Compiled by: Herman Abrahams (Pastor), Cornerstone Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 740, Westridge 7802, Rep. of South Africa.
E-Mail: Mentorship2003@yahoo.co.uk
Note to the reader:
If you have been blessed with this sermon compilation, I would be honoured to receive an e-mail from you merely telling me where in the world you are based- I do not need any other information. This is just so that I can have the pleasure of giving thanks to Almighty God, that all over the globe, the ministry which he has entrusted to me, is blessing the body of Christ and helping to extend the Kingdom of God.
Thank you.
Herman Abrahams,
Cape Town, South Africa.
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RENEWAL OF MARRIAGE VOWS
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A. OPENING
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A.1) Introduction
We are gathered together in the presence of God to witness the renewal of marriage vows of ..................… ............... ... and .......................... .......................... and to ask God for His blessing on them through Jesus Christ our Lord, and to share in their joy.
A.2) The bond and covenant of marriage was given by God in creation. It is God who says in His Word, “For this reason a man will leave his mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”
It is God who instituted marriage. Marriage belongs to God and husband and wife are responsible to Him for their marriage. They will have to give an account of that which God has entrusted to them.
A.3) Christian marriage is not just a legal contract; it is at the same time a spiritual contract. The parties to this spiritual contract here today is ...................... ...................... and the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, there are three parties to a Christian marriage – husband, wife and Jesus of Nazareth, who died in order to save us from our sins.
A.4) Marriage is a sign to us of the UNION between JESUS and his CHURCH, and HOLY SCRIPTURE commands that all should hold it in honour. Marriage should be respected and not be tampered with.
A.5) The union of husband and wife in heart, mind and body is a gift from God for their mutual joy.
It is given for the companionship, help and comfort that the one ought to have of the other in prosperity and adversity.
It is given that the natural instincts and sexual desires, bestowed by God, should be regarded as holy and ordered properly.
A.6) Therefore, marriage in not to be entered into unadvisedly, without counselling, lightly, or merely to satisfy physical desires; but reverently, with discretion and due consideration of the purposes for which it was instituted by God. Those who are called by God to this Holy State, should continue in mutual faithfulness and love.
Into this Holy State of life ............................ and .................................. come now to renew their wedding vows to each other.
B. PRAYER, PRAISE AND WORSHIP
C. BIBLE READING AND SERMON
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Read Gen. 2:18-24
D. RENEWAL OF VOWS
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D.1) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.
TO GROOM: ……………………… Have you repented of your old ways and renounced sin, the world and the devil.
Response: I have.
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour?
Response: I have.
TO BRIDE: ……………………… Have you repented of your old ways and renounced sin, the world and the devil.
Response: I have.
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour?
Response: I have.
TO BRIDE AND GROOM: You have in the presence of this congregation publicly professed that you have renounced sin and that Jesus Christ of Nazareth is your Lord and Saviour.
(Here the minister may add such words as he sees fit)
D.2 RECOMMITMENT TO EACH OTHER
TO THE GROOM: ……………………… will you love ………………………., comfort her, honour and protect her, and forsaking all other women, be faithful to her alone, as long as you both shall live?
Answer: I will
TO THE BRIDE: ……………………… will you love ………………………., comfort him, honour and protect him, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him alone, as long as you both shall live?
Answer: I will
D.3 RE-AFFIRMATION OF ALLEGIANCE.
BRIDEGROOM
The bridegroom takes the bride’s right hand in his and they turn towards each other.
HE SAYS:
I..........................re-affirm my allegiance to you alone …………………..as my wedded wife.
I promise to love you and to cherish you,
to cleave and to hold on to you
from this day forward,
in times of prosperity and times of adversity.
I promise to honour you in the Lord;
And where you go, I will go,
Where you stay, I will stay.
Your people will be my people
and your God will be my God;
till death do us part
according to God’s holy law;
this is my solemn vow.
BRIDE
They loose hands. The bride takes the bride-grooms right hand in hers:
SHE SAYS:
I..........................re-affirm my allegiance to you alone …………………..as my wedded husband.
I promise to love you and to cherish you,
to cleave and to hold on to you
from this day forward,
in times of prosperity and times of adversity.
I promise to honour you in the Lord;
And where you go, I will go,
Where you stay, I will stay.
Your people will be my people
and your God will be my God;
till death do us part
according to God’s holy law;
this is my solemn vow.
D.4) RINGS
They loose hands. The minister receives the ring(s).
HE SAYS: Heavenly father, by your blessing, let these rings be to ................... and ................ a symbol of unending love (Explain) and faithfulness, to remind them of the vow and covenant which they have made this day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
The Bridegroom places the ring on the fourth finger of the bride’s hand, holding it there he says:
I give you this ring as a sign of my re-commitment to our marriage.
With my body I honour you
All that I am I give to you
and all that I have I share with you
within the love of God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Bride’s response - if only one ring is used, before they lose hands the bride says:
I receive this ring
as a sign of a re-commitment to our marriage
With my body I honour you
all that I am I give to you
and all that I have I share with you
within the love of God
If rings are exchanged, they loose hands and the bride places a ring on the fourth finger of the grooms left hand and holding it there, says:
I give you this ring as a sign of my re-commitment to our marriage
With my body I honour you
all that I am I give to you
and all that I have I share with you
within the love of God
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
E. SONG BY SOLOIST (IF ANY)
F. PRAYER FOR COUPLE BY CHURCH LEADERS.
G. CLOSING
