WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.759 All right. Thank you for that this morning. What a blessing that is. Go and take your Bibles. 00:00:06.919 --> 00:00:10.320 ! Turn over to Ephesians chapter 5 this morning. Ephesians chapter 5. 00:00:10.919 --> 00:00:15.320 ! As we're going to take a few moments here as we look into the Word of God. 00:00:15.419 --> 00:00:17.120 You know, we began a few months ago. 00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:19.240 We had a few weeks there. 00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:25.940 We were talking about God's design for marriage and what that building block of society is. 00:00:25.940 --> 00:00:33.480 Because ultimately we'll find that the family is the original building block of society. 00:00:33.960 --> 00:00:37.439 And what the family pictures is important also. 00:00:37.960 --> 00:00:45.359 And to understand the importance of it and God gives us and breaks down those dynamics with it. 00:00:45.400 --> 00:00:50.680 Because when God first established it in the garden there with Adam and Eve. 00:00:50.680 --> 00:00:54.620 Remember, God made Adam a helpmate for him. 00:00:54.619 --> 00:00:56.559 And one from Adam's side. 00:00:56.679 --> 00:00:59.640 And he presented Eve to him. 00:00:59.820 --> 00:01:03.439 And we see something that is a foundational reality. 00:01:03.699 --> 00:01:07.039 The concept and the importance of marriage. 00:01:07.539 --> 00:01:10.900 And so this morning we're going to continue looking at the family. 00:01:11.280 --> 00:01:15.359 And we're going to take the next few weeks and kind of look and add to some of those things here. 00:01:15.700 --> 00:01:18.060 Because it's something we need to give attention to. 00:01:18.060 --> 00:01:20.299 Especially today because the family is under attack. 00:01:21.340 --> 00:01:23.140 You know, they're trying to tear down families. 00:01:23.140 --> 00:01:24.879 They're trying to redefine family. 00:01:25.200 --> 00:01:28.659 They're trying to redefine what relationships look like. 00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:34.159 But as a believer we ought to understand to say, hey, what does God say it ought to look like? 00:01:34.840 --> 00:01:39.480 Because our society needs to be built on godly principles upon godly things. 00:01:39.680 --> 00:01:42.760 And so we're going to look here this morning for a little bit. 00:01:42.780 --> 00:01:45.260 We're going to talk specifically about wives here this morning. 00:01:45.760 --> 00:01:47.740 You know, I told you when we talked about the guys. 00:01:47.859 --> 00:01:48.460 You know, it's one of them. 00:01:48.519 --> 00:01:49.040 It's always funny. 00:01:49.040 --> 00:01:52.740 But it's interesting as you stand up here on Sunday morning, you talk about certain topics. 00:01:52.820 --> 00:01:53.640 You got part of the crowd. 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:55.660 It's like, yeah, you preach it, pastor. 00:01:55.740 --> 00:01:56.280 You preach it. 00:01:57.460 --> 00:02:01.040 You know, when I talked about the husbands, it's like the wives are all like, yeah, get after them. 00:02:01.060 --> 00:02:01.560 Get after them. 00:02:01.700 --> 00:02:03.320 Well, this morning the roles were reversed. 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:07.080 Because today we're going to talk a little bit about wives. 00:02:07.180 --> 00:02:07.980 Because you know what? 00:02:08.020 --> 00:02:11.520 A relationship is made up of two people. 00:02:11.520 --> 00:02:15.360 And it's important to understand the balance that God created with that. 00:02:16.140 --> 00:02:18.540 The importance of that relationship. 00:02:18.840 --> 00:02:23.100 Because a marriage is not just a foundation for family. 00:02:23.280 --> 00:02:27.520 But the apostle Paul, we find here in Ephesians, equates it to something very important. 00:02:27.640 --> 00:02:34.100 Because it's also a picture of our relationship as a body of believers with our Savior. 00:02:34.099 --> 00:02:37.680 It's a picture of Christ and the church. 00:02:37.939 --> 00:02:39.919 And it involves those things. 00:02:40.079 --> 00:02:48.620 And it's based upon one very simple word that, you know, have you ever noticed that some words are simple, but the application of them are difficult? 00:02:50.599 --> 00:02:52.459 The simple word is this, submission. 00:02:52.959 --> 00:02:54.900 Submission is an easy word, really. 00:02:55.019 --> 00:02:56.840 It's like, oh, we understand what it means. 00:02:56.840 --> 00:02:59.960 But how does it play out? 00:03:01.319 --> 00:03:06.280 Because what we're talking about this morning here is for wives, but also for all of us. 00:03:06.400 --> 00:03:12.300 Because remember, what's being pictured here is our relationship with Christ. 00:03:12.759 --> 00:03:15.020 To understand that importance of submission. 00:03:15.199 --> 00:03:16.860 Submission isn't just for one. 00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:18.500 Submission is for everybody. 00:03:18.680 --> 00:03:22.659 We live a life of submission to the Savior. 00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:28.120 But he uses the relationship of a wife to her husband as this picture. 00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:34.439 And so this morning, if you found Ephesians chapter 5, let's stand together in honor of the reading of the Word of God. 00:03:34.519 --> 00:03:35.300 And let's look here. 00:03:35.560 --> 00:03:37.259 We'll pick up in verse 21 here. 00:03:38.379 --> 00:03:43.780 And it says this, submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 00:03:44.300 --> 00:03:47.659 So that's that mutual dynamic involved. 00:03:48.359 --> 00:03:51.379 In other words, what we're talking about here is that mutual dynamic. 00:03:51.379 --> 00:03:52.479 Now notice verse 22. 00:03:52.840 --> 00:03:57.139 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord. 00:03:57.799 --> 00:04:02.620 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is head of the church, and he is the Savior of the body. 00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:08.439 Therefore the church is subject unto Christ, and so let wives be to their own husband in everything. 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:11.620 Now look down at verse 33. 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:21.500 It says, nevertheless, let every one of you in particular love his wife, even as himself, and the wife see that she reverence her husband. 00:04:21.819 --> 00:04:22.319 Let's pray. 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:31.180 Heavenly Father, as we come before you this morning, Lord, as we look at a very important topic, the reality of family and how you have designed it, Lord, 00:04:31.180 --> 00:04:41.439 help us to be willing to say, Lord, we want to look and think about our relationships in light of your word, Lord, in our relationship with you especially. 00:04:42.220 --> 00:04:45.519 Lord, we pray just have your hand upon the message, upon all that is said and done. 00:04:45.639 --> 00:04:53.199 Lord, help us to not just hear with our ears, Lord, but to respond from the heart, Lord, with the truth of your word. 00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:57.839 Lord, I pray that you might encourage, strengthen, convict, Lord, you know the need here today. 00:04:58.620 --> 00:05:00.800 And Lord, we just ask it all in your precious name. 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:01.920 Amen. 00:05:02.279 --> 00:05:02.759 May be seated. 00:05:03.639 --> 00:05:09.800 You know, as we look here this morning, you know, the mere mention of submission seems to stir the ire of some people, you know. 00:05:10.060 --> 00:05:14.560 And it comes to a lot of things because ultimately we submit in a lot of areas in our life. 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:21.879 But especially when it's talking about relationships, submission is something that people seem to want to say, 00:05:21.879 --> 00:05:23.420 well, that's different. 00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:29.879 But I want you to understand submission is something that gets put in the context of marriage. 