The Engagement story
of
Elizabeth Ann Lillie and David
Anderson Grant
As nervous as they are, this couple sought the heart of God for his will on this occasion.
They WISH To express, that today is NOT ABOUT THEM (US (me and her,) but all about a relationship with God
Lets talk about…
How they met:
How We Met (Liz’s
Perspective)
According to Liz, She had started back to school during that time and was pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. It was that semester, in History class, that she met David.
She Said “We became friends and studied together. From the first time I talked with him in depth, I knew he was different. I had never met anyone like him. Guys that I knew in high school were only interested in one thing, and it wasn’t church. We lost touch after that semester was over. Until that summer his best friend’s girlfriend, invited me to church with her, which was the same church that David went to. I couldn’t believe that there were so many young people who loved God the way they did. It was just something I wasn’t used to. But I loved it. It was about a year after David and I first met that we became exclusive. During the time that I have spent with David, I have learned so much about patience. He never made a quick decision when it concerned our relationship. We prayed for months about whether we should pursue our relationship further. He knew that starting a relationship with me was a serious decision. I had a daughter and he took that into consideration.
…according to David…they hit a place in the relation ship where they broke up 1 year ago... they were yielding themselves to focusing on what God wanted in His plan (Last December)
They were looking for their purpose in life (and not sure about this relationship) but their hearts had an intention to discover their purpose – to know and do the will of God.
David said that he was focusing on being in school and that was hard enough,… but being married?
Still- as they Looked for purpose in life, they knew to back everything up with scripture (because that sacrifice helps us know the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. …But they never though to look for scripture regarding marriage.. and so they were confused about this crossroads in life- asking God those ‘why ’ questions of life, and wondering ‘what should we do?’
Then they came across The
Book Sacred Marriage (Gary Thomas)
This couple was reading a devotional book together…When they
came across some missing information.
Missing information that made the light come on concerning what they wanted in the relationship and what
God wanted to use them for in
marriage. They discovered the hint of
what God intends this relationship to be….
During that journey--
That …The Lord intends to use 2 people, to do what 1 could not…
as scripture says… 2 are better than one…
2 are better that one… Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 kjv
(9) Two are
better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.
(10) For if they fall, the one will lift up his
fellow (companion): but woe to him that is
alone when he falleth; for he hath
not another to help him up.
(11) Again, if two lie together, then they have
heat: but how can one be warm alone?
(12) And if one prevail against him, two shall
withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
That triple braded rope is each individual life in this relationship, plus the person of God. This is why this couple desires to invite God to be part (a foundation) of their marriage among many witnesses (that’s you)
As they journeyed thought this book, David and Liz encountered real life aspects and examples of God doing this in other Christians lives…
But they waited on the Lord’s timing, and showed patience. To see what God was doing in their lives.
They didn’t want a superficial motive like
Just getting together to have 2 incomes…but
They desired to have their heart in the right place, so they would be ready to be engaged.
The Talk (Her Family)
In august... David was persecuted (razzed) by his boss for not getting engaged... being the financial guru he informed David how they are missing out on the tax breaks (and Joke after joke...)
David confided that he doesn’t have the funds to support her and a child… Especially cause he didn’t have the funds to get a ring... and worry after worry filled his mind. They sat there in this truck.. Conversing with one another… his boss explained with Christian wisdom that the marriage is not about THE RING, but that God has ya’ll together, to be together.. then he waxed eloquent about the right attitude and motives (for marriage).
Liz’s fiancé would realize that he doesn’t need these worldly gifts or a big ring... or have a big job to marry her...
You don’t need worldy gifts to purchase your salvation, when it was already paid for (by Jesus)
You don’t need to have a big ring, but a little faith –
David concluded to his boss …’You are right’... I don’t need a big ring..
... for the act of ‘2 becoming 1’… God knows what is important...
that really opened up the eyes for David
He purposed in his heart to call a jeweler to get the scoop on a faux diamond ring...
Conversation with His
Mom (
(Until...) David open up to his mother –Nancy- in this
transparent conversation of plans that David was contemplating… and she starts
to cry... she gets out this wooden box and uncovers a choice of two rings….that
had been set aside for her two sons
(….and his mom said ‘I have a ring for you and [your brother] hank’)
Tears filled their eyes- They were choked up I assure you..
This is important to this couple because
God provided a ring for Liz after David got his priorities straight on the insignificance of materialism
David had finally died to himself on this matter…
and realized ‘what is important.. is me
and her...’
