Marriage Sunday

Foundational Scripture:   James 4:7-8

What is submission?  Really, submission is about power. It all starts with submission to God… If you cannot submit to God, you won’t be able to truly submit to your spouse.  God has to be the head of your marriage.  If you cannot individually submit yourself to God, then your marriage won’t work.

• You must draw closer to God and submit to his will for your life.

Scripture:  1 Peter 2:1

As long as we believe the word for God, He sees us as precious in His site but are rejected if we do not follow His commandments.  Because God called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light, we are to come from the darkness and obey his commandments.  In verse 13, we are instructed to submit ourselves to the authority of man for God’s sake.  In doing so, following the laws that we are under keeps us away from the consequences of mans law.

Fearing God is what allows us to submit to the authority of our government. 

Areas of Submission:

1. God
2. The Government
   1. Police
   2. Governor
   3. President
3. Workplace
   1. Supervisor (Good or Harsh)

                                         i.    If you suffer wrongfully at the hands of a harsh supervisor, God will honor our obedience in submitting to the supervisor regardless of their management style.  Your obedience in the face of suffering is commendable by the Lord.

                                        ii.    When you do good and still suffer, God is pleased as it follows the example of Christ who suffered for doing good things to those who hated him.  Jesus was our example as we are to be examples unto others.

4. Marriage
   1. Wives are to be submissive to their own husbands.
   2. If you are submitted to the authority of your husband, a believer or not, he can be won by the conduct of his wife.

                                         i.     Seeing your light shine before him, can cause change in his life.

Wives are to be submitted to their own husbands.  While adorning yourself in fine apparel and looking good on the outside is important, what is most effective is the adornment in meekness, kindness and gentleness.  Sometimes it is best to be silent when issues arise or

Scripture: Genesis 18:12

It is a given that we, as children of God, will face suffering in our lives.  To be followers of Christ we must follow his example as He is our Shepherd.  His suffering and submission to the authority of those who where over him should serve as another foundational example for us.  If Christ can submit to authority, we must do also.

Scripture: 1 Peter 3

Men submit likewise...  If women are the weaker sex, that means that men are also weak.  Husbands need to:

1. Be Sympathetic
2. Live in Harmony
3. Be Compassionate
4. Be Humble
5. Live as Brothers
6. Don’t repay Evil with Evil or insult with insult.
7. Repay Evil with Blessing.

Jesus again serves as our ultimate example of a husbands conduct toward his wife.  While the disciples followed Him and called Him Master, he washed their feet and served his disciples.  If He can submit, what is so hard about submitting one to another in marriage?

Your spouse may not always be correct in their decisions.  However, God honors us when we give the right of way when it is appropriate.  Submission is not that the husband has the last word, but is the submission one to another with the fear for God. 

When you love your wife, you love yourself.

Husbands love your wives like Christ loved the church.