Introduction: 

Pastor Brian posed a question to the congregation – How many eyes have been opened here? 

I guess you our dear reader can attest that your marriage has been an eye opener, right?

He also asked us a question – Is tradition good or bad? I know you have an answer or two depending with your experience and feel free to share on our comments section.

In African communities we have an example of travelling upcountry ‘Ushago’ during Christmas.

Tradition is good when it preserve but it can be bad when it hinders progress.

Talking of tradition. There lived a wealthy young man well educated who got married to this beautiful village girl. After their wedding he bought a posh house in a posh place. This particular day he was headed back home and he decided to pass by the supermarket to buy some ham. This was going to be their first dinner together after their long posh honey moon. So he got the ham and then drove home in his posh BMW. He got home they kissed and she was there ready to prepare this sumptuous meal.

They guy went upstairs to take a shower and head back to help. When he came down he noticed half of the ham he thrown away in the dust bin. He was so disturbed and asked the wife why half of the ham in the bin?’ She sweetly answered ‘that’s how we have always done it. They argued and argued until the wife said to him ‘go and ask my mother she taught me to do it this way.’ This guy was the lion type so he was not about to lose this argument. He angrily got his keys put on his posh loafers and sped off to see his mother in law in the village. He went there and what did the mother in law say, ‘that’s why we have always done it.’ The guy was now getting frustrated and so he insisted on knowing why.

The mother in law told him to go and ask her mother. Same thing, he got into the car and drove many kilometers to another part of the village. When he got there he found the grandmother in the hut. She asked where his wife was and with a disturbed tone shared his concern with grandma. Grandma laughed and in a soft tone replied and said ‘We did it that way because in our days we didn’t have deep freezers like you do now.

Pastor Brian briefly shared three things with the hope that it will become good old. Let these 3 things remain as long as a week will have seven days and as long as 60 sec will make a minute.

Our Sermon for this Sunday focused on ‘Faith, Hope and Love’ from the book of 1st Corinthians 13:13 – ‘But now these three remain, faith, hope and love. But the greatest of this is love.’

1. Faith
2. faith in God

Marriage is more than finding the right person. It is being the right person.

Remember, don’t get into this marriage with a ‘me, myself and I mentality.’ Many newlyweds visualize their marriage like a soap opera. The bride feels it’s all about her. On the other hand the groom is thinking it is all about me and my needs. Truth be told, we are selfish beings. Pastor Brian pointed out that his marriage helped him understand how selfish he is even to this day.

Let us not fool ourselves; we all have weaknesses as humans. However I have found that I become a better husband by growing closer to God. It is only the Holy Spirit who helps us become better. So let your faith in God remains if you want your relationship to thrive and not survive.

 

Marriage is Gods idea and he has all you need to make it beautiful.

Marriage is like a beautiful flower, you need to water it.

Marriage is like a car, you have to change the oil, repair a few things here and there to keep going.

1. Faith for your dreams and goals

Marriage is a journey, walk by faith.

As couples, you have dreams. There are things you want to achieve together. Some short term some long-term. The God who has done this for you will do the rest for you. The same God who has brought you through will take you through. Don’t let your faith waver don’t let it fade.

Let your faith be informed by the fact that you serve a big God who is able to do what he has promised. A God who does exceedingly abundantly above all that you ask for or even imagine.

Embrace Faith and God will move mountains for you

1. Faith for the challenges and miracles ahead

Marriage is like a journey into the unknown. Unknown struggles and unknown blessings

As a couple you are launching into the unknown. You are launching into some unknown challenges. You are also launching into some unknown miracles.

Pastor Brian shared how he and his wife faced their greatest challenges when praying for a child. They never imagined they could face it but God came through.

Challenges are part of life, they come and when they do you have to believe that God works all things for good for those that love him and that are called according to his purpose.

Pastor Brian pointed out that, if the couple’s sitted in the congregation would be philanthropic with their experiences, we would see both challenges and miracles.

So let your faith please God. Always believe that he exists and that he rewards those that diligently seek after him

Hebrews 11:6 

1. Hope

Marriage is not for cowards. Let hope cheer you on.

The difference between faith and hope is little but yet it makes all the difference.

Faith rests on understanding but hope rests on the will.

Faith gives you the understanding of what your marriage ought to be like. Hope provides the will, the courage, the psyche, the patience to go through with it.

So let hope remain. Don’t lose it. Keep hope alive. I know marriages are in a mess but you have to have hope, that yours will endure the good times and the bad.

Dear Couples, when you Hope in the Lord, He will renew your strength. You will soar like eagles. You will run and not grow weary; you will walk and not faint.

Hope will your cheering squad during struggles and Isaiah 40:31 explains it- but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint

1. Love

Jimmy Evans said “The best marriage in the world is two servants in love.  The worst marriage in the world is two masters in love

Remember none of you is perfect. Go easy on each other.

Illustration: Imagine how it would be like if you marry you. At first it may be great because you think alike and you respond in the same way. Now, how do you think things will be when the two of you are bored, upset and irritated?

Always invest in love. Invest in relationships. It would be sad if you conquer the world at the expense of your marriage. It would be sad to finally build that seven bedroom house with an inbuilt studio and yet loose each other in the process. After all is said and done, Love. You cannot have faith in a person you don’t love. You cannot hope for what you don’t love. Love is a more of a doing word than it is a feeling word so love.

 1^ST Cor 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.

Conclusion: Let these three remain >> Faith, hope and Love.

Take out:

• Faith is about to keep the flame burning. Stop making your house toxic, let it be full of fun, laugher and love. Not all the time you are talking about which bills have not been paid etc.
• Marriage is a word that should be spelt as Mirage ‘Hebert Spencer’
• Don’t make humans take a place in your heart, have the fulfillment from God
• The more you seek satisfaction in each other, you will get disappointed
• 50/50 never works in marriage, we should all make an effort, put in work, complement each other because every little things matter