Part 3
Ephesians 5:25-33
The husband’s relationship with
his wife sets the tone for the entire family.
A dysfunctional husband/wife
relationship will produce a dysfunctional family.
Our best course of action is to follow
the precise examples that Christ gave us in the Word of God.
Notice Christ’s example: Ephesians 5:25-33
I. Paying the Price – vs.
25 …and gave himself for it
There is a price.
The price is personal.
The price is – you.
No amount of buying, gifts,
treats, substitutes will work.
If we are to love our wives correctly,
we must give of ourself.
·
Eph. 5:28 So
ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife
loveth himself.
The price for a good marriage is
giving yourself.
NOTE: He didn’t TRADE, OR SWAP, OR NEGOTIATE A BARGAIN.
He gave himself.
We had nothing to offer!!
II. Purging and Perfecting – vs. 26, 27 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the
washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious
church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be
holy and without blemish.
This speaks of the process by
which the Lord works in us and on us to make us what we should be.
That same process works in a
marriage.
No woman that gets married is the
ultimate wife.
You can’t order or manufacture a
PERFECT WIFE.
But over time, you can work with
her and help her become that ‘GLORIOUS’ bride that you desire.
As her husband, it is not only
your opportunity, but it is your obligation to be patient with her and help her
become the glorious, perfect wife.
You may ask, “How long will that
take?”
Let me ask you something, Sir. How
long will it take Christ to make you glorious and perfect?
How does Christ sanctify and
cleanse us? What method does He choose to use?
“…with the washing of water by the
word,”
How does a husband help his wife
become a better wife? Through COMMUNICATION.
·
Not ugly looks.
·
Not throwing things.
·
Not name calling.
·
Not huffing and puffing and threatening to blow
the house down.
·
Not making unkind and unfair comparisons.
·
Not by ignoring her, or walking out or running
off.
·
It is done through communication...
SANCTIFY: To make holy,
consecrate, sanctify, to dedicate, separate, set apart for God
Note the order of these verses.
Verse 26 and 27 FOLLOW verse 25!
He gave himself for it – THAT HE
MIGHT.
Trust me men – if you don’t love
them, and give yourself, YOU MIGHT NOT!!
This means treating her like she’s
special – she’s set apart – she’s different.
She’s important. She’s precious!
III. Provision and
Passion – vs. 29 …but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as
the Lord the church
He compares his love for us, to a man’s love for himself.
·
Eph. 5:29
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh;
He broke it down into two categories; he used two words to
describe that care of one’s self.
A. Nourisheth - to nourish up to maturity, to nourish; to
nurture, bring up
This is the same root word as NOURISHMENT.
This speaks of feeding.
This done by a steady diet of food to keep one’s self going.
·
Not random, isolated meals, but regular,
consistent nourishment.
·
Healthy food.
·
Necessary food.
·
Not junk food.
B. Cherish - to warm, keep warm; to cherish with tender
love, to foster with tender care
The visual image here is one that is cold, and he looks for
warmth.
This speaks of a genuine concern for their wellbeing and
comfort.
This means doing what is necessary to see that they are take
care of.
Conclusion:
If we are that are husbands are going to do our part to have
a home that is working properly, we must get serious about our role and do
everything that Christ instructs us to do.
We can’t expect our wives to do right if we aren’t doing
right.
We can’t expect our children to do right if we aren’t doing
right.
We can’t expect God to bless our home if we are not doing
what we know to do!
