In a special divine service and wedding blessing at the Central Congregation of the Accra West district on Sunday 25th August 2019, Lead Apostle Samuel Oppong-Brenya advised the celebrating couple and congregation, in an elaboration from the book of Ezekiel where God’s love for Jerusalem is vividly expressed.

The sermon was based on Ezekiel 16:8, ‘“When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord God.’

Beginning his sermon, the Lead Apostle remarked that the goodness of God in His covenant with man will continue to be witnessed by all generations, should we preserve the purity of His creations in nature, as well as the divine institution of marriage established between Adam and Eve.

Lead Apostle Samuel Oppong-Brenya then related the text word to the special occasion:

Indeed, it was your time. “I don’t know what was said or done when you first met, to have blossomed into this beautiful marriage” he said. “That will remain a mystery to us, but indeed it was your time to marry. So my dear couple, always be of good cheer and thankful to God. It is not so easy to find a spouse.”

A time of love. Often we take for granted what was freely given to us by God, eventually losing its blessings. “A help-meet, as given by God to Adam, is a valuable gift.” He added, “The husband is the head of the home, and the wife is the heart. Both are equal before God, none greater than the other. You must live and work in tandem with love. To love is to be compassionate, understanding and forgiving; love is mutual.”

A husband protects and covers his wife physically and spiritually. He continued, “A spinster is exposed to all sorts of advances, but a wife is protected by the union with her husband.” He admonished the groom that no matter how far he goes, his wings (his spirit) covers his wife through the dignity and faithfulness of their marriage.

An oath and covenant before God, blessings from Above. From the example of Ruth’s oath in the bible, he urged the couple to keep the integrity and sanctity of the words in their vows. “Your yes today is eternal. It can never change.” He concluded, “May the Lord bless and favour you in all your endeavours, according to His perfect will and plan for you.”

Lead Apostle Oppong-Brenya was assisted by Apostle Benjamin Ohene-Saffo, Bishop Asare and District Elder Eric Arhin. There were 693 members and guests at this special service.

The bride, Sister Lily Oppong Antwi, is the first daughter of retired District Evangelist Jacob Oppong Antwi who served as the assistant district rector for Accra West, and also once a Rector for the Central Congregation. She is a member of the youth and also a Sunday School teacher.