What he realized is that he was giving up the diamond that
he didn’t know was already provided for him.
The
Permission (1st of September
By David’s admission, her mom & dad... are really in tune with God’s will and her father was inquiring from David, wondering how serious this rascal was with his daughter.. he basically turned up the heat to David as a protective father… saying…
‘you were saved (in relationship with the lord) since you were 15 and now you’ve grown in the Lord to the age of 25… you should be able to discern God’s will for your life (concerning marriage)…You will know if my daughter is the one before you... if you don’t know... don’t string her along.... even that could be Gods will --- to break up.... or go out….
In this scenario of this southern restaurant (Ted’s Montana Grill)… Her parents all 4 of them, were together eating and her dad said so....
“What are your plans with my daughter?”
and David’s like .."umm… We are going out…"
and Her father [rick] is like.. “No… with Marriage! …are ya’ll talking about it? Praying about things???
At that point…
The Holy Spirit came over David.. and gave him peace…
& It will take David having a
little Faith
It is interesting to note that Jesus said that if you had
the faith of mustard seed you could move a mountain- in fact, the faith that is the size of a mustard seed.. [which is the tiniest
seed of herbs, but grows into a giant tree..]
That small amount of faith is required in your heart, and it can grow
into salvation and eternal life – That is what the
Permission for Hand in Marriage (sept 1st asked parents)
So David told the Father of the Bride [Rick], and her mom [Amy] the same about the ring and the conversations he had with his boss …and he (finally) asked to marry their daughter …And her parents were ecstatic and wept tears of joy because they had been praying for this…
This leads us to
Biblical engagements: which we will discuss during the core of our celebration and ceremony today
----
Her Father described how Liz got to a point in her life where she was ready to start what God had intended for her. "we had been praying for a young man like you ... someone to be fed by the word of God, not fed by the flesh..."
The Provision for the
Groom
David’s 1st excuse
for hesitation in pursuit of a deeper relationship with
was school, (and he would constantly
through out more excuses, like no job…
no ring... the list went on)
Sounds like the story of salvation? God-- providing eternal life as a free gift- to those who could not afford to pay the debt of justice to a righteous God] & We make excuses as to why we are Not Ready
David said… ‘I didn’t know that she had that for me ….a ring I could have never thought about, or financed for that matter.’
…what an answer to our worries!!!! (...having a ring) but it’s not about that...
But that God has answered our prayers and blessed us…
God would give them [David especially] the right sign for forgoing a change
Liz was wondering ‘Isn’t a good relationship sign enough…?’
Thank God for him understanding what we need to walk the next step in life.. (even if it a baby step)
……
Liz’s Childhood
Liz says “Looking back now, I can see how your parents’ faith doesn’t save you. I was a good kid growing up and did the things I was supposed to do. However, God was not a driving force in my life, and I followed my friends (instead of following the Lord)- and I didn’t have a personal relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Liz’s Testimony
I think that is what allowed me to follow a path that many teenagers do. I followed what my friends were doing and unfortunately it wasn’t going to church. I got into a relationship that was not centered around God. Some people think that God wants to put all of these restrictions on us to take the fun out of life. I can see so clearly now that God gives us standards to live by to protect us. During a very hard time in my life… I slowing began to realize what it meant to have relationship with God.
David described that he is a virgin… that he had never planned on dating a non virgin...
“I preached this through high school… that I will only date a ‘church girl’.
But then one day I was having my quiet time with the Lord...
and God revealed that
It was obvious to David that God is really doing some work here...he had been praying for God’s will to be done...and God transformed his heart and mind
No Different: What
God does with the Believer!
And this is no different then what God does with the believer.
Ephesians 5 describes-
The perfect son of God, the Groom - Jesus -
would take the believer, as his bride, sacrifice for her with his own life,
accept her, and take the responsibility to heal the wounds of sin in our
life.
And WHY? What does God have in it for himself? What does God see in You or me
that is attractive, all of us having been stained by sin.
The mystery of the marriage relationship is that 2 become one --- two and are made one flesh… so this, in fact is a miracle that Jesus would take the believer as a bride to set her apart, make her holy, and glorious. That the Son of God would take the responsibility of making right any wrong in our lives. To take our spots, wrinkles, blemishes, and make us clean, and holy, acceptable and healed, whole and restored– to the accumulation of every believer known as the church – he would make the whole church (the Bride of Christ) acceptable to himself as a glorious assembly of saints.
(25) Husbands,
love your wives,
even as Christ also loved the church,
and gave himself for it;
(26) That he
might sanctify and cleanse it
with the washing of water by the word,
(27) That he
might present it to himself a glorious church,
not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing;
but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Submission unto death, submit to her – forgo pride and ideal of marriage redeemed.
________________________________
The Proposal…(Nov 12th... The date I asked her to marry me)
David did some pondering asking himself ‘Why am I doing this????’
But, Confirmation of what he should do came while reading this devotional book
Reading the book... were in
between the asking and the popping of the question …I know why I am with her...make
the just of it... reading scripture. Book... 1st weekend that was available...
And
David wanted to find a peaceful quiet secluded place that described their personality
So the setting is [4 wheeling at a
David said this sensation was similar to the feeling he experienced during an altar call at church (you know… the decision time like when you get [he got] saved… when you know that God is speaking to you…the pounding… (The rush of adrenaline) … when you know that God’s presence is among you and you know that this decision is what God wants... It’s a good feeling, an awesome feeling, where you hesitate going forward in church to make a decision for Jesus, saying to yourself... I don’t want to... I’m so scared… but you know that God is leading you to make this commitment.
__
So he says to himself… ‘123, here we go.. then he fumbles
the ring box down on the bench near
And he’s like ‘Oh yeah ….open the box...’
So after he got the box opened... with humiliation he asks… ‘Will you marry me?’
Are you serious? She said
and David said… “uuuu… yeah..” […Of course I was serious… ]
“For so long I had been worked up
to this point.. and right after that
I had to let go of all my worries and fears about the marriage and moving out…
We had a good long talk... about the worries and fears... and have experienced freedom since being engaged... freedom to talk about the future together. I hate change and this would be a big change in my life..
It scares me to think that soon I’m
not going to be where I am used to being...
I will no longer have the safety of home, but I want my God’s will be
done. [In fact little maddison ran up
to us as we were preparing this storyline, and she called David a ‘momma’s
boy’]
David continued saying “I have had no reason to move out, until now… but
because of God’s grace it is now our conviction that God will do more with a
married couple... than with us being single.
As scripture says “ Two are
better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.”
So, we have been practicing selflessness..
not focusing on the “I”… the “me
me me..” but focusing on the “
(not a Christian or saved... I
couldn’t get married right now.)
I am allowed.. to get married
If you are fearful of Trusting God, May you be filled with confidence in this wonderful relationship story
This Couple has a story behind their Relationship & we want you to know that God is pursueing a relationship with you.
Here is the Story behind it. [The Story behind the Story]
Introduction
Yielding to God is how to experience this purpose driven life –
and this staying in tune with God
results in occasions like this…
where decisions are made by faith..
That will change the rest of our
lives……
The TESTIMONY
It is this couple’s desire to share this gospel as an integral part of there wedding ceremony…
Some of you might believe in (on) Jesus at this wedding,
much like some did When Jesus did his first miracle at the wedding in Cana of
Galilee (that was the water turned to wine).
There was a certain nobleman whose son was sick- he lived in a town
called
Therefore, our purpose today is that some may believe in Jesus today, and also that some may really believe and give their life to the Lord when you figure out how much God loves you and the great lengths that he went to save the human soul… May you be thankful and humble enough to accept his free gift of salvation!
Our other purpose today is to celebrate the lives of this couple.
David and Elizabeth have BOTH been saved from their sins. This means that they came to a point in their life where they knew that their sins were forgiven and that they have eternal life. And they would like ya’ll to know the Lord the same way they do… so I will explain to you a Jewish wedding in order to draw a picture of what this relationship with God looks like…
In Biblical Times… the word BETROTHAL come to mind
…(like engagement but more) /
it parallels: salvation, relationship!
(it is the beginning of the covenant)
If DAVID was a good Jewish boy, he would first ask the
Father of the bride to marry. Rick
Permission for Hand in Marriage (sept 1st asked parents)
If you remember…That David told the
Father of the Bride [
IN Biblical
engagements:
They would begin to negotiate the BRIDE PRICE– it could be years wages –
The FATHER Set the Price. The GROOM would agree to it.
