Wedding Ceremony For Danielle Spurgeon And Chris Kaufman

On behalf of both the Spurgeon and the Kaufman families, I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for being here. I know that it means a great deal to Danielle and Chris to have you all here with them on this very special occasion.

Most of us are familiar with the creation story found in the book of Genesis. There we read how God created man in His own image. But the Lord God then said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man's ribs and…made a woman…and He brought her to the man.

Then Adam said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man."

For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

This is God’s design for marriage.

There’s a lot of confusion on the subject of marriage in our world today.

On a day like this, it is good to be reminded that marriage came from God, not from man.

Marriage is ordained in heaven.

Marriage is the first and holiest institution on earth.

God Himself gave the first bride away.

God Himself performed the first wedding ceremony.

In the Garden of Eden, God Himself hallowed and sanctified the first home.

So, as we gather here today…we recognize that marriage is an act of God and not of man.

Therefore, this covenant of marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly, or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of the Lord.

I would also remind you today that marriage, as a holy institution, has never fallen.

God's standards have never changed.

God’s plan for marriage is for a beautiful, life-long, loving relationship between a husband and his wife.

This is God’s desire, according to His Word.

PRAYER

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

DAMON (bride's brother): On behalf of her mother and father, I do.

Chris, Danielle, and Damon are going to place three memorial roses on these front seats.

Two are in honor of Danielle’s parents.

And one is in honor of Chris’ mother.

MESSAGE

Chris and Danielle, this is the long-awaited day where you will express your love to the person you have chosen to spend the rest of your life with.

Today you are prepared to make commitments to one another.

The challenge is not in saying words or in making promises. That part is easy. The challenge will come in living out these commitments in the days to come. What you promise today is something that must be lived out for all of the tomorrows of your life. That is why this is such a sacred occasion.

Our prayer is that Jesus Christ will always be the central figure in your personal lives and that He will always remain at the heart of your relationship.

You have wisely chosen to invite the Lord to be at the Center of your relationship. His presence in your relationship has been symbolically represented by the triangles that are behind you. Since God is the central figure in your relationship, imagine that He is positioned at the top point of the triangle. Since both of you have an individual role to play in making your marriage work - picture yourselves at the lower left and right-hand corners.

Men and women have unique needs. As a husband and wife, you will each have God-ordained responsibilities in this relationship.

Chris, women crave love from their husbands.

Danielle, Men need to feel respected by their wives.

The Lord’s presence will be what brings clarity to this relationship, and His Word will guide you to relational health and happiness as you seek to apply His Word to your lives and in your marriage.

It will be up to you to obey His instruction and show the proper love and respect for one another each and every day.

I want you to know, this is not a one-time decision. Instead, it is a decision that must be reaffirmed again and again throughout your marriage.

Just because a marriage begins with Christ, that is no guarantee it will continue in Him. That will happen only as you continue to nurture the commitments you are making today, to God, and to one another.

Please don’t ever take the spiritual component of this marriage for granted. You are entering into a sacred covenant relationship with one another, and with your Heavenly Father.

I would also advise you to be careful never to take your love for one another for granted either. When you come to the end of life’s journey your love for one another will be even greater then than it is today, even though that may be hard to believe right now.