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:34.139 And that context here, we're going to see here Christ talks about this. 00:05:34.659 --> 00:05:39.100 Very simply in our text there in verse 25, notice this. 00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:44.439 His husbands love your wife, even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it. 00:05:44.740 --> 00:05:48.500 There's that picture that we see in this passage put together. 00:05:48.500 --> 00:05:53.360 And we're going to talk about one portion, one element in this picture here this morning. 00:05:53.800 --> 00:06:01.699 Because oftentimes the problem is when we picture what we hear in our mind is often the wrong concept. 00:06:02.240 --> 00:06:06.519 Because especially when it comes to marriage, whenever the term submission is thrown out, 00:06:07.279 --> 00:06:11.939 most people in our modern society have a connotation towards the negative. 00:06:11.939 --> 00:06:16.100 It carries with it a negative connotation. 00:06:16.199 --> 00:06:21.639 But I want you to understand, submission is not a negative thing, but a positive thing. 00:06:22.079 --> 00:06:28.259 In the light and context of Scripture, you know, we're in a battle today for definition of terms. 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:32.959 If you haven't noticed, the definition of terms is important. 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:37.480 When somebody's talking to you and they say something, it's like, oh, that sounds good. 00:06:37.480 --> 00:06:40.939 Well, let's define our terms and make sure we're talking about the same thing. 00:06:42.240 --> 00:06:46.140 Because sometimes you might be using the same term but meaning different things. 00:06:46.960 --> 00:06:52.340 Because submission sometimes, people have used a wrong definition of submission 00:06:52.340 --> 00:06:57.580 because they take submission and make it to be inferior or subservient. 00:06:57.579 --> 00:07:05.839 I want you to understand, when you look in the biblical context of submission, that is not the case. 00:07:07.300 --> 00:07:13.659 Submission is a choice from the heart to put yourself under authority. 00:07:15.699 --> 00:07:19.579 It's a question of authority and those things. 00:07:19.639 --> 00:07:24.860 And we do this all the time because what does it mean when we put it in this context 00:07:24.860 --> 00:07:29.400 where it tells wives, submit yourselves unto your own husband as unto the Lord? 00:07:29.620 --> 00:07:36.460 What does it mean to submit or to respect your husband in your marriage? 00:07:37.639 --> 00:07:38.500 You know, that's a picture. 00:07:38.620 --> 00:07:42.139 When we look to the world, there's a lot of things that are contrary to the things of God. 00:07:42.420 --> 00:07:44.100 Remember, we talked earlier about design. 00:07:44.220 --> 00:07:45.580 God designed marriage. 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:51.800 Things can operate outside the design for a while before they collapse. 00:07:51.800 --> 00:07:57.360 And if our marriages are not operating the way God designed, you know what? 00:07:57.420 --> 00:07:59.460 It's bound for collapse or calamity. 00:08:00.780 --> 00:08:04.660 Because you're doing things in a way that it's not designed to operate. 00:08:05.560 --> 00:08:07.680 How it's not designed to be put forth. 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:13.960 And so we're going to look here today as why is submission necessary for a marriage to thrive? 00:08:13.960 --> 00:08:18.980 And how does this biblical perspective even strengthen marriages? 00:08:18.980 --> 00:08:22.580 Because God is the one who designed marriage. 00:08:22.700 --> 00:08:29.259 It's important to say if God designed it, the designer understands the best way for it to operate. 00:08:30.640 --> 00:08:36.220 The operation of marriage is under God's design for us. 00:08:36.300 --> 00:08:42.420 And so when respect is given to the husband, it's what allows for a marriage to run smoothly. 00:08:42.560 --> 00:08:46.980 Now remember, I want you to keep this in context because we're talking specifically about wives. 00:08:46.980 --> 00:08:52.800 But I want you to pair this when we talked earlier a few months ago about the men, how they ought to treat their wives. 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:54.480 How they ought to love their wives. 00:08:54.560 --> 00:08:58.060 They ought to be the one that God wants them to be in that relationship. 00:08:58.960 --> 00:08:59.100 Okay? 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:06.740 But this morning, I want you to understand this picture of submission is not only for the women, but it's also for the men. 00:09:06.820 --> 00:09:11.539 Because when you submit yourself to Christ, the husband is supposed to submit himself to Christ. 00:09:11.539 --> 00:09:15.259 Therefore, the wife can come under that authority without a problem. 00:09:16.959 --> 00:09:18.620 There's not a lack of submission. 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:20.219 It's just who are you submitting to? 00:09:20.819 --> 00:09:23.659 And in what order is that submission taking place? 00:09:24.279 --> 00:09:32.039 Because we see here, if a wife doesn't submit or respect her husband, is not willing to submit to the Lord either. 00:09:32.039 --> 00:09:35.539 Now that's something to really consider. 00:09:35.659 --> 00:09:40.059 A woman who won't fall under the authority that God's established is saying, 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:42.059 God, I don't want to fall under your authority. 00:09:42.339 --> 00:09:43.620 Take a look in our text there. 00:09:43.719 --> 00:09:45.539 Look very quickly over here to verse 22. 00:09:46.219 --> 00:09:46.539 It says, 00:09:46.899 --> 00:09:49.779 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands as what? 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:52.279 As unto who? 00:09:53.399 --> 00:09:54.379 As unto who? 00:09:55.179 --> 00:09:56.079 The Lord. 00:09:56.080 --> 00:10:02.840 In other words, it ties directly to your willingness to say, 00:10:02.960 --> 00:10:08.280 God, I'm going to submit to you by doing this. 00:10:09.020 --> 00:10:11.220 I'm going to fall under your authority. 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:16.840 And that's something that we buck by people by nature is that we hate to have authority over us. 00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:20.500 You know, we don't like to submit to authority, but you know what? 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:22.100 We submit to authority all the time. 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:23.480 Let me give you an illustration. 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:26.300 I suspect everybody drove to church this morning. 00:10:27.940 --> 00:10:30.420 Now coming through Lincoln, how many stopped at a stoplight? 00:10:30.700 --> 00:10:32.600 You're in Lincoln, you know, you're getting a stoplight. 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:36.440 Have you ever stopped to consider when you stop at a stoplight, you're submitting to authority? 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:40.300 You're submitting to an established authority that benefits everybody. 00:10:41.820 --> 00:10:45.200 Because what happens, and this happens in Lincoln quite frequently, 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:48.700 people don't submit to that authority and intersections get interesting. 00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:52.240 Because why? 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:55.560 The intersection is not operating the way it's designed to operate. 00:10:55.660 --> 00:10:56.480 How does it operate? 00:10:56.960 --> 00:11:00.220 It operates because the people driving are willing to submit 00:11:00.220 --> 00:11:05.520 to the authority that's been given that controls that intersection. 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:08.140 The same reality is for us as believers. 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:10.820 If we're not willing to submit to the things of God, 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:13.879 things aren't going to operate and it's going to crash. 