WHO'S IN CHARGE HERE?
TEXT- EPHESIANS 5:22-24
INTRODUCTION
THIS MORNING WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH OUR STUDY THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING EACH SUNDAY MORNING FROM THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS.
WHEN WE LEFT OFF LAST WEEK WE WERE LOOKING AT THE SEVEN STEPS IN WALKING CAREFULLY.
- WISDOM
- STEWARDSHIP OF OUR TIME
- UNDERSTANDING THE WILL OF GOD
- FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT
- JOYFULNESS
- THANKFULNESS
- SUBMISSION
IN VERSE 21 PAUL STATED THE PRINCIPLE OF SUBMISSION AND NOW HE APPLIES THE PRINCIPLE IN THE REALM OF THE FAMILY.
SOMEONE ONCE SAID THAT THE GREATEST THREAT TO THE FAMILY TODAY IS NOT WORLDLINESS, GODLESSNESS, CHANGING VALUES, PARENTAL IRRESPONSIBILITY, OR TELEVISION BUT RATHER THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT A FAMILY OUGHT TO BE.
THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF CHAPTER FIVE AND PART OF CHAPTER SIX PAUL GIVES US THE STANDARD BY WHICH FAMILIES TODAY ARE TO PATTERN THEMSELVES.
HERE IN CHAPTER FIVE HE DEALS WITH THE ROLE OF A WIFE AND HUSBAND.
IMAGINE IF YOU WILL A MARTIAN FROM MARS COMING TO OUR WORLD AND LANDING IN THE YARD OF A TYPICAL CALIFORNIA FAMILY. HE STEPS OUT OF THE SPACESHIP AND RINGS THE DOORBELL. ONE OF THE CHILDREN OPENS THE DOOR AND THE MARTIAN SAYS, "TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER." TO WHOM WOULD THE CHILD GO TO? TO THE FATHER? TO THE MOTHER? TO BOTH? OR WOULD THE CHILD SAY, "I'M THE LEADER."
YOU'VE HEARD THE STATEMENT THAT BEHIND EVERY GOOD HUSBAND STANDS AN UNDERSTANDING AND HELPFUL WIFE. ONE MAN SAID, "BALONEY! BEHIND EVERY SUCCESSFUL HUSBAND STANDS A SURPRISED MOTHER-IN-LAW!"
THIS MORNING OUR TEXT IS FOUND IN EPHESIANS 5:22-24 AND THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS, "WHO'S IN CHARGE HERE?"
IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY THERE IS A GREAT AMOUNT OF CONFUSION CONCERNING THE ROLE OR RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WIFE AND HUSBAND.
HERE IN OUR TEXT PAUL CLEARLY OUTLINES THE RESPONISBILITY OF THE WIFE.
SIMPLY PUT HE SAYS, "WIVES, BE SUBJECT TO YOUR OWN HUSBANDS..."
HOW DOES A WIFE DO THAT? NOTICE THREE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS.