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
· 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.
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.
.
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