Sermon Tone Analysis

PROCESSION

PROCESSION

WELCOME/PRAYER

Marriage is not what brings us together today.

To quote a famous theologian: “I don’t think it means what you think it means.”

Anyone can get married and then become unmarried.

We have been invited here today to share with Josh and Liz and their families a celebration that marks the beginning of their new life together as husband and wife.

Today, they will promise to face the future together, accepting whatever may lie ahead.

What you promise today must be renewed every day.

Love extends beyond the warm feelings, excitement and romance to caring about the needs and interests of the other more than yourselves.

To this life long covenant you are entering into today.

PRAYER

INTENTION/GIVING AWAY OF BRIDE:

Parents, are you willing, now and always to support and strengthen this marriage with your prayers, encouragement, love, and support?

(Respond: We will)

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

(Move to platform)

SCRIPTURE READING

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”“And

let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.

And be thankful.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

VOWS

No other human relationship is more tender, no other vows more sacred than these:

Josh will you have Liz to be your wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy state of matrimony; will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for her as long as you both shall live?

Liz, will you have Liz to be your husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy state of matrimony; will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for him as long as you both shall live?

SCRIPTURE READING  

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.

On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

For,“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.

They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.

MESSAGE

You may have thought you’d be hearing and another message on the virtues of love that would either leave you feeling warm and fuzzy until you get to your car or feeling guilty for how you have failed in loving the most important people in your life, this isn’t that kind of wedding.

To know Josh and Liz is to know that this isn’t that kind of relationship.

You may be looking ahead, wondering about the reception menu, how long this guy is going to talk.

I’m with you on the first two.

On the third - It won’t be long.

I invite you to take the next few moments to give our attention to three things God and Peter have to say to us to serve as relationship reminders for not just Josh and Liz, but all of us.

Josh and Liz, you may recognize them.

The story is now legendary.

The pastor that did your premarital work even thought it inconceivable that on the first date you both cut right to the chase; diving into topics typically held until months - almost a year of dating.

That level of vulnerability so early on is a bold and risky move.

I Like this one.

We all have

I Like this one.

But at the end of the list of things you both wanted to cover, you decided, “I like this one.”

Josh, a phrase you’ve often heard me say: happy wife, happy life.

the opposite is also true…but it doesn’t rhyme as well.

There’s more to that than it sounds.

As You Wish.

First, we’re not really talking about happiness but rather that deep sense of connectedness that happens between you regardless of whether you think things are going well or not so well.

Josh, handling your responsibility to nurture her in her faith and help her grow as a person requires more than “As you wish.”

It also requires more than saying no.

Rather, it means listening to Liz and doing with and for her what is in her best interest.

When you do that, you will be the best husband you can be for her.

Liz, we are in awe at how such a creative person has discovered how to reach and expand Josh’s linear, IT heart.

You have gently and patiently challenged him to see and begin to embrace the man he can become.

Your dedication and commitment to his well being in this way for him will make you the very best wife you can be for him.

A few reminders about how.

“You are protected, in short, by your ability to love!”

Not only does love covers a lot of our shortcomings, when compassion, humility, and sacrificial love are foundational to your lives, there is not shortage of loyal friends who will stand with you when life gets rough.

The genuine care you give to one another and together to others will guard your hearts against this next reminder...

“Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike.”

How you talk to one another matters.

“Familiarity can breed contempt and the temptation to speak poorly or even insult one another is very real.

And it is the outward evidence of not dislike or even hate - but worse: indifference.

Loving your spouse - loving anyone the way we’ve mentioned so far takes effort.

The effort needed is not to avoid indifference and neglect but to love fiercely.

Sometimes we must choose between what is right and what is easy.

Words are the most common way we hurt each other in a marriage.

In the heat of an argument it may feel really good to get make the point with criticism or sarcasm  when we feel wounded ourselves but the damage is done.

One of the most difficult things to do in any relationship, especially a marriage is to repay that hurt with blessing and pursue peace.

As you know, it isn’t easy, but it’s right - especially for a long, healthy marriage.

This moment, this ceremony, this covenant you are entering into today is your agreement with God on these things and is symbolized by the rings you bring as it’s sign and symbol you will wear.

RINGS

I, Josh take you Liz, to be my wedded wife; to have and to hold from this day forward; for better or worse, for richer or poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and cherish; till death do us part; according to God’s holy ordinance.

I Liz take you Josh to be my wedded husband to have and to hold from this day forward; for better or worse, for richer or poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and cherish; till death do us part; according to God’s holy ordinance.

PRONOUNCEMENT

By the authority given to me as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as you have committed yourselves to one another before God in the presence of family and friends, I pronounce you husband and wife.

KISS

INTRODUCTION OF COUPLE

Christopher and Ashley Neff

Josh and Liz Radcliffe

BENEDICTION

Help yourselves to the drinks.

Food will be served after the wedding party arrives.

RECESSION