Philippians 4:8-10 (CEB)

“From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise. Practice these things: whatever you learned, received, heard, or saw in us. The God of peace will be with you. I was very glad in the Lord because now at last you have shown concern for me again. “

Yesterday we celebrated the marriage of Mr. & Mrs. Lemuel and Marianne Rirao. Today we come as a community of faith to give thanks to God for the new beginning of their family. Let me invite you then meditate on the Words of God in (Philippians 4:8-10Common English Bible )

There are several things that are true, excellent, admirable, lovely and worthy in the life of this couple as they start their marriage journey. Let us consider some of them and give thanks to God for making available as ingredient of their marriage life.

I am sure that the following important things will become good and very important ingredients that Lemuel and Marianne would use and practice as they journey together in life.

Friendship.

First of all, the fathers of both Lemuel and Marianne were close childhood friends. This mean then that as Lemuel and Marianne start their marriage journey together they have a very strong and solid support from their parents. Any differences that may come later on the support of their families could be talk together as friends.

Secondly, I know that Lemuel and Marianne friends first before they became lovers. This is a very important ingredient in marriage life. It is like a glue paste that bound them together through thick and thin.

Hear the description of the Hebrew Scriptures about friends:

“A friend is always loyal: Prov. 17:17

“A real friend sticks closer than a brother” Prov. 18:24

When husband and wife are friends, they can settle their differences and all things in a civilized and friendly way, like responding to each other with the thought for the welfare of the other party.

Not all lovers are friendly. I have seen married couples who fight like cats and dogs, as if they are not husband and wife. They maybe lovers but not friends.

This ingredient of friendship should not only be between husband and wife but they should also be friends with God. Here in the Christian Scripture, Abraham was called in James 2:23 as “friend of God.” As a friend of God Abraham was always faithful and obedient to God’s direction, no matter what happens. For that Abraham was called righteous and a friend of God.

Faith.

Let us also thank God that both Lemeul and Marianne are Christians, not only that both are members of The United Methodist Church. Faith in each other and faith in God can hold them together for the next fifty years.

Their faith for each other and their faith in God will be so interlinked in their lives that it will so influenced their plans and decisions, Yes, I will assure you that their faith in God will beautifully shape the family they will be building and influence the children God will bestow upon them.

I believe so much that this ingredient of life can make so much difference in their lives that I decided to gift two books: The Power of a Praying Wife” to Marianne, and “The Power of a Praying Husband” to Lemuel.

Love.

Of course love brings the spices of marriage relationship. Being lovers, will gave them both the joy of life that will make their individual sacrifices not a burden but light, their responsibilities not a work but opportunities to show care and concern for each other. Being friends make accept each other, being lovers make them enjoy each other’s presence.

One young man who committed suicide wrote: “Nobody loves me; nobody cares.” No wonder Jesus said: “This is my commandment: love each other” (John 15:17). I am sure that your love for each other today Marianne and Lemuel are on fire. Let me warn you that time and the rigors of life may reduce the fire and strength of your love for each others, The Word of God to the church of Ephesus “I have this against you have forsaken your first lover, so I challenge you recover your first love ” Rev. 2:5.

Love is express and manifested on the following expression of life: (1 Cor. 13:4 (CEB)

Patient kind isn’t jealous, doesn’t brag,

not arrogant, not jealous not rude, not irritable, truthful humble Merciful Endures

hopeful Does not keep a record of complaints

Lemuel and Marianne grow in love for each other, for love is the oil that makes the machinery of relationship runs more smoothly.

Partnership.

Lemuel and Marianne, remember that you are partners in working and ensuring that your marriage and family life will succeed.

Be partners in the decision making for your family. Be partners in building your home. Be partners in supporting the financial and material needs of your family and be partners .in giving education to your children.

Your partnership should go went beyond these things. You should be partner with God and consulted him and entrust to him your plans, your decisions, your dreams and the management of your business and or your profession.

When you love God, consider him as your friend, and taken him as your partner in life; your family will always look up to him in faith, talk to him in prayer, walk together with him to face the challenges of life with faith and hope that the best is yet to come.

Now remember too, that when you accepted him as your savior, your Lord and when you joined his church you promised to be His partner in building His kingdom.

Let me remind also the Rirao and Betanio family that yesterday your two family were joined together in partnership to help, support, pray and with all you can contribute to the success of the journey for your children: Lemuel and Marianne.

Let us celebrate and thank God for His goodness by giving to Lemuel and Marianne these ingredients of: friendship, faith, love, partnership, to make their life’s journey wonderful and happy in the years to come. Amen.

(July 13, 2014)