Messy Marriage, Part 2 | Listen to Sermon Audio
Messy Marriage, Part 2 - SERMON NOTES
Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.
Intro: (1) series recap (2) Good Wife's Guide from 1965
The command of submission (22)
1. Husbands: (1) wives commanded to submit to husbands — no reciprocal command to husbands, (2) recognition of unique role of servant leadership given to husbands (3) what submission is NOT — all women to all men, reduction of value for women, agreeing on everything, following into sin, fear/subservience (4) exhortation for husbands to not be passive (i.e. “let’s . . .) (5) role of church
2. God: (1) submission to husbands connected to submission to God — recognition of God’s establishment of earthly authority structures (2) husbands also subject to God, and even Christ is functionally (cf. 1 Cor. 15:28) (3) does NOT mean husbands = God (4) though submission has been sinfully abused, it is God’s idea and should not be flippantly dismissed (cf. Jeremiah 36)
The reason for submission (23)
1. Husbands and wives: (1) head = authority (cf. 1:22, 4:15) (2) this appears to be inherent in creation, not a result of the fall (cf. 1 Cor. 11:8-9, 1 Tim. 2:13-14) (3) instructions to husbands make it clear that this authority is to be grounded in servant leadership and sacrificial love (cf. Mark 10:45, Luke 22:26) (4) this is not to be equated to traditional/cultural roles of husbands and wives
2. Christ and the church: (1) understanding of headship grounded in Christ and the church — redemption in addition to creation (2) reference to Christ as “Savior” — the means by which both men and women are restored (cf. 2:1-3, 5:25, Gal. 3:28) (3) headship = care not control, responsibility not rule (cf. Mt. 11:28-29) (4) greater responsibility given to husband (cf. 1 Peter 3:7)
The nature of submission (24)
1. The church and Christ: (1) model of submission is intended to be the church to Christ (2) earlier references — gratitude (1:22), stability (2:20-21), experience of love (3:17-19), undeserved grace (4:7), caring leadership (4:11-12), spiritual growth (4:15), changed heart/life (4:22-24, 31-32) (3) rejection vs. reception of God’s authority (cf. Nebuchadnezzar in Dan. 4:28-37)
2. Wives and husbands: (1) “in everything” does not mean unconditional subservient acquiescence but rather suggests a unified approach to life (cf. finances) (2) “in everything” intended to be understood within above-mentioned character/work of Christ (3) cases where husband is domineering or not leading, or wife not submitting — look at yourself, use the elders
Conclusion: Kids and Lunchroom Lady— teacher = Christ bringing husband/wife together