Message For Brad And Alyssa Wedding

I did my first wedding a couple weeks ago...for a young couple in our church,
Brad and Alyssa Donovan...the groom [Brad] asked if I would post the wedding sermon on my blog...here it is.

Marriage and the Trinity
June 13, 2009

We hear in God’s Word today from the Book of 1 John 4: 7-8 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Brad that Alyssa, you have each come here today, as individuals, to be joined in holy matrimony, and you have come freely of your own accord…and this is good!

But that is only part of the story! The God who loves you so much that He created each of, loves you so much that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for all your sins…is the same God who has orchestrated absolutely every detail of your life, down to the finest point, and has brought you both here today!

God’s word tells us that every good gift and every perfect gift comes from our Heavenly Father’s loving hand…this means…that God has given each of you, to one another, as a gift…and it’s a good gift!

Our God is the Master Artist…who will take your two lives, and will join them together to make a beautiful masterpiece.

Brad and Alyssa, today, you two are entering into the Covenant of Marriage…which is also a Covenant of Love.

And God has told you today, that if you really want to know what love is, then you need to look at Him…because He is love.

As we look to our God, we begin to get a clearer understanding of what true love is.

God’s word teaches us that our God has existed for all eternity. Before God ever created the heavens and the earth, He existed forever in three Persons…the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…this is the teaching of the Trinity…and it is foundational to the Christian faith…and to a solid understanding of love and marriage.

God has existed forever in a perfect, harmonious relationship between the Persons of the Godhead!

Each of the Persons [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] living in an unbroken, perfect relationship of Love.

A relationship that is totally void of selfishness, or self centeredness!

Each of the Person’s seeking first foremost to bring good to the others. Each joyful, and willfully seeking the honor and glory of one another.

Within God, there exists perfect communication…each of the Persons selflessly and intimately revealing themselves in love, edification and blessing, and openly and willingly receiving the same.

All three of the Persons within the Trinity are perfectly united in absolutely every aspect of their relationship.

Our God exists, not as an isolated individual, but in an intimate relationship.

This is why, even before sin had entered into the world, God looked at the beautiful, wondrous creation that He had made…and said that something was NOT good!

God said that it was NOT good that the man was alone…that man didn’t have a suitable partner to live with, love with, fellowship with…and shine forth the glory of God with!

So, as God is One…but mysteriously many [three]…God took man [one]…and from him made many [the two]…

God made Adam fall into a deep sleep, and out of his side He brought forth Eve. God hand picked and hand prepared the wife [Eve], for her husband [Adam]…and at the same time prepared the husband also for the wife…God has done the same today…

He has prepared you Alyssa for Brad…and He has prepared you Brad for Alyssa!
But, if we want to understand God’s perfect love in our marriages…we must NOT fix our gaze upon Adam and Eve…for even though they were created by God, to shine forth and reflect the harmonious, selfless relationship of love that existed in their Creator…they did not!

On the contrary, Adam and Eve each acted selfishly…each seeking their own good, each seeking to honor and glorify “self”… not “other”…which brought death to their relationship with God, and brought misery, disharmony and alienation into their marriage relationship with each other.

Instead of looking upon the first Adam and his Bride…I would like to give you words of encouragement by pointing each of you to fix your eyes upon the Lord Jesus Christ, the God/man, the Last Adam, and His relationship with His bride…the church…and also His relationship with His Heavenly Father.

Brad, God has called you to be the “head” of your wife, and if God blesses you with children, of your future children also. Jesus tells you that this doesn’t mean that you lord your headship over your wife and children. Look to Jesus, who as God, didn’t come to be served…but to serve, and give His life a ransom for His wife!


By God’s grace, you must learn to be a servant leader, a man who sacrificially lays down his life, for the good and well being of his wife…all the days of your life!

May this sacrificial love not be in word only, as Peter’s was towards Jesus…saying he would lay down his life…but in the end couldn’t even pray for Jesus for an hour.

Learn how to serve Alyssa in the “so called” small things, helping around the house, helping with the children…learning to look into her life and discern where help is needed.

Brad, as the “head” of this marriage…God is calling you to take responsibility as Jesus did. Jesus came lovingly to teach His bride, came to encourage her, enable and strengthen her, to patiently and gently lead and guide her, and to bring healing into all areas of her life…His bride singly holding all the affections of His heart.

Jesus took His bride’s sin very seriously…not condemning her for it…but taking the responsibility for her sins upon Himself…and was willing to suffer for her…so that she might receive blessings.

