What It Takes To Make It | Charles Stith | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

What It Takes To Make It

West Angeles Church of God in Christ • Aug 31, 2025 • 157 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

Reflecting on 50 years of marriage, Ambassador Charles Stith shares timeless biblical wisdom on what it takes to build relationships and families that last through life's greatest trials. Grounded in 1 Corinthians 13 and 1 Peter 4:8, this message highlights the power of prayer in selecting a spouse, cultivating gratitude within marriage, and praying for God's will to shape both partners. Believers are encouraged to put God at the center of their homes, practice deep and forgiving love, and do everything possible to keep their commitments strong.

Themes

MarriageRelationshipsPrayerLoveGratitudeFamilyForgiveness

Pastor's Points

1.

Make sure you choose right by starting your search for a spouse at the altar in prayer.

2.

For those already in a relationship, maintain a mindset of gratitude and pray that both partners are shaped by God's will.

3.

Do everything you can possibly do to make your marriage work, because an enduring, God-centered relationship is worth it.

Key Points

1.
True biblical love as defined in 1 Corinthians 13 provides the standard and foundation for enduring relationships through patience, kindness, selflessness, and perseverance.
2.
Building a marriage that lasts begins by making a wise choice through intentional prayer at the altar rather than relying on worldly venues.
3.
Prayers for finding a spouse should be filled with specificity so that God's guidance is unmistakably clear.
4.
For those who are already married, prayer should shift away from evaluating the partner to cultivating a mindset of gratitude.
5.
Do not let the quest for the perfect partner become the enemy of making a good, God-honoring choice work.
6.
Prayers for a spouse should ask that both individuals be shaped by God's will rather than forcing each other to yield to personal demands.
7.
An attitude of gratitude makes it easier to practice patience, grant forgiveness, and let go of past grievances in a marriage.

Sermon Moments

“Prayer has a way of clarifying things; if you start the search for love with prayer, you will find what you need.”

“Don't let the quest for the perfect be the enemy of the good—a good choice can work when rooted in God.”

“When you have an attitude of gratitude, it is easier to move on and throw away the receipts.”

“Your prayer for your partner should not be that they bend to your will, but that they be shaped by God's will.”

“The grass might look greener on the other side, but it might just be artificial turf.”

“In case of an emergency in your relationship, break the glass and go back to 1 Corinthians 13.”

“Above all, love each other deeply because love covers a multitude of sins.”

This Week

Start any search for a partner or key relationship decision with specific, intentional prayer at the altar.

Shift daily prayers for your partner away from demanding they change to asking that God shape both of you according to His will.

Cultivate a mindset of gratitude by daily thanking God for your spouse, especially on challenging days.

Practice forgiving past offenses by throwing away the receipts and choosing not to keep a record of wrongs.

Revisit 1 Corinthians 13 during moments of relationship conflict to reset your perspective on patience and kindness.

Intentionally invest effort and romantic warmth into your marriage to keep love alive through all seasons.

Seek advice and counsel from seasoned couples who have successfully navigated decades of marriage when facing relationship trials.

Remember This

Making a relationship endure requires putting God at the center, praying for His will to shape both partners, and practicing the patient, enduring love described in 1 Corinthians 13.

A Challenge for You

You need God in your life. You need God as the center of your life to make your relationships work. The doors of the church are open—come and live life afresh with God at the center.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.