“Love’s Highest Request”

I Corinthians 13:4-8, 11/05/05

Wedding ceremony of Ling-Long and Borwen Lin

Sermon by Rev. Mao Translated by Evelyn Lee

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Why do we involve in the holy matrimony?

Why does a man need a wife? Elder Bo do you know how to spell the word: “wife” in English? Please spell the word “wife” and let every one hear it. The reason we need a wife is because we need some one to do W—Washing; I—IRONING; F—FOOD preparation; E—ENTERTAINMENT

Similarly, why does a woman need a husband? Ling-Long, would you spell the word “husband” and let every one hear it. The reason we need a husband is because: H— HOUSING: U—UNDERSTANDING, a uniting of hearts; S—SHARING, share our happiness as well as sadness; B—BUYING, buy something you desire with money; A—AND……; N—NEVER; D—DEMANDING, never ever demand too much.

As Christians, you need to accept that a holy matrimony is a“Covenant:’ it is not an agreement. An agreement is made for the benefit of both parties. It is used to protect both parties. Besides the tangible material

perceived by the sense of touch; it does not dig into one’s innermost feeling or affection. To dissolve an agreement it calls for signatures of both parties. Now let us look at the meaning of COVENANT. Covenant means commitment which is not only for both parties, both families, it is also for God. Covenant involves in a warm attachment of the hearts, the uniting of both lives, entering into a relationship where your heart is easily wounded by the other party.

Regardless of your past. Today you are standing in front of God conducting this wedding ceremony, I hope when you walk out of here, you will use your second half of your life to understand what Paul said, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”. 2 Corinthians 5:17. I think these words bring you new meaning, new understanding and new acceptance. And I would like you to perceive the promise this brings you. Again Paul said, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

In a Christian’s outlook of intrinsic value, the highest and final goal is neither well-being nor happiness. To pursue the knowledge of God should be our final goal and enriching blessing. Therefore, the most important thing is to walk in the will of God.

To achieve a happy and joyful marriage, the four categories in the scripture reading for to-day, you need to learn them with all your strength and your entire mind. They are extremely difficult to learn but when you learn one category, your relationship will be raised up to the next level. You will break the bondage of your heart. It will give you an everlasting marriage and unfailing love.

These four categories are: “It always protects, and encompassing; it always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.”

The four categories will take you to a peaceful and harmonious marriage. I hope you will do this, and then you will enjoy the best of marriage. Your life on earth is the life in heaven.

The superior of good is best. The four letters in BEST will demonstrate a relationship of an intimate and close union of the hearts.

B—BLESSING. The holy matrimony is God’s blessing. It involves with three things: “Praise, graceful words and prayers.” Through the continuous praise and graceful words and earnest prayers, you will reach the best of marriage.

E—EDIFICATION. The edification from each other includes three things: “Instruction, enlightenment, and improvement and transformation.” From the encouragement and continuous learning and growing together, you will reach the best of marriage.

S—SHARING. A marriage is a sharing, a special sharing of our sorrows, troubles, and worries. A sorrow shared is a sorrow halved. You will reach the best of marriage.

T—TOUCHING. A marriage is a touching which includes physical, mental and spiritual closeness in order to reach the best of marriage.

There was an old wife asking her old husband, “If you can buy one car that you like the best in your entire life, after you buy it, you can not do any exchange, then how would you maintain this car?

The old husband excitedly answered, “I would use the best motor oil, do timely car maintenance, and wash it often and, of course drive it very carefully…….”

Then the old wife asked the old husband, “If in your entire life, you can only get one wife and not able to change for another woman, how would you treat her?”

The old husband was blushing, he understood what his old wife was talking about, and he hugged his old wife and said, “I know what I should be doing from now on.”