Terry and Betty’s Diamond Wedding Anniversary

Terry and Betty’s Diamond Wedding Anniversary      March 18, 2017

We have come here today to celebrate with Terry and Betty and to give thanks to God for their faithfulness that began with their marriage 60 years ago on March 22, 1957. 

I am going to ask each of you, how did you meet and what did you think about the other person at the time, if you remember. 

What do you say to a couple who have been together for 60 years – when Charlene and I will be married for just for 50 years.  (Newly Weds)   

In your long marriage, you both are there to support and cherish one another and the two of you have become one flesh. 

Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." 

Genesis 2:21-22 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.  (22)  Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 

Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 

Mark 10:6-9 But from the beginning of the creation, God 'Made them male and female.'  (7)  'for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,  (8)  and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.  (9) Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." 

Malachi 2:14-15 Yet you say, "For what reason?" Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant.  (15)  But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. 

You belonged to one another. You are a part of each other, one flesh, literally.  This idea of being one flesh means that you were united in all things, that they shared all things in common and that they were so close that they had as much concern for each other as they did for themselves. 

This verse echoes this idea of belonging to one another. 

1 Corinthians 7:3-4 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.  (4)  The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 

When we wed we no longer belong to ourselves, we no longer have complete control over our bodies but instead we give our bodies to each other as gifts. Paul was speaking about sex in this context but the principle applies in more than just that area. We belong to each other when married. 

Our concern for each other should be as great as our concern for ourselves because our mate is actually a part of us. 

That is how God created us to be, part of each other, a unit, inseparable, dedicated to meeting each other’s needs. That is what God had in mind.   

This is what you both have done. What is wonderful is that for Terry and Betty, their marriage vows have meant a lot to them. 

They have been through thick and thin together – working together to build a better life together

They have the most important thing in a long marriage that is the presence of God. 

By both of your examples, we can see this. You both have committed all your problems and share your joys with Jesus our Lord in prayer and service.  

Colossians 2:6-7 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,  (7)  rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.  (10)  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.  (11)  Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?  (12)  Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 

It is inspiring to see that you want to involve Jesus in all you both do, of life together.   

By your example, you both show you have good communication between you two, and have the ability to recognize your mistakes and say sorry quickly to resolve your conflicts and having a very close friendship, meaning you like each other’s company. 

Investing 60 years in a loving relationship with one person is a wonderful statement about the gift of married life. 

60 years.  

Much transpires in 60 years—particularly for a husband and wife who have built a life together. 

Consider some of these that happen in 1957 

·      President: Dwight D. Eisenhower

·      Life expectancy: 69.5 years

·      Federal spending:   $76.58 billion

·      Federal debt:   $272.3 billion

·      Cost of a first-class stamp:   $0.03

·      Average Cost of new house $12,220.00

·      Average Monthly Rent $90.00

·      Average Yearly Wages $4.550.00

·      Cost of a gallon of Gas 24 cents

·      Bacon per pound 60 cents

·      Eggs per dozen 28 cents

·      West Side Story debuts on Broadway and brings violence to the stage.

·      Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS, ushering in an era of television shows that depict the ideal American.

·      Temporary artificial heart invented

·      Internal pacemaker invented 

Number 1 and 2 songs for 1957

1	Elvis Presley	All Shook Up
2	Pat Boone	Love Letters In The Sand

Oh, how time flies.  Life is like a vapor 

James 4:14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 

In the Bible, there are 2 psalms that speak to this—the stages of married life. They are found in the Psalms of Ascent. I’m referring to Psalm 127 and Psalm 128. 

Terry and Betty, you two have done something many individuals have not done; you have made, established and focus your marriage life on our Lord and Creator, Jesus.   

Then the first stage of a marriage is: 

1. The Establishment of the Home 

Psalm 127:1-2 A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.  (2)  It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. 

Terry and Betty established their home on this very day 60 years ago—March 22, 1957.  

What was your very first place you lived. 

2. Then the Expansion of the Home 

Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.  (4)  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth.  (5)  Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. 

In these verses we find the home expanding—children are being added, then grandchildren and now great grandchildren. 

