First Baptist Church of Folsom, LA

SERMON NOTES

“Love & Respect” Ephesians 5:21-33

I. 5:22-24 Wives be submissive and respectful to your husbands as to the Lord

1 Peter 3:1-6: This instruction from Paul is revealed by Peter to have both an evangelistic and equipping or discipling effect. Trust God to use your obedience and act of worship to Him through how you love your husband.

Take-away: "Wives, be submissive to Christ by the way you respect your husbands."

II. 5:25-32 Husbands love your wives like Jesus loved the church.

*Remember- no one ever hated his own flesh. Nourish and cherish your wives.

Three ways to love your wife

1. Cause no harm (or fear)
2. Follow Christ's example: self-giving love (not under compulsion), humble, sacrificial. What else do you see here?
3. Fulfill your marriage vows to God and your wife.

Take-away: Remove your straight jacket (on your marriage) by gently caring and strengthening your wife in love.

III. 5:33 Love and Respect

*Warning: "Husbands don't worship your wife. Wives, don't worship your husband. Couples, don't worship your marriage. Bring one another and your marriage to worship Christ.

Take-away: Love and Respect Christ by how you love and respect your spouse.

Mission: Imitating Christ to spread the Gospel.

DEVOTIONAL: personal and small groups

Focus Point: Spirit-Filled Marriage 

• Deuteronomy 6:4 provides the reason why God’s people are to show loving obedience to God and to love one another. What is that reason?

• In Ephesians 4:1-3, Christians are called to live worthy of our calling and what that looks like.

• According to Ephesians 4:4-6, why should we walk in unity? What truth motivates our action?

• In Genesis 2:24, what was man called to do to maintain the “oneness” of the marriage covenant?

• What does it look like for you to daily leave one’s parents and “hold fast” to one’s spouse?

• Read Ephesians 5:15-21. How does this passage help you understand how a man should “hold fast” to his wife and a wife to her husband in love?

• How does submission look in Eph. 5:15-21 and what does that look like in your marriage, first with Jesus then your spouse?

• Ephesians 5:29. How does Christ continually love and cherish the church (including you) according to Scripture? (Hint: 1John; John 14:16, Eph. 4)

• What are some ways you can build your spouse up with the promises of God, grace, and service?

• How can you make these marriage habits?

• For singles and all of us, how can we apply these truths of love and unity in other areas of life, beginning within our church family?