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:21.639 And so as we look at this this morning, because respect reflects obedience to God. 00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:26.720 You know, the reverence that a wife has towards her husband reflects her willingness to be subject 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:27.980 unto the Lord. 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:31.759 The basis for submission is found there in verse 21. 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:37.620 Notice it's submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 00:11:38.580 --> 00:11:42.139 Verse 21 underpins this whole rest of the chapter. 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:46.240 It's the foundation for which Paul's making these statements. 00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:50.039 He's not saying that it was just an idea for women you need to submit. 00:11:50.159 --> 00:11:52.080 You know, that's the way people perceive it. 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:55.299 That it makes women subservient. 00:11:55.379 --> 00:12:02.480 But I want you to understand true biblical submission is found in our respect and love 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:05.919 because this idea of submission is not just a concept, 00:12:06.460 --> 00:12:08.399 but it's a part of our Christian walk. 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:11.340 And likewise ought to be a part of our marriages. 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:19.019 Throughout the scriptures we find submission involves that recognizing authority and responding accordingly. 00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:25.980 Because I want you to understand to recognize authority and submit doesn't mean that you're inferior. 00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:29.860 Let's look at a good biblical example. 00:12:30.019 --> 00:12:31.560 Turn over to the book of Luke for a moment. 00:12:32.080 --> 00:12:33.080 Luke chapter 2. 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:40.400 Luke 2 here is a great example of voluntary humility and submission. 00:12:42.080 --> 00:12:46.780 Because I think there's no doubt of who has ultimate authority here. 00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:54.000 Here's Jesus as a young man, and he has those that God gave to raise him, Joseph and Mary. 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:59.920 Parents, they had parental authority over Jesus as he was growing up. 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:02.039 Now look at this in verse 51. 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.539 Verse 51, he says, 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:06.719 And he went down with them, that's Jesus, came to Nazareth. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:08.479 And notice, and he was what? 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:11.059 What was that word? 00:13:12.339 --> 00:13:12.819 Subject. 00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:19.599 That's that same concept of submission or respect for Joseph and Mary. 00:13:19.599 --> 00:13:20.459 Here's Jesus. 00:13:20.460 --> 00:13:25.000 Was Jesus lesser than Joseph and Mary? 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:26.220 Not by a chance. 00:13:26.280 --> 00:13:27.759 He was God in the flesh. 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:29.000 But you know what he said? 00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:36.940 There's an authority that's been established, and I'm willing to submit myself to that authority. 00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:40.639 Willing to put myself under that. 00:13:40.740 --> 00:13:46.100 If Jesus was willing to do that as our example, should we not be willing to do the same? 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:52.460 If Jesus says, I'm going to put myself under an authority that's already been established, 00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:57.060 not because I'm inferior to them, because it's proper to do. 00:13:58.120 --> 00:14:05.820 To put that context, this idea of submission is important, and it impacts everybody around us. 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:09.519 When we submit, it does not imply inferiority. 00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:15.060 Because submission is an act of the will regarding authority in our life. 00:14:15.059 --> 00:14:21.599 Matter of fact, genuine submission begins in the heart and is revealed in our actions. 00:14:22.459 --> 00:14:28.879 Because you can come under something by force, or you can choose to put yourself under. 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:35.539 You can choose yourself to allow that authority that's been given to take place. 00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:37.899 It's like being part of a team. 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:46.399 You know, we're getting ready to get into football season, and it's interesting because when you see teams play, 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:49.959 you can see whether a team has authority structure or not. 00:14:51.439 --> 00:14:54.980 Because if you have a lot of all-star players that all want to do their own thing, 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:56.919 they might be great players, but what happens? 00:14:57.179 --> 00:14:58.860 They might be great, but you know what? 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:02.679 If they come against a team that's playing together and under authority, you know what? 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.839 Everybody's under authority. 00:15:04.099 --> 00:15:05.339 Hey, this is your assignment. 00:15:05.479 --> 00:15:06.939 This is what your portion's going to be. 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:08.579 This is where you're supposed to be. 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:10.199 This is what you're supposed to be doing. 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:15.959 When everybody falls under authority, it works correctly and efficiently. 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:18.319 But if everybody did their own thing, what's it look like? 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:20.559 Chaos. 00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:21.479 Defeat. 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:27.340 So when you understand that a marriage, in that sense, you're a team together. 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:31.720 You became one flesh, the Bible says, when you got married. 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:38.480 So in other words, what we're talking about this morning here is for the benefit of everybody involved. 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:40.759 Because submitting is that thing. 00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:45.639 Now notice here, there's a couple of qualifiers that are given here that are very important. 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:48.259 Because notice here what it says. 00:15:48.319 --> 00:15:53.000 It says here that every, submit yourselves unto your own husbands. 00:15:53.439 --> 00:16:00.379 Now this is important because sometimes people take this outside the context that God gives it. 00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:03.080 Because God gives it in two places, the home and the church. 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:07.639 He says the authority in the home is the responsibility of the husband. 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:14.960 The authority rests upon the husband to do what he's supposed to do in being the leader of the home. 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:19.539 He has a direct accountability to God in that. 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:22.819 And so this fear involves the home and the church. 00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:27.039 It's not given to degrade or to say your wife is your slave. 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:34.519 But it's given so that it might be order maintained in the home that the team might function the way it ought to function. 