I was told by several people that I shouldn’t tell any lawyer jokes tonight. So, I’m going to restrain myself - and keep myself out of trouble. But - when it comes to marriage - and relationships - there would be a significant reduction in litigation if people knew and practiced real love.

Today, we have pre-nuptial agreements - post-nuptial agreements - mid-nuptial agreements. People are scared. Marriage which is intended by God for joy and happiness - for mutual support and openness - has become a place of fear and mistrust - because real love is absent. Today, people love because of what they can get - not because of what they can give.

The Bible defines love by saying that “God is love.” (1 John 1:8). If we want to know what real love is then we need to look at God - He is the source and definition of love.

The Apostle John writes and says, “This is how God showed His love for us; He sent His only Son into the world that we might have life through Him. This is what love is: it is not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the means by which our sins are forgiven.” (1 John 4:9,10)

God doesn’t just talk about love - He acts in love. Before we ever loved God - or were capable of loving God - He loved us - and gave Himself for us on the cross - dying in our place for our sins - so that we could know His love. God’s love is sacrificial - committed to those undeserving of His love - and limited only by our rejection of His love.

_____ and _____ - as your family and friends - it is our desire that you experience this type of love together - sacrificial - committed - love. This is the kind of love that Paul writes about when he says, “The greatest of these is love.”

In a minute we are going to move up together to the alter and you are going to exchange vows of commitment and rings as symbols of that commitment - and you will be pronounced husband and wife. Let me encourage you - as you come to be married - purpose to allow God to be the center of your marriage.

Do everything you can to understand His love for you and how you can be channels of His love toward each other. Pray together and seek His guidance. Spend time together studying the Bible. Fellowship and worship with other believers.

If you allow God to shape your love for each other - then you will experience what so many people desire but never find - real love. And God’s blessing and fulfillment in your marriage.