Wedding - Adrian and Marleny

Processional - Matt goes down first

Adrian escorts Mom and Dad

GIVING THE BRIDE - ***Audience stands as bride enters

**Who gives this woman to be married? Adrian, please receive your bride.

WELCOME - DO NOT SEAT AUDIENCE

We are here this afternoon to witness the union of Adrian Alvarez and Marleny Pineda in marriage.

On behalf of the couple, I would like to thank you for joining them for this special day.

I would also like to ask, especially those who call themselves Christians to commit to praying for them and their marriage.

Pray that they would be rooted firmly in Christ and that their marriage would display Jesus to a lost and dying world.

I am going to ask that you remain standing as we enter into a prayer time

Prayer Time - Parents pray

I am going to ask Adrian and Marleny’s parents to please make their way to the front.

To begin the ceremony today, their parents will be praying the Lord’s blessing over them and releasing them from their watch care of their families to establish their own home as husband and wife.

After a few moments, I will close us in prayer.

Mr. and Mrs. Alvarez, Mr. and Mrs. Pineda - would you do that now?

dismiss wedding party

MESSAGE

Today is a deeply important day, but probably not for the reason that many in this room might be thinking.

For many of you, you may think that today is special because these two are getting married.

because their hopes and dreams are being fulfilled as they are united together as husband and wife.

Or because they have spent countless hours planning every detail and putting all the pieces into place and now we are here.

Or because they have found the ONE they will spend the rest of their life with.

Yes these things are true, but today is deeply important for a much bigger reason.

What we need to understand is that Marriage, at its core is not simply about two people, doing life together as best as they can.

And thank God for that - because if all of this were simply based on what Adrian and Marleny were going to make out of their marriage, then we would likely be in for disappointment.

The overall divorce rate is about 50% because that is what people do… they try to life as best they can - without the help of the Lord.

Today is deeply important because as Adrian and Marleny get married, they are being joined together by the Lord.

He is starting something that He intends on holding together by HIS strength - NOT THEIRS.

They stand here before you today, declaring that it will not be by their human effort that their marriage succeeds, but rather by the strength and power of God.

Today is deeply important because we are standing before the Lord of all creation as He unites two of His children together in a covenant that is breakable only by death.

Adrian, Marleny, - this will not simply be just another marriage if you keep Christ at the center…

This will be a union infused with the Holy Spirit who will hold it all together.

God is passionate about this, because HE created marriage

He intends that one man to be united to one woman.

And He intends that their marriage would clearly and boldly model the relationship that Jesus has with His bride, the Church, Christians.

Which raises a good question.

HOW do you live out THAT type of marriage?

The Apostle Paul has deep wisdom for us about this that we can find in the book of Colossians 3:12-17

Colossians 3:12–17 (ESV)

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

While this passage doesn’t speak directly or exclusively about marriage, there are some deep and abiding truths that we can find which will help us to live out marriage in a way that brings honor to the Lord - AND help us to experience deeper connection with one another.

I want to draw out a three key points:

First, Forgiveness

The first two verses drive hard towards this idea of forgiveness - using words like bearing with one another.

What does this tell us about relationship?

It isn’t easy…

So many people have a fairy tale narrative playing in their heads about what marriage is all about.

But the beauty of marriage isn’t summed up in “happily ever after”

The beauty of marriage is displayed when sin and brokenness are met with grace and forgiveness, rather than wrath and retribution.

The beauty of marriage is displayed through compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

I am going to let you in on a little secret…

In order to be given the opportunity to live this forgiveness out, conflict has to be introduced into the picture.

Those moments of conflict provide the opportunity for your forgiveness to shine.

And what is this forgiveness supposed to look like?

Paul clarifies at the end of v. 13 - as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Let’s dig into this a bit, because it is the key to making all of this work.

We must forgive as He forgave us.

For those here today who haven’t given their lives to Jesus and submitted to Him as Lord, please hear me - because He offers this forgiveness to you right now.

So, how did He forgive us?

He saw our brokenness - and still came to live with us!

He gave himself up, by dying a sinners death on a cross as punishment for our brokenness

He rose from the dead on the third day, proving Himself to be stronger than our brokenness

He gave us his own righteousness in exchange for our brokenness

Now, instead of seeing any of our sin and shame, the Lord sees us as completely innocent and cleansed from our sin.

We are welcomed into His family, without strings attached.

And He knows that we are going to blow it again, and again…

This is the gospel - the good news about Jesus.

