Spirit-filled Marriage

by | Mar 8, 2010 | Marriage, Pastor's Blog

Have you ever felt like giving up on your marriage? Have you had it? Are you tired of your spouse?

In this audio message, Pastor Dickson explains Ephesians 5 and the connection of 1 Peter 2 and 3. Jesus Christ gave us the Example to follow (1 Peter 2) that guides us around the pitfalls in marriage. Using the Lord’s instruction about how to escape from blind, self-deception (Matthew 7), this message guides Christians toward a Spirit-filled marriage.

Do you want to have a really great marriage? You’re probably thinking, “I’m trying!” But what if that is part of the problem? Instead of “trying,” the Lord speaks of “trusting” Him and letting Him live His life through you. Why is a “Spirit-filled Marriage” so important? It’s because self-sufficiency makes lousy spouses. If you are trying to be a God-honoring spouse in your own strength, you will be miserable, and you will fail. In order to be “Spirit-filled,” it is helpful to understand the prayer of Ephesians 3 ( to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man). In this message, we will also look at Peter’s pen strokes (1 Peter 2 and 3), to draw a picture of Jesus Christ and His church. If you are really struggling today, may we encourage you to “breathe in what God has breathed out” and know the strength that only the Lord can give.

Which one would you want your marriage to be? Full of deep affection or destructive accusation? Genesis 2 or Genesis 3? Shepherd or serpent?

In a Spirit-filled Marriage,

1. the wife honors God by giving respect to her husband. 22-24

2. She honors Christ’s authority by “arranging herself under” her husband. 22-23

3. She represents the church in its submission to Christ. 24

How bad can it get? Adam & Eve; Isaac & Rebekah Genesis 2:21-25; 3:12; 25:27-28

In a Spirit-filled Marriage,

1. the husband honors God by loving his wife and giving himself for her. 25-27

2. He honors Christ, with a self-sacrificial desire for his wife– giving himself for her. 25

3. He represents Christ by using the Word to purify problem areas and perfect holiness. 26-27

  • Practical Steps
  • Put God’s Word back into your garden at home & church
  • Take the change challenge: put off, renew, put on
  • Wife: Trust God enough to submit to your husband
  • Husband: Love the Lord enough to love your wife
  • Ask the Lord to turn you from misery to majesty

Additional Study: Ephesians 3:14-2; 5:18-19, 1 Peter 3:6-7, Genesis 2:21-25; 3:12; 25:27-28; 27:1-6, 41-46