How A Husband Should Treat His Wife

EPH. 5:25-28 "HOW A HUSBAND SHOULD TREAT HIS WIFE"

A) Here in this chapter, Paul is comparing the church to the relationship of husband & wife.

* It’s interesting to compare the church to the first bride in the Bible, Eve.

B) She was taken from Adam’s side and Christ’s side was pierced for us on Calvary.

* She was formed when Adam was asleep, and when Christ was resting in death, the church was

begun! * Eve shared Adam’s nature, we share Christ’s nature - v.30-31

C) Eve was the object of Adam’s love & care & Christ loves the church & cares for her!

* Adam was willing to become a sinner because of his love for his wife and Christ was made

sin because of His love for the church!

D) Eve was formed & brought to Adam before sin entered the human family, and the church

was in the mind and heart of God before the foundation of the world!

* Let me share with you this morning, "How A Husband Should Treat His Wife:"

(1) HE SHOULD LOVE HIS WIFE ABOVE EVERYTHING & ANYTHING IN THE WORLD!

* The husband should love God FIRST, and then love his wife as the most important person in

the whole world! * Note v.25 and v.28

A) There are three essential kinds of love! * Phileo ... Friendship love, best friend, love to be

around them ....... * Eros ... A sensual & physical love, sexual love,

* Beware of this love, that it does not dominate genuine love!

* If she cannot render benevolent dues, you want nothing to do with her!

B) Agape ... This is the word used here in Eph.5! * This is the kind of love a husband is to have

for his wife! * This is the very love of God Himself!

* Agape love is a selfless and unselfish love, a giving and sacrificial love!

* A love that does not seek anything in return! * Instead of taking, it gives!

C) This love is the kind that loves even if the person doesn’t deserve to be loved!

* It loves even if the person is utterly unworthy of being loved!

* This is the kind of love that sends flowers, cards, etc. (Better than alimony)

D) Just imagine what would happen in most marriages if the husband so loved his wife;

* Loved her with a selfless and unselfish love, with a giving and sacrificial love,

* Loved her with a love of commitment as well as of affection!

E) One thing that would happen in most marriages would be this - the wife would melt in the

husband’s arms & willingly accept his authority as the head of the family!

* Please note that the standard of the husband’s love is the love of Christ for the church!

F) The love of Christ for the church can be described in one simple statement:

* Christ gave Himself for the church! * He loved the church so much that He gave Himself,

* He sacrificed Himself totally, gave all He was and had for it!

* And this is the love that the Word of God says husbands should have for their wives!

(2) HE SHOULD PRAISE HER AND NOT CRITICIZE HER!

* A husband should praise his wife everyday! * Start with an early morning kiss saying, "Honey,

I sure do love you, you are special to me!" (Psychiatrist)

A) In a company of friends say, "This is my wife, she’s the greatest."

* Thank her for the meals she fixes, for being such a good mother & for taking care of the kids,

"our children are so blessed to have a good mother like you!"

B) Tell her when she wants an opinion of her dress, "I don’t know if I like the dress the best, or

what’s in it better!" * Compliment her hairstyle!

* Tell her you wanna take her out tonight just to show her off * And many more ways to praise her!

C) Praise her for her housework! * You mess up what she does, eat her food, wrinkle sheets - bed!

* Pro. 31:30 "Favor is deceitful, & beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she ......."

D) Do not criticize her, especially in public or in front of the family!

* Watch what you say and how you say it - "Stop a clock - time stands still." * "28 inch waist"

* So, the husband should love his wife above everything & anything in the world,

* He should praise her and not criticize her, but there’s a third thing:

(3) HE SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO HER AND LET HER KNOW SHE IS SPECIAL!

* A wife knows when her husband delights in her! * It makes a wife mad when she sees another