Wedding - Jon Burge and Natalie Malveaux

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SERVICE:

We are going to begin shortly, but I am going to ask each of you to silence or turn off your cell phones

I am also going to ask that you refrain from taking pictures during the ceremony - lets leave it to the professionals! Thank you!

***Audience stands as bride enters WELCOME - DO NOT SEAT AUDIENCE

We are here this evening to witness the union of Jon Burge and Natalie Malveaux in marriage.

What we are about to witness is one of the most sacred moments on earth - where two of God’s children are united together as one cohesive unit.

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

I would also ask that you commit to praying for them and their marriage:

1. that they would be rooted firmly in Christ

2. that their marriage would clearly display the gospel of Jesus to a watching world.

GIVING THE BRIDE

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

PRAYER

Asking the Lord to bless this time and for Jesus to be the central figure.

Introduction

I do not have to tell you what incredible people Jon and Natalie are.

Over the past four years, God has blessed our family in an untold number of ways thru them individually as well as together as a couple.

They have both been in the Missional Community Group that Cammy and I lead since 2020 - and have blessed that community by their presence and faithful service.

Jon has been an incredible encouragement and blessing to me and my family.

It has been a joy to connect with him over a meal or coffee and talk about everything from life to missions to Natalie - but mostly Natalie.

Natalie - goodness, this man loves you!

Natalie has also been a huge blessing in our lives.

We were blessed to have her live with our family for a year

In that time, she went from being a friend and part of our church family, to now feeling more like an actual family member.

Now she has moved out, but she still comes to family dinner night every Tuesday - a tradition that Jon has been grafted into.

When our children talk about our family, Natalie is included in that conversation.

I have officiated maybe 30 or more weddings in my 18 years of pastoral ministry, and I have enjoyed almost all of those.

This one, feels a whole lot like officiating the wedding of my little sister.

I say little sister, because I don’t want to admit that I am probably old enough to be your dad.

But since my oldest is an 11 year-old, for today’s purposes, you’re my sister! ;)

Jon, since Natalie is family, and you are marrying her, you know that means that you’re a part of the family as well.

Jon - welcome - little brother! ;)

I want to thank you both for trusting Cammy to speak into your lives and for allowing me to officiate!

I am deeply honored by this.

I am committed to praying with you and for you as your relationship grows

And, I want you to know that Cammy and I are always available for you as you navigate this thing called marriage.

MESSAGE

Today is a good day…

NOT the Most important day…

So many people think about their wedding day as being the most important day of their marriage.

The reality is that it isn’t… At least it wont be the most important day, once the clock hits midnight.

That means that tomorrow, when you wake up - THAT is then the most important day of your marriage.

Do not allow today, March 1st, 2024 to be the pinnacle of your marriage.

Let each new day that the Lord gives you together be the most important day of your marriage.

Not some day in the past

Marriage is meant to point you to Jesus

As you marry today, do not forget, Marriage was created by God, FOR God.

In Genesis 1:28, we we are told that the Man and Woman were placed there, united in marriage, to multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it - or care for it.

Jon and Natalie, as you come together in marriage today, understand that this is not solely for your own satisfaction, but rather for God’s good pleasure and His glory.

Your satisfaction takes a backseat to God’s Glory - and your marriage is not about you - it’s about Him.

But, we have a good Father who loves bringing us good gifts - and personal joy is part of His plan.

in Genesis 2:23, the man breaks into song when he meets the woman because finally he has someone to share his life with and enjoy.

This is my prayer for you two - that you find abundant joy in one another.

I pray that your marriage would cause you to gush over one another.

I pray that you would enjoy your marriage, but do not misplace your praise.

It isn’t your marriage that deserves the praise - it’s the Lord!

Think about it like an amazing steak (grass-fed, of course).

When you savor and enjoy a perfectly prepared steak, you do not praise the steak… that would be silly.

You praise the chef.

You praise the maker.

Jon, Natalie, your marriage is meant to be savored and enjoyed, but not praised - Thats for the Lord!

So - today let’s start this whole thing off right, celebrating and praising the Maker of this marriage

Because it is His Glory and Strength that will hold you two together.

But this does not release you from responsibility…

So, what is your role in this marriage?

Very Broadly, you submit yourself fully to the entire Bible…

Model your marriage on the example that Christ has set for us with the church.

But, for a moment, let’s get specific…

What might this look like for you two?

In Ephesians 5:1-2 Paul Writes these words:

Ephesians 5:1–2 (ESV)

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

in just two short verses, Paul provides some deep spiritual wisdom that can give us incredible keys to marital success and satisfaction.

1. Imitate the Lord! (v. 1)

To imitate someone, is to copy their words or behaviors.

Paul's command here tells us to do what the Lord does.

But he qualifies it: as beloved children!

When you guys have children, you are going to see that they want to do the things that you do.

They will think the way you think

They will say the things you say - which can get you into trouble…

Just ask Cammy about some of the things that a certain third-born says and where he picked those things up.

But how does imitation happen?

By being around someone - by spending time with them.

My children will say what I say, because they are around me and they hear what I say.

You will begin to imitate the Lord as you spend time with Him.

Through daily time in His Word

Through prayer

Through worship

Through community

When you do this, your heart will begin to more fully reflect His nature and character to those around you.

You will no longer look like the rest of the world!

Sure, there will be struggles - and you will mess it up - Even the apostle Paul said that he often did the very things that he hated and didn’t do the things he wanted.

But you will get better at saying yes to God and no to sin.

