For Newlyweds and Not-So-Newlyweds

Last Wednesday night, our church service was about marriage.  What are the roles of the husband and wife according to the Bible?  What does Ephesians 5 really mean in our daily lives?

First, take a look at this video.   : )

We were all laughing our butts off.  : )

Highlights from the message: (Ephesians 5:22-25)

Husbands are called to love their wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.  Wives are called to submit to their husbands as to the Lord.  The husband is to be the head of the household.

*Verse 22:  When He (the Lord) speaks, I listen.  I'm willing to be subject to His leadership.  I wouldn't be deliberately disobedient to the Lord, so then I should show my husband the same respect according to my role as his wife.  My desire is to please the Lord and fulfill His vision.  We know that if the husband is doing his role by receiving wisdom from God that we can trust and respect his decisions.
*Verse 23:  (see Mark 10:42-45) Don't think of this authority as worldly, but as of the church.  Since the husband is called to be the spiritual head-of house, he should serve the hardest.  Compare the husband and wife to a President & Vice President of a company.  As VP, would we (wives) tell the President (husbands) that he is doing a bad job?
*Verse 25:  The husband should put aside selfish wants to do his best for his wife/family.  Love your wife as you love yourself.  If you come home from a hard day's work and see housework that needs to be done, you may only think "I need a break!!" - but understand that your wife most likely feels the same way.  Christ loved the church so much that he was brutally crucified for all of our sins.  To "lay down His life" is how the husband is called to love the wife.

Questions for wives to consider:
1. Do we negatively confront, defy, or oppose our husbands?  It is sin to try to take his role of head-of-household that God created him for.
2. Does the wife just have a stronger personality?  If so, you must adjust this so you still act respectfully.
3. Do we scorn him?
4. Do we show disappointment toward his decisions?
5. Do our actions condemn?
6. Do we honor him?
7. Do we show partiality towards him?  We should, to show love and respect.

Respect towards our husbands does not need to be earned - it is commanded.
Love towards wives does not need to be earned - it is commanded.
We are each accountable to God for our own actions.
We should each live to be the best wife/husband we can, EVEN IF we do not feel our spouse is being the best he/she can be.  Why?  If we act that way, our spouse is likely to respond the way we desire.  IRON SHARPENS IRON!!!   : )