Was Jesus to blame for His wife’s sins…no!…but He took responsibility for them…and is abundantly merciful and forgiving towards her…do likewise with Allysa.

Brad, learn how to lovingly communicate with Alyssa. Jesus told his disciples that all things that he heard from His Father, He made known to them. Be open to share your heart, dreams and plans with Alyssa.

I encourage you to share willingly and sympathetically, your joys and worries, your successes and struggles, and to be neither conceited by the former nor depressed by the latter. Whichever may prevail, cling closely to each other, that defeats may be met by a united strength and victories by a united joy.

This is very important Brad! Never be too proud to admit your shortcomings and failures. Instead, may you take the initiative to make things right. Alyssa will love and respect you for your humility. Your transparency will not cause Alyssa to distrust you…quite the opposite…she will see your humble heart…a heart willing to submit to God’s word…God’s prompting…and it will cause her trust for you to grow.

Brad, as Jesus is the Prophet, Priest, and King for His bride [church], you also must learn to be so with Alyssa.

As Prophet--diligently bring God’s word into your home, in a spirit of love, humility, patience, and kindness. I know you love to study and read Brad, as you do so come along side of Alyssa and share with her all the glorious things you are learning.

As Priest-- spend time listening to Alyssa as she shares her heart, her struggles, pains, and also her hopes and dreams…learn to really listen…learn to really enter into her joys and sufferings. Spend time daily, praying for Alyssa and with Alyssa, Devote your energies not only to your advancements in the faith…but be equally concerned to see Alyssa grow in God’s grace.

As King--always seek Alyssa’s safety and protection…learning how to protect and shield her from physical, emotional and verbal attacks. As you make plans for your home…remember that your wife is going to be one of your greatest advisors. Work out your life plans with Alyssa…God will enrich your plans with added wisdom, as your wife shares things from her vantage point.

Finally, Brad, remember that the Bible clearly teaches us that God doesn’t love His Bride because of her great loveliness! There is nothing in us that deserves God’s love. Instead, we are told that we love God…because He first loved us.

In like manner, do not love Alyssa, only when you feel she is acting lovely…instead, love her at all times, trusting that your constant love will help Alyssa herself grow and blossom in love.



Alyssa, I also want to encourage you to fix your eyes and heart upon the Lord Jesus Christ…to give you wisdom and strength in your very important role as a wife.

As Brad’s wife you are called by God to submit to Brad’s headship…realizing that Jesus, Himself submitted to the headship of His Father, and He did so willingly and joyfully.
Does this mean that Jesus was somehow “lesser” or “inferior” to His Father? Not at all! Jesus Christ is God the Son…fully God, equal with the Father…but He willingly humbled himself to come to earth to do His Father’s will…to bring glory and honor and praise to His Father’s name…on earth as it was already in heaven.

In the same way, Alyssa, you and Brad are equals, you are not lesser or inferior. As Brad’s equal you are still called to submit to his leadership…humbly and joyfully living your life for his good, for his honor [while he is seeking your good, honoring you]…inter-Trinitarian love!

I will be honest with you Alyssa, there will be many times where submission will come easy…because you will heartily agree with Brad’s choices, and it will be clearly evident that his decision is for the good of all…including yourself.
But at other times…things won’t seem so clear…it will seem like Brad’s plan is bringing much discomfort into your lives. Look to the Lord Jesus, Alyssa, and learn from Him…

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus’ was greatly troubled…He knew that His Father’s plan involved much displeasure and suffering on His part…what did He do? First, He humbly spoke to His Father, asking/pleading with Him if the plans could be altered, and He did this repeatedly. But in the end, Jesus submitted to His Father’s authority and final answer…in humility saying… Not My will…but Your will be done.

Alyssa, you are called not only to submit to Brad’s headship…you are also called to be his “helper”. Unfortunately, there are people today who misunderstand the word “helper” to be demeaning toward the wife…please do not fall into this trap…for it is truly a badge of honor!

When we read the Psalms God Himself says He is our Helper…and I am sure that the Infinitely wise, loving and powerful God is not demeaning Himself by doing so. Remember, that God’s economy and man’s are polar opposites…Jesus said that the “greatest will be servant of all”.

God has given man the command to be fruitful and multiply and to fill the earth…and also to subdue it. God has given Brad specific talents, abilities and gifts…and God has also given you specific talents, abilities and gifts.

Alyssa, you must learn, by God’s grace, to use your God-given abilities to compliment, strengthen, and uphold the abilities that God has given to Brad…when you do so…the fruit will be plentiful and long lasting…

To do this, again you must follow our Lord Jesus’ example, who spent much time alone with His Father [speaking with Him in prayer, and listening to His Father’s heart of guidance]…may you “help” encourage Brad to live this pattern out in your marriage. Spend much time together, value and highly esteem your relationship as husband and wife [being second only to that of your relationship with God], share your hopes and dreams with each other, help Brad to work out a Christ glorifying vision for your marriage.

Finally, Alyssa, I want to encourage you in one more area…a very, very important responsibility for you as Brad’s wife. The honor of motherhood, if God so chooses to bless you with children.

Right before His ascension into heaven…Jesus gave His disciples [church/bride] a “Great” commission! Jesus told His bride to get busy making disciples [spiritual children] of the all the nations…baptizing and teaching them all things that Jesus instructed. [The Church is the Mother of all God’s children]

The Bride of Christ is to be busy birthing and raising spiritual children …for her husband…the Lord Jesus…it is her high calling…a great honor.


So too, may you delight in this high calling in your life! Realizing that raising children to mature and love the Lord Jesus Christ, in all areas of their life, is one of the most needed, and most important callings in the world today. It is the future of Christ’s kingdom! Delight yourself in this calling…and diligently give yourself to it.

Brad and Alyssa, God has given me the privilege today, to be able to preach a short sermon…on how the marriage between a man and his wife points to the greater reality of the relationship between the Lord Jesus and His Bride…the church…and also how the love within marriage also points to the inter-Trinitarian love that is within God Himself…

…but now…my sermon has come to an end…and your sermon…is just beginning!

By your marriage you will proclaim a message to the watching world…about God’s great love. As you learn to honor and glorify each other above yourself. As you learn to sacrificially put one another’s needs above your own. As you learn to serve one another…instead of demanding to “be served”. And… as you use your speech and actions to build one another up and promote one another…being singly devoted to one another…the world will hear and see…the love of our Triune God…

May the sermon you both preach in your marriage…be very long…and very fruitful indeed.

Amen!

Has Anyone Seen My Glasses?

Some people need glasses to see things up close...for an example...to read with...

Others need glasses to see things far off in the distance...for example...road signs.

May God give our culture...especially His Church...a new prescription for glasses!!

We need some good telescopic lenses...please!

Jesus warns His church not to be conformed to the unbelieving culture around them...instead they need to put their glasses on...they need to have their minds [vision] shaped and molded by God's word.

Jesus warned people against "blind guides"...if you follow them...eventually you will both end up in the ditch.

Without God's word we are all dim-sighted! If we choose to leave our glasses off...and follow the world...expect the Humpty Dumpty syndrome.

Does a feminist really care about what happens in our culture...50, 100, 200 years from now? But honest...think about it? She hates men...she refuses to have her body "ruined" by bearing some "mans" offspring...so she has no personal...look in the eye representative of the future.

How about the alternative lifestyle guy or girl? Hmmm, no matter how hard they may try...xx + xx= 00, or xy+xy= 00...which also means they have no vested interest in the future.

How about the millions of other self-consumed people in our culture...who live for money, pleasure and ease...you know...the people who have the bumpersticker on their 140,000 RV that reads "I am spending my childrens inheritance"...do they care what our nation will look like in 100 years...obviously not...they just care about spending everything they've earned...so as to leave their children with nothing!

Christian's need to move away from the world's thinking...and its peer pressure tactics!

The Church needs to listen to the voice of her King...King Jesus! She needs to start have more children...both physical and spiritual...

Almost everyone says they want to live in a free society...well...Islam has its own definition of what a "free" society is...

FREE from infidels!!

FREE from anyone who disagrees with Islamic rule!

Do not judge Islam by how they act as a minority...look to countries where THEY rule!

Look to their religious book to see what their agenda is...

Look at some of the commands from Islam's religious books...

Sura (8:12) - I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them

Sura (9:123) - O you who believe! Fight those of the unbelievers who are near to you and let them find in you hardness

Sura (5:33) - The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement

Qur'an (2:244) - "Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah Heareth and knoweth all things."

Qur'an (4:74) - "Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward."

Qur'an (4:76) - "Those who believe fight in the cause of Allahâ¦"

Qur'an (4:104) - "And be not weak hearted in pursuit of the enemy; if you suffer pain, then surely they (too) suffer pain as you suffer pain..."

Qur'an (8:15) - "O ye who believe! When ye meet those who disbelieve in battle, turn not your backs to them.