For those who are not Christians, this same forgiveness that Adrian and Marleny have been given is offered to you.

Adrian, Marleny, your job in this marriage is to die to yourself for the benefit of the other.

There is nothing that you hold against one another, because forgiveness abounds.

Others should be able to look at your relationship and see the gospel played out.

Second, Thankfulness

vv. 15-17 mention being thankful in our hearts for others.

Thankful after forgiveness?

Interestingly enough, Paul tells us to be thankful for one another right on the heels of the forgiveness piece - which at first glance seems odd.

In essence, it sounds like he is saying - this person is going to make you mad and sin against you, but you must forgive them...

AND… Be thankful for them.

It is in the moments where we are extending forgiveness that we need to be reminded most about being thankful for our spouse.

You see, in those moments where there has been a fracture in our marriage, experiencing a deep gratitude for the other will be fuel that will drive forgiveness and unity.

It is when we allow bitterness and ungratefulness to overrun the thankfulness that forgiveness begins to wane and the drift will begin.

Overflow with thankfulness for one another so that it might fuel forgiveness

When you are thankful for one another you will see each other as God’s most precious gift - aside from your own salvation.

v. 16 describes the thankfulness that we should have for one another as driving us to sing songs to God about them.

Adrian, there should be a song of praise ringing through your heart and soul for Marleny.

She is about to become the bride of your youth, your beloved, your helper, your lover.

Marleny will be your closest confidant and will be the safest person on the planet to be with.

When you think about her, you should sing songs to God about her - and thank Him often for this amazing woman that He is blessing you with.

Marleny, there should be songs of praise ringing through your heart and soul for Adrian.

He is about to become your husband - the one who the Lord has tasked with loving your soul and the one who will spend the rest of his life discovering how beautifully the Lord has wired you.

Adrian is the one who God is entrusting to lead your family through the minefields of this world.

When you think about him, you should sing songs to God about him - and thank the Lord often for this amazing man that the Lord is blessing you with.

Third, - It’s all about HIM.

v. 17 says - whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Listen - your marriage is not all about you…

You should not be getting married just to fulfill some deep personal need - and if you are, then you will fall far short of God’s design for marriage.

The purpose of your marriage is to magnify the name of the Lord.

You have an opportunity to share the gospel with everyone around you through your marriage.

You will be able to display how two broken sinners are able to love one another with an other-worldly love that doesn’t quit.

You will be able to help others to see that the grace in your marriage is meant to point to a bigger and more sure grace, found only in the forgiveness of God through Jesus.

Whatever you do - whether in word or deed, do it in the name of Jesus

Whatever you do in your marriage - do it in the name of Jesus.

It’s all about HIM.

Let me clarify something here - this does not mean that you are to forsake any possibility of joy and self-fulfillment in your marriage.

In fact, quite the opposite.

When you make your marriage all about Jesus, then you will experience more joy and self-fulfillment than you would ever hope to experience otherwise.

How is this possible?

Because the Lord is a good, good Father who wants us to experience the joys and satisfaction of relationship - because hey, remember, it points back to Him.

The joy we experience in relationship in marriage is meant to point us to an even better joy, found in the Lord.

As we transition, I want to make this point for your guests…

As we have been talking about the gospel, the love of God, and all of the parallels between earthly marriage and relationship with God, there may be some of you who have never experienced this type of love - and maybe you would like to know God in this way.

I will tell you this:

First, the Lord is not interested in rote ritual or religion - He is interested in relationship - a relationship that transforms every aspect of who you are.

I want to compare it to Adrian and Marleny’s relationship by giving a bit of a silly analogy.

Adrian doesn’t buy Marleny flowers so that she will love him…

He buys her flowers because she loves him.

It’s the same way with the Lord - we don’t try to live a certain way so that He will love us, we live that way because He does.

Second, the path to know God is found in Christ alone.

There is no other way to get to heaven, except through a bloody cross where a sinless savior gave up His life and stood in our place.

You do not need me, and you do not need a priest or anyone else to talk to God for you… go straight to the Lord.

If we ask Him to save us, then He stands in our place, and the Lord looks on us and sees the perfection of His Son.

Romans 10:9 (ESV) 9 if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 8:1 “1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

No more stains, no more sins, no more condemnation - no matter what you’ve done - He’s powerful enough to take it all.

Third, It takes a village to raise a spiritual child.

Get in Christian community.

