Glen Gaddis & Aiesha

Please Rise for the reception of the bride

Intro:

We have gathered together to celebrate a commitment of love, a commitment that Glen & Aiesha believe to be the leadership of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Let us ask our Heavenly Father to bless this special occasion.

Prayer:

Dear Lord We come into your presence with Thanksgiving and praise. We bless you for the assurance of your guidance in our lives. We praise you for the awareness that you care about every endeavor of our lives, especially our relationships that lead to Christian marriage. Bless then, this special occasion as Glen and Aiesha come before you, their family, and friends to link their lives together in this ceremony of commitment. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen

Believing that this couple understands that kind of lifetime love and commitment as taught in God’s Word, it is my privilege to ask: “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”

Message to the Bride and Groom

Glen and Aiesha have chosen Proverbs 18:22 as their life scripture. What do we mean when we say life scripture? During our counseling session I asked Glen and Aiesha to pick a scripture that will serve as an anchor & foundation to their union. I told them that when the initial wedding bliss wears off there would be wonderful days of pure joy, but there will be tough times as well. There will be tough times in their families. As we get older people we love start dying, so there will be times of personal grief. We also determined that Glen and Aiesha will go through tough times together as they adjust to living together. There will be petty arguments that are easy to navigate through, but there will also be big blow out arguments that can potentially cause you to wonder if you married the right person. During those times you will need something a principle, quote or in their case a scripture to remind of them of the commitment they are making today. They could not have pick a better verse to attach their union too. I believe that the bible is the Word of God, so I trust that God who instituted marriage knows what we need to do in marriage to produce a faithful, long-term death do you part relationship.

Proverbs 18:22 says:

Proverbs 18:22 CSB

22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

In the first five chapters of Proverbs Solomon the writer is schooling his son on the dangers of picking the wrong spouse. He tells him first in Proverbs 1:7:

Proverbs 1:7 CSB

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Solomon is talking to his son but the words of this text can be applied to both sons and daughters. Before either of these two can be what they need to be for each other they both need to commited to the Lord. It is the Lord that will provide the neccesary foundation for them to avoid catastrophe in their Marriage. Solomon tells his child One cannot even begin to gain true wisdom if they do not have a deep abiding respect for the Lord. Then he tells us “fools despise wisdom and discipline” these are the people the ole saints called “hard-headed” Solomon is teaching his child to always be open to correction and rebuke.

Solomon then tells his son what kind of woman to avoid. In Proverbs 5:3-6

Proverbs 5:3–6 CSB

3 Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her words are smoother than oil, 4 in the end she’s as bitter as wormwood and as sharp as a double-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps head straight for Sheol. 6 She doesn’t consider the path of life; she doesn’t know that her ways are unstable.

Solomon tells his Son to avoid the charmer. The seducer the one who’s words are like smooth oil in his ear. Because her words will trap you and in the end a relationship with her will lead to the very depths of Hell. Solomon wants his child to recognize who he or she marries can have short and long term implications. As we move through the Book of Proverbs we come to Glen and Aiesha life scripture found in Proverbs 18:22

Proverbs 18:22 CSB

22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

After telling his child what to avoid he then tells him what to embrace. Solomon says it is wonderful thing when a man finds a wife that he can share his life with. This scripture tells us a wonderful truth. When a person trust God and relinquishes their own desire they will be lead to the person God has tailor made for them. Notice what Solomon says “and they will obtain favor from the Lord” God in his infinite wisdom will send you someone that will be an extension of his love, grace, and mercy into your life. He will send you someone who you can walk hand and hand with as you navigate the peaks and valleys of life. This text does not say everything will always be easy without relational challenges as we must not forget even in Christian Marriage God is uniting two sinners being made righteous practically. Since that is the case how do we work through conflict when it gets hard. I am glad you asked.

Ephesians 4:1 CSB

1 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,

(1) In this verse Paul talking to the believers at Ephesus a church in Asia Minor and tells them to behave according to their high calling. And what is their calling? They are the children of God. What does it mean to walk like a child of God? It means that you behave in way that brings glory to your father.

Glen & Aiesha are making a life-time commitment. Besides the decision to be saved getting married is the highest calling two people could engage in. This is a very serious ceremony. This is a spiritual & legal commitment and it should not be taken lightly. A part of their vows states that they are to be commited to each other alone. They are not to have any external relationship that cause this commitment to be in question. They are not to do anything that would cause the other party to question their commitment and love. If they or anyone else is considering marriage is not ready to give one person this type of commitment until death they should refrain from thinking about marriage. The cost and commitment is too high.

Ephesians 4:2 CSB

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

(v.2) Paul tells the believers that go to church with one another when you deal with your fellow brother and sister in Christ you are to deal with them with all:

Glen & Aiesha can I offer you a guarantee today. If you would implement these characteristics in your marriage you will beat the odds and remain married and be fulfilled until the marriage ends in death.

Humility -To think of yourself less. you aren’t always right. learn to put others needs before your needs sometime. Learn to be a listener recognizing that you can learn from others

Gentleness-To be kind. Glen as the stronger party in the relationship don’t use your physical strength and presence to ever make your wife feel scared or intimidated. Never call her out her name or disrespect her in any way. Watch the tone of your voice. I am not saying be a door mat or pushover, but what I am saying let your strength come through your unconditional love not your muscles. Jamila most woman recognize the physical advantage their husbands or boyfriends have over them, so they usually find other ways to exert their strength and that is through their tongues. Do not use your tongue as a weapon to destroy your husband’s Ego. You will be able to hurt Glen in ways no one in the world can because he has opened his heart to you. Take care of his heart. Use your tongue to lift him up and encourage him. There will be times when you need to check him. Make sure you do it with love and not spite in your heart.

