TRAUMA IN THE ER: IS YOUR MARRIAGE ON LIFE SUPPORT?
Selected Scriptures
I. I SOMETIMES LOOK AT THE T.V. SHOW TRAUMA IN THE ER
On one episode a man came into the ER in a coma with a life threatening situation
1. After running some tests they found out his was in diabetic shock-which can be a life threatening condition.
2. After they got him stabilized they informed him of his condition.
3. He was not aware that he was even diabetic.
4. Because he was not aware of his condition, he did not follow some simple rules to keep his sugar level normal, so as to protect his life.
B. I think there are some marriages in critical condition because they are not following some simple truths that will keep their marriages from falling apart!
C. The purpose of the message tonight is to show you 4 truths God gives about your marriage and how a proper response to these truths can keep your marriage out of the ICU.
II. MARRIAGE IS A RELATIONSHIP OF EQUALITY. GEN 1:27
God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them
A. Both male and female are created in God’s image.
*not one more than the other
*the man cannot say to his wife I am more in the image of God that you are
B. They are equal in essence– Gal 3:26-28
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
*men and women are equally saved in Christ
*they are equally forgiven
*their prayers are equally heard
*it’s not your sex that matters in your prayers it your faith
*Paul is saying the blessing of salvation are extended equally to both
C. Peter says the same thing 1 Peter 3:7
You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
1. She is the fellow heir of the grace of life, eternal life
2. Fellow heir means co-heir,
3. Co-heirs inherit the same amount
4. All the blessing of salvation that flow to saved husband also flow to the saved wife
APP. HOW SHOULD YOU RESPOND?
(some men treat their wives like second class citizens)
*guys, we are to treat our wives with honor (highly prize and respect) esteem them
*see her as a person of great worth
* respect her views and opinions
*she is not inferior to you
*ladies, do not down on your husband spiritually
*God works on him just like He does on you
III. MARRIAGE IS A RELATIONSHIP WITH A DESIGN BY GOD. GEN. 2:18
Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." A. The husband is to be the servant- leader. (Gen. 2:7)
Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
1. When God created man first, God set him as the leader.
* God set the order in creation
*God could have created the woman first
*In His wisdom He did not
(somebody said God waited to create the woman last because He did not want any advice on how to do the rest)
2. Man’s leadership is to a servant leadership.
*he is not to be a domineering leader
*not a macho boss
*he is to lead through his service
3. As we see in Jesus’ leadership.
B. The wife is to be his submissive helper. (18)
Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."
1. God created Eve to be Adam’s helper
2. She was not to lead him but to assist him
3.This is not a matter of inferiority but simply God’s order.
Ex. We see this in the relationship between God the Father and God the Son.
Equal in essence, co-equal, co-eternal
Difference in design John 5:19
Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.
4. God’s order extends beyond the family.
*Lev. 10:1-3 Aaron’s sons
*2 Chron 26:16 ff King Uzziah
HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO THIS TRUTH?
*Ladies, let your husband lead, follow him
*Men, you have a responsibility to lead
* You are not to stand back and make your wife take over
*your leading is to be a servant leadership not harsh
*When women try to lead the family it violates God’s design and is destructive to the family.
IV. MARRIAGE IS A RELATIONSHIP CURSED BY SIN. GEN. 3:16-19
What does the phrase “her desire will be for her husband” mean?
1. This will be a key to understanding this phrase.
*Look in Gen 4:7
" If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it."
B. God is saying part of the curse is the wife will want to control her husband.
1. Ladies you must come to grip with that part of your sin nature.
2. There is that deep down desire to control your man.
3. Notice the word “master”
*what does that mean?
*what must Cain do with the sin that wanted to control him?
*He must subdue it-rule over it, have dominion , reign over it
*Here we see a restating of the principle of the man leading
4. Because of the effects of sin we have seen men abuse this position with a harsh dominion like a dictator
The husband will flee to work. (17-19)
WHAT SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSE TO THIS TRUTH!
*ladies get in touch with this desire
*when it rises up squelch it!
*men, do not put work before your family
*do not be harsh and domineering in your leadership
V. MARRIAGE IS A RELATIONSHIP IN WHICH GOD HAS PROVIDED A CURE. EPH. 5:22-33
The wife SUBMITS to her husband as unto the Lord. (24)
B The husband LOVES his wife like Christ loves the church. (25)
C. In Christ, God has reversed the curse.
WHAT SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSE TO THIS TRUTH?
*be filled with the Spirit
*surrender to Jesus as look to Him for the power to live our His will for your marriage
CONCLUSION:
WHAT CONDITION IS YOUR MARRIAGE TODAY? ARE YOU ARE LIFE SUPPORT?
IF YOU WILL BY FAITH APPLY THESE TRUTHS YOUR MARRIAGE WILL BECOME STRONGER.
