State of Our Unions

The Cement is Mostly Sand

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

April 25 - AM

Introduction

• Brick layer – “Make the mortar extra rich, put in lots of sand.”

• Marriages are crumbling at an alarming rate.

• God has provided the glue, the cement to hold them together.

Introduction

• In previous lessons in this series –– Statistics– Communication– Submission

• Today – last in this series – What can hold a marriage together?

Marriage is empty without love• 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 - 1Though I speak with

the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Marriage is empty without love

• There is a difference in –– The drum section of a symphony orchestra– And a kindergarten class with pie tins and

spoons

• Talent and ability are useless without love

• Sacrifice means nothing without love

Agape love is Required

• Not an accidental emotion

• Not an option – suggestion – good idea

• Husbands AND Wives are COMMANDED to love each other– Husbands – Ephesians 5:25– Wives – Titus 2:4

Here is the RecipeTo Hold a Marriage Together

• Longsuffering • In simple language – “put up with”

• Be patient with their faults, slights, neglects

Here is the RecipeTo Hold a Marriage Together

• Longsuffering• Kind

• After you have put up with – endured – suffered long

• You must now be kind!

Here is the RecipeTo Hold a Marriage Together

• Longsuffering• Kind• Does not envy

• Envy and jealousy will kill love every time

• Love is based on trust

• Where there is no trust – there is no love

Here is the RecipeTo Hold a Marriage Together

• Longsuffering• Kind• Does not envy• Does not parade

itself – is not puffed up

• We must not be “bloated with self-conceit”

• Don’t allow yourself to be preoccupied with self-gratification

Here is the RecipeTo Hold a Marriage Together

• Does not behave rudely

• Keep your marriage in the bounds of decency

• Treat each other with some measure of respect

Here is the RecipeTo Hold a Marriage Together

• Does not behave rudely

• Does not seek its own

• In simple terms – love is not selfish

• Love must remain “other person centered”

Here is the RecipeTo Hold a Marriage Together

• Does not behave rudely

• Does not seek its own

• Is not provoked

• Love is not “hot tempered”

• Your mate should not be one of the people you get angry with quickly

Here is the RecipeTo Hold a Marriage Together

• Does not behave rudely

• Does not seek its own

• Is not provoked• Thinks no evil

• Agape love is not mistrusting

• Love is not suspicious

• Always assume the best

Here is the RecipeTo Hold a Marriage Together

• Does not behave rudely

• Does not seek its own

• Is not provoked• Thinks no evil• Rejoices – has

pleasure

• Love does not rejoice in iniquity

• Love rejoices in the truth

Here is the RecipeTo Hold a Marriage Together

• Love lasts

• Bears all things – puts a veil over the faults

• Believes all things – had faith in them

• Hopes all things – never gives up

• Endures all things – weathers the storms

What marriages need:

• NOT more sand– Don’t weaken what is already crumbling

• More emphasis on:– Agape love – the glue that holds a

marriage together– Common goals, shared faith, mutual

submission, more communication

What about your marriage?

• This sermon has focused on the physical relationship of marriage

• But there is also a spiritual relationship of marriage to God– Commitment– Obedience– Love God with all your heart