Patience-Glen & Aiesha this is to both you. Neither of you are a finished product right now. Both of you have character flaws that need to be worked out and ironed out. There will be things both of you do to each other that will get on your nerves. There will be times when your spouse leaves their keys in the door, forgets to put the ice cream in the fridge, neglects to call you when they reach their destination out of town. decide now to accept the fact that you are not marrying a perfect person. Make a decision to put your hard hat on and work first on your own flaws before you go around pointing your spouses flaws out. When your spouse stumbles learn that there are some things you don’t need to confront. Some things we can overlook and give them some grace even if they have been doing it for the last 10 years. In my own home my wife leaves for work and always leaves the Coffee cream out. 10 years ago it used to irritate me because eventually it would spoil and I would have to buy another one. One day after she did again I was lead to just put it away rather than stress out over it. Now it is a joke in our marriage because she still does it!! If I gave her the mic she could tell you some stories as well. Be patience with one another. The ole saints used to say “and this to shall pass” everything is not that serious. Trouble does not last always.

Bearing-Endure: Glen & Aiesha this carries the idea of carrying someone’s burdens’ or pains for a season. In marriage there will be times when one of you may check out emotional, spiritually or maybe even physically. The word tells us during this time one of you may have to hold the relationship together for the good of you both. Maybe someone close dies and it hurts one of you deeply and you fall into some depression. This word “bear” means endure. Maybe one of you get a medical diagnosis and is unable to perform your duties physically for a season during those times someone will have to be the better person and endure. Hopefully these season don’t last forever but there will be times when your spouse checks out. What will you do? according to this verse you are to “Bear” or Endure those tough times. Pray for them and carry them to the best of your abilities.

Paul then gives us the reason we need to do these things.

Ephesians 4:3 CSB

3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

(3) Marriage has a spiritual objective. Marriage is a symbolic picture of Jesus Christ relationship to the church. When people are able to look at and experience successful marriages they get a small picture of our Lord’s relationship to his church.

(3) That is why God’s says “He hates divorce” Divorce, Discord and Disunity destroys families, destroy’s communities, and ultimately destroy’s civilization.

For those of you who have divorced I must speak the truth about it. Marriage is not like a car lease where you get to turn it in every 2 to 3 years when the miles get high or the contract ends. Marriage Commitment is a lifetime commitment.

If you have been divorced know that you can recover. Know that Christ died on the cross for your’s and my sins. You need only to receive that gift of redemption, forgiveness and adoption.

(3) “Making Every Effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” Glen & Aiesha you notice what the Apostle Paul says here. He tells us an important point. I have heard folks say “Love is supposed to be easy” That’s a lie from the pit of hell. That’s like saying I thought losing 50lbs was going to be easy to lose. You will not meet anyone in your life who tells you losing weight, getting off drugs, or raising children is easy. Pauls tells us that spiritual unity will require “effort”. Your Marriage is like Thanksgiving Dinner with all the ingrediants sitting on the counter. Glen & Aiesha you have everything you need for a successful marriage. With God at the center. But like that Thanksgiving meal someone has to Season and Roast the Turkey, boil the macaroni, cut up the vegetables, blend the sweet potatoes, and bake the rolls. It’s a lot of work. But when the dinner is done it will all be worth it!

Vows:

Minster: Will you please face each other and join hands

The Man Vows

Glen would you repeat after me: I, Glen, take you, Aiesha, to be my wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward. To care for and to encourage in both good times and bad. I promise to live for Christ and with you in the full awareness of trust and love, and with this commitment I pledge to you my love.

The Woman Vows

Aiesha would you repeat after me: I, Aiesha, take you, Glen, to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forward. To care for and to encourage in both good times and bad. I promise to live for Christ and with you in the full awareness of trust and love, and with this commitment I pledge to you my love.

Rings:

These rings are symbols of your commitment of love. They are made of gold, expressing the purity which should always be in your marriage. They are formed in circles, expressing the unending dimension of your love and the eternal love of God. Share these rings now in the full awareness of Christ’s love in you and through you.

Glen, would you place this ring on Aiesha’s third finger and left hand? Would you hold it there and repeat after me:

Aiesha, I give this ring, as a visible token of my love, and I give it to you as my own life.

Aiesha, would you place this ring on Glen’s third finger and left hand? Would you hold it there and repeat after me:

Glen, I give this ring, as a visible token of my love, and I give it to you, as my own life.

Prayer over the vows:

Minister: Let us pray: O Lord, you who love Glen & Aiesha and bring their earthly love to you. Teach them to know your loving way, that their love may be like your’s. As their love grows in your image, grant them the grace, wisdom and compassion to show others your love. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the highest expression of your love for us. Amen.

Presentation of the Bride & Groom:

Having spoken words of testimony and commitment as to your love, one for the other, I, by the authority of the state of Michigan and by the commission of God and Christ as a minister of the gospel, declare and proclaim that Glen, and you Aiesha are now husband and wife. Now What God has joined together in this love, let no man ever attempt to break or destroy.

Kiss:

You may Kiss your bride

Presentation:

please stand

I present to you Mr and Mrs Glen & Aiesha Gaddis

Recessional