Lambert and Constant

Good afternoon again. My name is Aaron Jones. I have known Parker for several years. Our relationship started with me being his pastor, then his mentor, and now a colleague and a friend. Over the years, I have seen Parker deal with many "firsts" in his life: his first in-depth discipleship, his first move out of state, his first year of seminary, his first internship, and his first full-time job in ministry. We have celebrated great highs and sat together in times of great lows. I can read him well, so when he first mentioned he was dating a girl named Jenna, I could tell from his reaction that she was the one.

Then I met her for the first time at Parker’s graduation. Although we got separated and didn't get to visit much that day, I jokingly blamed her for ditching me. She was quick with a comeback, and we laughed. I knew she would be able to keep pace with Parker’s sense of humor. Then I got to know her heart for the Lord, and I was certain that these two are perfect for each other.

Message

We are gathered here today before God and these witnesses to unite Parker and Jenna together in holy matrimony. This is an honorable event in the eyes of the Lord. God is the author of marriage. He ordained marriage to be between a man and a woman at the very beginning of man’s history on earth.

Foundation for Marriage Gen 2

Genesis Chapter 2:7-9; 2:15-18-25

7 “The Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky, and all the wild animals.

But for Adam, no suitable helper was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman, for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 Adam and his wife were both naked and felt no shame.”

These verses reveal Three things about the foundation for Marriage.

1. The Union between a husband and a wife is like no other earthly relationship.

a. God placed souls within them to know Him deeply.

b. Parker, and Jenna, This, allows you both to fall in love, express that love creatively, be loved by God uniquely, and love one another in ways that no other relationship can experience.

2. Marriage was given to help individuals fulfill God's ultimate purpose.

a. Adam and Eve’s joint responsibility was to tend to the garden and bring it under their control. A Husband and a Wife form a union of two individuals with one single goal - to fulfill God's calling in their lives.

b. Parker and Jenna, this means that you have a purpose together to serve the lord not as 50/50 but as two people committing 100% to God’s call for your life.

3. Marriage was designed by God as an act of compassion and love

a. From the very start, it was clear that the expectations placed upon us were too great to bear alone. And so, God created a bond so intimate and close that it would serve as a testament to the oneness that would ultimately lead us to Jesus, our GREATEST helper who is perfectly suited to meet our needs.

b. Parker and Jenna, as followers of Christ, your marriage is to demonstrate the closeness and love that only Christ can give so that the world will see your marriage and want what the two of you have.

God not only gave us a foundation for marriage He also gave us roles in which we can function successfully in marriage.

The function for Marriage is found in Eph. 5:22-33

22 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

33 Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

These functions for marriage suggest the following.

1. A man is to love sacrificially, and selflessly and is a support and encouragement.

A man should seek to rescue and save his bride, as Christ has the church. He placed His own life on the cross to save and protect her.

Parker, with that model in mind you must at all costs be willing to love and protect Jenna, you are to provide for her needs physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Finally, you should recognize that she is a child of God and a gift to you. Seek to draw out her potential by identifying her unique abilities.

I believe that when a man loves a woman in the same way as Christ, she will understand his sacrifices, selflessness, and support as a profound expression of his love for her.

She could trust him completely since he will always have her best interests in mind.

She could follow his lead because together they could achieve a better future than they could individually.

Paul mentions certain functions for wives as well including:

1. Submitting to their husbands as they would to the Lord. This has created quite a controversy in today’s time.

However, it is commanded in God’s Word and beneficial to a marriage, so let’s understand what it doesn’t mean.

It doesn’t mean the husband is superior to the wife and lord over all things.

Jesus is the lord of our lives, but he never uses that right to dominate us. However, he wants to give oversight to our spiritual walk.

Jenna, you need to allow Parker to lead you spiritually.

Your marriage is a sacred union blessed by God.

By placing your trust in Christ and fulfilling your role as a wife, you can still follow Parker’s lead even if he falls short of your expectations.

This is because you’re ultimately submit to God's plan for your marriage. By doing so, you will continue to feel the Lord’s presence and enjoy His peace in your life.

These roles are to function together so that people would see the unity between a husband and wife,

see the closeness and intimate relationship they have, and ask,

What is different about your relationship than others?

