God has designed marriage as a life long partnership. His desire is to create in you a union of heart, mind, and body for your mutual joy - for comfort - for strength in the midst of whatever circumstances of life lay ahead of you - a relationship of prayer and nurture in the knowledge and love or the Lord - a partnership which glorifies Him. Maybe He’ll give you children. That’s an interesting picture - little _____’s and _____’s running around.

So, marriage is not to be entered into lightly - but reverently - thoughtfully - prayerfully - according to the purposes for which it was created by God. And that’s what I’d like to challenge you with tonight.

Its not by chance that you’re standing here. Its because God has brought you together - a man from Fresno - a woman from Iran - via Spain - via L.A. - via Mexico - via San Francisco - who but God could have planned that? To be here - in love - starting together as husband and wife.

With this in mind - we’ve read these words, “You are the light of the world....Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

This world needs couples like you - to shine for Jesus. We live in a society where children kill children. Where morals are relative. Belief is subjective. Love is selfish. Marriage is a short term contract. God is purposefully ignored. We live in a society of confusion - despair - and darkness. There is a tremendous need for couples - for marriages and homes that will shine the light of Jesus Christ into the darkness of this world.

Both of you have come to a point in your lives when you’ve put your trust in Jesus as your Savior. And that means that God has given you a completely different type of life than that of the world in which we live. God has forgiven your sin. He’s given you an eternal relationship with Him. He gives you His strength - His hope - His wisdom to live out every day and every circumstance of your lives.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12) The light that shines in you and through you is is the light of our Savior Jesus Christ. God has called you - together - to testify of the difference that He’s given you - to shine for Him.

You’ve talked and prayed together about serving God as missionaries - on the mission field somewhere - out there. Tonight, I’d like to challenge you to begin here. This is the mission field. Before you go out there someplace find out why He’s brought you here together.

You’ve each been gifted by the Holy Spirit. You have strengths - abilities - unique perspectives and personalities that you’re bringing into the your marriage. How does God want to work all that together in service to Him?

Take advantage of every opportunity God gives you now to grow in Him - to serve Him - to become effective partners in ministry for Him.

Bottom line - in what I’d like to share with you tonight is to always remember that God has brought you together as husband and wife. He has a purpose for your marriage - and that is to glorify Him.

The more God is the center of your marriage - the deeper your relationship and commitment to Him - the more He will bless you - the stronger He will bind you together - the brighter you will shine for Him.