Cling to Christ, Our Hope and Peace

This is an edited transcript from a sermon excerpt. Watch the excerpt. Watch the sermon.

During this time of pandemic, I recognize that marriage and singleness have probably been difficult. Being at home tends to bring to the surface many weaknesses, insecurities, and shame. 

For Those Who Are Married

For the married couples who perhaps lost that romantic spark in their relationship, you now come face to face with each other when you're away from your normally busy lives. And it's been a long time since you had a deep conversation. It’s not that you don't like each other, but it's just not the same as it used to be. We desire physical and emotional intimacy with our lifelong partner. And perhaps, because you're at home, you realize that there's this coldness and you don't know how to address it. You don't know how to express it because you feel ashamed. You're afraid to show your weakness. 

I want to encourage you to realize that physical intimacy with your spouse is indeed a good thing that honors God. I want to encourage you not to be like Adam and Eve, who after eating the forbidden fruit saw each other naked and immediately were ashamed. Realize that Christ has covered your shame with his blood. And Christ has given you a blanket of security to express your desires and your hopes to your spouse. Christ has freed you to pursue intimacy and purity in your marriage. 

For Those Who Are Single

For the singles, this pandemic has impacted your relationships, whether they be your friends, or whether it's from your dating life. And maybe you're at home and bouts of singleness have hit you. You come face to face with yourself, your own insecurities, wondering if you'll ever find true love. You may be thinking to yourself that something is wrong with you. And that pain hurts because you come face to face with a fear that you may never get married. 

I want to encourage you to realize that your singleness is not a mistake. It is a gift from God, that God has equipped you as singles and saved you for good works. But most of all, remember that God knows you better than you do. God sees all the shame you hold in your heart and yet he deems you worthy of His Son. He sent His Son to the cross to die for your sins. God loves you that much. Cling to Him. 

For Those Who Are Struggling

Finally, for those who may be in broken marriages, or difficult ones where you probably have a lot of regret. Perhaps with an unbelieving spouse, or maybe there's just a lot of arguments with them to the point where this marriage just doesn't feel Christ-like anymore. I can't imagine how hard this pandemic has been for you, to be at home with someone who may seem like a stranger to you. And you're not sure what to do. You're not sure who to turn to. And you're working hard just to keep your family together, and you're tired. And you feel too ashamed to share your heart struggles with anyone. 

I want to encourage you to know that Jesus knows your pain, and He desires to bring you peace. Jesus says, “Come to me all who labor and are heavy and heavy laden I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls.” Jesus is saying: “Learn from me.” Know His gentleness and lowliness and you will find rest. Learn Jesus Christ, who was betrayed by one of His closest friends, deserted by His disciples, nailed to the cross by His own people, and sacrificed by His own father -- so that you may have peace and rest in your own hearts. Jesus understands your pain and your brokenness.

The Church: The Family of Christ

More than that, when Jesus saved you, He has adopted you into a family, a church family. A family that’s not broken, but a family that’s united. Yes, it is a family that is full of sinners, but the head of the family is Christ. He unites us all together through his blood. We're not perfect. But we are held together by an undefiled, pure, and loving God. And it is here in the church, in the body of Christ, where you can find true security and rest for your soul. 

So church, all of us, whether we're married or single, wherever you're at in your stage of life, cling to Christ. He is our hope. He is our peace.