The content of wedding sermons is heavily influenced by the officiant’s and the couple’s religious convictions. It also somewhat depends on the kind of wedding that is being performed.
Is it non-denominational, unconventional, secular, religious, or unreligious?
It’s also possible that the couple and the preacher or officiant have a pre-wedding conversation concerning specifics of the sermon. In any case, if you have been asked to officiate a wedding and are looking for inspiration for wedding sermons, we’ve dug out a couple from actual wedding ceremony scripts for you to use as a guide.
Sermons for Weddings
Preaching at weddings is a unique type of preaching. They are about the group of individuals who have gathered to celebrate that love as well as the wedding couple and their love. So, sermons at weddings present a special chance to address subjects like acceptance, inclusiveness, and tolerance.
Today is going to be the best day of your life! You recently exchanged vows with the love of your life in front of God, family, and friends. It’s time to rejoice with a sermon that will leave you feeling weightless.
The most crucial thing to keep in mind is that you are not by yourself. Every person who has ever been married has had this similar feeling of being a little bit overwhelmed by the love that exists within you. And each and every one of them has had to learn how to communicate it in a way that is appropriate for both them and their partner.
Because this time is so much more than just words on a page, the ideal sermons for weddings are condensed but not boring. Don’t feel obligated to follow these sermon suggestions word-for-word; instead, pick and choose what resonates with you and run with it (or come up with your own!).
The sermon is essentially a sermon which uses the wedding celebration setting to communicate the main theme: God’s love. This is especially fitting, as weddings are generally considered a time when God’s grace is on full display in our lives. The way that we invite God into our lives through marriage should be similar to how we invite Him into our lives every day; if it isn’t, then you may need to revisit some things with your spouse or significant other!
- Focus on the love of God: You can talk about how much He loves us and has always loved us even when we were unable to return His love (or even knew what His love was). You can share stories of how He has shown His kindness in unexpected ways to people around you, including yourself! This will help remind everyone at your ceremony that they’re surrounded by people who care deeply about one another and want nothing more than for everyone’s life together from this point forward.* Focus on the love between two individuals: When illustrating this point during your homily, consider using examples like “the first time my husband smiled at me” or “the first time my wife told me she loved me.” These types of experiences tend not only highlight how special those moments were but also show others within earshot why their union makes sense as an entity capable of creating wonderful memories such as these ones for many years ahead.* Focus on family relationships: While it might seem strange at first glance considering there aren’t any children present yet (assuming no pregnancies), think through all aspects of life before making assumptions about whether or not something fits into this category! For example: If either person grew up with siblings but hasn’t seen them regularly since moving out due – perhaps due opportunity costs associated with working long hours each day – then now might be a good opportunity while everyone else gathers together under one roof again after several years apart since graduation day back home
It focuses on the goodness of marriage, the joy of marriage and the purpose of marriage.
- The goodness of marriage is that you are choosing to be with someone you love.
- The joy of marriage is that you get to share your life with someone you love and in doing so, create a new family.
- The purpose of marriage is to be a team, supporting one another and loving each other as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25).
The bride’s father should acknowledge that he has raised his daughter to be a lady, with Christian values and morals, but that it is now time for her to be married.
In this section, you can talk about how proud you are of your daughter. You could also talk about how much she has grown up since the day you first brought her home from the hospital. If she had any fears or worries as a child, you have been there to comfort her and help her through it.
You could also choose to share some of the memories that stand out for you as a parent—perhaps something funny or touching that happened between yourself and/or your spouse and your daughter when she was younger.
In addition, if there is anything specific about raising your daughter that stands out in your mind (e.g., teaching her how to cook or sew), now would be an excellent time to mention it!
He should then praise her groom for being a good man who will love and cherish his daughter for the rest of his life.
Then, the father of the bride should praise her groom for being a good man who will love and cherish his daughter for the rest of his life. He has shown to be a great Christian, who will take care of your daughter and raise your grandchildren in a Christian home.
The bride’s father should focus on encouraging young couples by stressing that their love can last forever if they are faithful to one another and to their faith in God.
It is important to stress that your daughter or son will be a role model for the rest of their lives. They are entering into a marriage that will be a reflection of what they believe and how they treat one another. It is also imperative that you tell them how important it is to stay faithful to God, and how connected being faithful to God can be with staying faithful to one another.
The Bible says in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This means that we should not do things just because everyone else does them, but rather do what feels right for us and our families. We must always remember that marriage isn’t about looking good on paper or showing off; it’s about coming together as partners who love each other unconditionally—and making sure our children grow up knowing this too!
