Untitled Sermon (5)

WELCOME

Family and Friends, it is with great joy and excitement we are gathered here to celebrate the uniting of Allison and Michael in marriage.

God has brought these two together to commit their lives to one another today and we thank you for big here to celebrate with them. I know words cannot express their appreciation for you being here to share this moment.

Michael and Allison not only are your closest friends and family here, but Christ is here with you celebrating as well. He is here today, and He will be with you in your marriage every day to come, as you stay close to Him.

GIVING OF THE BRIDE: Who gives this woman to be married to this man..._______________. (Please join hands and face each other…)

PERSONAL NOTES: Michael and Allison: When you went for that first day into Dr Lacey’s Statics class at State, I doubt you ever would have guessed that you would meet the one you would one day marry. It is awesome how God works through the most unexpected circumstances and situations to bring us the greatest blessings.

It obviously did not take Allison long to see what she wanted and call it considering that she told her friends that you were dating before that was official. Michael, I think she knew she had you locked in and I know you didn’t mind that at all obviously because you had the same thing in mind.

Also, before they were dating Allison used the fact that it suddenly started raining and she didn’t have an umbrella to get under Michael’s umbrella and get close to him. Sounds convenient coincidence but we all know now what you were up to. Ha!

Michael didn’t mind at all and found opportunities himself to show Allison his was interested and a gentleman; like the time he sat out with Allison on her porch for a long time until her roommate returned b/c Allison had locked herself out.

Pretty soon they were skipping classes together for frivolous reasons just to be together; like going to watch a once in a lifetime solar eclipse. Now you are here for an even more unforgettable once in a lifetime moment.

Your relationship has been a beautiful love story that many would envy.

Now Michael had His hopes as well and Allison has fulfilled those hopes, even the hopes of finding a wife who is a good cook. The only time I think Michael might have been worried was one of the first times Michael ever saw Allison cook. Michael’s expectations were likely high because one of the things that he always looked for in a potential mate is that she be a good cook. (Man after my own heart). But Allison tried to cook a peach cobbler for Michael and she not only burned the peach cobbler but caught the stove on fire. Ha! It turns out that Allison is a great cook and so Michael has nothing to worry about! Ha!

You both mean so much to me personally.

Michael, you have been a constant encouragement to me through words and through your faith and positive attitude. Allison your love for Michael is inspiring and I am glad God brought you together. (I know that if anyone can keep Michael straight you can.)

Your faith and your encouragement have been a positive influence on me as I know it has been on others. It has been awesome to watch your relationship grow into what it is today and I cannot wait to see and hear what God does through you together in the future.

I am grateful for the efforts you have both taken to be ready for this day and what will come after it. Now I want to pray that will God bless you and your future family very richly. (Trans: As we begin…)

Prayer; Dear Lord and Father, We thank you, for the beauty and the joy of this occasion. And we ask, that your richest blessings would be poured upon Michael and Allison in their union together. As they commit their lives to one another today, help them to go into this relationship with all of their hearts, souls, minds and strength. We pray dear God that their devotion to one another will be as strong as it can be with no other commitment greater except their commitment to You. Help them, Father, to be even more powerful in your service because of the uniting of their lives. May Your will be accomplished in their one life together.

Trans: Before you vow your lives to one another let me encourage you with what scripture says that applies to your marriage today.

MESSAGE: LOVING EACH OTHER LIKE GOD LOVES YOU

What you are entering into today is one of the most incredible creations that God ever designed.

When God finished creating man and woman and the bond of marriage he said in : “Therefore man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” and then regarding this relationship it says, “And God blessed them. And God said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply…” and then in verse 31, “God saw that everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.”

The marriage that each of you is entering today is a creation of God and is very good and one the most incredible continual experiences that you can have in this life.

So as you begin this relationship and continue to grow in it I want to encourage you to always look to God the creator and designer of it for how to love each other and live in your marriage. AS YOU BOTH LOOK TO GOD…

LOVE EACH OTHER WITH THE PASSION THAT GOD LOVES YOU.

God designed marriage to be a great blessing and a constant reminder of His love for you, as you love one another. If your love for one another matches the love that Christ has for you then your marriage will never fail, AND YOUR SPOUSE WILL NEVER FAIL TO FEEL THE LOVE OF GOD b/c of YOU.

says, “God is love.”

Because God is the very definition of love and He created marriage, instead of looking to the world, look to him to understand how you should love one another and what your marriage should be.

The best description of THIS KIND OF love is Jesus’ unconditional, sacrificial love that He gave when He died for us…just as says “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,”

Jesus gave everything He had for the bride that He loves.

says, “Love never fails…” Yes, you will make mistakes, Yes, you will have struggles, you may disappoint each other and let each other down but as long as you have Christ’s love, your commitment will never fail.

You can know the depth of love that you are to have for one another by understanding just how deep God love for you is…as says

“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us”

If you love one another as Christ loves you, your love for your spouse will be so strong that you to live for them and even be willing to die for them.

