In Holy Matrimony

We are working through the book of 1 Corinthians in the evening services. We have come to chapter 7 and I saw that there was definitely a marriage focus in these verses. So, without creating a worship service involving the Wedding March, I put these songs together with some comments or "synchro-fill" in between. You may want to use this layout for a worship service at a couples retreat or a celebration of a wedding anniversary (we just celebrated 15 yrs!) or with a sermon on 1 Corinthians 7!

As we have worked through the book of 1 Corinthians, we have seen that the personal relationship was not a strength in Corinth. It was every man out for himself or for his faction. There was contention at every turn and the family and marriage were no exceptions to the rule. The Corinthians had troubles in their marriages. If we want to avoid similar troubles, we must choose daily to make God the center of our universe rather than ourselves! We must choose to be on the same page with God. He must rescue and rebuild and restore our relationships! As the Psalmist said in Ps. 127, "Unless He builds the house, the workman labors in vain".

"As For Me and My House" Elizabeth de Gruvelles/Kurt Kaiser

The ministry of marriage and family is a daily act of service and worship to God. We must therefore follow His rules for them. We cannot simply read a book and form a plan and have success. No it is not a result of trying harder to make it work out. It is the result of obedient pursuit of God's design for the home.
Like any other relationship,unity comes from fellowship with Christ. He is the great unifier! Our unity in the home is a demonstration of Christ-likeness. make this your next song a prayer for your home, our church, the youth group, your office, etc.

"Father Make Us One" Rick Ridings

What should our unified family look like?

1 Peter 5:5b-11

You see it is not a matter of saying to others "I have it all together" or "we have a great marriage" or "I have perfect children". Instead it is saying "I have a great God who has caused me to enjoy some success in this area of my life" and "I owe it all to His influence in my life".

These verses end with a challenge to cast our cares on Him. The ultimate humility is asking Gdo for help! Admit that you can't do it yourself! Peter continued on in this passage to describe our adversary as a roaring lion, prowling about looking for someone to devour. He wants to have your marriage, your family, your relationships for lunch. He wants to see you fail. I must cast all of those cares and potential areas of failure on to God.

"Cares Chorus" Kelly Willard

God cares so much about our moments of weakness and failures. He loves to bring His strength to the situation and bring glory from ruin, beauty from ashes, strength from weakness. He has promised us success when we follow his guidance and patterns. Even when it looks like it is counter-cultural and out of control, He knows what He is talking about. His ways are perfect. His ways are the ways of strength.

"Be Strong In the Lord" Linda Lee Johnson/Tom Fetke

Whenever I am facing a struggle -- a snare -- I can go to Him and His word and find the secret to marital success. The world's ways are fakes, traps, decoys. God's way is truth! He has promised us the victory, let's live in that strength and press on!

He gets all of the credit and honor from our "successful" marriages. He gets the rejoicing praise from the victories that we have. He is worthy of that praise!

"The Worship Song" Celeste Yohai

When we blow it, our Father stands ready, willing and able to forgive, restore and rebuild the mess that we have made of it. What merciful treatment -- we do not deserve it. Yet He loves to be merciful to us.

"You are Merciful to Me" Ian White

Did you hear those great names of God in the bridge? Redeemer, Savior, Healer and Friend are all relationship words/names. He is the healer of broken fellowships. These are great names that express His great part in our lives. Here are some others in a great hymn of the faith.

"Join All the Glorious Names" Isaac Watts/John Darwall

Are you excited about the phrase that you have just sung? "A feeble saint shall win the day" (vs. 5). Even though "death and hell" or sin and self or ________(fill in the blank) obstruct the way, we can have victory through the grace and mercy of our God! Amen!