Last week

Giving – Jesus our example

• Gave Himself – I Timothy 2:5-6
• Left heaven – John 3:13
• Served His creation – Matthew 20:25-28
• Sacrificed His life – John 10:14-18

Importance of marriage relationship (Ephesians 5:25-33)

• Ordained by God – Genesis 2:24 (not new in Ephesians 5:31)
• Requires great knowledge of each other – John 10:14
• Lasts for life – Matthew 19:6
• Much like the most important spiritual relationship

Likeness of marriage

• The marriage relationship is:

  • Established in love

  • Maintained in purpose

  • Sustained in service

  • Steadfast in all things

  • Sealed in sacrifice

Marriage

Established in love

• A commandment to husbands – Ephesians 5:1-2, 25

• What kind of love?

  • John 3:16

  • Romans 5:8

  • I John 4:8

  • Much like “love your neighbor” from Luke 10:25-37

Maintained in purpose

• What purpose?

  • Ephesians 5:26-27

• Similar figure in Revelation 21:2; Colossians 1:21-22

• Requires God-ordained leadership – Colossians 3:18

  • Relationship of one in subjection

  • Similarity of Christ-church relationship

  • Importance of respect – Ephesians 5:23

    • Two-way street

    • I Peter 3:7 – Compare uses of “honor” in I Peter 2:17.

  • Leadership is gentle – I Peter 3:7

  • Leadership is responsibility, not privilege.

Sustained in service

• To become the greatest in a marriage – John 13:3-15
• Comparison of Matthew 20:25-28; 23:11

Steadfast in all things

• Example of Jesus’ steadfastness – Romans 8:38-39
• Steadfastness in consistency – Hebrews 13:8

Sealed in sacrifice

• Giving of self – Ephesians 5:25

  • Time

  • Effort

  • Resources

  • Love

  • Consideration

  • Respect

  • Concern

  • Ear