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:38.159 You know why we have problems in marriages today? 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:40.960 Because people don't want to do what God has instructed them to do. 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:45.200 To take the responsibility to come under the authority that they're supposed to come under. 00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:49.879 If people are under the authority they're supposed to be under, you know what? 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:51.379 Everything works as designed. 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:54.480 Everything works the way it's supposed to. 00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:56.259 You know, look over to 1 Peter for a moment. 00:16:57.699 --> 00:17:01.199 Notice what it tells us here in 1 Peter chapter 3. 00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:07.920 Peter's telling them here, it says this, for after this manner in verse 5, it says that for after this manner in the old time, 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:14.940 the holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves being in subjection unto their own husbands. 00:17:15.120 --> 00:17:20.279 And then he gives an example, even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord, 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:26.160 whose daughters are ye as long as ye do well and are not afraid with any amazement. 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:30.340 I want you to understand it's being subjection to your own husband. 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:32.600 This is not a general submission to all men. 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:37.259 Not every man has authority over every woman. 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:38.759 Sometimes people have taken it there. 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:43.100 I want you to understand that's not what the scripture says. 00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:51.519 But we need to understand the importance is what does the Bible say about it and what does God say for us in our relationships. 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:54.480 That dynamic and that authority. 00:17:54.899 --> 00:17:58.879 It's not a general submission, but it's under their own husband. 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:04.699 But instead of recognizing God's design for order and responsibility, 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:08.859 people try to take it out and make it something that it's not. 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:14.279 I want you to understand God doesn't make us inferior one to another. 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:17.740 Authority just establishes order. 00:18:18.199 --> 00:18:20.779 Every person has great value to God. 00:18:21.719 --> 00:18:25.259 There's nobody who God doesn't say is of great value. 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:30.859 That's the reason he went to the cross to die for you because you have value. 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:34.959 But we also understand God's a God of order. 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:37.859 Bible says that you have to do things decently and in order. 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:38.539 Order. 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:39.839 What's that mean? 00:18:39.879 --> 00:18:42.919 It doesn't mean you have just a schedule to keep. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:45.339 That means there's a purpose behind what's functioning. 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:48.099 There's a purpose behind order. 00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:53.859 In other words, it's doing this way to work properly in this design. 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:57.779 But notice the second qualifier is as unto the Lord. 00:18:59.479 --> 00:19:02.399 As unto the Lord is an important qualifier also. 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:04.819 To your own husband and as to the Lord. 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:08.500 Because it's about obeying the Lord. 00:19:09.139 --> 00:19:09.319 You know? 00:19:09.939 --> 00:19:16.019 Nowhere in Scripture does it teach unqualified without exception, submission except to God. 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:21.799 God is the only one that we are absolutely submitted to. 00:19:21.879 --> 00:19:22.039 Why? 00:19:22.159 --> 00:19:24.759 Because God is the ultimate authority. 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.720 He is the creator. 00:19:27.859 --> 00:19:30.819 He is the one that designed. 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:32.939 He is the one that made us. 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:38.299 And so when Paul says for wives to submit to their husbands, it reveals something. 00:19:38.379 --> 00:19:42.000 Because a wife that submits to her husband says, I recognize God's order. 00:19:42.939 --> 00:19:45.159 I recognize my Savior. 00:19:45.160 --> 00:19:49.600 I recognize God's authority over my life. 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:53.000 It's no different if you're a man. 00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:55.160 God has authority over everybody. 00:19:55.980 --> 00:20:00.120 But God has an order of things to function in that. 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:06.940 And so when we understand here the word submit relative to wives needs to be understood in a way. 00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:09.779 Because oftentimes it's not subservient. 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:15.460 But when a wife submits to her husband, it says, I love him enough to fall under that authority. 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:21.660 Because remember, submission is willingness because of love. 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:23.420 Remember, what were the men commanded to do? 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:26.900 You're supposed to love our wives. 00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:28.000 You know what, guys? 00:20:28.100 --> 00:20:31.680 If you want your wife to be easier to submit to you, you need to love her. 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:32.380 You know what? 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:36.500 When a wife feels loved, it's a lot easier for her to fulfill her role. 00:20:36.840 --> 00:20:37.860 To do what they ought to do. 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:40.440 You know, it's always easier when everything's working in the right way. 00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:42.260 It makes life a lot easier. 00:20:43.600 --> 00:20:47.760 But I want you to understand here, this submit is really a mild word. 00:20:47.860 --> 00:20:48.700 It's a loving word. 00:20:48.780 --> 00:20:52.660 It means to respond to your own husband as unto the Lord. 00:20:53.080 --> 00:20:57.660 The way we respond to the Lord is that we love him because he first loved us. 00:20:57.660 --> 00:21:05.720 Notice that is to say unto your own husband, a very personal, loving relationship is the grounds for submission. 00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:09.640 That's the reason women submit to all men. 00:21:09.820 --> 00:21:10.980 That's not what the Bible says. 00:21:11.060 --> 00:21:13.440 It says a woman to submit to her own husband. 00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:17.860 Because there's a relationship there. 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:19.340 There's a protection there. 00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:23.380 Because, guys, it's our responsibility to protect our family. 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:27.580 To have a place of protection and safety. 00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:32.420 And I'm not talking just physically, but also emotionally. 