Thus giving the couple the opportunity to share the Gospel.

Marriage is a physical representation of an even greater spiritual relationship that God has with those who confess him as Lord. God ordained marriage to be between a husband and a wife to provide great joy, and fulfillment but to also serve as a beacon of light and hope for those who need to know Jesus.

PARKER AND JENNA have asked to add vows to this ceremony

Footwashing

John 13 Jesus gets up in the middle of the dinner to install an ordinance that is completely radical even for their time.

It that conveyed a spiritual teaching through a physical act of washing His disciple’s feet.

It teaches arguably the greatest measure of one’s sanctification or maturity in Christ; The ability to seek and extend forgiveness for sins committed against one another.

John 13:3-5 Jesus is reclining at the table on their last night together before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion

John 13:6–11 ESV

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

John 12 asks the question. “Do you understand what I have done for you?”

John 13:13–15 ESV

You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

John 13:17 HCSB

If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Here, Jesus connects the act of being clean with being saved or washed of our sins: “But not all of you!” speaking of Judas who betrayed Jesus.

· As believers, all of our sins are paid for by Jesus on the cross.

The wrath of God was poured out on Jesus once and for all.

However, I can still sin against Jesus and stress is placed on the relationship.

When that happens, we should seek to be reconciled through seeking forgiveness.

· Here, Jesus got up and began to wash their feet before they even understood why which speaks to His commitment and ministry of forgiveness. There is nothing He can’t forgive you for and there is nothing he is unwilling to move past because of His commitment to love you.

· Then Jesus tells His disciples (and us by extension), “Do this to one another.”

Seek forgiveness with one another whenever you have sinned against them. Extend forgiveness to everyone who seeks it from you.

· Marriage is not to be based on Hollywood’s definition of love.

Marriage is based on a commitment.

Parker and Jenna are choosing to commit their lives to each other and resolve here in front of you as their witnesses that they will demonstrate the highest level of sanctification they can; and that is, to always resolve to forgive and to seek forgiveness when they have wronged the other.

As they take the time to wash each other’s feet, I want you to ask the Lord,

Is there any sin in my life that is stressing my relationship with you?

Lord, would you help me see if I have been refusing to give forgive someone else?

If you would like to know more about the forgiveness of God for sins, and being made right with Him please talk to me after or there are about 20 pastors here today that would love to talk to you as well.

But for now, would you join us as we witness their foot-washing celebration

Exchange of Vows

Parker, do you take Jenna to be your wedded wife?

Do you promise before God and these witnesses that you will love, honor, and always cherish her in every life situation? Forsaking all others for her alone, will you live with her according to God’s holy commands and ordinances until God separates you by death?

If so Parker says “I do”

Jenna, do you take Parker to be your wedded husband?

Do you promise before God and these witnesses that you will love, honor, and follow him in every life situation and that forsaking all others for him alone, will you live with him according to God’s holy ordinances until God, separates you by death?

If so Jenna, says “I do”

Exchange of Rings

Parker, “What token do you give, that Jenna may have a visible sign of your faithfulness to fulfill your marriage vows to God and to her?”

“This Ring”

Parker, Repeat after me. “I give you this ring as a symbol of my enduring love and my unending love for you and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Jenna, “What token do you give, that Parker may have a visible sign of your faithfulness to fulfill your marriage vows to God and to him?”

“This ring.”

Jenna, Repeat after me. “I give you this ring as a symbol of my enduring love and my unending love for you and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In closing, my challenge to you is from (Joshua 1:8)

This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.

· Study Together

· Pray Together

· Do what the Word says.

Pray

Announcement and presentation

In as much as Parker and Jenna have consented together in Holy wedlock, have witnessed the same before God and their family and friends, and have given and pledged their faith, each to the other, and have declared the same by receiving their rings,

By the authority vested in me as a minister of the Gospel in the state of Ohio, I now pronounce you husband and wife in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. What God has brought together let no man take apart. Parker, you may…

Parker, you may kiss your bride!

Pronouncement And now for the first time, I give you Mr. and Mrs. Parker Lambert!

v Processional (Switch).

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