!”

In a few moments, I will ask each of you to answer the second most important question of your lives. Will you Eric take Kim to be your wife…? And you Kim will be asked, “Will you take Eric to be your husband…? And I hope (smile a bit) you will say, “I WILL!”

Two Little Words, but oh what important words. With these Two Little Words, you are telling each other and the world that from this day forward you will be committed to each other. To love, cherish and hold each other dear. From this day forward these Two Little Words, will have a different meaning to you. Kim with these two little words you say to Eric, “I will be your wife to hold you, care for you and love you, and in time bear your children!” These Two Little Word will help you Eric say to, Kim, “Kim, you are the most important woman in the world to me. I will be your husband, cherish you, honor you, protect you, provide for you and in time for our children and make you the happiest woman in the world!” PAUSE.

But know for certain that the devil, the world and your sinful flesh will get in the way of these Two Little Words. You actually are going to be challenged in thinking, did I really say, “I WILL?” Why? What did I see in Him? What did I see in her to say I will? But I WILL is what you say and by God’s grace you will be able to keep saying I WILL for the rest of your lives.

“I WILL” needs the grace of the last Will and testimony gift Jesus gave His bride from His side born of water and blood and love. Jesus gives you grace for your WILL with His WILL—the Love Supper. His gift of His body and blood taken by husband and wife brings you many gifts—forgiveness of sins to move ahead, grace to love, and mercy to be sympathetic to one another’s needs.

An old missionary former Seminary professor, Dr. E.C. Zimmerman had this prayer: “Jesus bend my will in the direction of Your will so that I might learn to truly love.” If you remember Eric and Kim throughout the Pre-marriage counseling sessions we often talked about changing our thinking pattern from “Me” to “We.” When you two say, “I WILL”, you are no longer thinking only of yourselves and what is good for you, you will begin to think of the “We” and what is good for the other.

Now if you paid attention, I read the verse of the sermon from the KJV of Scripture. I had a reason for that. Remember how the text goes: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh”,

Now the word cleave can be translated as “united”, “bound”, “joined”, “Marries”, “embraces”. Of course all of these translations will do. However, the Hebrew word is stronger. It literally means to be glued. And it in the Present tense, not in the future but from now on till the day God calls one of you home.

For many leaving and cleaving is only about the physical act of marriage.  While that is important and God-pleasing for the mutual expression of love and the procreation of children, ‘leaving and cleaving’ involves much more than just a physical act.  To begin with, your relationship will be one in which you cleave/be glued to each other if you continue to cleave/be glued to the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation.  That’s what the world does not understand. 

That’s why Paul wrote, “Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it.” “Wives be submissive to your husbands as to the Lord.”  You see, the “glue” that holds a godly marriage together is the Lord, Jesus Christ.  He is the One who “glues and cements” the relationship.  Because 2 sinners are marrying each other.  Without Him and His salvation through the forgiveness of sins, a marriage is built on shifting sand rather than on the Rock who is Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the GLUE of the universe. St. Paul says in Colossians 1:17 that by Jesus all things hold together. By Jesus the universe is held together. He is truly the cosmic glue to hold together me and you. Science now reveals that every one of the millions of cells we have in our body are held together by a little invisible protein pieces of matter called laminens. Laminens are those little protein pieces that hold our cells together and they come in the shape of a CROSS—we are held together marriage-wise or otherwise by the Cross. So Jesus holds us together and all things in the universe by these trillions upon trillions of little crosses called laminens. So the glue Jesus holds us together is in the form of an invisible CROSS. That reality is to point us to even a greater reality that the “I will” needs to be held, empowered, enlightened by the message I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

In Jesus’ will is our peace. In Jesus’ will we find the boundaries of God’s love and the boundless love of God.

Saints in Christ Eric and Kim, you will very soon say, those Two Little Words “I WILL”. You have said that because God by His grace WILL GLUE the two of you together with permanent glue, and the two shall become one flesh. In Matthew 19 Jesus says “what God has joined, let man not separate,” so God is the One who has glued you together through your promises of “I WILL” and through their one-flesh union. PAUSE.

There is another proverb that is spoken of in relation to marriage. You actually have it in your bulletin: (ask the congregation to look to the back of the bulletin and read it together) “Something old, something new, something borrowed something blue.” But today, I want to change that phrase to: Something old, something new, something borrowed something Glue!

