Thread: Is the Public Worship of God better than Your Wedding Day/Marriage?

Maybe I should ask the question: What do you desire more? To be married or to worship the Lord with the body of Christ?

I really wanted to say "I can't believe you are actually asking us to answer" but I didn't want to presume that you're not being serious.

This is a free country (well kinda), you don't HAVE to answer, at least on the PB, which is not been turned over to Socialism, at least I don't think.

Originally Posted by Romans922

This is a free country (well kinda), you don't HAVE to answer, at least on the PB, which is not been turned over to Socialism, at least I don't think.

You're thinking the same exact way THEY want you to think; Just like a frog that's being cooked in a slowly boiling pot.

I think it is a very strange question, but considering that my wedding day was a blur (due to nerves and excitement), I would have to say that the public worship of God would be my answer and actually SHOULD be the answer to the question.

I'll not assume you're one of those who think the Song of Songs isn't talking about what it's talking about.

If I had a choice between staying home three Sunday services in a row and finding and marrying a nice Christian lady I would miss the three Sunday services.

And I pity the poor woman who's husband or prospective mate would treat her like such trash than to say otherwise.

BUT......You might be saying "If someone put a gun to your head and made you choose between getting married or never going to church again in your life, which would you choose?" In that case, I would point out that choosing between things that don't have to be chosen between is silly.

BUT.......I could be missing the point of the question.

First, I can't believe you're asking the question...but than again I don't really get the point.

BUT...I'd choose the worship of God. That will be for eternity. I need the practice.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

bryan
tampa, fl
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I'll not assume you're one of those who think the Song of Songs isn't talking about what it's talking about.

If I had a choice between staying home three Sunday services in a row and finding and marrying a nice Christian lady I would miss the three Sunday services.

And I pity the poor woman who's husband or prospective mate would treat her like such trash than to say otherwise.

Agreed on all points. And I"m not the least bit ashamed or embarrassed to say that I will remember the day God joined us together stronger, more clearly, and with greater feeling than I will probably remember any occasion of public worship. Of course that is not to say I don't still hear excellent sermons and readings ringing in my head years after the fact...but the two don't compare.

What prompted this question? Just curious.

Would not marriage be a form of Worship for the Christian? I remember back to my wedding day 12 years ago and it was one of the best things to happen to me.

Originally Posted by Ivan

BUT...I'd choose the worship of God. That will be for eternity. I need the practice.

I also would like to add that, from the perspective of a man who is happily married and still reminisces about his wedding day, I (and my wife too) view Christ's relationship with his bride, the church, as the standard for my own marital relationship with my wife.

Ephesians 5:22-33

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Every Lord's Day, my wife and I are especially reminded of Christ's relationship with her bride, that he "gave himself up for her" and this bride submits herself to her Lord. Every Lord's Day, wherein we properly observe the public worship of God, I am reminded that Christ is my standard in my role as a husband and my wife is reminded that her being in a role of submission to her husband is nothing to be ashamed of but instead brings honor to her. That is why the public worship of God is more important to us. I can reminisce all I want about our wedding day but I sincerely believe that doing so will not strengthen our marriage more than the public worship of God does every week.

Originally Posted by historyb

Would not marriage be a form of Worship for the Christian? I remember back to my wedding day 12 years ago and it was one of the best things to happen to me.

It is but not a public form.

I don't know if it makes me an unbeliever or something, but I would much prefer to be married on some day than attend a service.

Gotta admit, it's a pretty weird question though.

Originally Posted by Berean

What prompted this question? Just curious.

Nothing really, just a thought in my head.

Originally Posted by Romans922

Originally Posted by historyb

Would not marriage be a form of Worship for the Christian? I remember back to my wedding day 12 years ago and it was one of the best things to happen to me.

It is but not a public form.

I might disagree with that because most are down in public with full Church services as such.

Originally Posted by TimV

I'll not assume you're one of those who think the Song of Songs isn't talking about what it's talking about.



And I pity the poor woman who's husband or prospective mate would treat her like such trash than to say otherwise.

BUT......You might be saying "If someone put a gun to your head and made you choose between getting married or never going to church again in your life, which would you choose?" In that case, I would point out that choosing between things that don't have to be chosen between is silly.

BUT.......I could be missing the point of the question.

OKAY, misinterpreting the OP (probably my fault), and Ben is misinterpreting this too, by saying

I would much prefer to be married on some day than attend a service.

This is about what is the greater of two blessings (contrary to the lesser of two evils). Is marriage a better blessing then the worship of God with God's people? This has nothing to do with what you'd want to do on a specific day. This has to do with what you view as more important in your life, I guess it would be a hypothetical question.

Chose between if you could get married or if you could worship publicly with God's people, what would you do? Maybe that is a better question.

If I had a choice between staying home three Sunday services in a row and finding and marrying a nice Christian lady I would miss the three Sunday services.

So are you saying that you would break the Lord's commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy, in order to find a spouse?

Originally Posted by Confessor

I don't know if it makes me an unbeliever or something, but I would much prefer to be married on some day than attend a service.

Gotta admit, it's a pretty weird question though.

