June 22, 2003am      If so, say I will.         Mat. 19:4-6

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

Wedding Sermon

 

A certain woman had been married four times. Her first husband was a banker, the second an actor, the third a minister, and the fourth a funeral director.  When someone asked her why she had married men of such differing backgrounds, she answered: "One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go!"  From Bible Illustrator. 

 

Two little rascals stood behind the church door as a newly married couple was leaving the church.  Said the first:  "Shall I give them the fright of their lives?"  "OK," said the second, "DO it!"   The first little boy emerged from behind the door, and ran to the bridegroom with his arms outstretched. "Daddy!" he cried. "Daddy, it so good to see you!"  From Bible Illustrator. 

 

I will never forget the first wedding I had ever performed and neither will the congregation.  I forgot to tell the congregation to be seated after the bride entered the sanctuary.  It was a good thing that the service only took ten minutes.  Then there was the service that my daughter was asked to be the flower girl.  She got stage fright.  It is a good thing that flower petals aren’t necessary to be legal requirements of the marriage license. 

 

A Wedding Ceremony Sermon. 

 

Mat. 19:4 (NIV) "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator `made them male and female,' 5 and said, `For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

 

1.      The Creator Made Them:  He chose you.  Have you chose Him? 

 

2.      The Creator Made Them Male and Female.  He made a plan.  Have we followed His plan? 

 

3.      The Creator Made Them to be United to One Another.  Unity requires harmony.  We choose to be joined together in mutual submission with one another and with God.  Everyone has a part to play.  If you play your part and they play theirs you can make some beautiful music.  Otherwise your song will be one sided.  Christ represents the groom who has laid down His life for the church.  The church represents the bride who has given herself to the groom. 

 

4.      The Creator Made Them to Become One Flesh.  For better or worse,  for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death us do part.  Problems will come but we have chosen to stay regardless of the problems.  We have chosen to work through the problems of life together. 

 

5.      The Creator Says to Let No One Separate.   No one can separate you from God.  But, people will try to separate one another in marriage.  Rather than separate let’s join people and seek to keep them together.  Why?  This is the Best way for humankind.  This is God’s way. 

 

 

"Beatitudes for Married Couples"

 

     Blessed are the husband and wife who continue to be affectionate, considerate and loving after the wedding bells have stopped ringing.

 

     Blessed are the husband and wife who are as polite and courteous to one another as they are to their friends.

 

     Blessed are they who have a sense of humor, their marriage shall be much brighter.

 

     Blessed are the parents who abstain from alcohol (I would add ", tobacco, and drugs"), their children will surely follow their example.

 

     Blessed are they who are faithful to each other and mutually helpful.  God will surely guide them.

 

     Blessed are the husband and wife who thank God for good things, which come to them.  They shall receive both good things and thankful children.

 

     Blessed are the parents who recognize their children as gifts from God, their home shall be filled with love.

 

     Blessed are those mates who make their home a place "where seldom is heard a discouraging word".  They shall inspire others to do likewise.

 

     Blessed are the parents who attend and support their church.  Their children shall develop a strong faith.

 

     Blessed are the couples that are good stewards of all God's gifts, their children will bless them and follow their example.

 

     Blessed are all those whose lives are a testimony of faith in God; they shall be the channels through which God's kingdom will come on earth.

 

     Surely goodness and mercy shall follow them all the days of their lives and they shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

--  From "The Christian Builder," May 24, 1985. Topics: Saul; David; Judas; Pulpit

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