If you do not know where to go, then talk to people and find a Jesus loving, mission focused church.

Adrian and Marleny may be a great resource for you on this - as they can help point you to a gospel centered church where you can be discipled.

Fourth and finally, if you came to know Jesus at this wedding, or because of the influence that Adrian and Marleny have had on you, please tell them that!

I can guarantee that it will be one of the big highlights of the day for them.

VOWS - Adrian First, Marleny Second

At this time, Adrian and Marleny are going to exchange their vows.

Vows are the promises that they are making to one another

They will ultimately rely on the power of the Holy Spirit living in them to empower them to not say these words as a promise to one another, but to embody them.

With the Lord’s strength, they will live faithfully with one another and thereby bring glory to the Father.

Adrian, we will start with you.

I, Adrian/Marleny, --  take you, Bailey/Marleny, -- to be my lawfully wedded (husband/wife), -- my constant friend, -- my faithful partner -- and my love -- from this day forward. -- In the presence of God, -- our family and friends, -- I offer you -- my solemn vow -- to be your faithful partner -- in sickness and in health, -- in good times and in bad, --  in joy and in sorrow. -- I promise -- to love you unconditionally, -- to support you in your goals, -- to honor and respect you, -- to laugh with you -- and cry with you, -- and to cherish you -- for as long as we both shall live.

BLESSING OF THE RINGS

Adrian and Marleny are exchanging rings as a symbol of the covenant that they have made.

Although small, these rings are made of precious metals and are in a perfect circle to signify the preciousness and ongoing nature of your covenant.

The rings do not make you any more or less married, they are simply a reminder to you of the covenant promise that you have made to God and each other.

EXCHANGE RINGS

Adrian, place Marleny’s ring onto her ring finger of her left hand

Marleny place Adrian’s ring onto his ring finger of his left hand.

“I offer you this ring -- as a symbol of my vow -- and my promise -- to love you unconditionally -- for the rest of our lives. -- Wear it to remind yourself -- of the covenant that we’ve made today -- before the Lord -- and our family and friends.

Marital Charge

Before we close, I want to give you a marital charge or exhortation

Together, Keep Christ at the very core of who you are as a married couple.

It is for His glory that you are standing here today.

Your marriage is not about your happiness or your fulfillment - it is about the Lord’s glory.

If you are devoted to HIS glory, He will bring fulfillment and happiness.

But not as this world brings fulfillment and happiness.

it will be a fulfillment and happiness that will be based on HIM that doesn’t fade.

Do not forget:

Forgiveness

Thankfulness

And It’s All About Him!

Adrian, my charge to you, as the husband, and the Biblical head of your household is this:

Discover how to be a servant leader to Marleny, and one day to your children.

Fight to become the Christ-centered shepherd/pastor of the little flock that the Lord entrusts you with.

Be the one who is most concerned with providing your family with fertile soil in which to grow in the Lord - making biblical community, worship, and service a priority and not an afterthought.

Spend the rest of your life trying to find out how you can better love your bride and elevate her.

At the end of the day, the buck stops with you.

When the Lord wants answers about the spiritual condition of your family, He will come to you - not Marleny.

This is a heavy load to carry, and dare I say, and impossible load to carry on your own.

You will need to rely on the strength of the Lord, and the fellowship of Christian community which will empower you to glorify Him in this role.

Marleny, my charge to you, as the wife is this:

You are becoming Adrian’s biblical helper as described in Ephesians 5.

You will be the most uniquely gifted person on the planet to help Adrian as he seeks to live out the will of the Lord.

Adrian’s leadership is designed to operate at its best when you are functioning as his biggest supporter, advisor, counselor, lover, and friend.

Resist the temptation to get out in front of his leadership but also fight the urge to stay quiet when you know you need to speak up - but do so with respect and love.

While the Lord comes to Adrian to get answers about the Spiritual condition of your family, He holds you accountable for being the best helper you can be.

Guard Adrian’s heart and lean on the Lord to give you the wisdom required to fulfill your calling as his bride.

CLOSING COMMENTS

now we come to the fun part… Adrian, you been looking forward to that first kiss?

By the power entrusted to me by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I now pronounce you, husband and wife, Adrian you may kiss your bride.

PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM **Audience Stands**

Would you please stand - May I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Alvarez.

INVITATION TO RECEPTION

On behalf of Adrian and Marleny, I want to invite everyone to a reception to follow.

INSTRUCTIONS