Elliott Baptist Church - January 14, 2001 Sermon

Dr. Cecil A. Fayard Marriage/Family Sermon Series

The True Significance of Wedding Traditions
Part 2

Jewish Wedding Traditions and How They Illustrate Redemption and Christ's relationship to the Church.
1. Establishment of the covenant declares the bride is set apart exclusively for the bridegroom.
  1. Jewish wedding - at the moment the covenant was established, the bride was declared to be set apart exclusively for the bridegroom.
    1. The bride and groom drank from the cup over which the betrothal or engagement benediction had been pronounced.
    2. This drinking from the cup symbolized that the covenant relationship had been set-up or established.
  2. Relationship to salvation:
    1. Christ symbolized this marriage covenant through communion at the Lord's Supper.
    2. I Corinthians 11:25.
2. Groom returns to his father's house after marriage covenant is in effect.
  1. Jewish wedding:
    1. Once the marriage covenant was in effect the groom left the house of the bride and returned to his father's house.
    2. The groom remained at his father's house for a period of twelve months separated from his bride.
  2. Relationship to the church:
    1. Christ is preparing a place for the bride in His Father's house (John 14:1-2).
    2. The bride, the church, is gathering her wardrobe.
      1. Pastors and teachers help in preparing the bride (Ephesians 4:11-13; Revelations 19:7-9).
      2. Christ wants a clean bride for the wedding (Ephesians 5:23-27).
The True Meaning of Wedding Traditions.
1. Why the parents of the bride and groom are given special seating.
  1. Parents are a vital part of the marriage covenant.
  2. Parents have the responsibility, along with the sons and daughters, serve as a line of counsel for them.
  3. At marriage, a new home and new line of authority is established.
  4. Married children should still seek the counsel of their parents (Proverbs 23:22).
2. Why the groom enters the auditorium first.
  1. When the groom enters first it signifies that he is the covenant initiator. The one who initiates the covenant assumes greater responsibility for seeing it fulfilled.
  2. Soon Christ will return to consummate the wedding with His bride, the New Testament church (I Thessalonians 4:14-17).

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Dr. Cecil A. FayardMarriage/Family Sermon Series

Dr. Cecil A. Fayard
Marriage/Family Sermon Series