X3watch The keys to online integrity and accountability Monitors web browsing activity Notifies accountability partners Works on PC and Mac Scheduled email accountability reports Websites can be flagged Android/iOS versions available Only $7/month! Check it out at: www.x3watch.com You are not a god created by human hands. You are not a god dependent on any mortal man. You are not a god in need of anything we can give. By Your plan, that's just the way it is. You are not a god created by human hands. You are not a god dependent on any mortal man. You are not a god in need of anything we can give. By Your plan, that's just the way it is. You are God alone From before time began, You were on Your throne, You are God alone. And right now in the good times and bad You are on Your throne. You are God alone. You're the only God whose power none can contend. You're the only God whose name and praise will never end. You're the only God who's worthy of ev'rything we can give. You are God, And that's just the way it is. You are God alone From before time began, You were on Your throne, You are God alone. And right now in the good times and bad You are on Your throne. You are God alone. Unchangeable, Unshakable, Unstoppable, that's what You are. Unchangeable, Unshakable, Unstoppable, that's what You are. You are God alone From before time began, You were on Your throne, You are God alone. And right now in the good times and bad You are on Your throne. You are God alone. Unchangeable, Unshakable, Unstoppable, that's what You are. Unchangeable, Unshakable, Unstoppable, that's what You are. You are God alone From before time began, You were on Your throne, You are God alone. And right now in the good times and bad You are on Your throne. You are God alone. You are God alone. A man and his marriage: A biblical portrait of marriage Ephesians 5:21–33 (NASB95) 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. 22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband. The best gift you can give your wife is a man who is completely surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I. Marriage is a picture a. a picture of the gospel b. a picture of Christ and His Church Marriage is a partnership In this partnership, God has clearly stated in scripture that the husband is to model his role after Christ. Jesus Christ is the model for husbands. Jesus models the responsibilities and the role for a husband: Jesus was a servant leader. The word “leader” is the noun, whereas the word “servant” is the modifier. Leadership is to be loving: the dominate characteristic of Christ’s love for His church was sacrifice. unconditional covenantal incarnational sacrificial Ruth Bell Graham said “a successful marriage is the union of two forgivers.” “Every governor of a family ought to look upon himself as obligated to act in three capacities: as a prophet to instruct; as a priest to pray for and with; and as a king to govern, direct and provide for them It is true, indeed that the latter of these, their kingly office, they are not so frequently deficient in … but as for the former, their priestly and prophetic offices … they care for no such thing.” George Whitfield a. Prophet – instructs • • • • Hears from God Established truth Confronts sin Encourages with truth and love Dan Allender – A prophet is “a bearer of God’s Word.” A prophet is one who hears from God and speaks for God. b. Priest – leads spiritually • He intercedes • He invites • He initiates c. King – governs • Protection • Provision Take Away: Using the “10 Questions” handout, find a time when you and your spouse can meet to pray and ask one another the questions from each list. I encourage you to find a place that is quiet, private, and you are unlikely to be interrupted. Lifting My Wife Through Prayer Lord, I lift my wife to You today and pray, according to Your Word, that: • she will know Your will for her life, pleasing You in all respects and bearing fruit in every good work (Colossians 1:9-10). • her physical health will be strong and her stamina high (Isaiah 40:2831). • You will release her from worry or guilt over things she is not responsible for or in control of (Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-32). • her agenda and tasks today would go smoothly and that she would accomplish much (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17; 3:1-4, 13). • a godly mentor would come into her life (Titus 2:3-5). • she will not gossip or keep company with those who do (Proverbs 20:19; 1 Timothy 3:11). • You will give her discernment and wisdom and protect her from those who would deceive her (1 Timothy 2:14; James 1:5-8). “Following Jesus’ pattern of intercession in John 17, … a husband should pray for his wife that …” • God would be gloried in and through her life. • she would know God and grow in knowledge and experience of Him. • God would keep her safe in Him (protect her from despair, discouragement, and faithlessness in the midst of trials). • she would be morally pure and set apart for His service • she would be one with God, with her husband, and with women in the body of Christ. • she would stay faithful to Christ to the end.