Fireproof 1 - He Said-She Said 10-5-08
“He Said, She Said”
Fireproof Sermon 1 - Ephesians 5:21-33
Sunday, October 5, 2008 – AM Service – FBC Winona
At the beginning of the movie, Caleb and Catherine are stars of a scene
· Caleb is talking with his co-worker Michael, Catherine out with friends
· Both are sharing what is driving them nuts about the other
· Both are blaming the other as the primary culprit in their marriage woes
· (Respect vs. Understanding?)
· Both are pretty critical – though it’s presented in a humorous way
· God created men and women different and our needs are different
· In order to have a successful marriage, we have to understand each other/communicate
Ephesians 5:21-33
21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."
32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Responsibilities
Wives
· Submit to husbands as to the Lord – work under the leadership of husband
· Respect her husband
· Not lose identity – you have been given giftedness in Christ and are to use it
· Freedom just as working in the church
· Primary need is to be loved
Husbands
· Leader of the wife/family as Christ is head of the church (His body)
· Love your wives as Christ loved the church – literally gave Himself up for her
· Live up to God’s standard and lift high the treasure God has given you to share life with
· Present her to yourself as radiant – without stain or wrinkle – cherish her
· Feed and care for your wife
· Primary need is to be respected
However, this illustration is primarily regarding Christ and the Church
· Christ the leader – church submit
· Does this mean the church has no responsibility/authority/decision-making power?
· Church moves with Christ and follows His lead while also doing work
Marriage works best when . . .
1) Husbands and wives give up their rights for each other
a. Not being the slave of the other
b. I Peter 3:7, “husbands, be considerate as you live with your wife”
c. Consider her needs, consider her personality – his needs, his personality
d. Realize whatever problems you see in your spouse – you have some also
e. You can only fix yourself
2) We understand that this relationship is a preview of Heaven
a. Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her
b. Has redeemed her, celebrated, loved and adored her
c. Reunion in heaven to be joined together for eternity
3) The husband leads the family from his knees
a. Not a sign of weakness, but obedience
b. Humility draws people together – arrogance drives them away
c. A man that is sold out to Jesus will learn how to love his wife like Jesus said
Jesus demonstrated this type of relationship many times in His ministry
· Called the disciples to service but empowered them to lead with their gifts
· Washed the feet of His disciples
· Did all He could to elevate those around Him
· Brought the disciples together for the Lord’s supper – previewing ultimate sacrifice
Invitation