00:21:34.280 --> 00:21:37.520 I mean, you have all these elements that are involved. 00:21:38.060 --> 00:21:45.160 When we understand this matter of submission is really an act of trust in God's design for the family. 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:48.220 It's embracing the roles he has established. 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:53.880 A wife will either encourage their husband's role as a leader or tear it down. 00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:59.640 By trusting the Lord, a wife will either build her marriage or tear it down. 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:04.160 If she trusts the Lord and falls under God's authority, you know what she's doing? 00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:08.259 She's building what God has given her. 00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:11.120 She's building those things. 00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:17.899 Because respect in marriage reflects trust in God's design. 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:20.459 Because remember, it's for as unto the Lord. 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.439 I want you to understand. 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:25.399 I'm just going to put something in here. 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:31.159 Because I want you to know that sometimes it's not easy to submit to your husband. 00:22:31.479 --> 00:22:32.299 Now, I'll just make a statement. 00:22:32.419 --> 00:22:35.479 Sometimes guys are not very easy to get along with. 00:22:35.719 --> 00:22:37.439 I don't know what the problem is. 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:42.480 We need to do our part, but for one not doing their part doesn't negate the other. 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:44.279 You know what it says is unto the Lord? 00:22:44.360 --> 00:22:46.660 It doesn't say if my husband merits it. 00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:52.200 It says because I'm doing this because I love God and God, I'm going to fall under God's authority. 00:22:52.620 --> 00:22:54.019 I'm going to do what I'm supposed to do. 00:22:54.559 --> 00:23:00.120 Let's reverse the role and include this because guys, you're to love your wife whether she submits to you or not. 00:23:00.380 --> 00:23:01.779 You know what a modern philosophy is? 00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:03.600 If they do their part, I'll do mine. 00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:07.679 No, you do your part and wait for God to convict them of their part. 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.799 Now, that's not easy. 00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:11.539 But, you know, submitting to authority is not an easy thing. 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:13.419 By nature, we buck authority. 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:15.579 We have another word for bucking authority. 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.539 It's called rebellion. 00:23:19.399 --> 00:23:21.419 By nature, we are rebellious. 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:24.379 You say, preacher, that's pretty rough. 00:23:24.439 --> 00:23:26.000 No, that's our sin nature coming out. 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:32.119 That's the nature of who we are that says, I'm going to buck what God has designed. 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:37.380 That's that sin nature that we want to reject what God has. 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:46.779 But I want you to see here that respecting her husband, a wife, respects, supports, and strengthens leadership. 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:48.740 Look here at verse 23. 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:56.620 It says, for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is head of the church, and he is the savior of the body. 00:23:57.220 --> 00:24:05.299 You know, I want you to see here the husband is the head of the wife, is dealing with authority, not being. 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:09.220 In other words, he doesn't make the wife less. 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:14.759 It just says this is how God has established the structure of authority. 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:17.539 And he gives that picture in there. 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:24.139 Now, I want you to understand something very important when it comes to authority. 00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:28.879 You know, oftentimes we think of authority saying, well, and they get away with whatever they want. 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:29.599 They're an authority. 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.480 You know what? 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:33.059 God says when you're an authority, you have responsibility. 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:36.920 Authority is never detached from responsibility. 00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:53.980 Because when you're over something, you have a responsibility to take care of it, to make sure that it's being properly used, that it's properly being processed, or whatever the dynamic may be. 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:55.980 It's a position of responsibility. 00:24:55.980 --> 00:25:03.000 It's a position of responsibility, a position of servant leadership, just as Jesus submitted even himself. 00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:05.200 Look over to Philippians chapter 2 for a moment. 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:09.720 Philippians chapter 2, because Jesus is the example of submission. 00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:20.880 Here's the God of heaven, the one who spoke everything into existence, says, I'm going to put myself under the authority structure that I made. 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:26.720 Have you ever thought about that, that when Jesus came here upon the earth, he put himself under the authority of the things that he designed? 00:25:27.020 --> 00:25:28.040 He placed himself. 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:33.100 Notice in verse 7, it says, but he made himself of no reputation and took upon him, what? 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:35.680 The form of a servant. 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:40.980 And was in likeness, made in the likeness of man and being found in the fashion of man. 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:43.240 Notice this, he humbled himself. 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:47.920 That word humbled is that same dynamic of submission. 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:55.799 In other words, he submitted himself under the will of the Father and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 00:25:57.079 --> 00:26:00.980 Our very salvation is built upon the basis of submission. 00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:08.620 What Christ did for us is he submitted to the will of the Father that he might die for our sin. 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:12.480 Submission is an important reality in our lives. 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:15.559 It's because the husband is the head of the wife. 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:20.599 In a full sense, the head has the idea of headship and authority. 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:26.319 It means to have the appropriate responsibility to lead and also the matching accountability. 00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:35.339 There's an accountability because throughout the scripture, you'll see this idea of headship within the family. 00:26:35.339 --> 00:26:41.439 Now, I want you to understand that the use of that term just means God's order of authority. 00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:44.559 And order of authority means order of responsibility. 