A Short Sermon for a Wedding

New Years Eve
Holy Trinity Church, Charleston, SC
David M. Dubay+

On Mark 10:6-9, 13-16 (They are no longer two but one)

In the Gospel reading we’ve just heard read we learn about two of Jesus’ priorities for the faithful…

The godly union of men and women in Marriage and His desire for Children to know him and to not be kept away from his redeeming love and his grace…

Today we all get the privilege of witnessing the Public commitment of Will and Ashley to a Christ Centered marriage.

The world doesn’t support it, television doesn’t support it, even the tax system makes it hard sometime….so what is going on here today can truly be called counter culture.

And God is blessed by their desire to take this step into the gift that was given to us at the dawn of time.

Ashely and Will join the long and ancient list of God’s children who have stepped out in faith and become as Jesus tells us…one flesh.

In the Name of God, I, N., take you, N., to be my wife or husband, to
have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse,
for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to
cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

A vow …that’s a odd word to use in this century.. it’s more than a promise..it’s more than a contract…. it’s agreement that is made on a eternal level a spirit level.

A marriage is a promise to God the creator of all things , the lord of Lords that, with his help, their individuality is traded for the holy gift of oneness in Christ.

And this is an amazing gift because marriage is hard…marriage is a constant process…with almost a life of it’s own. Without constant attention and care marriages get difficult.

But Jesus gives us an anchor. When times get hard in marriages, too often we look to our own coping skills, our own abilities to fix the problems…

But it is in those times of struggle that we must remember. Husbands and wives are one in Christ and not because they say they are. It is in seeking God’s will for our lives, being servant’s one to another that will save what God has blessed today…and He will save it.. over and over and over if we let him.

And you who took your vows today…remember your vow?

Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your
power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?

and you said… we will. And God heard you. You have a specific calling when it comes to Will and Ashley and Leah.

To be supportive, helpful, encouraging…and able to give advice.. (if you’re asked)… We are also called to pray for these th preeeople…often and sincerely.

So we all will leave here with a calling. Will and Ashley to hold Christ Jesus at the center of there new lives as husband and wife and mother and father. and You and I to call out to god regularly, asking him to guide and care for this new family.

And that will make all the difference.

Thanks be to God.