You will look more like Jesus - “who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but that he emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant.” - Philippians 2:6-7

This is part of the way that you know you are imitating the Lord - when you begin to develop a servant’s heart.

Because that is the next thing that Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:2…

Ephesians 5:1–2 (ESV)

…be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

2. Walk in Love

The apostle tells us that we are to walk in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.

It’s interesting - in the Greek - the root word used here for “walk” can actually be translated as “trample”

To trample is to tread heavily.

When I think about this idea of trampling, the picture I get is of my children trampling through puddles on our property.

Natalie, you know how this looks.

When they trample through a mud puddle, they dwell there for a while.

They do it up right.

When they’re done, they are usually covered from head to toe in Texas mud wearing a Texas sized smile.

Translate this to marriage!

Paul is telling us to tread heavily in love.

When you think about loving one another, I want you to have a picture of a little kid stomping through mud puddles filled with joy and delight.

Do it bigger with each step you take - and cover yourselves in love!

But not the love that this world promotes… That is a self-centered cheap imitation of love that only seeks to fulfill your own desires…

Enjoy one another - but love like Jesus loves.

We are told to walk in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us!

So, HOW did Jesus love us and give Himself up for us?

1. He saw our brokenness

2. He STILL pursued us

3. And while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! (Romans 5:8)

4. He gave us His righteousness and took away our brokenness

5. He welcomed us into His family, as children of God - knowing that we are going to blow it again.

THIS is what it looks like to give yourself up for someone.

In your marriage, you both should be ready and willing to lay down your life for the other.

That sounds really good - and perhaps even easy to do on a day like today…

I mean, goodness… Yall look awesome!

Natalie, you’re beautifully radiant

Jon, you are clothed with strength and honor

It would be easy to say, that you would lay down your life for this version of one another.

But, Jesus didn’t die for the best versions of us…

He died for the worst version of us.

You cannot “trample” in love, just for the best versions of one another… You must do it in the worst.

This is what makes Christian marriage indescribably beautiful!

The beauty of marriage isn’t displayed by a “happily ever after” fairy tale story.

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

THIS is the heart of Christ in us.

In your marriage, Imitate the Lord and trample in love for one another.

3. Don’t forget…It’s all about HIM (v. 2c)

Ephesians 5:2 (ESV)

2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Paul doesn’t tell us to imitate the Lord and love one another as a sacrifice to one another…

He tells us that this is a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God!

Remember, marriage was created BY God, FOR God.

Marriage has a much bigger purpose than just fulfilling something in each of your hearts.

it 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 a living grace story that points to a bigger and more sure grace, found only in the forgiveness of God through Jesus.

Do not ruin your marriage by making the other person the point of your love.

This distorts God’s desires for you and your marriage and is called idolatry.

It is not pleasing to God and it is unfair to your spouse - they aren’t created to bear the weight of praise that is only fit for the Lord.

Love the LORD first, one another second.

When you do this two things will happen:

You will be better reflect God to a watching world

You will love one other more and get more satisfaction than you possibly could otherwise.

The Gospel

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

The only way that Jon and Natalie can do any of this is because of the gift of salvation Christ has given them.

And they want everyone here to understand what He has done in their lives and that the same gift of salvation is available to you.

There are some of you here today who do not know the Lord in this way.

And because of this, you are stuck in your brokenness, and you are trying to scratch your way through this life, looking for meaning and purpose.

Here is what you need to know.

YOU HAVE SINNED

Romans 3:23 says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

You have sinned - and failed to meet God’s righteous standard

And because of that, you have earned a wage……

YOUR WAGE IS DEATH

Romans 6:23 tells us that “the wages of sin is death”

This is not just physical death - we will all endure that, Christian or not.

This is an eternal death, separated from the Lord because of your sin.

This is supremely bad news if it stops here, but the verse continues:

YOUR FREE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE

But Romans 6:23 also tells us that “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 5:8 - “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

He is the solution to the problem of death.

In Christ, we can have eternal life - and though we will die physically one day, we will live forever with Him.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 tells us “that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures”

Romans 10:9 says that “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.”

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

But you must repent and believe.

And you can do that right now…

Simply pray to the Lord, confess your sin, confess that Jesus is Lord (believing in your heart that he rose from the dead), and ask Him to save you.

if that’s you, and you came to know Jesus today, or because of the influence that Jon and Natalie 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.

Lastly, I would encourage you to get in Christian community - join a Jesus loving, Gospel-driven, mission focused church.

Jon and Natalie may be a great resource for you on this - as they can help point you to a great church.

I am biased, but I think that the church that they call home is incredible! ;)

VOWS - Jon First, Natalie Second

At this time, Jon and Natalie 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.

Jon, we will start with you.

I, Jon/Natalie, --  take you, Natalie/Jon, -- 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

Jon and Natalie 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

Jon, place Natalie’s ring onto her ring finger of her left hand

Natalie, place Jon’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. -- Let it remind you -- of the covenant we’ve made — and the vows we have spoken — 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.

If you do this, you will find 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:

Imitate the Lord

Walk in Love

And It’s All About Him!

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

Discover how to be a servant leader to Natalie, 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 Natalie 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 Natalie.

You cannot do this 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.

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

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

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

Jon’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 Jon to get answers about the Spiritual condition of your family, He holds you accountable for being the best helper you can be.

Guard Jon’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…

By the power entrusted to me by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I now pronounce you, husband and wife, Jon 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. Jon Burge

INVITATION TO RECEPTION

On behalf of Jon and Natalie, I want to invite everyone to a reception to follow.

INSTRUCTIONS