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:49.539 Because as a husband, you become responsible for your family. 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:55.779 The wife becomes under that authority and submits under her husband. 00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:59.920 That's her coming and saying, I'm recognizing God's authority. 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:03.359 That's been placed there. 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:10.500 Because throughout the scripture, you'll find that it's set that way because Eve was given unto Adam. 00:27:11.159 --> 00:27:13.180 You know, that dynamic holds true. 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:15.340 You'll find 1 Corinthians 11 mentions it. 00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:17.600 1 Timothy chapter 2 mentions it. 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:24.860 And there's this emphasis to put constantly upon the fact that man was created first and not the woman. 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:28.560 And we see a priority by creation for man. 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:35.299 The scripture also emphasizes the fact that the woman was made out of man, taken out of the man to show a connection to him. 00:27:35.560 --> 00:27:38.160 And that she was meant to be a help meat for him. 00:27:38.380 --> 00:27:41.660 A help for man that was fitting for him. 00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:44.900 Remember when we talked about the design of marriage, that's what God did. 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:48.560 He made a help meat that was fit for Adam. 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:55.120 In other words, they became a team that worked together under the proper authority of God. 00:27:56.360 --> 00:28:00.420 Husbands being a head of the family reflects Christ as head of the church. 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:07.580 You know what I think part of the problem with society is because we get things out of order in the home, 00:28:07.640 --> 00:28:09.580 we get things out of order in the church too. 00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:13.019 Because sometimes we forget that Christ is the head. 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.159 He's the authority. 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:17.199 But today we have an idea we get to do whatever we want to do. 00:28:18.639 --> 00:28:20.460 Whenever we want to do it, however we want to do it. 00:28:20.639 --> 00:28:23.220 But we always have to keep in mind Christ is still the authority. 00:28:23.419 --> 00:28:25.919 He is the head of the church. 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:30.220 That's an authoritative position with responsibility. 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:42.500 And that picture he gives here is important because the husband is not speaking about the husband's ability, worth, competency, his value, his brilliance. 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:46.860 Instead it's speaking specifically of function and order within a marriage. 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:54.680 Just as a church that is submitted to Christ will function within the order established by the Lord in his word. 00:28:54.680 --> 00:28:58.900 You know, as a church we need to function the way God designed it to function. 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:05.660 When people try to make church what God didn't design it, it becomes something else. 00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:13.060 Because everybody, when you become a member of a church, you're submitting yourself to the authority of that church. 00:29:13.120 --> 00:29:15.160 You're submitting yourself to the authority of Christ. 00:29:15.420 --> 00:29:17.620 You're submitting yourself to say, I want to identify. 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:21.660 I want to say, I want to submit to the authority God's given. 00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:23.940 But oftentimes we don't like submission. 00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:26.259 Whether it's to one another. 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:30.039 Whether it's to Christ. 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:33.599 You know, even as a believer, you can rebel against submission to Christ. 00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:34.960 That's the reason the Bible says, 00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:39.099 He that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin. 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:42.619 You can know what you ought to do and choose not to do it. 00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:46.039 It requires that each member do their part. 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:48.200 The same is true in marriage. 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:50.220 Look over Colossians chapter 3 for a moment. 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:51.500 Colossians chapter 3. 00:29:51.859 --> 00:29:53.420 Look down here in verse 1. 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:56.580 Or excuse me, verse 18. 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.420 Colossians 3 verse 18. 00:30:00.060 --> 00:30:01.019 The Bible says this, 00:30:01.120 --> 00:30:07.080 Wives submit yourselves unto your own husband as it is fit in the Lord. 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:11.500 Husbands, love your wives and be not bitter against them. 00:30:12.300 --> 00:30:14.900 Now we can preach a whole other message on that last part. 00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:18.200 But I put that in here for a reason. 00:30:18.300 --> 00:30:19.200 Because you know what happens? 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:25.840 When a marriage has conflict instead of the proper authority structure and proper submission between both parties, 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:27.080 it causes bitterness. 00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:32.259 There's a lot of marriages that are hurting because they're bitter against one another. 00:30:32.580 --> 00:30:34.180 While you didn't do what you're supposed to do, 00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:37.279 you know the Bible never says worry about what they're doing. 00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:40.519 It says worry about what you're doing and what you're responsible for. 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:43.819 Because otherwise, bitterness will take root. 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:47.019 Even when the husband doesn't know the Lord. 00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:49.940 You know, look over to 1 Peter chapter 3 and verse 1. 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.619 It says this. 00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:51.220 It says, 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:54.480 Likewise, ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands, 00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:56.579 that if any obey not the word, 00:30:56.680 --> 00:31:00.639 they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives. 00:31:00.640 --> 00:31:05.840 In other words, if you're saved and you're married as a woman, 00:31:05.940 --> 00:31:06.880 you ought to be saying, 00:31:07.020 --> 00:31:08.980 I want to submit to my husband, 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:12.940 not because he might not necessarily be doing everything right, 00:31:13.020 --> 00:31:14.759 but because I'm going to submit unto the Lord. 00:31:15.040 --> 00:31:17.080 Because that changes the perspective, doesn't it? 00:31:18.280 --> 00:31:22.640 Am I going to be under the authority of Christ in my life as a believer, 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.680 or am I not? 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:26.940 To be under the authority of Christ says, 00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:30.200 I'm going to follow what God instructs to do those things. 