-As we gather together today in the house of God to perform this ceremony in the eyes of God
- may it be known to all in attendance that the ceremony is for the purpose of establishing
-a commitment which was ordained by God. The marriage ceremony is a joyous occasion.
- It is to be cherished, enjoyed, and honored. But, this marriage testimony is not to be taken lightly, for it is a commitment made under Heaven by God.
-Today, Christopher and Raquel have agreed to make this commitment to each other and to God.
- In talking with (groom name) and (bride name), I have found sufficient evidence that they are prepared to
-establish a marriage commitment under Heaven, before God, and before all who have gathered here today.
- Based on this, it is my responsibility to bring Christopher and Raquel together in matrimony under the authority of God. And, it is my duty to bring this charge.
-When kings, presidents, and pastors are brought into their particular office, they are given a formal declaration of their responsibilities.
- It is important to know that the responsibilities of a marriage are just as grave and important as that of any official office on earth.
- For before the first king walked the earth, men and women had already walked throughout the earth in marriage for several thousand years.
-You see God established the first king, the first priest, and even the first pastor. But before all of those offices were even considered, God established marriage between one man and one woman.
-In the book of Genesis, the second chapter, God’s word tells us the Lord formed man out of the dust of the ground.
- He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.
- The Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept. He took one of the ribs and closed up the flesh.
- From the rib, which the Lord had taken from man, He made woman and brought her to the man.
-Adam said, “this is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of man.”
- Therefore . . . shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
-The word of God says that God formed man from the ground.
- But, rather than form the woman from the ground, God formed her from Adam’s side.
-God is all powerful and had the ability to make the woman from the ground, just as He made man.
-But, Scripture tells us that God chose not to. Instead, God chose to make the woman from or out of man.
-God never acts recklessly or without purpose. The purpose of his actions in the creation of the man and of the woman was to establish two things on this earth.
- First, he wanted to establish responsibilities. God said to the woman Eve, “thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” -
But, Scripture also says that the husband is to love his wife even as Christ loves the church and gave his life for it.
-(groom name), Scripture commands men to love their wives sacrificially. We have the responsibility as the spiritual leader in our home.
-We are the priest of our homes. We are the pastor of our homes. We are to lead our families toward God. That is our God given responsibility.
-The second reason God made Eve from Adam was to show God’s desire for unity in the marriage.
-Again, Scripture tells us, “and the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman and brought her unto man.”
-And, Adam said, “this is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man.”
-Therefore, a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh.
-The word, “cleave” literally means to be stuck together. You see, not only is God ordaining leadership in the home, but God is also ordaining unity.
-To be unified, the man and the woman are to be of the same spirit, and of the same mind.
- That means they are to have the same goals. They are to work together toward the same dreams, and to do all things together in unison.
-In a moment, (groom name) and (bride name) are going to light the unity candle. This part of this God-ordained ceremony has great symbolism and meaning.
-It represents the very thing I am talking about. (groom name) and (bride name), when you light the unity candles, you will pick up your individual candles.
-This represents you individualism before marriage.
-Then, both of you are going to take your individual candles and light the larger candle. Then, you will both extinguish the individual smaller candles, signifying that you are no longer individuals.
-You are now cleaving to one another as Scripture commands, stuck together. This is how God established marriage.
The Rings
-The wedding ring is given and worn continually. It is a symbol of marriage.
- You see, the unending circle symbolizes the unending vows which you are taking before God and all these witnesses here today.
-This now may be broken honorably in the sight of God only by death. So, as a token of your vows, you will now give and receive the rings.
-(groom name), put the ring on (bride name) finger and repeat after me:
-“(bride name), with this ring, I pledge my life, and love to you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
-(bride name), put the ring on (groom name) finger and repeat after me:
-“(groom name), with this ring, I pledge my life, and love to you in the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
The Vows
(groom name) –
-Will you take (bride name) to be your wife, to commit yourself to her happiness and fulfillment as a wife, as well as to her usefulness in the kingdom of God?
-Do you promise to love her sacrificially as Christ has loved the church, and gave his life for it?
- Will you treat her with respect, honor, and trust? Will you keep you commitment to her during times of sickness and health?
-During difficult trials and temptations, and during prosperous times as well? Will you be true and loyal so long as you both shall live?
(bride name) –
-Will you take (groom name) to be your husband? Will you commit yourself to his happiness and to his fulfillment as a husband, as well as to his usefulness in God’s kingdom?
- Will you promise to love him sacrificially, to follow his leadership as He points you to God?
-And to treat him with respect, honor and trust? Will you keep your commitment to him in sickness and health?
-During difficult trials and temptations, and during prosperous times as well? Will you be true and loyal so long as you both shall live?
Common Pledge
(groom name) and Bride name), at the same time as you light the unity candle, in unison, repeat after me:
-I promise not to leave you, nor to return from following you
-For where you go, I will go
-And where you lodge, I will lodge
-Your people shall be my people,
-And your God shall be my God.
(groom name) and (bride name),
-you are no longer two independent persons, but instead you are now one flesh.
- Jesus commanded, “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”
-Since they have made this commitment before God and this assembly here today,
- but the authority of God and of the State of New Mexico, I now pronounce you man and wife.
-You may kiss the bride.
-It is my honor to present to you Mr. and Mrs. (groom and bride name).
