TITLE:
Get her for me
TEXT:
Judges 14:1-3
PROPOSITION:
Marriage is more important than physical
attraction.
QUESTION:
What?
KEY WORD:
Ingredients
SCRIPTURE READING:
Same
INTRODUCTION:
Survey in Hamilton County (Chattanooga) – called “First Things First” – reported in Chattanooga Times, November 25, 2003
Hamilton County residents ranked the most important priorities as part of the State of the Family 2003 report:
Family Faith
Children Career / Work
Health Money / Finance
Hobbies / Leisure Getting ahead in life
Marriage / Spouse School
54% believe that if the traditional family unit falls apart, the stability of American society will collapse.
70% believe the typical marriage today is weaker than the typical marriage 30 years ago.
69% agree that children who are raised in a home with both their natural parents will grow up to be more stable emotionally than children raised by one parent.
What are the Biblical ingredients for marriage?
Background
Samson saw a woman of the Philistines and liked what he saw.
He knew it was a violation of the law.
He just liked what he saw and said, “Get her for me.”
What are the ingredients for marriage?
Commitment – Intent
May begin with or without a ceremony
Marriage cannot begin without a commitment
Genesis 2:21-25
Genesis 29:16-20
Ceremony – Public Announcement
There is no ceremony recorded in the Bible
All parts of the typical ceremony are taught in the Bible.
John 2:1-2 – Feast, friends, family, picture in the paper
Wedding rings – marriage license
Law of the state
Obey the law – Romans 13:1-4
Blood tests, age limits, applications fees, waiting periods
Annulment – Fraud, already married, false pretenses, avoid prosecution, avoid deportation
Conclusion:
Samson just saw the physical attraction.
Judge Judy book – “Beauty Fades; Dumb is Forever”
What happens to a marriage when age changes the physical beauty?