The BRIDE would then
have a Choice. (ELIZABETH daddy, is THAT all I’m Worth?
no way) make him pay more…
The groom and the bride (DAVID and ELIZABETH) then drank from a cup called the “Cup of the New Covenant” (and this is what happened during the last supper – Passover…Jesus made allusion to a Jewish wedding… because he was going to pay the bride price for every believer ON THE CROSS). I’m sure the Disciples were like ‘what’? ‘Are we at a wedding?’
Before DAVID and ELIZABETH would drink of the Cup of the New Covenant
Rick (the Father) & DAVID (the Groom) would drink first setting the bride price
Just like Jesus, Drinking this communion in the Last Supper, was him agreeing to go to the cross and pay a price for our sin.
And the cup was offered to ELIZABETH.(The bride) and the moment she chose to drink the Cup.
They were Esposed! (much like
After Espousal, The GROOM would go back to his father’s house.
And prepare a place for her.
IN MY FATHER’s HOUSE Joh 14:1-6 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (4) And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (to my fathers house) (5) Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? (6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The Bride would prepare herself for married life during this time, (Not knowing when the groom will come to sweep her away.)- [you see heaven is a prepared place for prepared people so please listen on how to prepare yourself.] At Night The Groom (and his friends) conducted a torch-lit procession to the house of the bride. And the Bride would be waiting not knowing what hour the one who loved her would come. Therefore, the Grooms arrival was preceded by a shout, and they would take flight back to the father’s house, consummating the wedding covenant, entering into physical union for the first time.
Listen and hear what God says about the
end of the age:1Th 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice
of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise
first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them
in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the
Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these
words.
So-
the initiation of a relationship with Lord began when:
God
the Father set the Bride Price (the
sacrifice of a perfect life, for the redemption of the bride)
God
the Son Agreed to it (When
Jesus was on his way to the cross,
he said, not my will, but thine be done)
Jesus Lifted up the Cup, and declared, a new
covenant with
God because of His own Blood – He died in our place—
and Paid for our sins. (He paid the bride price)
After giving His Life He was buried & 3days later,
He proved that he was the way the truth, the life, the only way to The Father –
He proved that He is the Son of God – The Savior.
(that is the power of this gospel)
He rose again from the dead and defeated death
That means he has the power to give you everlasting Life
Jesus
makes preparation for He went back 2
his Fathers house to prepare a place for believers
His Bride and
That is what Heaven is about – it is a prepared place for prepared people
He
told us to be ready when He comes back----
when “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, so the question is… are we
ready??… are we really in relationship with God???
Remember
the cup of the new covenant was offered to The Bride and she had a choice to
drink the Cup
So…WHEN does Marriage
BEGIN? / WHEN does salvation BEGIN?/
WHEN does this new relationship BEGIN? When You Say YES………
..As you see in this case … it begins when a man and a woman stands before
their family, their friends, and God almighty giving themselves to one
another.,
so a new relationship with God begins when we stand before Him say say “Yes” to
Him
That is why scripture says Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
for that was Jesus’ Bride Price (Set by God the Father)
A morally Perfect life given for the sins of mankind.
[Let’s be real]
One lie make us a liar, hatred = murder in God’s eyes. Adultery of the
heart.. And we see we are all guilty of
breaking God’s Law, God see our hearts
(Rom
But God is rich in mercy to those who know they do not deserve him.
His Life that was given for us -if we, by faith, receive him and give our life to him, give our heart to him and follow him and believe him… he will receive us, and give us eternal life.
WE Must Repent of Sin and turn our Direction to God’s Mercy & Grace
The reason for all of this….
is because relationships are important
And relationships… have a story behind them…
They involve commitment…and this journey (if you care to track the path)
So when did you meet God? When did you ‘decide to walk the path’ (of righteousness)
Do you have a story of surrender?
When did you realize the truth about Jesus... ?
About Him Being your Savior and Lord..
and purchasing our salvation for us.. on the Cross.
Dying for us, in our place, and being buried.
Then raising to life again, by his resurrection power---
and defeating death on our behalf…
Again, Just like this couple is saying “yes” to each other…
We all need to come to the point in our lives
where we say “yes” to a relationship with God
Everything in your life is pointing to your “need of
God”.
And this whole ceremony was designed today with you in mind---
to give everybody an opportunity to be real and honest with God.
and so we encourage everyone to Call on His name today…
____
And this is a very sobering though. Eternity is a long time—and you can’t afford to be wrong. Please don’t overlook that God is pursuing you and is come knocking at the door of your heart and is drawing you to this relationship
It is this couples desire that you witness the forming of their new relationship, that they may witness you having an opportunity for a new relationship with God, through the Lord Jesus Christ.
