Kubena Serive
We are assembled together as family and friends, in the presence of God to unite
Scott Kubena and Jessica Goodman
in marriage.
The Bible teaches that marriage is God’s first institution. In the quiet of the Garden of Eden, before the fateful fall – before the tempter touched the inhabitants, God determined that it was not good for man to be alone. Then, in His wisdom and grace He created a partner, a companion for man, and as the Scriptures say, “He brought her to the man.” Thus, God established the first family… literally performing the first wedding ceremony as the angelic host bore witness.
[Who gives the bride to be married?]
Marriage was originated in divine grace, and it was designed to promote human happiness. Because God is the Author of true happiness and the Founder of the family it only makes sense to turn to His Word as we witness the creation of a new family this afternoon. In the Scriptures are the instructions – the foundation – for a happy, healthy family. Allow me to share three foundations for happiness with you now.
The Foundation of Fellowship
In Matthew19 Jesus states, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate.” (Mt 19:5-6 HCSB) In the building of this new family you are to disconnect to a degree from the family that has brought you to this place. While mom and dad will continue to be a source of direction and counsel, the authority they have held is to be transferred to one another. The responsibility to honor one’s parents does not cease with leaving to be joined as husband and wife. But the inauguration of this new and primary relationship carries a sense of separation and unified permanence – an indissolvable union that can be broken honorably in the sight of God only in death.
Scott, Jessica, you are about to enter a covenant fellowship with one another that is not to be broken as long as both of you are alive. As husband and wife God says that you become one flesh. Just as our body, our flesh, seeks to protect, heal, and nourish itself, you are to love one another, support and nurture each other. You are charged to live your lives for each other.
The Foundation of Selfless Love and Submission
Scripture teaches that there is no distinction between male and female – that one is not elevated in importance or value over the other. Within this truth roles are developed that are designed to bring happiness and contentment to both husband and wife. Ephesians 5 teaches that a wife is to submit herself to her husband as the church submits herself to Christ. This is not a popular notion in today’s society. In truth, this passage has been misused and misunderstood often by those who would twist Scripture for their own selfish gain.
A further examination of that same Ephesian passage reveals the truth that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church, giving Himself up for her. Scott, you are expected to love Jessica and provide for her the spiritual leadership that will cause her to trust you as the man of God in your home. The love that I speak of now has nothing to do with emotions or feelings. It’s not the sort of thing a person falls into or out of. It is a selfless love. The kind of love Jesus described when He said; “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
The kind of love portrayed in the thirteenth chapter of Scott’s first letter to the Corinthians.
4Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails… (1Cor. 13:4-8)
The Foundation of Faith
The last foundation I will speak of today is the greatest. Toward the end of the most perfect sermon ever preached, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of this foundation saying that everyone who builds their lives upon the foundation of faith is like a wise man who built his home upon a rock. He further states that the storms of life cannot destroy what is build upon this solid foundation.
I know that both Scott and Jessica have established this foundation in their lives. We have talked about this foundation many times. The Bible teaches that “all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory” (Romans 3:23) God’s goodness is the standard for a relationship with Him and all of us have missed the mark. The result of our sin is separation from God. We are dead to Him (Romans 6:23; Eph 2:1). Many religions tell you what you must do attain a place of godliness –right standing before God. True faith recognizes that you can do nothing to make yourself acceptable to God; rather, it focuses you on what was already done through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus lived the righteous life in your place and then died in your place to pay for your sin. Then he rose from the dead, once and for all conquering sin and death. His invitation to you is to turn from a life of sin and submit yourself to Him as Lord (Master) of your life.
At this time we will pray together reaffirming our commitment to Christ…
--Sinner’s Prayer--
Vows
As a declaration of your commitment to each other, you will each express your vows to one another now.
Scott, you will repeat after this declaration to Jessica:
I, Scott, take you, Jessica, to be my wife in Christian marriage. I promise God, and I promise you that I will be Christian in my actions and attitudes. I will serve the Lord with you; I will provide Christian leadership in our home. I will work to meet our financial responsibilities; I will be faithful to you and to you alone. I will weep with you in sorrow, rejoice with you in blessings, and be your faithful companion until Christ calls us home. I make this vow to you, so help me God
Jessica, you will repeat after this declaration to Scott:
I, Jessica, take you, Scott, to be my husband in the Lord. I promise God, and I promise you that I will cherish you, I will love you, I will provide a shoulder for you to cry on, a heart that understands, a warm home for you live in, and open arms for you to lean on. I will pray for you and encourage you; I will weep when weep, laugh when you laugh, and be yours and yours alone until our Lord separates us by death. This I solemnly and joyfully promise, so help me God.
Exchange of Rings
To portray the exchanging of you marriage vows and as a public witness of them, you will now give and receive these rings, symbolic of your promises.
Scott, place this ring on Jessica’s finger and repeat after me.
This ring is a picture of my love for you; I give it to you to wear in joy. I give it in humble gratitude that Christ led us together. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Jessica, place this ring on Scott’s finger and repeat after me.
This ring is a picture of my love for you; I give it to you to wear in joy. I give it in humble gratitude that Christ led us together. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Prayer
Dear Father, as our Lord God Almighty, we ask You to send Your light and truth upon Scott and Jessica all the days of their lives. Lord, by Your hand protect them. Father, with Your eye guide them. If it be Your will give them the gift and heritage of children, and help them to raise them in the ways of the Lord. May You be glorified through this new home.
Salt Covenant
Scott and Jessica, you both hold a (vial) of salt. Salt is significant in Scripture. In the Old Testament book of Leviticus, God’s people were instructed to season there offerings with salt. God made a salt covenant with the priesthood that descended from Aaron to provide for them. We are instructed in Colossians to season our speech with salt and in Matthew 5 we are called to become the salt of the earth. Salt makes a difference. Salt can preserve, bring about healing, and give flavor.
It is also significant to note that two separate portions of salt, once combined, can never be fully restored as independent – separate. In light of these truths, you will both illustrate your vows together in one final way. The salt you both hold symbolizes the Christ centered love that can preserve, bring healing, and add flavor to your lives together. And as you both, now, combine your portions of salt, this symbolizes the permanent vows you are making to one another and to God; vows which be broken honorably only in death.
-Prayer-
Holy, Righteous, and Merciful Father, Creator, Preserver, and Redeemer of mankind, fill these two with a deep sense of the solemn obligations which they have just assumed. Guide them to look to You for grace in their efforts to live out these obligations with honor to themselves, in Your sight and in the sight of society. Ordain that their love, now mutually pledged, may never falter whatever course life may give them. Crown their lives with lovingkindness and tender mercies, and provide for their protection while they travel the uneven way that leads from now to the end of this life. Give them a rich measure of prosperity, and lead them into the fullness of spiritual understanding and holy living, that they may have an abundant entrance into the joys of Your eternal kingdom. So we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord.
-Amen
Scott, you may now kiss your bride.
Scripture records this beautiful testament of commitment in the book of Ruth. Meditate on these words as I read them. And may they become the commitment you both share:
“Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. 17“Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.” - Ruth 1:16-17
Pronouncement
Forasmuch as you, Jessica, and you, Scott, have pledged your vows and exchanged rings symbolic of your lifelong commitments to a Christian marriage and home, you have promised to encourage each other in a spiritual walk, and to assist each other in being all that Christ wants you to be, it is my happy privilege to pronounce that from this day forward, you are now husband and wife. I am happy to introduce you to Mr. & Mrs. Scott Kubena.