SF717 - How to be a Maximum Man (Ephesians 5 25, 28-29)

Ephesians 5:25, 28-29

Introduction

Everybody enters into marriage with expectations

Some are realistic and some are not

No one lives up to all the expectations all the time.

The real question is not what our wives expect but what does God command.

The context of Ephesians 5:25 is verse 18

We must be filled with the Spirit!

The command is to Love…

Sacrificially

Supremely

The Real Question is “How?”

A Maximum Man…

1A. He Delights in Her Appearance and Desires

(Proverbs 5:18 NCV) "Be happy with the wife you married when you were young. She gives you joy, as your fountain gives you water."

You are to be pleased with the way she looks

When did you last compliment your wife’s appearance?

Criticism will never help her appearance.

Her desires are important to you

When was the last time you encouraged your wife’s desires and goals.

2A. He Values Her Words and Opinions

(Proverbs 19:20 NIV) "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise."

Really, listen to what she has to say

Turn the TV off and your ears on.

Look her in the eye when she is talking to you.

You take her advice and follow her instructions

3A. He Shares the Responsibilities at Home

Help around the house

You help mess it up - help clean it up

Help with the children

(Ephesians 6:4 NIV) "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

4A. He puts Her before Anyone or Anything Else (25)

No human being can ever become more important to you than she is

No event or involvement can ever become more important to you than she is

5A. He will understand Her Feelings

(1 Peter 3:7 NCV) "In the same way, you husbands should live with your wives in an understanding way, since they are weaker than you. But show them respect, because God gives them the same blessing he gives you--the grace that gives true life. Do this so that nothing will stop your prayers."

You will have to work to “understand” her.

If it is important to her it should be important to you.

Understanding begins with listening

They do not need or want our correction or solutions; they need understanding.

6A. He Views Her as a Companion beside Him not as a Servant beneath Him

(Galatians 3:28-29 NIV) "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. {29} If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

God has not made her inferior to you.

Remember Jesus considers us as joint-heirs.

7A. He will Defend Her and Support Her

Support her when she is in conflict

If she is wrong - you can help her in private

Support her when she is challenged

Become her cheerleader

8A. He will keep the Romance Alive

Romance tells our wives that they are important

Romance tells our wives that we are thinking about them

(Song of Songs 7:6-9 NCV) "You are beautiful and pleasant; my love, you are full of delights. {7} You are tall like a palm tree, and your breasts are like its bunches of fruit. {8} I said, "I will climb up the palm tree and take hold of its fruit." Let your breasts be like bunches of grapes, the smell of your breath like apples, {9} and your mouth like the best wine. Let this wine go down sweetly for my lover; may it flow gently past the lips and teeth."

Action Points

Compliment your wife’s appearance at least one time each day for the next week.

Turn off the TV (or better do not turn it on) and start a conversation with your wife.

Pick up your clothes, bathe the children or do some other chore without being asked.

Show her how important she is by considering her first this weekend.

The next time she is upset - listen to her without trying to solve her problem.

Try getting her breakfast in bed, treat her as a partner not as a servant.

The next time there is a problem be quick to take her side.

Do something to let her know you are thinking of her this week!

HOW TO BE A MAXIMUM MAN
Fall Festival of the Family - October 24, 1997

Ephesians 5:25, 28-29

Introduction

1A. He ______________________________ in Her Appearance and Desires

(Proverbs 5:18 NCV) "Be happy with the wife you married when you were young. She gives you joy, as your fountain gives you water."

You are to be __________________ with the way she looks

Her desires are important to you

2A. He ______________________ Her Words and Opinions

(Proverbs 19:20 NIV) "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise."

Really, _______________ to what she has to say

You take her advice and follow her _____________________

3A. He _______________________ the Responsibilities at Home

____________________ around the house

Help with the ________________________

(Ephesians 6:4 NIV) "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

4A. He puts Her ______________________________ Anyone or Anything Else (25)

No human being can ever become more ____________________ to you than she is

_______ event or involvement can ever become more important to you than she is

5A. He will __________________________ Her Feelings

(1 Peter 3:7 NCV) "In the same way, you husbands should live with your wives in an understanding way, since they are weaker than you. But show them respect, because God gives them the same blessing he gives you--the grace that gives true life. Do this so that nothing will stop your prayers."

You will have to work to “________________” her.

Understanding begins with ____________________

6A. He ________________ Her as a Companion beside Him not as a Servant beneath Him

(Galatians 3:28-29 NIV) "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. {29} If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

God has ___________ made her inferior to you.

Remember Jesus considers us as joint-_______________.

7A. He will ______________ Her and Support Her

Support her when she is in ________________

Support her when she is ___________________