Well Eric and Kim, you have some of these items already. I, too, have something for you (walk over to the altar and get the doll that is made out of glue bottle)—something new for you—take this bottle of glue and place it in your bedroom where you can see it often and realize that you have been super glued on the hip and on the lip by the loving God Jesus Christ who said, “I WILL MAKE YOU HUSBAND AND WIFE”. Amen.

“The ROPE of Love” Ecclesiastes 4:12b

S‑1066 08/01/2008

Texts: Ephesians 5:21-33; John 15:9-12; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Theme: “The ROPE of Love” Ecclesiastes 4:12b

Wedding of David Nour and Jody Veurink (Faith, Sioux Falls, SD

Precious son David and Gem Jody, family and friends, in the name of Him who is love Jesus Christ. Amen. On this joyful day, we stand in God’s house and in His Presence asking Him to be the honored guest and to bless you as you begin on the journey called marriage. The text I have chosen for this wonderful celebration is tested, tried and true. The author of this book knows what he is speaking about. He is speaking from personal experience. Listen to Solomon as he gives you a golden nugget that will help you throughout your married life: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (4:12b). Now I should inform all of you are seated in this church that this sermon is written JUST for David and Jody, but if you would like to eaves drop, you may do so.

Well, here we are. No more counting down the days. Today by the grace of God you will be joined as husband and wife in His sight. Therefore, it is fitting that He would give you His Word that will guide and guard your hearts throughout your lives.

Jody, I like to share with you a message you sent me sometime ago. “Did you talk to David last night about this? If not...how amazingly and wonderfully ironic. I was not sure if he and I needed to pick a text for our wedding or if you already had since you were writing the sermon already, but I had just told him that I thought the PERFECT (emphasis mine) verse for our wedding would be Ecc. 4:12b... ask him about that~”.

I didn’t speak with David about it, but I spoke with His heavenly Father for guidance and direction on what I should preach for my son’s wedding. And by the power of the Holy Spirit I was led to choose the same text you have chosen. So here it is again. “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (4:12b)

I am sure you both have used a rope to tie something. Ropes have been in use since the 4^th Century B.C. Ropes come in different sizes and colors, and are used for many different uses. There are a jump rope, a climbing rope, a tow rope a magic rope, and a hang man’s rope just to mention a few. Some might even say, “YOU ARE TEING THE KNOT TODAY”. But did you know that there is also a Rope of Love? This is what Solomon is saying in this text and this is what I want to speak to you about today—the ROPE of Love.

But in order to understand Solomon’s thoughts we have to go back few verses in this chapter. Notice please the movement that Solomon shares. First, “There was a man all alone” (4:7). Second, “Two are better than one” (4:9). and third, YOUR text “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Solomon has more than numbers in mind. Much, much more. First he tells us that man all alone is not a good thing. Even in the Garden of Eden, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone, I will make him a helpmate suitable for him” (Gen. 2:18).

You know from your personal experience, that being alone is not fun. For this reason, Solomon goes on to say, “Two are better than one”. How right God is. Just look at your lives since you met. You are inseparable. You do things together, because two is just a lot more fun than being by yourself. God meant for us to have companionship on our journey.

And finally Solomon has more than rope-making in mind too. Especially when it comes to the companionship of marriage. Marriage is like a three-stranded cord. One cord is the husband. Another cord is the wife. A third cord is the Lord Jesus. On your own, Precious David and Gem Jody, you can be easily broken. Together, you acquire more strength. But with the Lord you become three cords woven together and are much stronger still.
How do you become a three-stranded cord? It is the working of the Holy Spirit in your lives. He is the One who guides and weaves you together with Him so that you may become this three-strand cord.

Now I need your help to make my point. (I go to the altar and get the Ropes—Pink, {Jody’s} Blue {David’s} and White Christ’s). Jody hold this rope. David hold this rope and I will have this one with me. Notice that your ropes are the same size. However the center rope that which represents Christ is longer than yours. (Will start to braid the ropes).

