I would like to share a few verses with you from Colossians 3 - verses 12-17.

Colossians 3:12-17: And so,as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word of deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

There are three words I’d like you to keep in mind: CHOSEN, HOLY, and BELOVED.

In Colossians 3 the Apostle Paul writes to those who have been CHOSEN of God. Do you remember how they used pick teams in school - lining up - with two team captains - and then they would alternate choices - choosing up sides. It was miserable being one of the last one’s chosen - unpopular - unwanted.

God says - “I want you on My team. I choose you!” You’re the first string - chosen of God. In Armenian "nuhshanal" is to “mark” - a mark of ownership or identification. A "nuhshanadz" person is an “engaged” person - someone who’s marked - identified with their fiancé or fiancée.

Tonight is a confirmation of what you already realize is true - God has chosen you for each other. He’s put you into a unique - exclusive - relationship. Your coming together is a part of His plan for your lives.

God got you two together. There’s something humbling about that. Neither of you is more clever - or wiser - than the other - or God.

God chose you - why? Tonight, let me encourage you to find out. Marriage works best when both partners spend their lifetime seeking to understand and live out God’s plan for their life together.

Second, Paul says that you are HOLY - which means that God desires to have a special type of relationship with you.

During this time of the year we’re celebrating the birth of Jesus. God who so loves us - that He came - and lived with us - and died on the cross for us - He paid with His blood - the cost of our sin which separates us from a relationship with God. God - through Jesus - makes it possible for us to have a relationship with Him.

Both of you have decided to trust in Jesus as your Savior. That means that your relationship with each other is also a relationship with God.

Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it....”

Let God build your home together. Use this time of engagement to develop your relationship together in Jesus. Pray together - study God’s word together - worship together - seek His wisdom together - serve Him together.

Third, you are BELOVED of God.

God values us. Imagine that - God so loves _____ that He gave His only Son to die to establish a relationship with him. God so loved _____ that He gave His only Son to die to establish a relationship with her. God calls us His children - heirs of His Kingdom.

That’s the kind of value God gives to each of you. When you look at each other - no matter what the circumstances - or the topic of “discussion” - think about how valuable that person is - value beyond anything you can imagine. In everything you do - learn to treat each other as persons of incredible value.

Marriage is like a pressure cooker. I don’t know if people use these anymore - a cooking pot with a lid that clamps down tight. The ingredients are put in - the lid is clamped down - the heat is turned up - inside the pressure builds up. Put the wrong ingredients in and you’ve got a major messy explosion on your hands.

Marriage is like that. Put the wrong ingredients in and there’s major problems. Put the right ingredients in and you’ve got a great partnership for life. Engagement is a time to plan your marriage not just a wedding - to put the right ingredients into the pot.

Tonight, let me encourage you to use this time of preparation wisely. God has CHOSEN you - find out why. He has made you to be HOLY - unique - learn to put Him first in your relationship. You are BELOVED of God - learn to value each other as God values each of you.