Husbands, Love your Wives

When God in His Sovereignty created all things, He ordained four institutions. He ordained the Home, the Government, the Church, and work. He ordained all four of these areas to assist us in bringing Honor and Glory to His name. “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16 ESV) In order for Satan to accomplish his work, he sets out to destroy those four areas. The first area that he has sought to destroy since the beginning of time is the home. In order to destroy the home, he attacks the marriage and husbands in particular. In today’s culture, the institution of marriage is considered something that can be easily got out of and not taken seriously. The divorce rate is astonishing. According to CDC, 3.6 per the population of 1,000 people end in divorce. The divorce in North Carolina is 3.8 per population of 1,000.

One key area that we as believers are for husbands is to love their wives. (Ephesians 5:25-26) How are men to love their wives? How did Christ love the Church?

First, the love that Christ showed for the church is a “Sacrificial” love. This is the kind of love that always gives. It is the same word we see in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Note two important words: Loved and gave. True biblical Agape love always gives. How can a husband show his love through giving? It is a selfless love. It is the kind of love that puts him last and others, especially his wife, first. It is a giving love. He gives of his time, money, and him last. It is a committed love. He is committed “for better or for worse.” He is committed in thought and action. It is a unconditional love. He loves his wife with no strings attached.

Secondly, it is a pure love. (Ephesians 5:26-27) Christ died in order for the church to be set apart, clean, without a spot or wrinkle and holy with no blemishes. Are there any perfect marriages? Of course not. A marriage is two sinners coming together. But it must be our goal as husbands, to have a marriage that is clean and pure.

Thirdly, it is a caring love. (Ephesians 5:28-30) As Christ cares for the church, so must we as husbands care for our wives in the same manner. We must nourish and cherish our wives. We feed clothe and nurture our wives. We treat with tenderness, warmth, affection and appreciation.

Lastly, we are joined together in love. (Ephesians 5:31) How are we joined together in love? We are joined in three ways: Physically, mentally and spiritually.

Husbands, do you love your wives as Christ loved the church? Do you share God’s presence together? Do you share in your salvation and sanctification? Do you share in your church attendance, bible reading and study and witness for Christ together? If not, start now. “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7

God’s Name is Holy

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” Matthew 9:6

Quick question: How many times have you maybe said what is traditionally called “The Lord’s Prayer?” Maybe you have heard it recited as part of a church, community or team event? Have you ever considered the true meaning of that prayer? Have you ever considered to whom you are directing this prayer to?

First of all, why is it important that we learn how to pray? The Lord’s Prayer was not given by Christ for believers and non-believers alike recite as part of a creed or to make us feel better in our prayer life. Christ gave it to us as an outline or an instruction manual to teach us in what manner we are to pray. The Apostle Paul instructed the believers that we are to “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Why pray? First, it gives the believer the time to experience the fullness of communion with God as your Heavenly Father. Secondly, prayer opens the floodgates of Heaven for the believer. Thirdly, it gives the believer an opportunity to know the blessings of God. Do you pray and how often do you pray?

Secondly, what is the believer acknowledging when we pray, “Our Father, which art in Heaven?” First, we are acknowledging to God that your throne is in Heaven and I am anticipating spending eternity with you. Secondly, I thank you that you are in Heaven as my Heavenly Father. Thirdly, I thank you for your promise of spending eternity in Heaven with you. Do you know if you will or will not be spending eternity with God in Heaven?

Thirdly, what is meant by the term “Hallowed be thy name?” First, the name of God is to be treated as Holy, righteous and pure. “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7) Secondly, the first thing we must do when praying is to give praise and honor to God as our Heavenly Father. Thirdly, The first purpose of man is to glorify and honor God with his or her life. Fourth, God’s glory is the very reason why Christ came to earth. (John 17) Fifth,

To finish up, I have two quick questions for you. Do you acknowledge God as the Sovereign God of the universe? “The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.” (Ps. 103:19) Do you acknowledge that God’s name is Holy and must be treated so? For the High and Exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy says this:I live in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the oppressed.” (Isaiah 57:15)

The Relevance of the message of John the Baptist

Who is your favorite character of the Scriptures? I have several. In the Old Testament, there is Joshua, Gideon, King David, Daniel and the Prophets. In the New Testament, we have the 12 Apostles, The Apostle Paul, and of course, Jesus Christ. One of my favorites is the first cousin of Jesus Christ, the man known as John the Baptist. What is it about John the Baptist that makes him relevant to today? After all, he was an odd individual. He wore odd clothes, ate odd food and preached an odd message and was fearless in his message. What can we learn from this very important man in Scripture and apply to our lives of today.

First of all, let us take a look at the message John the Baptist preached to all people. He preached a message of repentance from sin, that we must be prepared for the coming of the Messiah and confess sin. In Matthew 3:1-2, the Scripture says, “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (ESV) He preached that in order for men to be prepared and ready for the coming of the Messiah, they must repent from sin. What does it mean to repent? Does it mean to simply feel sorry for our sin? To repent means to “turn from sin.” In other words, you realize that your sin is leading you to destruction and you make a conscious decision to turn from your sin and turn to the Gospel of the finished work of Jesus Christ. To be prepared for the coming of the Messiah means to live a life in preparation for the second return of Christ. Acts 1:10-11 says, “And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Are you prepared for the second coming of Christ? What does it mean to confess sin? The word “confess” means to be in complete agreement with God that your sin is an offense to Him. What does all of this mean? It means that you have come to a point through the drawing of God unto Himself the need for repentance of sin in order to be prepared for the second coming of His son and be in constant confession of sin in your life.

Secondly, there was the intended audience of John’s message-the religious establishment. In Matthew 3:7-10, he is speaking to the Pharisees and Sadducees’. In today’s society, they would be the religious professionals. John’s message was fourfold: First, Flee from the wrath to come. (John 3:36) Secondly, repent from verbal repentance. A Change of conduct is needed. Thirdly Spiritual heritage means nothing. Fourthly, Judgment is coming.

Thirdly, John preached Christ. This is noted in Matthew 3:11-12. He emphasized Christ is to be exalted above all names. Christ shall baptize and Christ shall judge and purge.

In conclusion, let’s look at three very important questions: Are you prepared for the coming Kingdom? Are you truly converted? Is Christ being exalted in your life?