Marriage is not easy, but is helps when you have great examples you can look to for guidance
A lot of people think that marriage is easy, but it’s not. Marriage takes work, and sometimes you have to work at a relationship for a long time before you see any benefit. But there are examples out there for you to look to for guidance and inspiration:
- Famous couples who have been married for 40 or 50 years. The Queen of England has been married to Prince Philip since 1947, and they’re still going strong! That should give you something to aspire towards.
- Couples in your own family or friends’ families. You might not be royalty, but if your parents are still together after 40+ years then that’s pretty amazing! I know plenty of people whose parents got divorced when they were young—it’s not always easy on the kids when this happens—but if they can make it work then good luck isn’t too far away!
4 keys to a successful marriage sermons
God’s purpose is to create a spiritual family. That inspiring truth should motivate us to improve our family and marital relationships. When you acknowledge God in your marriage, when you apply the principles and strategies of successful family living, you can enrich, improve or even save your marriage!
There truly are proven, biblical keys for a successful marriage. You need to know them and apply them in your own marriage. Or you may want to share them with friends or relatives planning to marry in the near future. It may not be easy, but the effort can lead to great rewards and a loving relationship.
KEY 1: GIVE 100 PERCENT
The old saying, “Marriage is a 50–50 proposition,” is totally wrong! So-called modern, enlightened professionals may say, “Independence is our priority. We’ll intellectually agree to work together, but I’ll still reserve my personal escape route in case things don’t work out right.” One needs to ask, what is the framework for our marital relationship? Is it mutual convenience? Or is it a biblically based relationship that will grow in depth and character for the rest of our lives? What does the Bible say? Notice this verse, which is foundational to happy relationships and the character that we need for all eternity: “And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive'” (Acts 20:35). Or, as the Moffatt translation puts it, “It is happier to give than to get.”
One of the greatest gifts you can give is your time! Some years ago, when I was very active in sports, I tended to shortchange my wife in spending time together. I still remember the time when I determined to give my time to her in some special activity that would please her. She wanted to go canoeing—that was not my favorite activity, but we went canoeing on an East Texas lake on a Sunday afternoon surrounded by pine trees, blue skies, water fowl, and peace! What I considered a sacrifice of my time, led to an improved relationship—my wife enjoyed the activity and appreciated my effort. As Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
True love is giving without expecting anything in return. When two people both give 100 percent, you have a strong bond, a strong overlap that is going to guarantee flexibility and the ability to cope with crises and problems. But accepting the 50–50 proposition guarantees a built-in weak link in your relationship!
God’s way of life is a giving way—the mature approach to life and marriage. The Bible also instructs husbands and wives to give to one another sexually. In the first century, the Apostle Paul gave this instruction to Gentile converts to Christianity, who were living in the sexually immoral city of Corinth: “Because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control” (1 Corinthians 7:2–5).
Are you willing to follow this instruction? Do you express affection to your husband or wife? Simple hugs and kisses when you leave for work, and when you return, are important. A German insurance company issued a report a few years ago, concluding that men who kiss their wives every day are less prone to accidents, and are generally more successful financially than men who do not kiss their wives every day. So I made sure to kiss my wife every morning before leaving for work. One day I forgot, and backed my car into a tree. Needless to say, I make sure I kiss her every morning!
Commenting on the problem of selfishness, Dr. John A. Schindler wrote, “The only person capable of true affection is the person who can forget himself and his own immediate interest while he places the welfare and interest of someone else foremost. When both husband and wife can do that, they will have no domestic nor sexual trouble” (How to Live 365 Days a Year, p. 142).
How many husbands and wives actually practice that principle? And how many Christian husbands and wives actually practice that principle?
KEY 2: HONOR AND RESPECT YOUR SPOUSE
Do you really value your spouse? Do you respect him or her as a human being made in the image of God? Notice God’s instruction regarding our relationship with others: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).
Yes, you need to esteem—to value—your spouse better than yourself. To vain, self-indulgent individuals, that sounds awfully archaic, but it is a living law. So repent of selfish ambition and conceit. Turn your attitude around. Treasure your mate as a potential child of God. And, as the saying goes, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Look for and appreciate the positive values you find in each other! And if you have been abusing your spouse, physically or verbally, you need to repent! You need to humble yourself before God and ask His forgiveness, and you need to apologize to your mate! I know it is sometimes difficult to say, “I’m sorry.” But an apology can go a long way in healing and restoring a relationship!
