Untitled Sermon (4)
THE CHRISTIAN HUSBAND
Ephesians 5:22–33
God created man in His image (Gen. 1:27). Man was made a living soul (Gen. 2:7). God saw that it was not good for man to live alone so He made a helper for him (Gen. 2:18). It is God’s plan that Christian husbands be leaders in the home, church, and community. Our nation was founded by Christian men. God wants men who will put Christ first in their lives.
I. THE CHRISTIAN HUSBAND IS A LEADER
He is the leader of the home (Eph. 5:23).
A. This involves making decisions (Josh. 24:15). Joshua made a decision for his family. Of course, he did not make all the decisions on his own.
B. Leadership involves discipline (Prov. 13:24). Children should be taught to obey.
C. Training is more than teaching (Prov. 22:6). Training is getting people to practice what you teach.
II. THE CHRISTIAN HUSBAND IS A LABORER
A. The price of work (Gen. 3:19). Man has to earn his living “by the sweat of his brow.”
B. The provision of work (1 Tim. 5:8). If a husband does not provide for his family, he is worse than a heathen.
C. The power of work (Eccles. 9:10). Whatever we do we should put our whole heart into it.
D. The plan for work (Rom. 12:11). Ambition is essential to the laborer. When you don’t feel like it, work anyway.
III. THE CHRISTIAN HUSBAND IS A LOVER
A. A Divine love.
1) He loves God (Matt. 22:37). God is first in his life.
2) He loves the church (Ps. 122:1). He is faithful at all times.
3) He loves all people (Matt. 22:39). This takes God’s help.
B. Domestic love.
1) His wife (Eph. 5:25, 28). He loves his wife as much as he loves himself.
2) His family (Eph. 6:4). He takes time with the children, teaching them to read, teaching them manners, and taking them to the park, etc. Love always gives. You may give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.
Many husbands don’t want the responsibilities of being a husband and a father. As the result we have many problems. When a husband takes his rightful place in the home (Eph. 5:33), there will be a happy home.
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GOD’S SEARCH FOR MEN
Ezekiel 22:30
God created man in His image (Gen. 1:26; 2:7). He was created for fellowship with God. Sin marred this fellowship, but God made a way to redeem man from his sin (Gen. 3:15). God would send Jesus into the world to die for the sins of man (Isa. 53:5). Through this man would be born again (John 3:1–8). After being born again man is called to do God’s work (John 15:16; Mark 16:15). He does not call all to be ministers, or missionaries, but He does call all men to be soul-winners.
I. GOD LOOKS FOR DECISIVE MEN
A. Joshua decided that he would serve God (Josh. 24:14).
B. Joshua decided that his family would serve God.
The husband is the leader of the home (Eph. 5:23). Since he is the leader, he should be the spiritual leader.
II. GOD LOOKS FOR MEN WITH DESIRE
A. Desire to know the person of God (Phil. 3:10). Knowing God in a personal way (2 Tim. 1:12).
B. Desire to know the plan of God (Ps. 32:8). God will make His will known to us if we seek Him.
C. Desire to know the power of God (1 Peter 1:5). His power is available to keep us (1 Peter 1:5). Note Paul’s words about the power of God (Rom. 1:16).
D. Desire to have the protection of God (Ps. 91). God is able to guide man through all times of trouble.
III. GOD LOOKS FOR MEN WITH DEDICATION
A. Dedicated to serve God. It takes a strong person to serve God.
B. Dedicated to stand for God. Anyone can quit; anyone can go along with the crowd. But to stand and be different is difficult and requires God’s help (Phil. 4:13).
C. Dedicated to suffer for the Lord. See 2 Timothy 3:12.
IV. GOD LOOKS FOR MEN WITH DETERMINATION
A. Willing to suffer for the Lord as Paul suffered (Acts 20:24).
B. Willing to allow Satan to persecute as Paul was persecuted.
God’s work only goes forward as man does His work. God could use angels, but He depends on man. He worked through the judges, kings, prophets, disciples, apostles, and church leaders. He works through the laymen, who dedicate their lives to Him. The greatest need in any church is dedicated laymen.
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