00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:33.460 Because when a wife respects, when the wife honors, 00:31:33.580 --> 00:31:35.360 when a wife obeys her husband, 00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:38.140 allows him to lead with confidence, 00:31:38.620 --> 00:31:42.700 knowing they have the support and the trust of their wives. 00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:43.880 You know what? 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:46.900 It's a lot easier to lead when people are on board. 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:50.299 You know, it's hard to lead when there's constant conflict in the team, 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:53.279 because you're always running around trying to put out petty fires. 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:59.400 Dealing with conflicts and confusion and gossip and backbiting 00:31:59.400 --> 00:32:01.660 and all these different elements that get involved. 00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:04.120 But when we submit ourselves unto Christ, 00:32:04.340 --> 00:32:06.480 the marriage functions properly also. 00:32:06.880 --> 00:32:11.040 It allows the husband to lead the way he ought to lead. 00:32:11.060 --> 00:32:12.680 Even if he's trying to do the right thing. 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.100 You know what? 00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:14.540 If his wife is bucking him, 00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:18.420 it makes a conflict in the marriage. 00:32:19.840 --> 00:32:23.220 It creates something that creates difficulties within it. 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:25.640 But I want you to see here, look on down here. 00:32:25.660 --> 00:32:26.620 Look at verse 24. 00:32:28.140 --> 00:32:28.440 It says, 00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:41.940 Respect reflects the church's relationship to Christ. 00:32:42.080 --> 00:32:45.660 To be subject unto the relationship between a husband and wife 00:32:45.660 --> 00:32:49.680 is a picture of a church's submission to Christ. 00:32:49.680 --> 00:32:54.759 The basis for submission is grounded in love and trust, 00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:58.799 not in oppression. 00:33:00.660 --> 00:33:01.940 I want you to understand, 00:33:02.100 --> 00:33:07.560 submission is a willingness because of love and trust, 00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:10.519 not of oppression. 00:33:10.880 --> 00:33:12.519 When you hear the term submission today, 00:33:12.600 --> 00:33:14.340 oftentimes people equate it with oppression. 00:33:14.339 --> 00:33:19.119 To submit to authority just helps order. 00:33:20.299 --> 00:33:22.359 Submit to the authority of Christ. 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:24.659 Submit to the authority of the word of God. 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:27.039 Submitting to those things is a picture 00:33:27.039 --> 00:33:30.759 that applies over and each gives marriage, 00:33:31.159 --> 00:33:33.299 that idea that gives marriage, 00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:36.279 that reflection of how this operates. 00:33:36.879 --> 00:33:39.359 Because today there's an idea that marriage 00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:42.699 is there to complete me or my needs. 00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:44.539 You know, oftentimes it's amazing 00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:46.420 how many people enter into marriage and say, 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:50.240 this person's going to make me complete now. 00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:51.600 I'll give you a little clue. 00:33:52.120 --> 00:33:53.860 Who you marry will not complete you. 00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:56.400 The one you marry is there to compliment you. 00:33:56.640 --> 00:33:57.660 There's a big difference. 00:33:59.440 --> 00:34:00.299 Because you know what? 00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:02.680 There's only one person that's going to make you whole 00:34:02.680 --> 00:34:03.440 and that's Christ. 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:06.539 Trying to marry somebody to fill a gap in your life 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:07.819 is not going to solve the problem. 00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:09.760 Because you know what? 00:34:09.760 --> 00:34:11.380 You're going to be pretty discouraged pretty quick. 00:34:12.699 --> 00:34:15.439 When that person isn't who you think they were 00:34:15.439 --> 00:34:17.279 or they didn't change the way you thought 00:34:17.279 --> 00:34:18.139 you could change them. 00:34:18.399 --> 00:34:19.579 You know, we might not vocalize, 00:34:19.659 --> 00:34:20.719 but a lot of times people get married, 00:34:20.919 --> 00:34:22.779 well, I'll change him after we get married. 00:34:24.279 --> 00:34:26.639 Or I'll change, she'll change after we get married. 00:34:26.859 --> 00:34:28.879 That's one of the biggest lies the devil ever told you. 00:34:29.099 --> 00:34:31.000 They ought to be what they ought to be beforehand. 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:32.500 They ought to compliment. 00:34:32.739 --> 00:34:34.319 They ought not to be in conflict 00:34:34.319 --> 00:34:37.339 or to tear down or to cause disruption. 00:34:37.340 --> 00:34:42.039 But oftentimes today, marriage is built upon what I want 00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:44.940 and marriage is built upon this concept of submission 00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:48.280 because it pictures our relationship with God. 00:34:48.640 --> 00:34:50.039 It pictures authority. 00:34:50.660 --> 00:34:53.480 And when a relationship ignores the principle of submission, 00:34:53.860 --> 00:34:56.760 it ignores God's complete design for marriage 00:34:56.760 --> 00:35:00.140 and the relationship it reflects between Christ and the church. 00:35:00.340 --> 00:35:02.840 It stands to reason that many believers today 00:35:02.840 --> 00:35:05.800 have a faulty concept of submission to Christ 00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:09.579 because they've seen a faulty concept of submission in the family. 00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:10.280 You know what? 00:35:10.920 --> 00:35:14.700 Our kids, this generation, learns from the pictures that it sees. 00:35:15.059 --> 00:35:19.340 When a husband and wife are operating in the right context, 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:21.519 in the right order that God has established, 00:35:21.640 --> 00:35:21.940 you know what? 00:35:21.960 --> 00:35:22.980 It affects the kids. 00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:26.280 When it's operating outside that parameter, 00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:27.480 it affects the children 00:35:27.480 --> 00:35:30.519 because what they're seeing is what submission looks like, 00:35:30.519 --> 00:35:34.559 a loving submission to the authority over us. 00:35:34.820 --> 00:35:37.599 You know, when one calls upon Christ to save him, 00:35:37.639 --> 00:35:38.219 you know what they're saying? 00:35:38.280 --> 00:35:41.340 They're recognizing Christ's authority over them. 00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:42.900 Say, preacher, what are you talking about? 00:35:42.980 --> 00:35:45.019 Well, you're saying, 00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:47.800 I know I violated what God's standard is. 00:35:47.860 --> 00:35:48.460 You know what that's saying? 00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:51.119 I violated God's authority. 00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:53.460 Because you need to understand that you're a sinner 00:35:53.460 --> 00:35:54.659 before you can be saved. 00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:58.199 You have to understand where you stand with God 00:35:58.199 --> 00:35:59.259 before you can be saved. 