Marriage - Gift from God

 Family Series = good for everyone - family is SO important. 
Marriage = Satan's favorite place to attack.  

Need to Focus on strong family --> strong church!!

Marriage is meant to be a blessing from God and to testify of Christ's love.

God's plan for women = Eph. 5:22-24   Yes, submission = very offensive.  However, Col. 3:18, 1 Pet. 3:1  - God has created things in order.  There is an order to the family.
This is very difficult, but this is evangelism.  Matt. 5:16 - 'Let your light so shine....'

Greek word for submission = Hypotasso - means subordination to those considered worthy of respect either because of their inherent qualities or more often because of the position they hold.  By order or role.  Not necessarily worth.
Example:  have no problem submitting to a boss at work, but hard to submit to husband at home.  Not meant to be that way.

Eph. 5:22 and Col. 3:18 say that, ladies, you are ultimately submitting to the Lord.

But, men have responsibilities, too.  And easier to submit when they do their part!  

Most sermons re. family skim over the ladies and beat up the guys.   This can destroy men and marriages.

 Question:  What does it look like to submit?

Examples:  "OK, honey, I trust you,", "I support you", "I'll help you".  Submission can take a lot of work.

Prov. 31 = woman working hard at the task God has given you as well as what He asks of you.
Should praise a woman like that.   Prov. 31:10. 31:30

Now for Husbands

Eph. 5:25-29 -

Quite a responsibility.  ie:  like Christ loved the church?  Laid down His life?
Christ loved sacrificially.  He purifies, nourishes, and cares for His church.

How can we do that?

Some suggestions:

1)  Lead - LET'S :  Let's go to church, Let's pray together.  Let's talk.  TAKE THE LEAD!!
Have the guts to make the tough decisions, take responsibility, have hard talks.  You are responsible for her spirit.  

2)  Grow.  We need to grow in our faith on our own.  Is a priority.  It's hard for women to submit to inferior faith.

3)  Sacrifice - Christ gave His life.  Can you sacrifice:  golf game?  hobbies?  job?  Something else you need to sacrifice?

4)  Cherish her - Eph. 5:28-29 - Wedding vows should include 'cherish'.  When you cherish her, she takes care of you.  Women = happy to submit to a man like that!
Definition of cherish = to treat with affection and tenderness; hold dear.  To keep fondly in mind; treasure; synonym:  appreciate.  To treat with tenderness and affection;  to nurture with care; to protect and aid.

DL Moody - "If I wanted to find out whether a man was a Christian, I wouldn't ask his minister.  I would go and ask his wife.  If a man doesn't treat his wife right, I don't want to hear him talke about Christianity."

He's right you know.  Our HEALTHY marriages are to point to a greater love.  They paint a picture. 
A loving marriage stands out.  Is evangelistic.  

Single people - start thinking, praying, and planning about this stuff now in preparation for the time you do decide to wed.

5 Challenges and some homework.

1)  Tech free time - no computer, laptop, phone, tablet etc.

2)  No phones in bedroom

3)  Go to bed together (at the same time) and talk

4)  Pray together every night

5)  Schedule date nights

Do this during the week:

Read and discuss how you can better serve each other: - preferably one verse each time

Eph. 5:25-32
1 Pet. 3:1-7
1 Cor. 7:1-5
1 Cor. 13:4-7

Write and sign a covenant of things that you want to do/accomplish as a couple