I concur.

Oh. I must have misinterpreted as well. In that case I would choose worship. No contest.

Originally Posted by historyb

Originally Posted by Romans922

Originally Posted by historyb

Would not marriage be a form of Worship for the Christian? I remember back to my wedding day 12 years ago and it was one of the best things to happen to me.

It is but not a public form.

I might disagree with that because most are down in public with full Church services as such.

Sorry, should have been more clear again. When I am saying 'public worship', I mean the public worship that is commanded by God to be done on the Lord's Day.

A wedding, which is a public event, is at least according to the Puritans (PB), not a worship service, but a civil event. But THIS IS FOR A DIFFERENT POST. Start another post if you want to talk about if Weddings are a worship service, gathering of public worship. This could be a long tangent if we stayed on that topic. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Romans922

This has nothing to do with what you'd want to do on a specific day. This has to do with what you view as more important in your life, I guess it would be a hypothetical question.

Well, it's an odd question, then, due to the fact that we get to worship God weekly with the saints. So if you ask which we enjoy more, a once-in-a-lifetime event, or a weekly one, many people will pick the former. This is not to denigrate corporate worship at all; it is merely to stress that a rarer event would be chosen.

If both occurred with the same frequency (which would be rather weird), I'd choose worship.

Originally Posted by Confessor

Originally Posted by Romans922

This has nothing to do with what you'd want to do on a specific day. This has to do with what you view as more important in your life, I guess it would be a hypothetical question.

Well, it's an odd question, then, due to the fact that we get to worship God weekly with the saints. So if you ask which we enjoy more, a once-in-a-lifetime event, or a weekly one, many people will pick the former. This is not to denigrate corporate worship at all; it is merely to stress that a rarer event would be chosen.

If both occurred with the same frequency (which would be rather weird), I'd choose worship.

Marriage is not a once in a lifetime event, a wedding is (which is also a possibility in this poll), but marriage is not, it begins with the wedding or civil meeting, but it lasts the rest of the time you are alive.

Brother, with all respect it seems that you are trying too hard to figure out the relative importance of things. The two things you mention are not even comparable.

Originally Posted by Romans922

Originally Posted by Confessor

Originally Posted by Romans922

This has nothing to do with what you'd want to do on a specific day. This has to do with what you view as more important in your life, I guess it would be a hypothetical question.

Well, it's an odd question, then, due to the fact that we get to worship God weekly with the saints. So if you ask which we enjoy more, a once-in-a-lifetime event, or a weekly one, many people will pick the former. This is not to denigrate corporate worship at all; it is merely to stress that a rarer event would be chosen.

If both occurred with the same frequency (which would be rather weird), I'd choose worship.

Marriage is not a once in a lifetime event, a wedding is (which is also a possibility), but marriage is not, it begins with that, but it lasts the rest of the time you are alive.

Ah...so the two options are (1) be married and not attend worship for the remainder of our lives, or (2) be celibate and attend worship. Is that correct?

If so, I'd definitely choose the latter.

Originally Posted by LawrenceU

Brother, with all respect it seems that you are trying too hard to figure out the relative importance of things. The two things you mention are not even comparable.

Why not, one can be an idol (marriage), the other cannot (worshipping God with the body of Christ). OH, maybe that is why I am asking.

One lasts for your lifetime (marriage), one points to eternity, where you will be doing it forever and ever (worship).

Originally Posted by Romans922

Originally Posted by LawrenceU

Brother, with all respect it seems that you are trying too hard to figure out the relative importance of things. The two things you mention are not even comparable.

Why not, one can be an idol (marriage), the other cannot (worshipping God with the body of Christ). OH, maybe that is why I am asking.

Well, in that case, you've got your answer, right? If you can declare one option idolatrous and the other not, then certainly you don't need our opinions for confirmation. Idolatry is idolatry.

Originally Posted by Confessor

Originally Posted by Romans922

Originally Posted by Confessor

Well, it's an odd question, then, due to the fact that we get to worship God weekly with the saints. So if you ask which we enjoy more, a once-in-a-lifetime event, or a weekly one, many people will pick the former. This is not to denigrate corporate worship at all; it is merely to stress that a rarer event would be chosen.

If both occurred with the same frequency (which would be rather weird), I'd choose worship.

Marriage is not a once in a lifetime event, a wedding is (which is also a possibility), but marriage is not, it begins with that, but it lasts the rest of the time you are alive.

Ah...so the two options are (1) be married and not attend worship for the remainder of our lives, or (2) be celibate and attend worship. Is that correct?

If so, I'd definitely choose the latter.

SURE, that works. I wouldn't put it that way, but that is a good way to put it!

-----Added 5/29/2009 at 10:25:42 EST-----

Originally Posted by Confessor

Originally Posted by Romans922

Originally Posted by LawrenceU

Brother, with all respect it seems that you are trying too hard to figure out the relative importance of things. The two things you mention are not even comparable.

Why not, one can be an idol (marriage), the other cannot (worshipping God with the body of Christ). OH, maybe that is why I am asking.

