Marriage is a Covenant.

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Marriage as a Spiritual Covenant Refreshing
Re-instilling Marital Commitment

• Marriage is a Covenant.
• Malachi 214 Proverbs 216-17
• Definition of the Hebrew word
• In the sense of cutting a compact made by
  passing between pieces of flesh.
• Gods covenant with Abraham (Genesis 1510, 17-18)

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A Covenant vs. A Contract

• The Marriage Covenant is Sacred
• Matthew 196 Joined in Heaven
• A holy triune not a human duet
• Proverbs 2025 Snareto rashly say it is
  holy and then later make inquiry.
• A covenant is based on trust
• A contract is based on distrust
• A covenant involves unlimited responsibility
• A contract involves limited liability
• A covenant is lifelong not to be broken
• A contract is voided by mutual consent

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Symbolism of the Covenant In a Wedding Ceremony

• Seating of the family on opposite sides of
  auditorium
• Covenant settingsacrifices
• White runner holy ground
• Groom enters first he initiates the covenant,
  has the greater responsibility
• Father walks bride down the aisle
• Presenting his daughter as pure (Deuteronomy
  2213-21) a fathers responsibility
• White dress says she is pure

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Symbolism of the Covenant In a Wedding Ceremony

• Father gives the bride away
• Full blessing of the parents
• Transfer of authority to groom (Numbers 304-8 1
  Corinthians 738)
• Ring token of covenant
• Why introduce the couple?
• Establishing change of names
• Abram/Abraham
• Spirituallynew nameChristians

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Symbolism of the Covenant In a Wedding Ceremony

• What is the significance of signing the guest
  book?
• Witnesses to the covenant/sign after.
• Purpose of receiving line?
• Give blessing to couple/short note
• Ruth 411, 14-15
• Why food at the reception?
• The covenant celebration
• Seals the covenant/Lords Supper

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Symbolism of the Covenant In a Wedding Ceremony

• Why do the couple feed cake to each other?
• Symbolizes becoming one flesh
• 1 Corinthians 1124-25 -- Lords Supper

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Keeping of Vows is a Serious Matter

• Our society has undervalued the keeping of our
  word.

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Keeping of Vows is a Serious Matter

• The scriptures value it highly
• Ecclesiastes 52-7 Pay that which thou
• Psalm 154 Zion dweller
• Numbers 302 Shall not break word!

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Commitment and Vows in Marriage
COMMITMENT is what transforms a promise into
reality. It is the words that speak boldly of
your intentions. It is the actions that speak
louder than words. It is making the time when
there is none, coming through time after time,
year after year. Commitment is the stuff
character is made of, the power to change the
face of things. It is the daily triumph of
integrity over skepticism.
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Commitment and Vows in Marriage

• Couples utter heavy duty vows in elaborate
  weddings. Problem?
• Treat superficially nervous wrong emphasis
  soon forget
• What matters is your current level of commitment.
• Much more than stick it out.
• Radical part of your commitment is active, not
  passive!!

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Commitment and Vows in Marriage

• We need a thorough and insightful understanding
  of Marital Promises. (Six parts)
• Love you as long as we both live (Kindness,
  sacrifice)
• Cherish and honor you (Thoughtfulness)
• I will be what a husband and wife owes to their
  spouse (Meet your needs)

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Commitment and Vows in Marriage

• I will take you as you are (Acceptance).

• I will forsake all others (Faithful)

• I will do all these things for better or worse,
  in sickness health (Unconditionally serve you).

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Must Rehearse Them Until They Are Part of Us!

• Usually spoken a single timelittle value in a
  crisis.
• Dr. Clark Warren suggests
• 2 times a week for first ten years.
• 1 time a week for the rest of marriage.
• Same principle as the Lords Supper
• Verbalized regularly over a long period of
  timetakes on a tremendous power!
• Conclusion
• Do your homework.
• Your marriage will benefit greatly!

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A renewal of vows--Brent to Gail
I promise I will do everything in my power to
help you to get to heaven to accept you and to
remain loyal to you always. I promise to put you
and our marriage second only to God to be open
and honest with you always as we strive for
oneness. I promise to cherish, honor, and support
you in good times and bad and strive to love
you selflessly, like Christ loves the church as
I meet your deepest needs. I promise to pilot,
provide, and protect you and our family and to
do these things unconditionally until death do us
part so help me God!!
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A renewal of vows-Gail to Brent
I promise I will do everything in my power to
help you get to heaven to accept you and remain
loyal to you always. I promise to put you and
our marriage second only to God to be open and
honest with you always as we strive for oneness.
I promise to admire, honor, and obey you in good
times and bad and strive to be an excellent
keeper at home and be sensitive to your deepest
needs. I promise to love you and to do all these
things unconditionally until death do us part so
help me God!!
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Suggestions

• Take your time but make a commitment to go
  through the work sheet.
• Write it out first and read to each other first
  until you have memorized it.
• Share with others once completed!

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