Sermon Central
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Extreme Makeover Series
Contributed by Dan Cale on Nov 17, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: This is the ninth in a series of teachings on the book of Ephesians and is adapted from a full text sermon by Rev. David Slone(on this website). This teaching investigates Paul’s teachings on marital realationships.
Extreme Makeover: Master Bedroom Edition
*Adapted from a message by David Slone (Extreme Makeover: Master Bedroom.)
Computers are female
*No one but their creator understands their internal logic.
*The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to everyone else.
*The message, "Bad Command or file name" is about as informative as "if you don’t know why I’m mad at you, then I’m certainly not going to tell you."
*As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your paycheck on accessories for it.
That list was countered by a group of all female computer scientists, male because:
*They have a lot of data but are all still clueless.
*They are suppose to help you solve problems, but half the time they are the problem.
*As soon as you commit to one, you realize that if you’d waited a little longer, you could have obtained a better model.
Five nails to hold your marriage together:
1) Be Spirit-Controlled Completely, v.18 – The idea here is not just being Spirit-filled. It’s about being controlled by the Spirit of God. Galatians 5:16-24. The fruit of the flesh is devastating to marriages – the fruit of the spirit is enriching to marriages.
2) Speak to one another with Care, v.19-20 - God is talking about constructively communicating to one another. "Speaking" not yelling! One of the top causes to a breakdown in a marriage relationship is the lack of communication or negative communication. Eph 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
3) Submit to one another mutually, vv.21-23 – The truth is that few agree with me on this point – some want to deny the scripture exists others want to read it only from one side. The truth is that Paul is advising a change in relationship for Christian marriages. Up to this point men are dominant – women are property. Now there is a command to mutual submission one to “subject to” the other to “give himself”. There are certainly roles to fill – but the submission of marriage is mutual.
4) Sacrifice willingly, vv.21-27 – Each partner is to sacrifice if a relationship is to be all that God wants it to be. Part of the submission of the above is the sacrifice here. Look to Christ’s example when you want to know how much we are called to sacrifice for each other.
5) Serve Unselfishly, vv.28-31 – Nourish is to care for, provide sustenance (physical and spiritual) necessary for life. Cherish is to treat with affection and tenderness; hold dear. The idea here is to be like Jesus & seek to serve, not be served! That’s what you did when you were courting & dating.