So at this time we are going to have a time of prayer to ask for a relationship with God through His only begotten Son –Jesus, that whosoever of us believe, might not perish on the Day of Judgment, but have eternal life.
[And remember how David felt at decision time, then you know that God is speaking to you, - and your saying “I don’t want to” you’re so scared, but you know that God is Leading you to make this commitment.]
PRAY… Let us Pray…
Lord we ask God’s Blessing & and thank you for giving us
this opportunity of salvation, eternal life, and heaven. SALVATION (repentance
and faith).
Dear God – I do believe that
Jesus is alive and listening to my prayer… I am a sinner, and I want to turn
from my sin. I ask for mercy from You,
Lord -the best I know how… I call on the name of the Lord for saving grace. Please help me to repent of my sin [name
them], and trust you, and not be ashamed.
I know I cannot save myself by good deeds, but from this moment on, Lord Jesus,
I ask you completely to save me… I realize that you paid the bride price for me
(when you paid for my sins on the cross)
So put me in a right relationship with you, for the sake of Your Son
Jesus. May your Holy Spirit, Please
, come into my heart, and live your life through me. May I Be Ready for
you when you come back to get me… In Jesus name I Pray, amen.
And may God change your life
now and forever
For Time and Eternity.
Don’t run from the Lord, but
to him.
Tell God that you will read
your Bible, and Pray Regularly as you seek him.
& Don’t Even forget to Go to church.
Today, If you realize your calling by God, and started following Jesus, in the Relationship with the Heavenly Father, please communicate this to this couple, as an unashamed act of gratitude for this bride and groom being transparent with their relationship with each other, and their relationship with Jesus, as followers of Christ.
Bridal March
“Here am I”
Stand / Sit
Liz’s God centered
Relationship
About their relationship with each other,
“[Our] relationship has not been perfect. We have definitely had our struggles but we have always relied on God for guidance and sought his will for our lives. I find it so comforting to know that I am not marrying just a man. A man by definition is flawed and imperfect and will never be everything I need. David will never do all the things I want him to do or always be the person I want him to be. I have comfort in the fact that our marriage will embody God’s love and God’s mercy and forgiveness. I remember my dad used to always refer to the parable where one man built his house on sand and it was quickly destroyed by the rain but the other man built his house on the rock and it was able to withstand the rain. I know from experience that marriages have their fair share of rain but my comfort lies in knowing that our marriage will be built firmly on the rock of God.
Marriage is God’s first institution for welfare of the
race.
The celebration of marriage is a wonderfully happy and
delightfully exciting time! Especially
is this true when both parties are Christians, as are DAVID and ELIZABETH. In the quietness of the Garden of Eden,
before sin had ever entered the world, God saw that it was not best for man to
be alone. Thus, he made a companion
suitable for him and established the rite of marriage, while heavenly hosts
witnessed the wonderful scene. Today, we again come to observe this matchless
ceremony as these two unite together in holy matrimony.
Marriage is a decision that should not be taken lightly. To each of you, this day is second in
importance only to the day that you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord
and Savior. This is the day that you
become united by God as husband and wife.
Marriage was instituted with
divine goodness and wisdom. And was
designed to promote human happiness and holiness. And this right is the foundation of home-life
and social order and must so remain until the end of time.
It was sanctioned and honored
by the presence and power of Jesus at the wedding in Canaan of Galilee which
marked the beginning of Jesus’ ministry on earth. It is therefore ordained that a man must
leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife and the two of them shall
be one flesh, united in hopes goals, and sentiments, Seeking and believing the
best for one another
As
a Christian couple, it is only fitting that we see what God’s word has to say
about this momentous occasion. In the
very beginning in the Garden of Eden, we find that God said, “It is not good
that man should be alone. I will make a help-mate for him.” Thus, we come to realize that marriage is
divinely ordained and sanctioned by God, Himself. In the New Testament, we find that Jesus
performed His first miracle at the marriage feast in
Notice
that He was invited to the wedding, and that He honored its celebration by His
presence, and also chose its beautiful relations as the figure of that
wonderful union between Himself and His church.
