A Moment with Pastor Fred
Today Susan and I are in Oley, PA. We spoke at a marriage conference for Scott Alison yesterday. HBC is Scott’s home church – he served as our intern three summers before seminary. He’s asked me to preach on marriage too this morning. It’s a joy to have Phil Dufrin here filling the pulpit. Please give him a good welcome.
Sue and I celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary this past summer. We are humbled by God’s grace to us. Our marriage isn’t perfect. We’re just two sinners seeking to live out the gospel day by day. Over the years we have learned some lessons. Here are a few adapted from the Sermon on the Mount that I recently read and appreciated.
- Take care in how you build your home. Matt 7:24
- Guard your fidelity with vigilance. Matt 5:8
- Correct each other in humility. Matt 5:5
- Don’t murder each other (our hateful words are murder). Matt 5:9
- Delight to forgive each other. Matt 5:7
- Cover your marriage in prayer. Matt 7:7.
Marriage is a call for greater sanctification.
I also want to challenge couples in the area of romance too. I spoke on the Song of Solomon yesterday. Husbands, be appropriately affectionate with your wife in the presence of your children. It’s okay if they know the spark is still alive. It’s good if they occasionally say “oh gross” you when briefly kiss. Never disrespect your spouse or speak discourteously to or about them in public. If you need counsel about your marriage, speak to a godly friend in a way that respects your spouse’s dignity.
May our marriages shine for God’s glory.