Well, in that case, you've got your answer, right? If you can declare one option idolatrous and the other not, then certainly you don't need our opinions for confirmation. Idolatry is idolatry.

1) just making sure that you understand that I said it "CAN" be an idol.

2) Yes, maybe I have my answer, but this is a poll so we can see how everyone answers.

One lasts for your lifetime (marriage), one points to eternity

They both point to eternity, but I don't want to nit-pick words.

I will venture to say that a man will learn more about true worship (becoming a living sacrifice) through marriage than through meetings on the Lord's day in the vast majority of cases. Marriage will put a man to his knees in prayer, humble him, encourage him, and refine him in a way that very little else can.

And I think it is very dangerous to believe the God is more honored, or we should be more happy, in public worship on the Lord's Day than He is in the midst of a disagreement in marriage handled well, or by careful planning to surprise and delight a spouse, enjoyment of the marriage bed, mutual prayer, family worship time, etc.

I think I understand where you are coming from, I think. But, the interrogative still sounds somewhat gnostic/dualistic to me.

If I had a choice between staying home three Sunday services in a row and finding and marrying a nice Christian lady I would miss the three Sunday services.

So are you saying that you would break the Lord's commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy, in order to find a spouse?

Finding a spouse isn't breaking the Sabbath.

Would you rather kill one of your children or not go to church for 4 months. Which one. 'cause it's the same sort of question you asked.

I don't see the logical disjunction.

Actually, mankind is quite capable of turning anything into an idol even "worshipping God" according to the RPW.

I had a lot more fun after my wedding day than I usually do after church.

Originally Posted by Pergamum

I had a lot more fun after my wedding day than I usually do after church.

Public worship is commanded by God marriage is not. I love my wife dearly but remember marriage is also a means of sanctification.

P.S. Kind of a goofy question.

Public worship is commanded by God marriage is not.

It would have been sin for me not to pursue marriage. And I think that is the case for the majority of people as well. I don't think I have to spell this out.

I sit through every sunday worship in the church I got married in. That's unbeatable!!

And yes, I'll vote for my marriage anyday!!!!

Originally Posted by Pergamum

I had a lot more fun after my wedding day than I usually do after church.

Rub it in, man!

Romans922;

Maybe I should ask the question: What do you desire more? To be married or to worship the Lord with the body of Christ?

I chose worship the Lord with the Body of Christ..

But then I see this from a different perspective,

When you are placed in a position of being forced to choose between going to church and spending time with your spouse..it is a bit more difficult, especially for a wife..who is to submit to her husband..

As a Christian she is to submit to her husband...but she is also to submit to God as Her Lord..so it becomes a question in her mind..who does she submit to first? God or Her husband?? I say God..

Hbr 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The OP is not really a false dichotomy because it does not require us to choose between two options in exclusion to the other but requires us to make one or the other to be the priority.

Let's see:

1) Man was created first to be in communion with his God and later in communion with his wife.
2) Man is called to obey God first (Matthew 22:37-38), which includes the 2nd commandment regulating our worship and second to love his neighbour, including the 7th commandment regulating our relationship to our wives.
3) Marriage is not a sacrament (means of grace) but I may receive them in the church to my sanctification.
4) Marriage is a relationship between two people and their God pointing to the greater worship relationship between God and His people in Christ (Ephesians 5:32)
5) Marriage is the communion of two people in an earth bound and temporal relationship, whereas worship is coming into and preparing for the presence of our eternal God. (Hebrews 12:22ff).
6) What matters most is not being male, or female etc. but that we are one in Christ (Galatians 3:28)

It is our sinful hearts that would have us emphasize (or choose for that matter) the former over the latter but we must understand what is implied if we consciously and repeatedly emphasize the former over the latter. For if marriage makes us better men and women more than our weekly worship, or is generally preferable to our weekly worship then there is something seriously wrong with our churches or our hearts.

1) Man was created first to be in communion with his God and later in communion with his wife.
2) Man is called to obey God first (Matthew 22:37-38), which includes the 2nd commandment regulating our worship and second to love his neighbour, including the 7th commandment regulating our relationship to our wives.
3) Marriage is not a sacrament (means of grace) but I may receive them in the church to my sanctification.
4) Marriage is a relationship between two people and their God pointing to the greater worship relationship between God and His people in Christ (Ephesians 5:32)
5) Marriage is the communion of two people in an earth bound and temporal relationship, whereas worship is coming into and preparing for the presence of our eternal God. (Hebrews 12:22ff).
6) What matters most is not being male, or female etc. but that we are one in Christ (Galatians 3:28)

Would this, then, be a way of saying the Public Worship is better, superior, or of higher priority than private worship?

Because in all these cases, a strong case can be made that living in marriage can rightly and genuinely be called worship in every sense of the term, if one is living as a sacrifice unto God (Rom. 12:1-2). If treating a spouse with tenderness when it is hard to so, publicly praising one another's virtues, praying together privately, rightly enjoying meals together or the marriage bed...if these things are done for the glory of God they deserve the term 'worship' as much as any meeting on Sunday morning.

Given that you accept my application of that term, would you then say that Public Worship is superior to non-public or private worship? If so, why?