Hymn # 396 I Was a Wand'ring Sheep
2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
Words of Assurance: 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (ESV)
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
God's Will for our Lives – Galatians 5:13-6:10
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
6 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Hymn # 683 Praise Him! Praise Him!
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-7
3 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
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 of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
Sermon: Christian Marriage a Testimony
Sermon Notes
Marriage regularly makes the news for a variety of reasons.
The larger context speaks to how we live affects the world around us.
This gives us evangelistic reasons to live as God commands. How we live is watched. It's one of the main areas that we are watched.
Ways we need to watch how we live our lives
- To authorities
- To employers
- To our spouses
Wives be submissive.
- This statement frequently upsets people.
- They think it means slavery
- But it isn't because the issue is motive. It is for the Lord's sake.
- One submits for the sake of the gospel.
- So what does this mean?
- Honour your husband
- Doesn't mean that women are inferior in any way.
- Show respect and honour for his place in the household.
- We are to live differently than what the world calls us to.
- Our submission and respect can win husbands over to the Lord
- Men tend to live out how they are perceived.
- Our submission is out of fear and reverence to God.
- Be encouraged to be truly beautiful within. This is different than what the world calls you to. Develop your character!
Husband are to
- Exercise their headship
- Be considerate of your wives. Be knowledgeable of them. Know who your wife truly is....and knowing that exercise your headship.
- Be respectful of them as the weaker sex. These are reasons to honor them. Being kind and promoting their good.
- Don't use your physical strength against her. Protect her. Don't use your mental or emotional strength against her. Build her up.
- Why? So your prayers are not hindered. If you abuse your authority as a husband God will interrupt his relationship with you through your prayer life.
- Care for your wife. This is God's will.
Live in God's grace within your marriage.
- Hymn # 492 Take my Life, and Let it Be
- Hymn # 678—1-3 Christ Shall Have Dominion
- Hymn # 678–4 Unto God Almighty