Ethan & Lydia Wedding

Welcome and Declaration of Intent

Family and Friends, we are gathered here today in the sight of God to join together as one, Ethan Hampton and Lydia Banyai (Ban-y-eye).

As I met with this wonderful couple, one thing I reminded them was that today, this brief moment, is about more than this audience family and friends, more than the decorations, more than the pending tax breaks, and more than the celebration that will follow.

Today is about a spiritual covenant, or a deeply believed promise shared between two people before their God.

The spotlight today falls upon the life-long unity these two commit to hold, before the One true God, who I believe has paved the way for the love they hold for one another.

As God has loved us, and as Christ loves the church, we pray that kind of grace filled love for Ethan and Lydia.

(You May Be Seated)

Let’s pray.

Scripture Reading

1 Corinthians 13:4–8

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

Wedding Message

You have probably heard or spoken many times the phrase “I’m in love.” Love is a joyous thing when it enters into our life and we share it with one another.  In the scripture I just read, we heard many different things that God tells us love is.

One thing that is not on the list is “a feeling.”  Love is not a feeling, although feelings may accompany love at times. Even though you can indeed “feel the love tonight,” to quote The Lion King, this feeling will not always be here.

There will be days when the feelings of love will seem distant, and the stressors of this life will lead to frustrations, which then turn into ammunition that we aim at our spouse.

There will be days when love compares to another household chore. And when love no longer feels like it does today, it’s ok! Because love is built upon something deeper, something greater.

Love is a deeply held commitment and a promise between two imperfect people. And because we are imperfect, a lasting love requires grace, even when our spouse doesn’t deserve it.

In fact, this passage shows us that grace is the glue which binds any love-filled marriage.

When our spouse rushes us, we show grace through patience. When our spouse says something with a harsh tone, we show them grace by extending a kind word in response. Grace reminds us that we didn’t marry our spouse for their perfections, so we cannot expect perfection from them.

True grace filled love, allows us to protect our spouse from these kinds of false expectations. It allows us to trust that when our imperfection shows, it is not enough to break the commitment we make as two imperfect people.

In fact, this same grace is modeled for us by God. In the midst of our imperfection, and despite our choice to love our selves above Him, God’s love didn’t stop.

Scripture tells us that while we were still sinners, God sent Christ to die for us. He came to cleanse us of our imperfection, and to show us grace even though we didn’t, and never will, deserve it. 

As we commit our lives to Christ, this grace covers us, and in it we find security in his lasting Love.

In the same way, Ethan, Lydia, the commitment you make today models that of our Saviour. As He Loved you and showed you grace, may you do likewise.

Explanation of Vows and Covenants

From the beginning of time God, as he related to his people, He always did so in the context of a covenant. 

God entered into a covenant with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, The Nation of Israel, David and others. 

He confirmed and extended these covenants in the Lord Jesus Christ.  And the night that Jesus ate that supper with His disciples he said this is the new covenant in my blood.

Marriage, in the same way is a picture of that covenant.

The covenants that God made back then came out of God’s heart and were energized and empowered by His promises and faithfulness.

They endured the test of time because of the reliability of God’s word.

So when you make the covenant today, it comes from the depth of your heart. 

And it will endure because of your faithfulness and your promises to extend Love and Grace to one another.

Exchange of Vows

And since it is your desire to enter into this covenant.  Will you now join right hands and make the following vows.

Ethan, do you take this woman who’s hand you now hold to be your lawfully wedded wife?

-Response, I Do.

Then as you look into her eyes, I will ask that you repeat after me.

“I, Ethan, before God and these witnesses, take you, Lydia, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to love you as Christ loved the church — to give myself for you, to lead you with humility, and to serve you with faithfulness. I promise to cherish you, to pray with you, and to grow with you in the grace of Christ. I promise to be faithful to you, and to walk with you in love and truth, as long as we both shall live.”

_____________

Lydia, do you take this man who’s hand you now hold to be your lawfully wedded husband?

-Response, I Do.

Then as you look into his eyes, I will ask that you repeat after me.

“I, Lydia, before God and these witnesses, take you, Ethan, to be my lawfully wedded husband. I promise to love and respect you as the church submits to Christ — to support you in prayer, to walk beside you in faith, and to honor your leadership in the Lord. I will seek to encourage and strengthen you, showing grace and kindness in all things. I promise to be faithful to you, and to walk with you in love and truth, as long as we both shall live.”

Explanation or Rings

Rings have had a great historical significance.

They were worn by kings to seal documents with the authority that stood behind the state at that time. 

When that seal was embedded in the wax of a document, it was sealed by a proper authority and could not be broken. 

In recent days the ring has come to symbolize the sealing of the engagement and wedding vows. 

As its worn on the hands of husband and wife it represents what is real in their hearts and the nature of love which is pure, endless, and valuable in the sight of God. 

So as you give these rings to one another.  It is more than just something that can be purchased.  It is a symbol and a seal of your commitment to one another.

Exchange of Rings

And so I ask you, Ethan, do you give this ring to Lydia as a token of your love for her?

-Response, I Do.

Lydia do you promise to continually wear this ring as a token of Ethan’s love for you?

-Response, I Do.

Ethan, will you place the ring on Lydia’s finger and repeat after me.

“With this ring, I give you my love and my life. I promise to stand with you in joy and in sorrow, in strength and in weakness, in every season of life, until the Lord calls us home.”

_______________

Lydia, do you give this ring to Ethan as a token of your love for him?

-Response, I Do.

Ethan do you promise to continually wear this ring as a token of Lydia’s love for you?

-Response, I Do.

Lydia, will you place the ring on Ethan’s finger and repeat after me.

“With this ring, I give you my love and my life. I promise to stand with you in joy and in sorrow, in strength and in weakness, in every season of life, until the Lord calls us home.”

Final Charge

Ethan & Lydia. In a moment you will walk down the aisle as husband and wife.

That is when the real marriage begins. 

This ceremony is just a small moment in all of the experiences you will have together as you continue on your journey. 

__________

So I give you a final piece of advice: Stand.

In a society where marriage is no longer valued as it once was — stand. When it feels easier to give up than to press on — stand.

Stand together in your love and in your commitment to one another. Stand together through every trial and difficult circumstance that may come. Stand together with purpose — serving God and others, not just yourselves. Stand together so that your life and love might leave a lasting legacy.

And most importantly, stand together in Christ Jesus.

 Colossians 2:7 says,

“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” 

May your commitment to Christ and to each other be what keeps you standing side by side, everyday, just as you are standing here together today.

Pronouncing Husband and Wife

Since you have made these vows, by the authority of the state of Texas and as a minister of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. I now pronounce you Husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no man separate.

You may now kiss the bride.

Presentation of couple

I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Ethan Hampton.