Ephesians 5:21-33(Message) Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands. Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage. No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That’s how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become “one flesh.” This is a huge mystery, and I don’t pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.
#RelationshipGoals
1. Christ at the Center
“The greatest tension in life occurs when we live in disagreement with God”
2. Celebrate- Have fun together!
3. Commitment
“100% - 100% of the time regardless of the chooses of my spouse.”
4. Companionship
Competition corrupts the union.
“Equality in marriage has to do less with control and more with understanding one anthers roles.”
5. Community
6. Conversation & Communication
Genesis 11:6 “Look!" he said. "The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!
55% of communication is body language, 38% is the tone of voice, and 7% is the actual words spoken.
7. Connection
8. Consideration
Husbands: Women desire to feel Loved.
Wives: Men desire wives to honor and to respect them.
Proverbs 20:5 (NIV) The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
Goals bring intentionally to our future, improve our focus & inspire our faith.
#financialgoals:
God’s desire for our finances:
1. Our trust in him. Matthew 6:19-24
2. Our needs met. Philippians 4:19 (NIV) My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
3. We would live generously
2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (NIV) 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Positioned for plenty:
1. Yield the First-Fruits
Proverbs 3:9 (NIV) Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.
Matthew 23:23, Luke 20:25, Malachi 3:8-12
2. Steward well
Matthew 25:14–30
1. Take inventory
2. Set aside 20%
3. Set a budget
4. Set boundaries
Proverbs 22:7 (NIV) The borrower is servant to the lender.
3. Hustle
Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV)Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth,
4. Make generosity your life goal
“The goal of Christ followers is not to accumulate wealth but to delegate blessing.”
Proverbs 20:5 (NIV) The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT) 24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
1- Commanded to Love God(Matt 22:37)
2- Commissioned to Advance the Kingdom(Matt 6:19, 28:19& 20)
“God ins’t trying to fit into your plan he is fitting you into his.”
Most important pattern in your life: Relationship with Jesus!
How are things with Jesus?
“Behavior is a byproduct of our relationship with God.”
January 20- 2 chapters a day.(Matthew, Acts, & Galatians)
#2. Live with Purpose
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God's workmanship (poetic masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
“I am a person of God therefore He is my primary purpose.”
“If we don’t live with intention then demands will control our attention.”
#3. Develop a Plan
1. Pray
2. Ask questions
3. Write down your goals
4. Find accountability
5. Leave some room
Proverbs 16:9 (NLT) We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
6. Believe God & Get to work
Psalm 32:8-9 (NLT) “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”