Sermon Central
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Extreme Makeover: Master Bedroom Series
Contributed by David Slone on Sep 18, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: Second in a series on what God might want to do in our homes to make us more like Him. Master Bedroom deals with our marriage committment.
Project Master Bedroom RENOVATING YOUR MARRIAGE COMMITMENT
Opening
Why talk about the marriage commitment?
A few facts:
There are over 18 million single parents in the Us alone who have children under 18 in the home
46% of all marriages involve one spouse who has been divorced
87% of black children will spend some of their childhood in a single parent home.
A friend who performed a wedding in Virginia
Best man had the jitters about the toast at the reception
Tried to losen him up by giving him a joke book to read and have some fun.
It worked
At the reception, he stood up and toasted:
“One thing I know is that marriage is made in heaven, but then again, so is thunder and lightening.”
God has created men & women in such uniquely different ways! A year or so ago, I was sent an email that illustrates how men & women are unique. It was a debate on whether computers are male or female, referred to as him/her.
This list came from computer scientists who are male). Computers are female since:
*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.
*In order to get their attention you have to turn them on!
The fact is, it doesn’t take us long to learn that if God didn’t give us some help in all of this male-female relationship, especially in the marriage, we would be in some hot water! And a lot of people are, because they haven’t turned to God for help. But we must! It’s the only way! Today, I want us to see the help that God gives us from His Word & move on to...
FIVE LIQUID NAILS TO HOLD YOUR MARRIAGE TOGETHER, Eph 5:15-33
Manage our marriage:
The word "manage" is a good word because to manage takes Work. Having a good marriage is work!
Any relationship that is going to grow takes us making an intentional effort toward it.
Applies to marriages, but to all relationships! God is willing to help us, if we are willing to seek His help.
We are going to look at 5 Practical ways to manage our marriage--our relationships! Here they are...
1) Be Spirit-Controlled Completely, v.18
“Let the holy spirit fill and control you.” Eph 5:18
“Do not make the Holy spirit sad. The spirit is God’s proof that you belong to him…Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others... Be kind and loving to each other…” Eph. 4:30-31
The issue isn’t how much of the Holy Spirit do you have, but how much does the Holy Spirit have of you!
The idea here is not just being Spirit-filled.
It’s about being controlled by the Spirit of God.
Paul used the term "filled" with the word, "drunk." To be drunk means more than to drink--more than to "fill-up." To be drunk is to be under the control, to surrender one’s body, mind & spirit to its influence.
To be filled with the Spirit means, letting the Spirit of God lead you, empower you, & control you & influence you, completely, continually!
How does that apply to marriage & relationships? Look over to Gal 5:16, 19-24.
Do you see how much of the fruits of the flesh, the bad stuff can tear apart a marriage?
We need the Holy Spirit!
Something is going to control you! Make sure you let the Holy Spirit of God be the one!
2) Speak to one another with Care, v.19-20
When a person Spirit-controlled, he/she will have a conversation & a communication that is God-honoring to those closest to them.
"one another" especially includes your spouse! If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you "speak" to each other in song--you will be positive, uplifting, communicating, joyful people!
You will be speaking about God, even singing about God & to Him together. I’m not talking about some "Sound of Music" utopian home.
God is talking about construtively communicating to one another. "Speaking" not yelling!