Later in His ministry, we hear
Jesus saying, “For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and
shall cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. Consequently, they are no longer two, but one
flesh. What God has joined together, let
no man separate.” Let us remind
ourselves here that I, as your fellow
minister and friend, can legally unite you as husband and wife, but it is God
who does the actual uniting; and when God fuses two personalities together,
absolutely nothing except death should ever sever this relationship.
DAVID, you are now entering into a relationship with many privileges, and
also with many obligations. The woman
you love is about to become your wife.
In no greater way could
ELIZABETH, you, too, are entering into a relationship with many privileges and
obligations. The man you love is about
to become your husband. He tells the
world not only of his willingness, but his expressed desire to turn from all
others to you for the rest of his life.
Your live will be his inspiration and your prayers, his tower of
strength. You must realize that God
placed him in a position as the spiritual leader of your home, and that you
must be submissive to his leadership.
Eph 5:19-33
(19) Speaking
to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
melody in your heart to the Lord;
(20) Giving
thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ;
(21) Submitting yourselves one to another in
the fear of God.
(22) Wives,
submit yourselves unto your own husbands,
as unto the Lord.
(23) For the
husband is the head of the wife,
even as Christ is the head of the church:
and he is the savior of the body.
(24) Therefore
as the church is subject unto Christ,
so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
(25) Husbands,
love your wives,
even as Christ also loved the church,
and gave himself for it;
(26) That he
might sanctify and cleanse it
with the washing of water by the word,
(27) That he
might present it to himself a glorious church,
not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing;
but that it should be holy and without blemish.
(28) So ought
men to love their wives as their own bodies.
He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
(29) For no
man ever yet hated his own flesh;
but nourisheth and cherisheth it,
even as the Lord the church:
(30) For we
are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
(31) For this
cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his
wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
(32) This is a
great mystery:
but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
(33)
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular
so love his wife even as himself;
and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
The man is to be the head of the home, and it is important to notice that this includes spiritual, as well as material, matters. However, may we hasten to say that this does not imply servitude, for this love is to be patterned after the love Christ had for the church – a love that is willing to die, if necessary, to prove the depths of its commitment. Remember that the home is to be based on love and liberty, not law.
It is commonly accepted that it takes two to make a home, but basically, this is incorrect. It takes three. It takes the husband, it takes the wife; but above all else, it takes the Lord Jesus Christ as the head of each individual life, as well as the head of the home.
A little history of this couple.
According to
DAVID describes LIZ
as “caring, godly, energetic, adventurous and
cute” when he fist saw her he commented
to his friend in class “hey …look at the girl next to me – man she looks
good.” They both agree that the other
one was “HOT”. [cute, wow she’s hot, cute…. he was hot]
Marriage is a Covenant……..How Does a Covenant Differ From a Contract ?
A contract is based on distrust, limited liability, and can voided by mutual consent.
A covenant is based on trust between parties. unlimited responsibility. cannot be broken if new circumstances occur.
Marriage is established by God as a covenant, not a
contract. As scripture says “…She (is) thy companion, and the wife of thy
covenant” (Malachi
“Who gives this woman
in marriage?” [WALK UP-center stage]
If you then DAVID and ELIZABETH have chosen one another in the holy estate and know of no just cause as to why you should not be so united as a token thereof please join you right hands together.
DAVID by taking the woman that you love by the right hand
THE VOWS – DAVID
In light of these truths taught in scripture regarding the marriage bond do you, DAVID, take ELIZABETH to be your Lawfully wedded wife, Before GOD and these witnesses present, Do you solemnly promise, to love her, honor her, and cherish her in that relation, and that forsaking all others, for her alone, will you promise to be to her in all things, a true and faithful husband so long as you both shall live. Do you so promise, DAVID? –
1.
DAVID, knowing that ELIZABETH will be your most important
responsibility before God, do you commit yourself to love her, and in
discovering all that means, so display how Jesus loved His bride, the Church,
and gave himself for her?
2.
Do
you promise to pray for her continually and lead her into God’s presence with
you, thereby assuring the presence of God in your family?
3.
Do
you commit yourself to provide for her as God gives you the ability, realizing
that
4.
Do
you promise to talk with her and draw her into your life and vision, washing
her with your words of praise and gratitude that she might live securely in
your love, and will you listen to her with full attention and patiently absorb
her emotions?
5.
Do
you commit to comfort her in times of sickness or distress, ministering
Christ’s healing love?
6.
Do
you promise to appreciate her as a person, and forgive her when she disappoints
you or fails to fulfill your expectations?
