A WEDDING DAY IS A VERY SPECIAL DAY

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Most of the days that we live upon the earth are what we would call “ordinary.”

 

B.   There are a few days that some would classify as “special” days.

1.    Special means “different from the ordinary.”

2.    Special also means “of a distinct kind or character.”

 

C.   One of those extraordinary days is one’s wedding day.

1.    A person does not get married every day.

2.    If a person follows the teachings of the Bible, he may only have one wedding.  A few may have a second, and, possibly, a third.

 

D.   Let’s talk about the wedding day.  Let’s notice some of the things that make it special, distinct, and out of the ordinary.

 

I.             A DAY OF LOVE

 

A.   It is love that usually brings a man and a woman to the marriage altar.

 

B.   The definition of love.

1.    There is no doubt that this love involves feelings.

2.    True love, however, involves much more than that. 

a.    It involves trust, commitment, sacrifice, and action.

b.    Paul reveals that love involves sixteen (16) different elements in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.

 

C.   The Bible tells us in John 3:16 that God loved and gave His only begotten Son.  In like manner, when we truly love another, we are willing to give.

 

D.   The Bible talks about the love that a husband is to have for his wife (Eph. 5:25)

 

E.   The Bible tells the older women to teach the younger women to love their husbands (Tit. 2:4).

 

F.    Yes, a wedding day is special because it is a day of love.

 

II.           A DAY OF DEPARTURE

 

A.   On the wedding day a new home is created.  Two individuals leave their father and mother.

 

B.   When God instituted marriage in the Garden of Eden, He addressed this point (Gen. 2:24).

 

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife:  and they shall be one flesh.

 

C.   Up to this point in time, the young people being married have been tied closely to their parents and their birthplace.  Now, that all is left behind. 

1.    Their primary obligations are to one another.

2.    Their goals are shared between each other.

3.    Their problems, concerns, and struggles should be worked out between each of them.

 

D.   Their parent’s home can provide support and advice and encouragement, but that home is no longer the couple’s focal point.  Their new home is now their primary concern.

 

III.         A DAY OF UNION

 

A.   God created marriage in order to bring a man and a woman together as one flesh in a holy, safe, and loving relationship.

 

B.   Yes, today is a day of union.  Two become one.

1.    Genesis 2:24

 

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife:  and they shall be one flesh.

 

a.    The man is to cleave to his wife.  He is to be joined together with her as if they were bound by glue.

b.    The two are one:  in spirit, in goals, in love, in all that makes them husband and wife.

 

2.    Matthew 19:5-6

 

…and they twain shall be one flesh?  Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.

 

3.    Ephesians 5:31

 

…and they two shall be one flesh.

 

C.   This union is not for a day or two, week or two, even year or two.  This union is supposed to last until one of them passes from this life (Rom. 7:2).

 

For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth…

 

IV.         A DAY OF COVENANT

 

A.   We have noted that a man and a woman are united in holy wedlock.

 

B.   It should be remembered that it is a covenant that binds them together.

1.    A covenant is a legally binding agreement between two or more individuals.

a.    They agree to be husband and wife.

b.    They agree to leave your homes to form a new home.

c.    They agree to be loyal and faithful to one another.

d.    They agree to be one flesh.

2.    This covenant is not just between the two being married; God is also part of this covenant (Matt. 19:6b).

 

What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.

 

a.    Marriage is of divine origin.

b.    Marriage is governed by divine laws.

c.    When an eligible man and eligible woman come together, God joins them together.

 

C.   Covenants are based upon the honesty and integrity of the individuals who enter into them.

1.    For many, their word is no longer their bond.

2.    For some, covenant is just a word.  It is not tied to character at all.

3.    God views covenants very seriously.  In Romans 1:31, “covenantbreakers” are listed among the sins of the Gentiles.

 

V.           A DAY OF VOWS

 

A.   This is also a day of vows. 

1.    The vows are the foundation of the covenant.

2.    They are spoken out loud to one another.

3.    These words are the most important element of the day’s ceremony (Eccl. 5:4)

 

When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools:  pay that which thou hast vowed.

 

B.   The exchange of vows.

1.    Man:  Do you ____________, take ___________ to be your lawfully wedded wife?  To live together with her in the bond of holy matrimony?  To love, honor, provide, and protect her from this day forward.  And, to keep yourself true and loyal to her, and her only, till death do you part?

2.    Woman:  Do you ____________, take ____________ to be your lawfully wedded husband?  To live together with him in the bond of holy matrimony?  To love, honor, respect, and cherish him from this day forward?  And to keep yourself rue and loyal to him, and him only, till death to you part?

 

 

C.   Are there rings?

1.    Man, place the ring upon woman’s finger and repeat after me. 

 

With this ring, ____________, I do thee wed.  I promise to love you always.  I promise to honor you above all others.  I promise to care for you and protect you to the best of my ability.  I promise to be faithful and loyal till death do us part.

 

2.    Woman, place the ring upon _____________ finger and repeat after me. 

 

With this ring, _____________, I do thee wed.   I promise to love you always.  I promise to honor and respect you above all others.  I promise to be your helper and encourager.  I promise to be faithful and loyal to you till death do us part.

 

D.   The Sand Ceremony or Candle Lighting Ceremony are often used to symbolize the fact that the two are now becoming one because of the vows they have shared with one another.

 

               

 

VI.         A DAY OF WITNESSES

 

A.   Wedding ceremonies are very serious occasions. 

1.    Vows have been made.

2.    A covenant is established.

 

B.   We have these ceremonies in the presence of witnesses.  Each of the individuals has heard and can testify to the words the couple have spoken to each other (2 Cor. 13:1).

 

In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

 

C.   Too, these words have been heard by the heavenly Father and have been registered in His infinite mind.

 

VII.       A DAY OF JOY

 

A.   This is also a day of much joy.

 

B.   The wise man tells husbands:  “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing” (Prov. 18:22).

1.    The man has a companion.

2.    The man has a support.

3.    The man has an encourager.

4.    The man has a confidant.

5.    The man has a mate for intimacy.

 

C.   As They go through life, there will be much change:  friends, environments, struggles, jobs, society, but the two will always walk together with each other.

1.    They can rejoice that God has brought them together.

2.    They can rejoice that they will always have each other as a constant in life.

3.    They can rejoice that they can create a home and mold it in the way they desire for it to be.

4.    They can rejoice that they have a future that holds untold lessons.

5.    They can rejoice that they have a future that contains untold blessings.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   ____________ and _____________, by the authority given to me by the State of Tennessee and by the authority of the God heaven, I now pronounce you husband and wife.  You may kiss the bride.

 

B.   Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. ____________  ____________.