Take a close look at this braided rope and you will see how it is interwoven so closely. That is what will make your marriage strong. When Jesus is in the center of your home and hearts, this marriage will not unravel. This Rope will not break. No might or power in this whole world can separate it. Nothing can break it. Why not? Because Christ is the strength of this Rope of Love. He will hold you together until He calls you home. Hold on to this Rope to remind you of His unending Love.

“The Rope of Love” is the thread of Christ’s redemption work on the cross of Calvary. Christ redeems relationships, quickens the love in marriages raising it to a higher level, and provides the steadfast love (chesed) for making these vows which are always greater than any couple. Yes, Solomon is telling you that the three-strand Rope is God’s covenant to you and it will never be broken.

The Holy Spirit leads and keeps you bound to Jesus Christ, the center strand. When He is at work and you are not resisting, your marriage will remain strong. The strength of that rope will be the fruit of the Spirit. For the Word of God teaches that where there is love, there is joy. Where there is joy, there is hope. Where there is hope, there is peace, and where there is peace there is Jesus, and where there is Jesus there is unity. And this unity is the family that your and Savior will make of you two.

David and Jody, as a family you will come to realize this in time, as parents you will go through difficult times with your children and some of your days will bring tears of sadness a as well as tears of joy. Such is the case tonight. But you need to know that this is a tough time for us parents. While we are filled with joy that our children are being joined by Christ, it is a bit hard to admit we are not so much in charge any more. Jody, I know that today your father will become second fiddle; he no longer will be the Big Kahuna, but David will. David, I know that today, Jody becomes the apple of your eye and no longer mother filling your needs. Forgive us if we grieve a bit. But know that we are overjoyed at what the Lord is doing in you both today

David and Jody, sometime back, I read a story that went like this - A group of scientists and botanists were exploring remote, natural, undisturbed areas of the Alps in search of new species of flowers. One day as they looked through binoculars, they noticed a flower of such beauty and rarity, that its value to science was immeasurable. But, it lay in a place that was difficult to get to - a deep ravine with cliffs on both sides. To get the flower, someone would have to be lowered over the cliff on a rope.

A curious young lad was watching nearby, and the scientists said, "We'll gladly pay you if you would be willing to get that flower for us.” They wanted him to be the one who would be lowered over the cliff and bring back that flower that lay below.

The boy took one long look down the steep, dizzy depths and said, “I’ll be back in a minute.” A short time later he returned, rope in hand, followed by a gray-haired man. Approaching the scientists, he said, “I’ll go over that cliff and get that flower for you if this man holds the rope. He is my father.”

I'd like to ask you two a question, “Who holds your rope in your life?" More than likely, many of you have tried to climb up the cliffs and out of ravines of one kind or another in your life. You may have felt that you just couldn't hang on much longer and if someone didn’t help you out soon, you’d fall into a depth of darkness you couldn’t get out of. But remember David and Jody, as Christians you and I can be confident that we have the strongest and best One holding our rope—our heavenly Father. In the Inspired book of Hebrews, we are reassured of this and can be confident as we read these precious and ever faithful words, “I will NEVER leave you nor for sake you.” (Hebrews 13:5).

A strong rope is a valuable piece of equipment for anyone trying to climb a cliff or come up out of a ravine. It helps someone reach his goal safely. Our heavenly Father has not only promised to be there holding our rope, but He also provides the lifesaving rope. It guarantees our heavenly destination. Jesus is our rope—a lifesaving ROPE.

I know that is the case with you. Pastor Sailor shared with me some of your discussion with him while you were doing the pre-marriage counseling. He normally asks the couple-to-be some questions. Here are some of your responses to this one question: Jody, why David (of all the guys out there)?  Why do you want to marry him?  She answered:  “We are at the same faith-level.  We have been friends for so long.  He would be the leader of our household.  He would see to it that our children are raised in a Christian manner.  He is thoughtful, looks out for me, takes care of me.”
David, why Jody?  “Her honesty and faithfulness.  She has the most unselfish, loving heart.  Our mutual Christian faith and how we connect at that level.  Yes, she is fun and good looking, too, but her inner beauty is even more beautiful.”

You are wise in your responses. As Pastor Sailor said: “Ah, service, not surface!”  This fine young couple is far more interested in loving each other by serving each other.  “Surface” things (looks, charm, beauty, humor etc.) are far less important.