00:35:59.260 --> 00:36:02.700 They don't understand they need to submit to God. 00:36:02.820 --> 00:36:04.640 They say, well, oftentimes today you get, 00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:06.580 and I think this is a big problem 00:36:06.580 --> 00:36:07.760 that's happened over the years. 00:36:08.140 --> 00:36:09.340 People have a one, two, three, 00:36:09.440 --> 00:36:11.500 repeat after me salvation dynamic. 00:36:11.740 --> 00:36:14.760 And there's no concept of understanding who I am, 00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:17.360 what Christ has done, and why he did it. 00:36:17.520 --> 00:36:19.960 To say, I have to recognize who he is 00:36:19.960 --> 00:36:21.740 and what he's done for me. 00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:24.540 There's a concept that's involved 00:36:24.540 --> 00:36:27.060 and we need to understand that reality 00:36:27.059 --> 00:36:31.639 because your respect can either strengthen your home 00:36:31.639 --> 00:36:36.079 and inspire others to trust God's plan, 00:36:36.380 --> 00:36:39.179 or our picture can be tearing down 00:36:39.179 --> 00:36:40.940 the very picture that God has 00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:43.880 for Christ's relationship to his believers. 00:36:44.840 --> 00:36:47.659 The church is that picture of Christ's relationship 00:36:47.659 --> 00:36:48.940 to the saints of today. 00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:51.179 As we walk this earth, 00:36:51.239 --> 00:36:53.440 that's the reason it's in the context of a local church, 00:36:53.440 --> 00:36:56.260 because we have to learn to submit one to another. 00:36:56.320 --> 00:36:57.639 We have to learn to submit to Christ. 00:36:57.720 --> 00:36:59.740 We have to learn to make things function 00:36:59.740 --> 00:37:01.240 the way God wants it to do. 00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:03.280 I want you to understand that submission 00:37:03.280 --> 00:37:04.679 that we're talking about today, 00:37:05.139 --> 00:37:07.740 wives to your husbands, is not a duty, 00:37:08.159 --> 00:37:11.960 but a gift that honors God and builds relationships. 00:37:12.980 --> 00:37:15.780 It builds an understanding of who God is. 00:37:16.079 --> 00:37:17.820 You know, this week I want to encourage you 00:37:17.820 --> 00:37:21.440 to take a look at how you respond, 00:37:22.440 --> 00:37:24.780 ladies, towards your husband. 00:37:25.160 --> 00:37:26.720 Now, how are you going to respond? 00:37:26.820 --> 00:37:27.600 Is it respectful? 00:37:29.000 --> 00:37:30.960 How about in your speech and your actions? 00:37:32.760 --> 00:37:34.580 Are you trusting his leadership? 00:37:36.120 --> 00:37:38.000 Do your attitude and your actions 00:37:38.000 --> 00:37:39.539 align with God's design? 00:37:39.680 --> 00:37:41.980 Not specifically for the ladies, the wives, 00:37:42.100 --> 00:37:42.620 but you know what? 00:37:42.680 --> 00:37:44.620 That same principles apply to all of us. 00:37:44.619 --> 00:37:47.199 Are we, as an individual, 00:37:47.779 --> 00:37:50.380 am I falling under and submitting 00:37:50.380 --> 00:37:52.059 unto what God has for me? 00:37:53.199 --> 00:37:55.259 To submit ourselves unto that, 00:37:55.699 --> 00:37:57.859 because just as God calls us as men 00:37:57.859 --> 00:38:00.739 to love our wives as Christ loved the church, 00:38:00.859 --> 00:38:03.420 the Lord calls wives to respect their husbands 00:38:03.420 --> 00:38:05.359 as part of this design. 00:38:05.699 --> 00:38:07.519 And the question is really very simple. 00:38:07.659 --> 00:38:08.900 Will you do it or will you not? 00:38:09.139 --> 00:38:11.739 Will you recognize God's authority or will you not? 00:38:11.739 --> 00:38:13.399 It's something that we wrestle with 00:38:13.399 --> 00:38:14.799 in every area of our life. 00:38:16.059 --> 00:38:18.399 We're talking very specific, but you know what? 00:38:18.719 --> 00:38:22.099 The reality is, do you trust what God says or do you not? 00:38:22.359 --> 00:38:23.899 Do I believe it or not believe it? 00:38:24.979 --> 00:38:27.639 Am I acting upon it or not acting upon it? 00:38:27.819 --> 00:38:30.959 To understand that Christ's love is clearly seen 00:38:30.959 --> 00:38:35.199 in that he gave himself for us on the cross, 00:38:35.319 --> 00:38:36.139 for the church. 00:38:36.239 --> 00:38:39.839 God gave himself for this assembly of believers 00:38:39.840 --> 00:38:44.260 to understand the importance of the picture 00:38:44.260 --> 00:38:46.059 that we're seeing when it comes to submission. 00:38:46.400 --> 00:38:50.400 This morning, is there a respect enough 00:38:50.400 --> 00:38:53.079 for God's authority to say, 00:38:53.260 --> 00:38:56.000 I'm gonna recognize it and put myself under it, 00:38:56.039 --> 00:38:58.800 not because I'm being oppressed, 00:38:59.100 --> 00:39:02.600 but because I love him. 00:39:02.599 --> 00:39:05.679 Because remember, the Bible says, 00:39:06.339 --> 00:39:07.960 it's not because we first loved him, 00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:10.319 it's because he first loved us. 00:39:10.519 --> 00:39:13.539 He gives that picture of love towards us 00:39:13.539 --> 00:39:15.319 and towards you. 00:39:16.000 --> 00:39:17.860 His heads are bowed and eyes are closed this morning. 00:39:18.159 --> 00:39:19.159 What about you today? 00:39:19.500 --> 00:39:21.139 Maybe there's an area in your life, 00:39:21.219 --> 00:39:23.500 an area that God spoke about, 00:39:23.579 --> 00:39:25.299 maybe it has nothing to do with your marriage, 00:39:25.380 --> 00:39:26.659 maybe it's just an area of submission. 00:39:27.019 --> 00:39:28.279 Maybe it's an area of saying, 00:39:28.280 --> 00:39:30.720 God, I want to follow your authority 00:39:30.720 --> 00:39:32.820 and apply your principles in my life. 00:39:34.300 --> 00:39:36.780 Maybe it starts with the reality of recognizing 00:39:36.780 --> 00:39:38.560 I'm a sinner that needs a savior. 00:39:38.900 --> 00:39:40.980 If you're here today and don't know Christ as savior, 00:39:41.080 --> 00:39:42.260 I encourage you to come with us. 00:39:42.300 --> 00:39:43.580 Let me show you from God's word, 00:39:44.300 --> 00:39:46.200 the authority of how to know 00:39:46.200 --> 00:39:47.980 that you have God's salvation. 00:39:49.280 --> 00:39:52.380 Because it's not just a repeating a set of words, 00:39:52.460 --> 00:39:54.880 but it's a reality from the heart of understanding 00:39:54.880 --> 00:39:56.820 who God is and what he's done for you. 00:39:56.820 --> 00:39:58.200 But maybe you're here today and say, 00:39:58.300 --> 00:40:00.100 I need to do things differently. 00:40:01.200 --> 00:40:03.140 I need to do things with a different attitude, 00:40:03.300 --> 00:40:04.940 a different spirit, a different reasoning. 00:40:06.720 --> 00:40:09.700 I need to look at it in the context that God has 00:40:09.700 --> 00:40:12.940 and not the context that I want to see it in. 00:40:13.120 --> 00:40:14.680 What about you today? 00:40:14.780 --> 00:40:16.600 Heavenly fathers, we come before you this morning. 00:40:16.680 --> 00:40:18.780 Lord, we just thank you and praise you for your word. 00:40:19.340 --> 00:40:22.019 Lord, thank you for the authority that is there. 00:40:22.120 --> 00:40:23.900 Lord, help us always to be mindful 00:40:23.900 --> 00:40:27.900 of what the order and the things that you put in. 00:40:28.280 --> 00:40:30.440 Even today, Lord, we pray that you just would work 00:40:30.440 --> 00:40:33.160 mightily in each heart, each life here today, 00:40:33.680 --> 00:40:35.240 of this very important principle 00:40:35.240 --> 00:40:38.099 of submitting ourselves one to another 00:40:38.099 --> 00:40:40.160 and submission in marriage. 00:40:40.320 --> 00:40:43.180 Lord, the husband to you, the wife to the husband. 00:40:43.720 --> 00:40:45.260 Lord, the children to the parents. 00:40:46.019 --> 00:40:47.460 Lord, I pray that you just would allow us 00:40:47.460 --> 00:40:49.460 to understand this in light, 00:40:49.579 --> 00:40:51.519 in the context of your word here today. 00:40:51.519 --> 00:40:53.900 Lord, and we just ask it all in your precious name. 00:40:55.119 --> 00:40:55.440 Amen. 00:40:55.659 --> 00:40:56.980 As heads are bowed and eyes are closed, 00:40:57.039 --> 00:40:58.759 as piano plays, what about you today?