Biblical Marriage

Session Three

The Acts of Marriage: Husband and Father (Part 1)

Ephesians 5:21-33 

Outline 

We established that marriage is the doing of God. Marriage is established at the very beginning. Before the sixth day of creation ends we see our first wedding. We are created to be image bearers. We bear the image of our Creator. As God made man in His own image, so He made earthly marriage in the image of His own eternal marriage with His people. Therefore, as long as Christ tarries, marriage will stand for one thing only, Christ loving his church. In other words, marriage is the image bearer of the Gospel.

As such, our marriage is a covenant relationship that mirrors the New Covenant in the Blood of Christ. Marriage is not a function of self gratification; it is a vessel of sacrificial love rewarding all who participate.

In this session we look at the role of husband and father. In Paul’s definition of the one flesh relationship recorded in Ephesians 5:21-33, husbands are compared to Christ, wives are compared to the church. Husbands are compared to the head; wives are compared to the body. Husbands are commanded to love as Christ loved. The roles Paul describes are unique. In this session we begin to explore their uniqueness.

Roles begin in Mutual Submission (vs 21)

Mutual Submission

Humble service to the other

Build each other up

Does NOT cancel out Headship

Mutual Submission is defined in Unique Roles (vs 22-33)

Husbands compared to Christ

Wives compared to the church

Husbands compared to the Head

Wives compared to the Body

Roles are not arbitrary or reversible

MEN – Bring Your Headship into Conformity 

Husband Headship – one of the most broken parts of our culture

Sin corrupted- Brutal / Passive

Christ-like Servant Leader who:

Provides

Protects

Definition of Headship: Headship is the divine calling of a husband to take primary responsibility for Christ-like, servant leadership, protection, and provision in the home.

***Homework***

LIFE APPLICATION

Getting First Things Right; Second Things ALWAYS Get Better

What is at stake here is the Gospel