The reason you are able to do so, is because Christ is occupying the most important place in your hearts. He is the One who binds you together in His love. He is the One who wraps you with His grace. He is the One who will forgive you your sins when hurt each other. He is the One who will strengthen your marriage as you gather in His house around Word and Sacrament.

(Here go to the back and get the main piece of wood. 17x 14x 1 with heart and in the center of the heart there is a cross and a three-strand (colored) Rope all around the heart.)

Precious David and Gem Jody, let me give you something that you can keep for years to come and will help you think of the words I am sharing with you today. I have made this for you. You see the heart that is God’s heart. In the center of that heart you will see the cross of Christ—that is displaying His love for you. And all around the heart, you see the Three-colored-rope. That is to remind you that God’s love, covenant, grace, and mercy will never be taken away from you and broken from you.

It is my prayer for you David and Jody that by power of the Holy Spirit, you will learn to have faith in your Heavenly Father like that little boy in our story. Remember, God loves you so much that He sent Jesus Christ, His one and only Son, to earth to be the ROPE for you when you fall because of trials and temptations. Every morning, give thanks that your Heavenly Father is holding your rope, Jesus Christ, and let that Rope guide and lead you through your life by remembering this acronym for the word ROPE:

R Read God’s Word.

O Obey God’s Word.

P Pray to Your Heavenly Father and to each other.

E Enjoy God’s purpose for you each day.

David and Jody may God’s richest blessings abide in your heart and home and heads as you hold on to the rope of love. Amen.

“The ART of Love” John 15:12-14, Wedding of Lucas Tibbets and Bobbie Krueger (Pierce, NE)

S-1002 9/21/2007

Texts: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Romans 12:9-14; John 15:12-14

Theme: “The ART of Love” John 15:12-14

Wedding of Lucas Tibbets and Bobbie Krueger (Pierce, NE)

Lucas and Bobbie, family and friends Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

We have gathered on this joyful day, in the presence of God and these witnesses, to join in holy matrimony this man and this woman. The text I have chosen for your wedding homily is from the Gospel of St. John. Listen again as I read it: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:12-14).

Family and friends, please be aware that this sermon for Lucas and Bobbie alone, but if you want to eves drop on this message, you may do so.

1. The World’s View of Love.

Love is a word that is used so often. Yet, it has been used and misused more than any other word in the English language; and it has been bankrupt because love has many meanings. It has been devalued, degraded and destroyed of its true meaning. Many people use it without even thinking about it or its use. Some say, I love Pizza. I love my coffee. I love my dog. I love the Corn Huskers.

But lets be honest, would you love the pizza if it was spoiled? Would you love your coffee if it was cold or too strong? Would love your dog if he tore your apartment and destroyed your precious belongings? Would you love the Corn Huskers if they were a losing team?

As the world views love, it becomes apparent that love is conditional. You love me, I love you back. You hate me, I will hate you. You hurt me; watch out, because I am getting even with you.

Lucas and Bobbie, do you remember the first time you came to see me to begin our pre-marriage counseling session? I had you fill out some papers. One of the questions I asked was, “why do you want to get married?” Lucas you said, “I fell in love with my best friend and the person I want to share the rest of my life with.” (I think you had a little help from my son David). And you Bobbie said, “I feel I’ve found the perfect man to spend the rest of my life with. I want someone to share all of my moments with.” And I said that is good, but not good enough. First, because there is no one perfect, even if you think that Lucas is (I you know he isn’t), and second, there is more to marriage than just feelings.

II. Definitions of Love

C. S. Lewis wrote a book about love. In this book The Four Loves he teaches us that there are four different types of love.

• 1. “Storge” love of parent
• 2. “Agape” God’s unconditional love towards man
• 3. “Philew” love of man to man, brotherly love
• 4. “Eros” love of man to woman, erotic/passionate love

Now I am not here to promote the book of C. S. Lewis, even though it is a good book. Neither am I here to expound on all of these different kinds of love, but I am here to share with you the ART of Love, not from human’s perspective, but from God’s perspective.

The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 lays out for us the true meaning of love: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” 1 Cor. 13:4-7).

Did you hear what Paul said? Love doesn’t seek its own, but rather thinks of the other person first. As you come into the marriage, you will by the grace of God learn the ART of love in that you no longer think of ME, but of WE. Because from now on, you will be one in the sight of God. One in unity. One in marriage. One in purpose and one in mission.

