Wedding (Uriah and Jessica)

Seating

Procession

Welcome

Welcome family and friends. This afternoon we gather to join in celebrating the union of Uriah and Jessica in the God-given bond of marriage. Will you please join me in a word of prayer to begin our celebration together.

Opening Prayer

Lord God Almighty, Creator of the heavens and earth. Thank you for the gift of marriage and for all the joy and love that it brings us. We thank you for Uriah and Jessica as individuals, and that you have brought them together. We pray that you would richly bless them as they exchange their vows and their rings, and from this day forward that you would teach them to walk hand in hand into everything that you have destined them to be. We give our hearts to You now in adoration, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Message

Ephesians 5:22 ESV

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Jessica took one look at that verse and said, “Let’s do Rev. 19 instead...”

So that’s what we’re going to do!

Actually, I like the idea of talking about Rev. 19 because it shows us something important

When you think about it, it puts things into perspective

Let me show you what I mean:

Revelation 19:6–9 ESV

6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

This is a moment where the angels are cheering

The excitement is so loud it cannot compete with the largest stadiums

Why? This is the consummation of God’s plan for the world

At this point, Jesus, the Lamb of God comes together for eternity with His bride

This bride, as you may know, is the church

The fullness of people who have accepted Christ’s gift of salvation

We often grow up hearing about how wonderful heaven is going to be

But our joy doesn’t come from a place...

It comes from a relationship!

At this point in Rev. 19, those who are His church will spend eternity with Christ!

This is a very special and powerful relationship!

A relationship that is only illustrated one way on earth: through the bond of marriage

If you’ve read Rev. 19 before, you may have made a mistake

We often think of the marriage supper of the Lamb as a reflection of our human marriages...

When in truth, our human marriages are a reflection of the marriage supper of the Lamb!

One day, there will be a massive celebration!

There will be thousands upon thousands of people there

They are those who have accepted Christ

We will be clothed in white, made pure by Jesus

On that day, everyone will see the church for what she is

The lovely, pure and perfected bride of Christ

Although it may seem too good to be true, it absolutely WILL happen one day!

And it is THAT picture that we celebrate here today

Uriah and Jessica have chosen to model that wonderful relationship together

They are promising to live this out in acts of submission, affection, respect, and sacrifice

And, they will teach their children, both existing and eventual, the same lessons

That’s the thing you don’t often hear before marriage… it’s work!

My wife always says that marriage and parenting are the two places you see the things you don’t like about yourself

In your children because you see them repeating your flaws

In marriage because you see your spouse pointing them out to you

But that’s the thing, just like your relationship with Christ makes you better

Marriage offers that same opportunity

Let me offer this to anyone who is married: A good marriage is one where the question “What can I do for you?” is asked more than “What have you done for me lately?”

So even though marriage is work, it is also a great blessing

And what an honor for those who are blessed to be here today

As Uriah and Jessica begin this part of their adventure together,

We get to celebrate with them, as they begin to model Christ’s love for us

Vows

Both: As husband and wife, your purpose is to establish a home that is truly Christ-centered, where the Word of God is read and obeyed; a home that is welded together by prayer, in which the Holy Spirit is your constant Guide. Will you both strive to maintain this?

Join Hands

Uriah: This woman whom you hold by the hand is to be your wife. She has given you one of the most sacred things under heaven: a woman's love. You may bring her great joy or cause her deep sorrow. It is not what you bring her in a material way that will make true happiness--riches without love are nothing. The gift without the giver is bare. The practice of those virtues as husband that you have shown as lover, will keep her heart won to yours.

Jessica: This man whom you hold by the hand is to be your husband. Upon your life, your love, and your devotion he will lean for strength and inspiration. He is going to look to you for encouragement, for cheerfulness, and for confidence. People in this world may forget him, lose confidence in him, or turn their backs upon him, but you must never do this. May your life and love be the inspiration that will constantly lead him to greater dependence upon Christ.

Rings

The rings that you give each other are representative of your lasting bond. They are made of the finest metals and stones to represent the purity of your love. They are also circles which have no end, serving as a reminder that your dedication, love and commitment are also never ending.

Uriah: Please place the ring on Jessica’s finger. Repeat after me.

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

Jessica: Please place the ring on Uriah’s finger. Repeat after me.

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

Everyone: As family and friends, we are to serve Uriah and Jessica in protecting their vows to each other. Does everyone here promise to hold them accountable to the vows taken today, and to encourage them in their lives together as they seek Christ and the path that He has laid for them?

Communion

As we have learned, marriage is an important symbol of the relationship between Christ and the church. As such, Jessica and Uriah have chosen to begin their marriage by participating in another symbol of Christ’s love together. At this time, Uriah will lead Jessica in their first Communion together, partaking of the bread which represents the body of Christ which was beaten and bruised, and also in the wine that represents the blood that was spilled for the forgiveness of sins.

Closing Prayer

Lord, bless Uriah and Jessica as they endeavor to please you and each other. Encourage them, help them, and comfort them as they do the same for each other. Bless this marriage as an earthly reminder of Your love for your creation. Amen.

Pronouncement

In as much as you have each pledged to the other your lifelong commitment, love, and devotion, by the authority committed to me by the laws of the State of Illinois, and more importantly, by God as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I now declare you to be husband and wife, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen. Uriah, you may kiss your bride.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct pleasure to be the first to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Uriah and Jessica Kilgallin

Conclusion