1. Intro: Purpose of the I.D. (Intentional Discipleship) series:
1.1. Aimed at Christians, not unbelievers
1.2. Salvation not in doubt; question now is the level of fruitfulness and service we give God
1.2.1. Luke 19:11-18 (AUDIO) different results and rewards
1.2.2. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (AUDIO) as above, different results and rewards
1.3. There will be a final outcome for everyone in LWBC, and we want to ensure as many as possible hear the words in Matthew 25:21: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
2. Principles
2.1. The focus of this session is how we conduct ourselves in our relationships. We are not like the world, so as with everything we look to see what the bible says.
2.2. Foundation for living together: the family unit. Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” This is backed up by Jesus in Matthew 19:5 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”. This establishes the basic building block of society: a man forming a relationship with a woman to the exclusion of all others, which is why adultery is prohibited. The modern fads of homosexuality and transgenderism are built on nothing solid, and are the product of darkened minds of unbelievers and the schemes of the devil.
2.3. The fundamental building block is then meant to produce children. In passing, children are meant to have a mother and a father; homosexual or lesbian parents are not God’s design, and deprive children of the complementary nature of male and female parents.
2.4. Marriage by the way is permanent; there is an outlet if a spouse has committed adultery (Matthew 5:32), but otherwise it is till death do us part. So the first principle between husbands and wives is that you stick at it, and walking out on each other is never an option.
2.5. We need to look at what God says to husbands, wives, and children.
2.6. Love is the key in everything 1 Corinthians 13:14 “Let all that you do be done with love”.
3. Husbands
3.1. Colossians 3:19 “Husbands, love your wives and do not bitter toward them”.
3.2. Ephesians 5:22-33 … 23 For the husband is head of wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body… 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or sprinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body of His flesh and His bones. 31″For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great , mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself…and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
3.3. God focuses on the things which husbands need to hear.
4. Wives
4.1. Colossians 3:18 “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”
4.2. Ephesians 5:22-33 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord… 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything…and let the wife see that she respecta her husband.
4.3. God focuses on the things wives need to hear.