I especially like what verse 3 says about children: children are a reward from God.  And that’s how you two viewed your children—as a reward from God. Now, I dare say there were times when you wanted to return the reward! But all in all, I’m sure they viewed them as God’s gift—His reward. 

Paul tells us about marriage 

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 

Proverbs 18:22  He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD. 

I read what one young husband said about his new wife:  “I asked her to marry me, not because I have found someone I can live with - but because I have found someone I cannot live without” 

Terry and Betty, you both have been through thick and thin together, trials and happiness: working together to build a better life together with Jesus in the center of their marriage. 

May you both be blessed to have another 60 years of marriage.

.

 

Gospel of Mark 2:8-14

Gospel of Mark 2:8-14                          March 11, 2017 

Let’s go to: 

Mark 2:8  But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, "Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?  

Jesus had the power of God in forgiving the man’s sins, then Jesus proceeded to heal the Paralytic man. 

(9)  Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise, take up your bed and walk'? 

Jesus is implying there is no different saying sins forgiven and take your bed and walk. 

Jesus asked the which is easier question to demonstrate the truth of His claim to forgive the man's sins—something only God can accomplish.  

Anyone could assert the ability to forgive sins, since there was no earthly way of confirming the statement. But to say arise, take up your bed and walk to a paralytic could be tested immediately by whether he walked or not. 

By healing the paralytic, Jesus made His pronouncement of forgiveness far more credible. 

So reasoned within themselves”: did not say anything, only in their minds 

Jesus knew their thoughts. 

Psalms 94:11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile. 

Psalms 139:2  You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. 

This question was put to them by Christ, in order to prove his deity, and clear himself from the charge of blasphemy; for he that could cure the sick of the palsy, by a spoken word, had power to forgive him his sins: and therefore proposes it to them, which was easiest to say, 

Only God can heal and forgive sins. These actions are equally impossible to men. However, a person cannot verify his claim to forgive sins, but his claim to be able to heal paralytic is verifiable. The scribes therefore assumed that the claim to heal paralytic was the greater one.  One way is visible, the other is in their thoughts 

(10)  But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"—He said to the paralytic,   

He said to the paralytic: This remarkable comment in the middle of the sentence occurs also in Matthew 9:6 and Luke 5:24,  

Suggesting that both Matthew and Luke followed Mark’s narrative. 

Jesus chose to do what they considered harder to show that He could also do what they considered easier. 

Jesus claims the power to forgive sins.- authority 

This is Mark's first use of the title "Son of Man."  

Son of man”: Title used 14X times in Mark’s Gospel; 80X in the Gospels.  

Jesus used the title "Son of Man" when He spoke of His sufferings and death (9:9-13, 31; 10:33, 45; 14:21, 41).  

Mark 8:31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 

He also used it when speaking of His future return in glory (13:26, 32; 14:62).  

Mark 8:38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." 

He used this title to blend the concepts of the Suffering Servant and the Messiah in His listeners' minds.  

It also connected and identified Him with mankind as the Son of Man. Still, He was the Man with "authority on earth to forgive sins,"  

Jesus now performs the miracle of healing which all could see, that all could know that he really had the authority and power to forgive sins 

(11)  "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house."   

I say to you:  here is another example of a command by Jesus,  

Arise, take up your bed and walk to a paralytic could be tested immediately by whether he walked or not. By healing the paralytic, Jesus made His pronouncement of forgiveness far more credible.  

Jesus command him to arise from his bed, in which he was brought on and take it up upon his shoulders, directly, and in the face of all the people, carry it away: 

go to your house; to show himself whole to his family and friends, and go about his business; 

take up your bed, and walking home with it, was designed to prove to people that he was completely cured. 

Realistically, He had to take his bed along because he was not going to need it here anymore.  There was not much room left inside the house. 

(12)  Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"   

And immediately he arose and left them all: the Scribes and Pharisees, and the whole multitude of the people, who were eyewitnesses of this wonderful cure: or "against them all"; for him being strong and robust, he made his way through the crowd, with his bed on his back; 

All amazed: at the power of Christ, and the strength of the man: 

People glorified God: saying, we never saw it on this fashion; or anything like this in our days. They realize this could never be done by any mere man; they therefore attribute it to God 

Presence of them all:  A hint that this account comes from an eye-witness.