How do you demonstrate honor and respect to your husband or wife? There are many ways, such as giving special gifts, listening carefully, expressing thanks and using common courtesy in your words and the tone of your voice.
How patient are you with your family? Patience is a way of expressing love, as we learn from 1 Corinthians 13, often called the “love chapter.” We read: “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends” (1 Corinthians 13:4–8, NRSV). Read that chapter. Pray that God will give you the ability to live by those qualities and grow in those qualities.
You can improve your marriage by listening, by understanding, and by giving space to one another. You can improve your marriage by honoring and respecting your spouse! Notice this vital instruction God gives to husbands: “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7).
God instructs the husband to honor his wife. Keep in mind that you are “heirs together of the grace of life.” Perhaps the most important key is to understand how God values every human being, and particularly your mate, regardless of your opinion of him or her. Every human being on earth has the potential of being born into the divine family of God as a glorified, immortal child of God. The Apostle Paul reminded us of God’s plan for us: “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:18).
KEY 3: SET A POSITIVE EXAMPLE
The Apostle Peter gave instructions for Christians to set a good example even to their non-Christian mates: “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear” (1 Peter 3:1–2).
Remember, you cannot change another person against his or her will, but you can change yourself! We all have God-given responsibilities in our marriage and family. God tells husbands: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25). Are you, as a husband, fulfilling your responsibility? Some husbands and wives place great emphasis on judging their mate’s conduct, to excuse their own lack of faithful service. Remember, we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, as it tells us Romans 14:10. Be sure you are fulfilling your own God-given responsibility as a husband or wife!
Years ago, Tomorrow’s World magazine Editor in Chief Roderick C. Meredith wrote two very helpful articles outlining the Christian responsibilities of husbands and wives. His article “What All Husbands Need To Know!” has helped me greatly in the more than 40 years of my marriage. Summarized briefly, a husband’s five areas of responsibility to his wife are: love and respect, support and encouragement, leadership and guidance, help and protection, and inspiration to grow (Plain Truth, June 1966).
A few months earlier, he had written a similar article, “True Womanhood—Is It a Lost Cause?,” outlining qualities that will help a woman help her husband and the whole family. Those areas are: responsiveness and service, tenderness and beauty, intelligence and understanding, Christian virtue, and faith, hope and courage (Plain Truth, November 1965).
When we apply these biblical characteristics in our lives, we enrich the lives of others, and we strengthen our marriage and family.
The book of Titus outlines biblical responsibilities for Christian women, explaining that the older women should teach and “admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children” (Titus 2:4). Are you wives and mothers who are reading this article fulfilling your God-given responsibilities? If you are, you will be a positive example to your husband. God will bless your efforts, if you acknowledge Him in your marriage, and if you ask Jesus Christ to live His life in you. With God’s help, strive to be the best husband or the best wife you can be.
KEY 4: COMMUNICATE IN LOVE
How often do couples “tune one another out” in their conversations? Effective communication means effective listening as well as speaking. We should listen for understanding—try to understand the other person’s point of view. Try to understand the other person’s feelings and needs! Demonstrate respect by giving your full attention.
The Apostle Paul gives us a fundamental principle in communicating effectively. “But speaking the truth in love, [we] may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). Some people speak the truth in hate. But Christians who are maturing in Christ will care about how their words affect those who listen to them.
When you talk with your husband or your wife, do you demonstrate concern and care? Do you communicate respect? Certainly we need to be patient with one another. “Charity suffereth long, and is kind.” (1 Corinthians 13:4, KJV) The NIV states it this way: “Love is patient, love is kind.” Be conscious always to speak the truth in love!
In our fast-paced lives, husbands and wives may be going in different directions and hardly have time to speak to one another. Some studies have shown that many couples average less than 20 minutes a week in conversation! Authors Leonard and Natalie Zunin have suggested the “four-minute rule” as a way to capitalize on the brief time you may have together. They point out that the success or failure of a marriage “can depend on what happens between a husband and wife during just eight minutes of the day: four in the morning upon awakening, and four when you are reunited after the working day” (Contact: The First Four Minutes, p. 133).
The Zunins correctly point out that your language, attitude, or expression at the beginning of the day can affect your whole relationship. Learn to express a positive, loving attitude for the first four minutes you are together at the beginning of the day. If you make this effort, you can avoid an accidental argument or an unnecessary grudge that will last all day. And pay particular attention when you get together at the end of the day. Even if you are tired, a positive word of encouragement or appreciation—a hug or a kiss can make a big difference in your relationship for the whole evening.