Title: A Wedding Ceremony
Bible Book: Matthew 19 : 4-6
Author: David E. Owen
Subject: Marriage; Wedding; Home
Objective:
Introduction
At this time, as everyone is standing, I want to ask you to bow your heads and close your eyes. We're about to do something that is rather unique for a Sunday morning service. We're going to have a wedding. Now, if you must leave, we certainly understand that, and you may do so now. But for all of you who are staying, we're going to have a word of prayer. And as we pray, I want to ask Maurice and Ann and those who will be standing with them to make your way here to the front.
(Call on someone to pray.)
The congregation may be seated.
As we have gathered here today in the presence of Almighty God and before this assembly of friends and family, we are celebrating the union of Maurice Emmett Bennett and Mary Ann Tuck in marriage.
Who presents this woman to be married to this man? Father or Guardian of Bride: I do (Or, "Her mother and I.")
As we begin this ceremony, I would say a brief word about the importance aspects of the wedding and marriage.
I. The Scriptural Teaching Of Marriage
The Bible teaches us that marriage is an Honorable institution. Hebrews 13:4 says, "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled."
In other words, marriage is something valuable and precious, something that is not to be taken lightly. It is not to be entered into unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, soberly and in the fear of God.
The Bible further teaches us that marriage is a Holy institution; holy because it has been established by God Himself. Jesus said in Matthew 19, in verses 4 thru 6, " Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."
Christian marriage is a serious thing because it is a joining together for life in a relationship so close and so intimate that the two of you will, as Jesus said, become one. And it is into this Holy estate that these two individuals have come now to be joined.
I believe the Bible also teaches us that marriage is a Helpful institution. We find in Ecclesiastes 4, beginning with verse 9 that, "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."
Maurice and Ann, as you begin your lives together, remember that marriage is not living merely for self and looking out for the interests of the individual, but it is two ... uniting and joining hands to serve God. When one of you falls in discouragement or pain, the other will be there to lift you up and help you. As you face both the happiness and the heartaches of life, you will henceforth be one and undivided.
The passage in Ecclesiastes 4 goes on to say that "a threefold cord is not quickly broken." And this threefold cord reminds us that the strongest marriage and the most successful marriage consists not just of two, but of three ... the husband, the wife, and God at the center.
Acknowledge and recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as the head of your home, the ruler of your destinies, and the object of your deepest affection. If you do, He will confirm your marriage by His guidance and will overshadow it with His peace. I charge you to love each other, to support each other, and to serve Him with sincere hearts.
II. The Specific Troths And Testimonies Of Your Marriage
As you make your vows and betroth yourselves to each other, I charge you to consider that your promises to each other are made in the presence of God who remembers your pledges and who holds you responsible for performing them. They must be kept unbroken before Him.
If you then, Maurice and Ann, have freely and prayerfully chosen each other as partners in marriage, please face each other and join hands.
Maurice, do you take Ann to be your wife? Do you promise to love her as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it? Do you promise to dwell with her according to knowledge and to give honor to her as God's word commands? Do you promise to comfort her, provide for her and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for her? And through God's grace, do you this day pledge to be to her a faithful and devoted husband as long as you both shall live?
Groom: I do.
Ann, do you take Maurice to be your husband? Do you promise to submit yourself unto your own husband, as it is fit in the Lord? Do you promise to reverence and respect your husband as God's word commands? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, be his helpmeet and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for him? And through God's grace, do you this day pledge to be to him a faithful and devoted wife as long as you both shall live?
Bride: I do.
At this stage of the ceremony, we will consider...
II. The Special Tokens Of Your Marriage
Savannah, do you have the rings?
These rings symbolize a love that is pure and never ending. They are tokens and reminders of the marriage covenant that you make with each other today. Maurice and Ann, you will wear these rings as a testimony to the world that you have been claimed and as a symbol of your constant and continuing faithfulness to one another.
Ann, take the ring that you are giving to Maurice.
Maurice, accept this ring as a token of Ann's love for you and wear it as a symbol of your love for her. Ann, as you place the ring on Maurice's finger repeat after me, "With this ring, I thee wed."
Maurice, take the ring that you are giving to Ann.
Ann, accept this ring as a token of Maurice's love for you and wear it as a symbol of your love for him. Maurice, as you place the ring on Ann's finger repeat after me, "With this ring, I thee wed."
Song
In as much as Maurice and Ann have pledged to each other their lifelong commitment, love, and devotion, and have professed their vows before God and this assembly and declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, by the authority committed to me as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and according to the laws of the State of Georgia, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
"What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Maurice, you may kiss your Bride.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to be the first to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Bennett!
