Biblical Marriage

Session Four

The Acts of Marriage: Husband and Father (Part 2)

Ephesians 5:21-33 

Outline 

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…Jesus is the pattern for manhood. This fact can be overwhelming. After all, Jesus is perfect. However, those who are imperfect, (me and you) must have the goal to line up with the pattern. As men we will never do anything perfectly. But we must be found doing the very things that Jesus did for the church.

In the first chapter of Ephesians, Paul records that the name of Christ is above every name and all things are under his feet. God made him head over all things to the church. This speaks of Jesus’ leadership role. As Paul completes this thought in chapter five verses 31 and 32, husbands are the same type of leader in their marriage. But it is servant-leadership. Jesus takes the lead by suffering and dying for his bride. Jesus planned his servant-leadership role and he took the initiative to bring it to pass.

Servant-leadership prohibits brutality, and Jesus’ intentional actions prohibits passive couch surfing. The pattern is perfect even when we are not. So, it is a call of God to every husband to gladly take on the responsibility of Christ-like, servant-leadership in the home, making provisions for, and offering protection to, his bride.

According to our focal verses, if we love our wives correctly she feels nourished and cherished. (Ephesians 5:28-29) In this session we will look at what it means to be a husband and father that nourishes and cherishes his family.

Servant-Leadership

Protection and Provision (vs 25-27)

Physical

Spiritual

Taking the initiative

Not doing all the work

Nourish and Cherish (vs 28-30)

Taking initiative to see that needs are met

Willing to sacrifice anything for the good of wife and children

The Example of Job

Job’s heart for God and family (Job 1:5)

God’s heart for Job (Job 1:8)

A primary purpose (Job 19:25)

Job’s confession (Job 42:1-6)

LIFE APPLICATION

What women long for is spiritual and moral initiative from a man, not spiritual and moral domination.

Husband leadership is design for God’s Glory and our good.