22/03/2026
๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ
March 22, 2026
Speaker: Pastor Jamilo Pendon
๐ณ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐๐๐๐ โค๏ธ๐
Three key truths define covenant love in marriage:
๐
๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ, ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ข๐๐ง๐๐.
Modern relationships are often built on contractsโconditional and self-protective. But covenant love says, โI am committed to you, even when life becomes difficult.โ Many marriages struggle not from lack of love, but from lack of understanding commitment.
Historically, the husband was seen as ruler. But in Ephesians, the husband is called to love sacrificially, as Christ loved the Church. Marriage is about self-giving love, not power or convenience. Our relationship with God is also a holy bond of loveโa lifelong covenant, not a transaction. Commitment must be taken seriously, not only in marriage, but also in our service to God and others. Commitment requires intentionality, faithfulness, and perseverance.
๐๐๐๐จ๐ง๐, ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ๐.
Every altar requires a sacrifice. In relationships, these sacrifices are often unseenโlaying down pride, choosing humility, and serving instead of demanding to be served. Many relationships fail because both seek to be served, not to serve. But covenant love says, โI will lay down my pride so that our relationship may live.โ
The prophet Hosea married Gomer, who became unfaithful and left him. Hosea still pursued and redeemed her. Like Gomer, we turn away from God, but He pursues, redeems, and restores us. Real love is proven in difficult moments, not easy ones. Love is not just an emotion; it is a decision to remain faithful. Covenant love chooses forgiveness, humility, and serviceโeven when the other is least lovable.
๐๐ก๐ข๐ซ๐, ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐จ๐จ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ.
Selfish love asks, โWhat can you do for me?โ Covenant love asks, โHow can I bless you?โ
Imagine a marriage, friendships, and a church where everyone asks, โHow can I serve you and make your life better today?โ When both live sacrificially, love grows deeper and stronger. The Bible begins and ends with marriage, reminding us that marriage reflects something eternalโa glimpse of the joy and peace we will one day experience with God. No spouse can fulfill every needโonly God can. Understanding this frees us to love more fully, without unrealistic expectations. In the New Testament, the altar points to the crossโwhere Jesus offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, giving His life so we might have life.
What part of myself must I lay down on the altar today?
Is it pride, selfishness, the need to be right, bitterness, or sin?
When we surrender these things, love flourishes, and our relationships reflect the greatest love story: the love of Christ.
Ask yourself: What is God asking me to place on the altar so my relationships may grow? In the end, the strongest marriages, families, and friendships are not built on what we receiveโbut on what we are willing to give.
