Darlene and Randing Wedding. 8.24.24

I am honored to be here today as we celebrate the marriage of these amazing people who have impacted so many of us in ways we could share the rest of the day. As a pastor, the announcement that Darlene was getting married came with more “about times” than I’ve personally ever witnessed before. Part of the reason, as best as I can see from my time in the church, is because we all know that she has more energy and passion coursing through her than many 30 years younger than her. She uses that to serve and make much of Jesus and when she found Randy, a man just as commited to seeing God glorified in his own life, through the mountains and the valley, they bonded instantly. Some relationships grow and vine for years and then in the right time, bloom. These two amazing people are examples to us today that we can follow God through all the hills and valleys and find joy through sorrow and beauty at the end of pain.

I wanted to encourage you both today in your marriage, because spoiler alert, they are already husband and wife!

Pastor Jody had the honor of marrying them a little bit ago and during that time he shared of God’s design and plan for marriage.

Ephesians 5 gives us the picture of a women devoted to her husband, honoring, respecting, and loving him by submitting herself to his leadership as she does so in the Lord. Men are to love their wives as Christ loved the church, ultimately the picture of self-sacrifice. In doing this he helps her become all the things God has made her for. Both relational marching orders are given to us to be fulfilled while we walk with the Lord. Why? Because marriage isn’t all fun and joy as you both well know. Sometimes its conflict and strife. In those time its the image and picture of Chris that gives us the answer. We can forgive because he’s forgiven us. We can love because even while we were enemies of Christ he came and died for us. We can show grace and mercy because its been poured out in us in a never ending waterfall. You see, Christ is the key to a marriage that doesn’t just survive but thrives.

In Ecclesiastes chapter 4, a chapter that admittedly is more depressing and gloomy than anything, we get a picture of the reality of marriage.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.

10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?

12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Marriage is, yes, a union between two people but its also more than that.

Firstly, there were always 3 main groups of people present at each wedding. The bride and groom where there, committing themselves to each other and to God. Secondly, those in attendance, friends and family, gathered to give endorsement to the union but also to say to the couple and to commit themselves before God, that they would be there to stand in the gap for this couple’s marriage. When times got rough and they needed help, we would be there. Thirdly, and the real reason for the gathering is that the wedding ceremony is actually a worship service. God is the one who is the one they commit themselves too and in. He is the ultimate authority in which these two are brought together, and the one in whom they will seek to build their lives and home. Both of them have already called on Christ as savior and have given their lives to serving him and making him known to those who need his gospel.

That same power is available in your home as you realize that God is the 3rd cord that is woven into your relationship. verse 9 shows us that this live is toil and work. Some days break our bodies and leave us feeling like a husk. Verse 10 lets us know that there will be times when you fall and in those times you’ll have each other to count in and help pick you back up. Verse 11 says that you will have companionship and warm and your home should be one that radiates not just your love for one another but the love of Christ to those that enter it. verse 12 tells us that enemies and foes will rise up against you and in those times you’ll have each other as allies in the fight. But the main purpose of this passage is to call all those things to our minds, yes, but to let us know that the real power is found in that 3rd cord. Christ, is the 3rd cord, woven into our marriages, present in our homes, there in the midst of struggle and pain when the world comes against us. You will both have each other and Christ. Lean into him and his power. Seek his face and his word. Allow his presence and his hope to fill you as you seek to love each other and serve him. Honor him in how you help Randy, Darlene. There will be days when he’s been wrung out by this world and he will need you to hold him because he can’t stand on his own. Honor him in how you love Darlene, Randy. There will days and seasons when she gives out of her heart and can’t give anymore. In those times it will be your job to hold her up and nurse her broken heart.

I, Darlene, take you Randy, to be my husband. To have and to hold. today and forever. To care for and encourage. to love and cherish, in both the good times and the bad. I pledge to you my heart and my love as long as I shall live.

I, Randy, take you Darlene to be my wife. To have and to hold. today and forever. To care for and encourage. To love and to cherish. In both the good times and the bad. I pledge to you my heart and my love as long as I shall live.

Darlene, Randy, because you have today exchanged your vows of commitment in front of God and your friends and family, because you have given rings as symbols of your commitment to each other and your marriage. It is my privilege to pronounce you husband and wife (again) from this day forward.

Randy this is your part, you may kiss your bride. (kiss)

God has given each of you, each other, to have, hold, honor, and cherish. But he has also given you his word, his power, and himself. Seek him as you build your home and your lives on his word.