Gus and Savannah's Wedding
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Signal for people to stand for the bride
Welcome everyone!
Who gives this woman to be married?
let’s sing, how deep the fathers Love
Prayer
Please be seated
At this time, Nick and Jackie Watkins will be reading scripture for us
Genesis 2:7; 18-24
Revelation 21:1-3; 9-11
Friends, today is a glorious and wonderful day!
We are here today to celebrate and witness the union in marriage of Gus and Savannah. As Gus and Savannah have been preparing for this day, we’ve been discussing and meditating upon the fact that marriage is a gift from God that is meant to reflect and point to Jesus Christ’s love, commitment, and sacrifice for His bride, the Church.
Gus and Savanna have expressed to me their conviction of this truth and their desire and commitment to putting it into practice. Today is a part of that desire and commitment.
Because of this fact, let me expound a little more upon this idea of marriage being a gift meant to reflect Christ’s relationship to His church.
The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ left heaven and came to this earth to live among a wayward people who had rejected and rebelled against God. These people witnessed God’s love incarnated in the person of Jesus Christ. But, Jesus was eventually rejected by these same people. He was beaten, mocked, and crucified by the very people he came here to love. But, as an even more amazing and gracious act of love, the Bible reveals that this was actually Christ’s plan all along because Jesus was, at that moment of his utter humiliation and suffering, he was actually, taking the sins of the people who betrayed him upon himself in order to establish for himself a spotless, sinless, and glorified people called His Church. The Bible also calls Christ’s church His bride.
God’s scriptures reveal to us that when someone turns from their sin and places their complete faith in Jesus Christ, God does an amazing transformation inside of them by His Holy Spirit and that person becomes installed into Christ’s Bride, the Church.
Marriage has been around for a very long time. It had been around long before Jesus was born.
The Bible says that one of the very first things to happen on this planet was a wedding!
The book of Genesis records that God created Adam from the dust and dirt of the earth, and after Adam was able to explore and name every creature, God then fashioned for him his very own bride, Eve, because there was not a helper fit for Adam among the animals that God had created. When Adam saw Eve, he basically said, “Wowie!!” It was a bit more poetic than this, but the message was clear. Adam was amazed that there could be such a perfect match for him.
Gus, in seeing Savannah this morning, do you echo Adam’s exclamation!? Wowie!!!
Friends, the Bible not only begins with a wedding, it also ends with a wedding.
The Bible tells us in its last book that after all is said and done, that Christ’s Bride, the Church, will be presented to him with incredible radiance and beauty. It’s this picture that is supposed to be an ultimate comfort to God’s people because it is God’s promise to us, that we will one day be reunited with our Lord and remaine with Him forever as his bride. Hence, pointing to the permanence and purity of marriage as we experience it here on earth.
So, the main idea we should all take from this glorious truth is that God intends for us to see in marriage on this planet, what Christ has in store for His Bride in eternity.
Marriage is a sacred and amazing gift from God because it points to the most sacred and amazing gift God has ever graced this world with; His Son, Jesus Christ.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Exhortation to the Bride and Groom
Gus and Savannah,
I’ve shared with all those present just how sacred and amazing marriage is.
You know this!
We’ve discussed it in depth together.
But, I also have four (4) exhortations for you both today. I ask you, please listen carefully, and give these four items your utmost attention.
1. Gus, Savannah; Love One Another,
I’m not talking of the fake and temporary type of lust-love that we see prevalent in this world. I’m speaking of the same type of blood shedding love that you both have experienced from Jesus. John 13:34-35, Jesus says
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
This means that you will need to both seek to outdo one another in kindness, sympathy, affections, and sacrifice. This is only possible by abiding in Christ and surrendering to Him every day….
So Love One Another.
2. Gus, Savannah; Be Faithful to One Another.
I’m not just speaking of sexual faithfulness. It is true, that the Bible speaks of the marriage bed being a sacred place that should be held in honor.
But faithfulness begins within your heart. Faithfulness to one another, resolved upon within your heart, will keep you from dishonoring one another in your thoughts, your words, your spending, your emotions, and your sexuality. A heart resolved to faithfulness is faithful in both the little things and big things. I could quote to you many, many scripture about God’s faithfulness to His people.
One of the main points of the Bible is God’s Faithfulnews to keep His promises, save His people, and be true to His glory and righteousness.
So, Reflect God’s nature by Being Faithful to One Another.