They were all amazed, etc. Matthew, ‘feared;’ Luke combines all three, and tells that the man also glorified God. 

Luke 5:26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today!" 

The impression produced was a very powerful one, and the emotions were of a mixed character: wonder, gratitude, and fear.  Reality of it, he was healed right in front of their eyes. 

The crowd's reaction showed that they understood the significance of Jesus' miracle. It is possible that some scribes and Pharisees joined in the praise. 

They had witnessed something that neither they nor anyone else had ever seen. No one had ever given evidence of forgiving the sins of someone else.  

This was a strong testimony to Jesus' deity. However, from the reaction of the observers, most of them apparently marveled at the physical miracle but did not worship Jesus as God. 

Impressive for the moment, but forgotten a day later as we will see. 

Why is this that Jesus did, important and a very big deal, it is the connection between sin and disease. 

This has always been a problem in our minds as Christians.  

Let’s look at an example. 

John 9:1-3 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.  (2)  And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"  (3)  Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 

I do not think Jesus caused this man to be born blind, but we do live in this life, because there are time and chance that happens to each one of us.  

We may think that if we are sick, we did something wrong or some type of sin.  We know that it is not God’s will that we be sick or this person be blind.   

3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 

It is wrong to try to find some link between some diseases and sin.  Because we know that time and chance is given and happen to all of us. 

**But allowing something to happen and/or causing something to happen are two different things. 

Luke 13:3-5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.  (4)  Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?  (5)  I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." 

The point is this, some people die to their sin, and some can go on for a while in their sins, but sooner or later, the results of the sin will catch up with us. 

We know, all of us, have sin, sin does things to us and we suffer the results of our own errors and the errors of others.  This is what free moral agency all about. (car wreck, children running into street) 

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of   God, 

James 5:14-15 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  (15)  And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 

If, either he committed sins or someone else cause it. 

We believers do suffer with sickness, illness, and/or disease in this life, with the knowledge that we will be glorify at our change.   At that time, we will no longer care about sickness.  

We all have sin and in need of forgiveness. 

As a Christian, we have something that a non-Christian does not have. 

We have guardian angels (many).  Jesus angels continually watch over us. 

Matthew 18:10 "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 

Psalms 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. 

Psalms 91:11-12 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.  (12)  In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. 

Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? 

Jesus Calls Levi 

(13)  Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them.   

This was the Sea of Galilee 

The multitude came to him: Those who had been with him at Peter's house, and about the door, and those who could not get near him: 

Jesus went to smell the fresh air by the sea and to get away from the people.  . But it was not long till all the crowd began to come to Jesus and he begin teaching them, the Kingdom of God and about Himself.  

The call of Levi as one of Jesus' disciples was the setting for the second instance of opposition from the religious leaders that Mark recorded in this section. 

(14)  As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him.   

Capernaum was an important city because the city was the landing-place for the many ships which went across the lake or the land route from town to town 

Jesus saw Levi the son of Alphaeus. Used his Matthew (Levi) name after his calling from Jesus and became the apostle and writer of one of the Gospels, but now a publican, a customs official, was Jewish.  

The Jews hated tax collectors. They had a reputation for taking more than they needed in order to add to their own wealth and especially collected taxes for Rome and collected toll for Herod Antipas. 

The Jews classified them with sinners.  When a Jew entered the customs service he was regarded as an outcast from society: he was disqualified as a judge or a witness in a court session and was excommunicated from the synagogue, and in the eyes of the community his disgrace extended to his family. 

As Jesus walked past the tax office, place where the taxes was received, Jesus said to Levi, Follow me.  Matthew was sitting at the toll-gate on the Great West Road from Damascus to the Mediterranean. What did Matthew do, he arose and followed Him. 

The challenge of Jesus was sudden and sharp, but Levi (Matthew) was ready to respond at once. He had heard of Jesus and quickly decided.  

It is interesting on how Great decisions are often made on a moment’s notice.  He knew he had burned his bridges and he could never go back.  

Luke 5:28 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him. 

Why could Matthew do a detailed wording (word for word) of Jesus words, because tax collectors had to be skilled in short-hand writing. 

Short-hand writer or ready writer was used by Kings of Israel. 

Psalms 45:1 My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.