I like to think I was blessed with a fairy tale love story. I met my wife, Charis, standing in the registration line in high school. I followed around with her on campus all registration day, asked her to homecoming, and the rest is history. I think God knew I would need her! We dated for 8 years before we got married, but before my Dad would give me his blessing to even propose to her, he wanted me to read a book- it was called "The Meaning of Marriage" by Tim Keller. I recommend it to anyone who would like to read a Biblical perspective on marriage.
Why that book? Because it tells the story of the true meaning of marriage. Just like our text for this Sunday. Now, I want to give you a couple notes for tomorrow, and a couple ways I'd like you to prepare.
Ephesians 5:22-33. This is a difficult text. I'm not preaching on the chosen text because it makes me happy to do so. I wouldn't even say I'm excited to do it. And that's weird for me. What I am is determined. Why? On the God side, it's because I made an oath to him on my ordination day that I would teach all of God's Word. I am honoring him in doing this. We all do when we preach or receive what he says faithfully. On the congregational, receiving side of this, though, I can add this: often, the most difficult things in life are the very things that are most necessary and saving. This is one of those things.
Why this kind of introductory comment? Read the chosen text from Ephesians. I want you to know what's coming. I'm guessing you'll know what will be difficult immediately. Also, I was hoping you could get a sense of my tone and approach on this. I plan to be honest: to God, about this Word, about our life today, and about the questions that I sense you will bring with you to worship - all of it. It is my prayer that, by the end of it, we'll be wrapped up in the mystery of a God who loves us so.
