A Magnificent Marriage

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: Ephesians 5:22-24Marriage is meant to be a wonderful thing, yet many of us have experienced miserable or mediocre marriages. But through His Word, God has given us directions to develop a magnificent marriage.In Ephesians 5, the Apostle Paul compares the relationship of husband and wife to Christ and the Church: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body” (Ephesians 5:22-23).God’s pattern for an ideal wife is submission.When a wife submits to her husband, it does not mean she is inferior to him; her duty to submit reflects how the Church submits to Jesus Christ.Adrian Rogers says, “Submission is one equal voluntarily placing (herself) under another equal that God may be glorified.” A wife will find glorious liberation in submitting to her husband, because she has assumed the role God has given her.The husband is to be the loving leader of the family, not a dictator. He is positioned as the head of the house to mimic the pattern of Christ, who is the head of the Church. Jesus does not force our submission. He loves us; therefore we willingly submit. Likewise, a husband cannot coerce his wife into submission; he loves her into it.Husbands are to love their wives selflessly and sacrificially; they cannot put their ambitions, ideals, or desires before their families’ welfare.A husband must also love his wife in a sanctifying way that makes her a better Christian (see Ephesians 5:25-26); it is his responsibility to nourish and cherish her. As he seeks to satisfy his own needs, he should seek to satisfy hers as well, loving her as he loves himself.He must love her supremely, treating his marriage as the highest of all earthly relationships.Becoming one flesh with his wife means a husband will share himself with her, big and small, leaving no part of himself in the dark.Finally, he will love her steadfastly, remaining loyal to her above everyone else.If we look at the relationship of Christ and the Church as our model, our marriages will thrive like never before.Apply it to your lifeIf you are married, pray that you and your spouse would assume your God-given responsibilities and honor Him.