What really excites me is to see two people who love each other and who love Jesus - who are brought together by God - to be married - and to serve Him. And this is why I’ve read the passage from Colossians that I did. Because there are two things that Paul writes about that I want to encourage you with this afternoon.

First, he writes to those who have trusted Jesus as their Lord and Savior - and he says, “As those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved...”

And this is you two - you are chosen of God - you are His holy ones - set apart by Him - and beloved - He has loved you so much that He has given His Son Jesus to die on a cross so that you can know His love - and have your sins forgiven - and live in His love.

And God has chosen to give you the capacity to love each other - He has brought you to this day - through all the years that you have known each other - and given you to each other in marriage.

Let me encourage you to always remember this - God has chosen you - by His love - for each other. Take a good look at each other - _____, God has chosen _____ for you. _____, God has chosen _____ for you.

Someone once said that marriage is “Choosing to sleep in a bed that’s too hot with someone in a room that’s too cold.” Think about that.

There are all kinds of pressures and difficulties and temptations and struggles which attack a marriage - ask anyone here who is married and they’ll tell you that marriage is work - and there are times when we wonder if that work is worth it.

What is a bedrock of strength and reassurance is to know that God - has - in love - brought you to together to be married. Never doubt His loving intentions for you - and in times of struggle - lovingly remind each other of His love and choosing for you.

The second encouragement I want to share with you is what Paul means when he says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

To do “all in the name of the Lord Jesus” is to live within His purpose for our lives.

This question is really important: “What is God’s purpose for our marriage?” “Why did He bring us together?”

God has a tremendous future for you. Today we can only imagine and dream about the future. I want to really stress this - this afternoon - as you begin marriage together - let me encourage you to seek God’s purpose for your marriage.

Lack of purpose is one of the greatest areas of marital failure, disunion, and divorce. And, the purpose of glorifying God is one of the greatest glues which can bond, strengthen, protect, and preserve marriage.

So many marriages fail after a very short period of time - 1 to 2 years - or after a long period of time - 30 to 40 years - for the exact same reason: The couple simply no longer has a reason to stay married. NO PURPOSE = NO MARRIAGE.

We’re constantly tempted to fill our marriages with purposes which don’t stand the test of time: having and raising kids - companionship - sex - co-dependency - whatever. The kids leave - the house is suddenly big and empty. Put any temporal purpose for marriage into the equation and when the purpose is taken away, the marriage is in trouble.

The one purpose for marriage which cannot be diminished by the changing circumstances of our lives is that of a Christian couple which is focused on the priority of glorifying God.

What is God’s purpose for your marriage? He chosen and brought you here in love - Why?

How can you know God’s purpose for your marriage? Well, on your 75th wedding anniversary we’ll all probably be able to look back and say, “Heh, that was it!”  But, today, you’ve got a lifetime ahead of you to discover and enjoy it. Let me just share one word to help you get started: Priority.

Give God priority - as individuals - and in your marriage and you will find His purpose for you.

1. Give God the first part of each day.  (Mark 1:35)
2. Give God the first day of each week.  (1 Corinthians 16:2; Hebrews 10:23-25)
3. Give God the first portion of your income.  (Proverbs 3:9; Mark 12:41-44)
4. Give God the first consideration in every decision.  (Matthew 6:33)
5. Give Jesus first place in your heart always.  (2 Corinthians 8:5)