Hitch
This Sunday we are beginning a new series of messages at NewSpring entitled “Hitch.” There is a ton of excitement about this series—especially among our staff.
Why a series on singleness and dating you ask?
I heard the other day that 66% of all couples that get married this year will either get separated or divorced. SIXTY SIX PERCENT!
Is this what God had in mind when He created man and woman and instituted marriage? I don’t think so! Marriage is under attack in the world today…and statistics show that the divorce rate among people who claim to be Christians is just as high as the rate among non-Christians.
One of the reasons I believe this is true is because the church has remained silent on the subject for too long. I have not heard of many ministries that tackle this subject head on. Many times I feel like pastors think they can talk about the Tabernacle in the desert and hope that out of that people can get something that may apply to their dating life.
But we are going to take a different approach…I promise, the tough issues will be addressed. We will talk about sex before marriage, living together before you are married, dating someone who isn’t a Christian, and a ton of other stuff as well.
We will also talk about what the Bible says regarding sex between a husband and a wife, going where some speakers fear to go—The Song of Solomon. (For those who think this book is a metaphor of Christ and His love for the church—uh, sorry, you’re wrong! This is a book about a married man and woman enjoying the gift that God has given!!!)
Now the married people may be wondering, “Well, why should I come—I’ve already been through the dating process.” Let me give you a few reasons…
#1 - The singles sit through the sermons on marriage and learn—the opposite can be true for you. I do not want to be the church that forgets single people—and we won’t!
#2 - Some people that are married may need to learn how to date their spouse—just because you stood before a pastor, took vows, and now live in the same house does not mean that there is an abundance of romance in the home.
#3 - God’s Word will be taught in a bold and uncompromising way. Scripture works—period, and no one who applies Biblical principles to their dating life or marriage will fail—NO ONE! And for those who think the Bible has nothing to say about our society today—you are in for a HUGE surprise.
#4 - If you are a parent then one day you will have to talk to your kids about sex, love, and dating. Let me be honest—many parents stink at this! Trust me, I was in youth ministry for nearly a decade. It amazes me that there are parents that are bold at work—they bark commands, they fire people, they make sure the right things get done…and then they come home and cower before their teenager because they don’t have the courage to stand up to them and declare what is right and wrong when it comes to dating.
That’s about it! Pray for us as we begin this series…and invite people—I promise you that this Sunday you will see and hear things that you have never seen and heard before in church!
And for those who may not attend NewSpring but want to hear the messages—you can go to our website here and download them for FREE anytime after lunch on Monday.