As states: “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us”

And then in verse 25 it says, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,”

Love each other as Christ loves you…when one of you makes a mistake; forgive. When you have bad days; have grace. Never be rivals, always teammates who celebrate one another’s wins. Love each other fiercely…

In their flaws, mistakes, weird quirks, (you know you have themJ), and all…love each other…

describes this kind of love, it says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast; it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Love each other like this…because that is how Christ loves you.

LET THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE IN YOUR MARRIAGE NOT BE SELF, OR EACH OTHER BUT GOD.

As you live in your marriage from this day forward, do not live in it for yourself…live for your spouse. Michael, put Allison first before yourself… Look to fulfill her needs before your own. Give her the love she desires and that Christ commands and has for His church. Allison, likewise put Michael before yourself… Look to fulfill his needs before your own. Seek to give Micheal the respect that he desires and God’s word instructs.

But even before each other, put God first in your marriage! Live daily in your marriage that the most important One in it is God and as long as God is in the middle of your home as its foundation…it will stand.

SEEK FULFILLMENT IN GOD FIRST AND YOU WILL FIND IT IN EACH OTHER.

As you begin your marriage relationship today it’s my hope that you realize that you cannot have complete fulfillment in one another until you first find complete fulfillment through Christ. So it is my prayer that as your each grow closer to Christ you grow closer and become more and more devoted to each other.

THE STRENGTH OF A THREEFOLD CORD

Through Solomon God said in the book of ECCLESIASTIES CHAPTER 4:9-10:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! two will withstand…—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Your marriage is much like this. Each of you is a strand in the cord and as you are wrapped up in commitment to one another you are strong but when God is the third strand in the cord of your marriage it will not be broken. Two are better than one but “a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Let your marriage always be a threefold cord consisting of each of you and God as the strongest strand that keeps you together. Do not only be wrapped up in each other but be wrapped up together in God.

THE ETERNAL TRIANGLE:

It has also been said that the ideal marriage is like an eternal triangle, with each of you at the bottom of the triangle and God at the top. In that triangle, the closer each of you gets closer to God, the closer you become to one another. So, I encourage you to put everything you have into your marriage and most of all put God in the center of your lives and marriage.

WEDDING VOWS (Will you now please face one another and join hands.) [Maid of honor takes ALLISON’s bouquet.] Now, MICHAEL and ALLISON, we know that you will continue to vow your love to each other through YOUR words and actions each day. But now today we ask you to pledge your love for each other both before God and everyone here.

And so, Michael, promising before God, do you take Allison to be your wife; to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, to honor and to cherish for as long as you both shall live? [I do]

And, now Allison, promising before God, do you take Michael to be your husband; to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, to honor and to cherish for as long as you both shall live? [I do]

EXCHANGE OF RINGS. [Hand ring to Michael]

Having vowed your covenant of love to each other, you will exchange rings now as a continual sign of your commitment. The wedding rings which you are about to give and to receive symbolize the vows and unending commitment that you have shared with one another. Each time you see these rings, be reminded of the love you hold for each other and of the promises you have made this day. May the love and commitment you have for one another be unending just like the circles these rings make.

RINGS WITH PLEDGE

Now, Michael, place this ring on Allison’s left hand and repeat after me:

With this ring . . .

I pledge my faithful love and undying devotion . . .

to you and you alone. . . .

With all that I have . . .

and all that I am . . .I make this commitment to you . . .

[Hand Ring to Allison] And Allison, likewise, as you place this ring on Michael’s hand, repeat after me:

With this ring . . .

I pledge my faithful love and undying devotion . . .

to you and you alone. . . .

With all that I have . . .

and all that I am . . .

I make this commitment to you . . .

As you wear these rings they will become so familiar to you that they will become a part of who you are just as each of you becomes a part of one another today.

Just as the rings make an endless circle let your love be an unending circle of devotion and passion.

May you be as proud of these rings every day of your marriage as you are today. I pray that “the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another” and that you will strive to keep it as deep and full as it is today.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Let’s go to God once more to ask His blessing on your union;

Prayer of Blessing: “Lord God, gracious father, we come before you on this day with joy and thanksgiving in our hearts because of these two that have come together in your name. Thank you for bringing them together and to this place today. It is our prayer that you would be with them from this day forward. Bless them Father with all the strength, love & guidance they need for all the years to come.

PROCLAIMATION OF MARRIAGE:

Michael and Allison, because you have made your vows here in the presence of God and all these witnesses, by the authority given me by the State of Texas, I now pronounce you, Husband and Wife. “What God has joined together, let no man separate.”

Michael, “You may kiss your bride.”

INTRODUCTION OF MR AND MRS MICHAEL HAY;

Ladies and Gentleman, it is my honor and pleasure to present to you for the very first time: Mr and Mrs Michael Hay

Recessional: