Wives: how does God-given authority work?

• The wife is subject to the husband (Titus 2:4-5; Genesis 3:16)
• Being under authority does not mean one is inferior in value (Genesis 2:18, 20; 1:27; I Peter 3:7; Psalms 115:9-11; John 14:26; I Corinthians 11:3; Philippians 2:5-7)
• Rebellion against a God-given leader is rebellion against God (Exodus 3:10; 19:6; Numbers 16:3, 28, 31-33; I Samuel 8:7; Romans 13:1-2)
• There’s a lot of male-bashing in our society today (Proverbs 14:1)
  • Be careful what you absorb from the culture!

Ephesians 5:22-24, 33: everything, respect

• First, a word about Ephesians 5:21 (Ephesians 6:1, 5; Hebrews 13:17).
• Be subject “in everything” (v24) – but harmonize that with all of Scripture (Acts 5:29; I Peter 3:7; Hebrews 13:17; Genesis 3:17; I Timothy 2:14).
  • The husband will answer to God for how he led his wife. He cannot abdicate that responsibility.
• Each spouse must focus on themselves (Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-19).
  • The husband is not told to make the wife submit. He is told to love her.
  • The wife is simply told to respect their husband, not to make him love her.
• “as to the Lord” (v22) (Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:23-24)
  • Give your husband the breathing room to lead. Managing your responsibilities properly makes it easier for him to lead properly.
• “respects her husband” (v33) (John 8:29; Philippians 2:8)

I Peter 3:1-6: gentle and quiet spirit

Women, there’s a lot of learning to do

• Men have a very strong desire to lead, protect, and provide (Genesis 2:15; 3:16-19; Nehemiah 4:14; I Corinthians 16:13; I Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5:33).
• Women tend to bring out those strong, God-given instincts in men.
• Your husband will make decisions differently than you (Ephesians 5:23).

Busyness

• Solution: Make time for what’s important (Mark 1:35, 38)
  • Despite Jesus’ extremely busy schedule, he made time early in the morning to pray.

Wealth

• Wealth does not have to be possessed in order to distract you.
• Solution: Put God’s word into action (Luke 8:14-15)

Sin

• The time and energy you spend sinning is time and energy you are not spending serving God.
• Hebrews 11:24
• Solution: continue in the word to become free (John 8:31-32)

Luke 3

• Luke 3:23-28 – This shows the genealogy of Jesus all the way back to Adam, roughly 27 generations, through Jesus’ earthly father Joseph.
  • Luke 3:23 – Joseph’s father is Heli? Compare Matthew 1:16.
• Luke 3:2 – See John 1:6-9 regarding John the Baptist.
• Luke 3:3 – See I Peter 1:18-19; Ephesians 1:7; Romans 3:24-26. There had been no blood at this point in time, but John was already preaching about forgiveness of sins. John was preaching about a different kind of baptism than what Jesus would teach later.
• Luke 3:7 – See John 1:24. John began very aggressively, but he knew his audience.
• Luke 3:7-14 – John was essentially teaching them to love their neighbor in whatever way might have been most problematic for each group.

Introduction

• Mark 9:35-39
• Mark 10:13-16
• Children’s Letters to God

What are kids learning from parents?

• Psalms 78:1-8
• James 1:26
• Matthew 21:14-16 – Sometimes kids are the most honest. Jesus defended them here by quoting Psalm 8.
• II Timothy 3:15

Struggling with morality

• Matthew 7:12
• Matthew 5:43-45 – Love everyone! This is not easy.
• Genesis 3:22-24 – Man’s sin brought death into the world. I Corinthians 15:21-22
• Psalms 73:2-3, 16-17, 28 – Why do the evil prosper? Things looks different with eternity in the equation.
• I Peter 5:6-7
• II Corinthians 12:7-9

God’s wisdom and power

• Psalms 63:1-7
• Exodus 20:1-6 – God is a jealous God. God wants our attention and devotion.
• I Timothy 1:17
• Psalms 139:1
• Psalms 90:1

Conclusion

• Kids: Ask all your questions about God.
• Adults: Let’s do our best to answer their questions.

Husbands: how does God-given authority work?

• I Corinthians 11:3-12
• I Samuel 15:17-26 – Saul did not lead as God required and sinned because of it.
• Colossians 3:18

Bad leadership causes misery.

• I Samuel 8:5-7
• I Samuel 8:1-5 – Part of the reason they wanted a king was because Samuel’s sons were corrupt.

Ephesians 5:22-33: sacrifices and love

• Husbands are to sacrifice themselves for the spiritual wellbeing of their wives.
• Matthew 20:25-28
• John 13:12

I Peter 3:7: understanding and honor

• Compare Isaiah 40:11

Men, we’ve got a lot of learning to do.

• Girls tend to practice conversations about emotions and relationships from an early age much more than boys do (if boys ever do this!).