7.
Do
you commit yourself to do these things so long as you both shall live?
THE VOWS – ELIZABETH (In
Response to DAVID’s expression of
love)
Do you ELIZABETH, take DAVID to be your lawful wedded husband,
Before GOD and these witnesses present, Do you solemnly promise, to love him,
honor him, and cherish him in that relation, and that forsaking all others, for
him alone, will you promise to be to him in all things, a true and faithful
wife so long as you both shall live. Do
you so promise,
1.
ELIZABETH, knowing that your relationship
with DAVID is a reflection of your
faith in God, do you promise to befriend him, adapting yourself to him, that
you may display in your life how the Church responds to Christ?
2.
Do
you commit yourself to pray for him continually that God’s wisdom will be given
to him and that he will hear and obey God’s voice?
3.
Do
you promise to invest all of your talents and gifts through his leadership,
knowing that he represents you before God and others?
4.
Do
you pledge to honor and obey DAVID in the Lord even when others you love
criticize him or when you may not understand him?
5.
Do
you promise to talk to him openly, confiding in him first before all others,
and will listen to all his plans, not pressing for your own way, but trusting
him – waiting patiently for God’s will and God’s timing?
6.
Do
you promise to encourage him and comfort him during spiritual battles and times
of weakness and physical trials, knowing that his character is being tested in
God’s will?
7.
Do
you promise to appreciate him as a person and forgive him when he disappoints
you or fails to fulfill your expectations?
8.
Do
you promise to follow the requirements of a wife ordained in scripture and
provide a Godly home for your family?
9.
Do
you commit yourself to do all these things as long as you both shall live?
Then in response to your intent to be espoused, join your
hands and repeat after me. I, DAVID, take you
I, ELIZABETH,
take you DAVID (
Then you are given to each other …. For richer or poorer… for better or
worse in sickness and in health….. to
love and to cherish each other until death separates you.
(Gospel) REMEMBER GOD’s Love for us. The Foundation of Love
I Think it is appropriate to read to you this familiar scripture.
1 Cor 13:4-8 The Premier Passage on God’s Love NKJV
1Co 13:1-13
(1) Though I speak with the
tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.(2) And though
I have the gift
of
prophecy, and understand all
mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove
mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.(3)
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,
and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me
nothing.
(4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity
vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
(5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not
her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
(6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in
the truth;
(7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth
all things, endureth all things.
(8) Charity never faileth: but
whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be
tongues, they shall cease; whether there
be
knowledge, it shall vanish away.(9) For we
know in part, and we prophesy in part.(10) But when that which is perfect is come, then
that which is in part shall be done away.(11)
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I
understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put
away childish things.(12)
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but
then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am
known.
(13) And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these
three; but the greatest of these is
charity.
A divine love, and undeserved love, a gift of grace
It’s on this foundation that DAVID and
Marriage Rests.
DAVID and ELIZABETH will now be exchanging rings. Ring are an outward visible sign of an inward commitment.
To Groom:
Do you have a Ring as a token of your vows? (covenant) In Scripture, the ring is a symbol of authority and the
resources which go with it. (See Esther 8:2). In a covenant relationship, the
ring symbolizes identification.
(Identifying with one another, your great love and commitment toward one
another)
As you place the ring on your bride’s finger repeat this vow…
“I give this ring to
you…(repeat)… as a token of my endless affection… and my unbroken
faithfulness.”
With this ring I thee wedd,
With loyal love, I thee endow
And all my worldly goods with thee I share.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To Bride:
Do you have a Ring as a token of your vows?
As you place the ring on your husbands finger repeat this vow…
“I give this ring to
you…(repeat)… as a token of my endless affection… and my unbroken
faithfulness.”
With this ring I thee wedd, With loyal love, I thee endow
And all my worldly goods with thee I share.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
A Symbol of Love for
Your daughter.
David an
Before we light the…
UNITY CANDLE CEREMONY…
Prayer
During this quiet and holy time we ask that you lift up a prayer for DAVID & ELIZABETH as they begin their life’s journey together… Prayer –
Brides Maids – “
Bridal March –CD or LIVE Mike..
Unity Candle – “Your Love is Extravagant” [LIVE]
or
“Thank You for Loving Me” David Crowder [CD]
Kiss – Introduce, Exit –
“There is no one like you” David Crowder CD
“LIVE”