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Marriage

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Ephesians 5:15-25 (NIV)

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the

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Ephesians 5:15-25 (NIV) Cont’d

Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. �21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

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Context

Why is this marriage instruction sandwiched in between "the filling of the Holy Spirit" ( 5:15-21) and " the spiritual battle" (6:10-20)

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Mutual Submission

"to put under" - put my needs and wants under...put their needs and wants above mine

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The 4 loves

  1. Eros - erotic , sexual love
  2. Storge - family love - parents for children
  3. Phileo - love for friends, equals
  4. Agape - God's love - the decision to seek the best interest of the other

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How does God call a wife to submit to her husband?

  • It is NOT: being inferior...being passive...being silent...without fulfillment
  • It IS: an attitude of the heart...a ministry to the LORD....a ministry to the husband
  • Helping him to become the best man of God he can become

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How does God call a man to submit to his wife?

  • It is NOT:  being a dictator...being superior...exclusive decision maker...always right
  • It IS: Loving her like Jesus...being a minister to her...seeking her best interest
  • Helping her to become the best woman of God she can become

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HOW? - 1 Peter 3:7 ESV

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you[a] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

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HOW?

  • Live with your wife
  • Know your wife
  • Honour your wife – Why - because she is a priceless gift from God ( like a weaker vessel)
  • Because she is an equal heir of God's grace
  • Consequence - she is one of the keys to your prayer life

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Resources on the wbconline.ca