Why is it some marriages last for decades while others wither months after the honeymoon?  Is there a secret formula that provides longevity to the marriage covenant?  Maybe there’s a mysterious formula only the ‘lucky’ have discovered?  We can better understand how marriages find success when we understand the phrase “I DO”…

The man and woman face each other and the preacher asks the long awaited question, “Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”  Without hesitation the bride’s response is clear, “I do!”  At the same time the penitent one stands before the Lord and is asked a similar question, “Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?”  That response echoes the bride…”I DO!”  A wedding and a baptism, is there a connection?  Join us as we look at the mystery of marriage.

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, January 19, 2014

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“You Are the Song that I Sing” – 238

What do we sing on Sunday morning?  Is it a song to praise and glorify God?  The Psalmist gives us a good starting point when it comes to singing, look to God first and foremost. “You (God) are the words and the music.  You (God) are the song that I sing.  You (God) are the harmony, You (God) are the melody, praise to Your name (God) I will sing…”

“Let Me Live Close to Thee” – 831

This chorus has a strong alto lead and an incredible message.  Giving this hymn it’s title we sing together the chorus; “Let me live close to Thee, take my hand, dear Lord, and guide me all along the rugged way; O let me live close to Thee, let me walk and talk with Thee, dear Lord, each day.”   Do you want to live close to Him?  Does a husband want to be with his wife or a wife with her husband?  They should, and so should the Christian long to be with his Savior.

“In Memory of the Savior’s Love” – 335

Our reading before the Lord’s Supper is I Corinthians 11:23, 24 when Paul reminds us of Christ’s sacrifice and His words. “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”  We’ll sing together, and remember our Savior’s love.  Let’s ‘keep the sacred feast’ and be sure we come with humble, contrite (repenting) hearts.

“By Christ Redeemed” – 366

Notice the last three words in each verse of this song conclude with the same words Paul wrote in I Corinthians 11:26.  Remembering Christ’s death, burial and resurrection we partake of the Lord’s Supper; “…proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”

“Sweet Adoration“ – 253

A beautiful contemporary song we’ll sing following the Lord’s Supper expressing our ‘adoration’ to God.  But ask yourself, will I honor Him with my words (my lips) and yet keep my heart far from Him (Matthew 15:8)?  Understand we should give God, “…glory and honor and praise…a part of our constant devotion.”  Husbands and wives, loving your spouse goes beyond just saying “I love you.”

“Wonderful Words of Life” – 543

How many times have you heard the message of salvation?  For some it would be many, many times.  But still our hearts would say, “Tell me the story of Christ’s love…again.”  Sunday morning, before our lesson, we’ll ask each other to “Sing it over again to me, wonderful words of Life…words of Life and beauty (that) teach me faith and duty…”

“Trust and Obey” – 915

Marriages succeed when the husband and wife trust each other.  As their marriage grows with the years, so their relationship becomes stronger and happier.  If they walk with each other, share each others burdens and trust and obey God’s word they find comfort.  In like manner, when we trust in God’s guiding hand, what should be our concern?  When we obey His holy word, what is there for us to fear?  We sing, “never fear, only trust and obey!” 

“Light the Fire” – no book

The contribution plate will be passed after the lesson this morning, but as we give back what already belongs to God, we’ll sing a song of restoration.  Asking, as it is, for God to light the fire in our hearts that we would serve and honor Him more.

“How Sweet, How Heavenly” – 709

Closing our worship time together we’ll sing this traditional spiritual song (220 years old) encouraging each other to ‘feel each others sigh’, to cry with each other (‘sorrow flows from eye to eye’) and to overlook each others faults (‘each can his brother’s failings hide’).  As a husband and wife do we feel each others sigh?  Husband’s, do you cry with your wife?  Wives, are you able to over look your husband’s faults?  There are some clear similarities with the marriage relationship and the Christian walk.  The mystery to marriage might well be found in the walk with Christ.