Qur'an (8:59-60) - "And let not those who disbelieve suppose that they can outstrip (Allah's Purpose). Lo! they cannot escape. Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy."

Qur'an (9:14) - "Fight them, Allah will punish them by your hands and bring them to disgrace..."

Qur'an (9:30) - "And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!"

Qur'an (9:41) - "Go forth, light-armed and heavy-armed, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the way of Allah! That is best for you if ye but knew."

Qur'an (9:73) - "O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites and be unyielding to them; and their abode is hell, and evil is the destination."

Qur'an (47:4) - "So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you have overcome them, then make (them) prisoners,"

And finally, my personal favourite:

Qur'an (61:4) - "Surely Allah loves those who fight in His way"


As Christian's we are to bring in God's kingdom by love...by submitting to God's ways...and trusting that He will go before us.

The Neighbor's Backyard

We live in a world where many differing "ultimate" beliefs exist.

All these beliefs or views try to explain what ultimate reality is...they all try and answer the big, enduring questions of life.

In North America, we live an a society that is fast becoming a mixture of differing views and practices.

So we look at all these differing, even competing, views...existing side by side...under a democracy...and are led to believe that they are all... relatively...the same.

Be careful!

Things may not be as they seem.

To get a good idea what some of these beliefs systems are really like [Islamic beliefs for instance]...we need to go to countries where these beliefs are held in the majority...where these beliefs shape and mold life...

...because believe me...they are designed to do just that!

Would our culture look as it does today...under Islamic majority rule?

That could never happen...we tell ourselves...totally blinded to what is going on in reality!

In the Old Testament...again and again God used an opposing nation [who had an idolatrous belief system of its own] to come discipline His people of all the idols they were worshipping...or permiting in their land.

Once God was finished judging His people...He then would judge the nation He was using as a stick to paddle His peoples behinds with...lest that nation thought they were being faithful to God...while too practicing false religion.

As a nation, our fertility rate is approx 1.5 children per couple...less than two!

We are in decline!

Our cultures love for death is shown in the things we fight for.

We promote:

- homosexual lifestyles...which cannot produce offspring!
- We promote birth control...like we were having a population explosion...duh!
- We promote abortion...killing our future.
- We promote easy divorce...throwing the family into such instability that the thought of more children is absurd.
- We lead our women to believe that being a wife and mother are lame occupations...why not get a real career...like being a molder and shaper of the future is an unworthy task...so they go out...make money...but have less children.

--Our culture focuses on these things...thinking that things will go on forever!

But as we practice the things that should be causing our culture's population to gradually decline...it isn't declining!

WHY NOT?

Because of immigration! Much of this immigration is Islamic!

Please note...that I am not being a racist...Islam is not a race of people...it is a belief system that works in and through various, and multiple ethnic peoples.

Stop and think...please!

If our culture...slowly declines [on its own steam]...and another culture comes in...and is multiplying rapidly...eventually..."our" culture...will be "their"! culture.

Then...where will all the heros of our culture be? God will deal with them in due time...either by us repenting of them...or by bringing in "the stick"!

Hitting the Snooze Button...one more time...

The book of Isaiah in the Old Testament teaches us many excellent lessons...we will look at only one today.

God told King Hezekiah that he was going to die. Hezekiah cried out to God and God heard his cry...and God gave him another 15 years of life.

A distant nation heard of his recovery and sent delegates to bring glad tidings...Hezekiah welcomes in the foreign delegates and shows them all of the nation's treasures.

As the delegates ride off home...God sends the prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah...the prophet has a message...a sad message.

Because of the King's lacking discernment...the delegates are going to go home to their King...and tell of all the wonderful treasures they saw...in years to come...this other king will come...and take all the treasures...including the children...the future.

As King Hezekiah hears that this bad prophecy...he doesn't fall to the ground in shock...he makes a reply that sounds very much like us today. He says "the word of the Lord is good...for at least there will be peace and truth in my days".

It was a terrifying, harsh message...but Hezekiah thought that it was a judgment that wouldn't hit him directly...only his descendants [children] would feel it...

Very selfish indeed...much like us today.

We want to cling to our sins...cling to our luxuries and comforts...and practice lifestyles that eliminate our cultures future...but thats all right...it very likely won't effect us...we will probably be able to live selfishly...and not feel the severe judgments of God...but what about our children?

Hezekiah ended up losing his children...an enemy came in and took them away...made them slaves...forced their culture and its beliefs on them...

...is this what is coming our way?