But I will tell you it is not easy to be united as one. For the sinful flesh always desires what’s in it for me. The old man in us, always thinks of self first. The old nature always desires to please self rather than the other person.

Your marriage is by grace connected to Christ’s cross. The real hard work of marriage was done when our Lord Jesus Christ offered up His life for you both. There you received forgiveness for all your sin. Even the sins you will commit against one another in marriage. Yet, as married and forgiven sinners, you see the masterpiece of forgiveness painted on Calvary’s cross. There is no greater portrait of true love than Jesus offering His life for you.

Lucas and Bobbie, I want you to think of the ART of love in this manner. I will use ART as an acronym:

A is for absolution. In order for your love to flow towards each other, you will need two good forgivers in your home. You see, you will hurt each other. You will disappoint each other. Someday you will say, “What possessed me to marry him/her? At you will be mean to one another, and when that happens you ask the Savior to help you forgive your spouse as the Savior Himself has forgiven you. Absolution becomes the glue that holds this marriage together.

R is for romance. After today, don’t stop being the courtship with one another. Keep the Romance alive. Set a time to go out on a date. Do something special for one another. Something unexpected that demonstrates that you are thinking of the other always. When the Romance is going strong, the flames of LOVE will never die down. Schedule on your calendar a time for this romance. Study together the book that Solomon wrote The Song of Songs and that will keep you on fire for one another. And the,

T is for the Tree of the Cross. Remember this well Lucas and Bobbie: where the cross is center, the apple does not fall far from this tree, and it is a delicious fruit of the spirit kind of love. When the cross is the hallmark of all you do, you will be able to be kind and patient and loving to the other. When the cross is the center, you will not seek your own will by His will and fulfill His commandments in your lives. The cross of Christ will be to you the guidelines of love and the lifelines of love.

With the Help of the Holy Spirit connected to a Church that teaches the Word of God and that is Christ focused and Cross-centered, you will be the best friends and lovers for the rest of your days. You will learn that love has no boundaries just as God’s Boundless love has no limits. You will fight for this marriage when disappointments, discouragement, disillusionment and dissatisfaction set in. And by the grace of God you will learn the meaning of Paul’s teaching on God’s Four Dimensional Love (Eph. 3) Length: Height: Breadth: and Depth.

Daily walk the extra mile with the help of Your Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Learn from Him the meaning of love—a love that took Him to the cross to die for your sins. Love that fulfilled what He taught, “Grater love has no man than this, than he lay down his life for His friends. You are His friends; He laid down His life for you so that you will be happy and blessed all the days of your married lives.

Remember these tid-bits of wisdom as you think about the ART of love.

• * God is LOVE. It is not that He should be; could be; ought to be, will be; He IS LOVE.
• * A goof friend of mine said, “Love is giving!”
• * “You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.”
• * * Nothing speaks more clearly of God’s love than the cross. For there you truly come to know, and see the love of God not merely in words, but also in action.
• * * There is an Arabic proverb that says, “The house that you love is not far from you.” In other word, when we love someone, their house is never far. How true that is in our love to our Awesome God, whose house of worship is never far from our hearts and heads.
• * So you ask what is love? Love is that pulse that moves your heart to acknowledge your sins and need for a Savior. Love is working at forgiving those who hurt you and harmed you. Love is giving without expecting something in return. Love is that instrument that causes you to do things that may appear foolish or crazy.
• * And when you asked God about love, this is how He paints the love scene, “For God so loved the world, “ME” so that He gave His one and Only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16) And this picture slowly unfolds before our very own eyes, as we see the Son of God, our Savior, Lord and King, allow Himself to be beaten, bruised and bloodied for us. He further opens His arm and allows others to nail it to a wooden beam, and then He opens the other arm, and allows this one to be nailed to the same beam. And with His outstretched and extended arms says, “I LOVE YOU MY CHILD.” Indeed, God is love and His love is made manifest in His will to the Father, in His Work on the cross, and in His Word–The Bible–our love letter.

What a privilege today to speak to you about the Good News of infinite love through our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the Author of the ART of love. May this ART hold your picture of marriage till the ends of your lives. Amen.