3. Gus, Savannah; Forgive One Another.
There will be an abundance of moments where the other person will fail at the first two exhortations I gave you. That is why this command is just as important as the first one. Paul says in Colossians 3:13 that we as Christians,
Colossians 3:13 (ESV)
if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
You will need to daily remind yourself that your spouse is a sinner who is saved, only by grace, and not by their own ability to be righteous. You are now being given the amazing opportunity to reflect how gracious God has been with you, in forgiving you of your sins, by now forgiving one another in marriage.
This is a privilege and not a cross to bear. Remember that! So, Forgive One Another.
Lastly, and most importantly, Gus and Savannah, Do Not Idolize One Another.
Gus, Savannah is not your savior.
Savannah, Gus is not your savior.
Though Savannah may be taking your last name, Gus, her primary identity is not found in you, and neither is yours found in her. Jesus is the one who deserves and has rightful claim to the throne of your hearts. Exodus 20:2-3,
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
This first commandment is not a buzzkill, nor is it something God gave us to hinder us from enjoying life. It is the foundation for all of creation. God created all for His glory and all things can find their purest and most abundant satisfaction in placing God on the throne of their hearts. The problem with the world is that this command for natural order is polluted by sin. You will both find the most satisfaction from your marriage if you make Jesus your God and not each other.
So, Do Not Idolize One Another.
Intent to Marry
So, now that I’ve gotten that off of my chest, I’m going to ask you both a question.
If you wish to answer in the affirmative, it is imperative that you say “I Do”.
Please turn towards each other and grasp hands… As best as you can, please look at one another in the eyes.
Do you GUS take SAVANNAH, whom you now hold by the hand to be your lawful and wedded wife, and do you promise in the presence of God and these witnesses to be to her a faithful, loving and devoted husband, so long as you both shall live? (I DO)
Do you SAVANNAH take GUS, whom you now hold by the hand to be your lawful and wedded husband, and do you promise in the presence of God and these witnesses to be to him a faithful, loving and devoted wife, so long as you both shall live? (I DO)
Vows
Gus, will you please repeat after me.
I, Gus, take you, Savannah…,
to be my Wife…
my helper…
and my constant friend…
from this day forward…
In the presence of God…
our family and friends…
I offer you my solemn vow….
to be your faithful husband…
to have and to hold..
in sickness and in health…
for richer, for poorer…
in joy and in sorrow…
I promise to love you…
and sacrifice for you…
as Christ loves…
and sacrificed for his Church…
to protect you…
to honor and respect you…
to laugh with you and cry with you…
and to cherish you…
for as long as we both shall live.
Savannah, will you please repeat after me.
I, Savannah, take you, Gus…
to be my Husband…
my leader…
and my constant friend…
from this day forward…
In the presence of God…
our family and friends…
I offer you my solemn vow…
to be your faithful Wife…
to have and to hold…
in sickness and in health…
for richer, for poorer…
in joy and in sorrow…
I promise to love you…
to trust your leadership…
as we both trust in Christ…
to honor and respect you…
to laugh with you and cry with you…
and to cherish you…
for as long as we both shall live.
Exchange of Rings
Alex here has your rings.
These rings are a symbol of your love, commitment, and covenant.
Wearing these rings will be a reminder to you both and to all who see them,
that you have made these vows to one another.
Alex, please hand Savannah’s ring to Gus
Gus, Please place Savannah’s ring upon the third finger of her left hand, and repeat this vow after me,
“This ring I give you SAVANNAH…..
as a symbol and pledge…
of my constant faith and undying love.”
(Alex, please hand Gus’ ring to Savannah)
Savannah, , Please place your ring upon the third finger of Gus’ left hand, and repeat this vow after me,
“This ring I give you GUS…..
as a symbol and pledge…
of my constant faith and undying love.”
Let us pray.
Declaration of Marriage
Gus, and Savannah...
You have come before God and these witnesses today to express your desire to be husband and wife.
By the clasping of hand, by the reciting of vows, by the exchanging of rings, you have shown your love and devotion to each other.
Before I say what I am about to say, let me read to you what I believe Jesus would say to you. I will use His words because he said it best,
Mark 10:6–9 (ESV)
6 ...from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’
7 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,
8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh.
9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
So, by the virtue of the authority committed unto me by the the church of Christ and the law of North Carolina,
I now pronounce you Gus and Savannah, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit...
You are now HUSBAND AND WIFE
Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate. Amen.
-MOVE TO THE SIDE!
Gus, you may kiss your bride,
Introduction of the Couple
It is now my honor to present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Dufresne
(Couple Exits)
Invitation to Guests
The couple would now like to invite everyone to join them in celebration over at the Christian Life Center. There will be refreshments waiting for you while the wedding party take a few pictures!