Al and Peg Bundy, from the 1980’s FOX sitcom Married with Children were probably the most dysfunctional television family couple since Ralph and Alice Kramden of The Honeymooners. They were awful at parenting, corrupt as people, horrible to their neighbors, and as selfish as they could be. Al was a deadbeat husband, Peg was a deadbeat mom, and their kids were a great big mess. Of all the famous television families, I cannot think of any that were more dysfunctional than the Bundy Family.
In fact, Married with Children was so offensive to my parents that it was banned from our household when I was growing up. First, the entire sitcom was really raunchy. Second, it portrayed traditional marriage as an awful thing. Third, the children were seen as a hindrance to a happy life. And fourth, it just didn’t fit with our family values. So Married with Children was strictly forbidden in our home and if we were caught watching it, well, there would be hell to pay.
But then again, if you want a good example of what not do do in a marriage, you might want to check out the Bundys—kind of like the marriage of King David and his mistress Bathsheba. Found in 2 Samuel 11-12, the story of David and Bathsheba is another one of those provocative, r-rated Bible stories. It’s a story of marital infidelity and forbidden love. And it’s one of those stories that you might want to check out if you want a good example of what not to do in marriage.
From the story we learn a number of mistakes and errors committed by David that led to his downfall: (1) he should have been working; (2) he shouldn’t have been looking; (3) he should have been listening to wise counsel; (4) he should have been confessing rather than covering; and (5) he shouldn’t have been surprised by God’s displeasure. The marriage of David and Bathsheba is a good example of what not to do!
But what does God want us to do? Or in other words, what is God’s vision for a healthy marriage? I’m going to preach on four elements this Sunday: (1) marriage is the union of one man and one woman for all time; (2) marriage is built for mutual encouragement; (3) marriage is built for mutual enjoyment; and (4) marriage is best when the couple is mutually submissive.
And if you want to listen to this sermon you can check it out at www.crossroadsofjoliet.org/listen.html. You can also listen to a song that corresponds with this sermon that Mick Murray, our Creative Arts Minister, wrote this week called “The Fall of David” at www.myspace.com/mickmurraymusic.
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