Three Party Marriages

This is the wedding meditation (sermon)I did at Meg's wedding, 8/22/09. Lisa and Jeff's wedding was very well attended and was very nice. The dramatic kiss to seal their vows, drew long applause. Jan and Betty sang. There was over 300 at the reception that was outside by the river. It was one of the very best I have attended, and that is many.
THREE PARTY MARRIAGES



Excerpts from Genesis 1-3

God created man in his own Image, the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man become a living being.

God said it is not good for man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him. God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then God made woman from the rib and brought her to the man.

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. God blessed them and said “be fruitful and increase in number.”

Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living,… (later)

Adam and Eve heard the sound of God as they were walking in the garden in the cool of the day



God invented marriage. It was one of his best creations. He officiated at the first wedding ceremony. The ceremony was a bit briefer, than this one. Because Adam and Eve did not have to say “I will forsake all other keeping you only”, and “I pledge you my faith”



This had to be a ideal marriage, the perfect man, the perfect woman, living in a paradise. But what made it a super special marriage is IT WAS A 3 PARTY RELATIONSHIP, one man, one woman and their God. As indicated by the fellowship they had in their strolls with God in the garden.

Somehow we think a perfect marriage is a 2 party relationship, one man, and one woman madly in love. But the average divorce rate of a 2 party relationship marriage is 50%. Compared to less than 1% to a 3 party.



The perfect marriage is when there are 3 involved, and God gets more attention than the man and woman. The truth is the more God has of each of you, the more you will have to give to each other.

In a 2 party marriage the couple can only give from their limited carnal nature which is dominated by selfishness. But in a 3 party marriage the couple can give to each other from their God improved, forgiven, redeemed nature. Without the liability of selfishness, which is the essence of sin, and a life without God.




I am sure that the Adams had a great marriage, until they sinned and disobey God, and God said “I am out of here” and evicted them from their home in paradise. When they sinned they lost God’s holiness in which they were created. They took on Satan’s character of selfishness, which made giving to each other in marriage a risky business.



Jeff, Lisa, if you want the perfect marriage, you must love God more than you do each other.

Jesus made it plain. You must put God ahead of spouse and family.



Therefore, I challenge you to love God with all your heart, soul and body, and then love each other with whatever remains. I challenge you to be as active in your church as you can possibly be. To raise my great grandchildren in Sunday School, help them to think that the church is their second home. Serve God with gladness and give him your very best.



Jeff, I challenge you to accept the role God has given you of being the spiritual leader of this new family, and to love Lisa as Christ loves you.



Lisa, I challenge you to be the kind of wife and mother that God would use as an example for the next generation.



The scripture I read said, that God has blessed you, and I Bless you, and this congregation by their presence here blesses you.



I now ask this congregation, Will you pray for this new family, will you encourage them and support them as God would lead you. Jeff and Lisa, turn around and see the hands pledged in prayer and support.