State of Our Unions

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State of Our Unions

• The Cement is Mostly Sand
• 1 Corinthians 134-8a
• April 25 - AM

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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.

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Introduction

• In previous lessons in this series
• Statistics
• Communication
• Submission
• Today last in this series What can hold a
  marriage together?

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Marriage is empty without love

• 1 Corinthians 131-3 - 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.

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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

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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 525
• Wives Titus 24

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Here is the RecipeTo Hold a Marriage Together

• Longsuffering

• In simple language put up with
• Be patient with their faults, slights, neglects

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Here is the RecipeTo Hold a Marriage Together

• Longsuffering
• Kind

• After you have put up with endured suffered
  long
• You must now be kind!

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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

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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
• Dont allow yourself to be preoccupied with
  self-gratification

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Here is the RecipeTo Hold a Marriage Together

• 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

• Love lasts

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What marriages need

• NOT more sand
• Dont 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

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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