North Campus | Jonathan Teague | Love And Marriage | Prestonwood Baptist Church

us today. I want you to open your Bibles us today. I want you to open your Bibles to the book of Ephesians chapter 5. to the book of Ephesians chapter 5. to the book of Ephesians chapter 5. Ephesians chapter 5, we're going to be Ephesians chapter 5, we're going to be Ephesians chapter 5, we're going to be in verses 22 through 33. We're in a in verses 22 through 33. We're in a in verses 22 through 33. We're in a series of messages right now series of messages right now series of messages right now that we're calling that we're calling that we're calling uh the American family. In particular, uh the American family. In particular, uh the American family. In particular, we're praying we're praying and we're praying we're praying and we're praying we're praying and preaching through how we as families can preaching through how we as families can preaching through how we as families can grow together to follow Jesus and to be grow together to follow Jesus and to be grow together to follow Jesus and to be a light for him in our culture. And so, a light for him in our culture. And so, a light for him in our culture. And so, whether you're here in the room or whether you're here in the room or whether you're here in the room or connecting with us online, we're so glad connecting with us online, we're so glad connecting with us online, we're so glad to have you a part of our worship today. to have you a part of our worship today. to have you a part of our worship today. My name's Jonathan. I have the joy of My name's Jonathan. I have the joy of My name's Jonathan. I have the joy of serving here as our pastor here at our serving here as our pastor here at our serving here as our pastor here at our North Campus. And I'm really, really North Campus. And I'm really, really North Campus. And I'm really, really thankful that you chose to share your thankful that you chose to share your thankful that you chose to share your Sunday with us today as we get into the Sunday with us today as we get into the Sunday with us today as we get into the word of God. And we talk today about word of God. And we talk today about word of God. And we talk today about love and marriage. Moms, on Mother's love and marriage. Moms, on Mother's love and marriage. Moms, on Mother's Day, we talked about you and the Day, we talked about you and the Day, we talked about you and the incredible role that you play in the incredible role that you play in the incredible role that you play in the lives of our families. And And then lives of our families. And And then lives of our families. And And then David Shivers gave us a great challenge David Shivers gave us a great challenge David Shivers gave us a great challenge about a call to the next generation on about a call to the next generation on about a call to the next generation on senior celebration weekend. And last senior celebration weekend. And last senior celebration weekend. And last week, we talked about how to build a week, we talked about how to build a week, we talked about how to build a faith at home. But today, we're going to faith at home. But today, we're going to faith at home. But today, we're going to talk about love talk about love talk about love and marriage. I I don't know about you, and marriage. I I don't know about you, and marriage. I I don't know about you, but I love a good love song. And what I but I love a good love song. And what I but I love a good love song. And what I thought might be fun is just to kind of thought might be fun is just to kind of thought might be fun is just to kind of go back and do a quick tour of some go back and do a quick tour of some go back and do a quick tour of some great songs over the decades. Now, as I great songs over the decades. Now, as I great songs over the decades. Now, as I rattle some of these off, you're going rattle some of these off, you're going rattle some of these off, you're going to feel a temptation to start singing to feel a temptation to start singing to feel a temptation to start singing them out loud. And please don't. Uh but them out loud. And please don't. Uh but them out loud. And please don't. Uh but you can sing them in your heart for sure you can sing them in your heart for sure you can sing them in your heart for sure cuz a lot of them will be familiar to cuz a lot of them will be familiar to cuz a lot of them will be familiar to you. I think about great love songs you. I think about great love songs you. I think about great love songs over the years by the great Nat King over the years by the great Nat King over the years by the great Nat King Cole in 1956, When I Fall in Love. You Cole in 1956, When I Fall in Love. You Cole in 1956, When I Fall in Love. You know that one?

know that one? know that one? How about the one and only Elvis Presley How about the one and only Elvis Presley How about the one and only Elvis Presley 1961, Can't Help Falling in Love? 1961, Can't Help Falling in Love? 1961, Can't Help Falling in Love? The Beatles told us in 1964, She Loves The Beatles told us in 1964, She Loves The Beatles told us in 1964, She Loves You. You. You. The Righteous Brothers gave us the The Righteous Brothers gave us the The Righteous Brothers gave us the Unchained Melody and then a few months Unchained Melody and then a few months Unchained Melody and then a few months later told us that we lost that love and later told us that we lost that love and later told us that we lost that love and feeling in 1965. And then we had I'm only going to grab And then we had I'm only going to grab two songs from the 70s. We won't have two songs from the 70s. We won't have two songs from the 70s. We won't have time to talk about why, but it's the time to talk about why, but it's the time to talk about why, but it's the 70s. And so, I'm just going to give you 70s. And so, I'm just going to give you 70s. And so, I'm just going to give you one from the the Gees, How Deep Is Your one from the the Gees, How Deep Is Your one from the the Gees, How Deep Is Your Love? You remember that one? 1977. Love? You remember that one? 1977. Love? You remember that one? 1977. Billy Joel just getting started saying Billy Joel just getting started saying Billy Joel just getting started saying Just the Way You Are. I love you just Just the Way You Are. I love you just Just the Way You Are. I love you just the way you are. the way you are. the way you are. Diana Ross coming into the '80s, Diana Diana Ross coming into the '80s, Diana Diana Ross coming into the '80s, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie sang the song Ross and Lionel Richie sang the song Ross and Lionel Richie sang the song Endless Love, 1981. Endless Love, 1981. Endless Love, 1981. And then Stevie Wonder called to say I And then Stevie Wonder called to say I And then Stevie Wonder called to say I Love You, 1984. It's great song. The Love You, 1984. It's great song. The Love You, 1984. It's great song. The banner song for Back to the Future, Huey banner song for Back to the Future, Huey banner song for Back to the Future, Huey Lewis and the News sang about The Power Lewis and the News sang about The Power Lewis and the News sang about The Power of Love. Oh, I got one after the first of Love. Oh, I got one after the first of Love. Oh, I got one after the first service. I think it's still in my service. I think it's still in my service. I think it's still in my pocket. Somebody came up to me pocket. Somebody came up to me pocket. Somebody came up to me afterwards and said, "You got to read afterwards and said, "You got to read afterwards and said, "You got to read this one." I was like, "Okay." this one." I was like, "Okay." this one." I was like, "Okay." Uh 1985, Kool & the Gang, Cherish the Uh 1985, Kool & the Gang, Cherish the Uh 1985, Kool & the Gang, Cherish the Love We Have. I don't know if that was Love We Have. I don't know if that was Love We Have. I don't know if that was worth it or not, but there we go. I gave worth it or not, but there we go. I gave worth it or not, but there we go. I gave it to you.

it to you. it to you. And then you got Bryan Adams. I'm a big And then you got Bryan Adams. I'm a big And then you got Bryan Adams. I'm a big Bryan Adams fan, 1990, Everything I Do, Bryan Adams fan, 1990, Everything I Do, Bryan Adams fan, 1990, Everything I Do, I Do It for You. It's a great love song. I Do It for You. It's a great love song. I Do It for You. It's a great love song. And then Whitney Houston, 1992, I Will And then Whitney Houston, 1992, I Will And then Whitney Houston, 1992, I Will Always Love You. It's greatness. Always Love You. It's greatness. Always Love You. It's greatness. Now, I put one country music song on Now, I put one country music song on Now, I put one country music song on this list and only one. And George this list and only one. And George this list and only one. And George Strait wrote that great love letter Strait wrote that great love letter Strait wrote that great love letter song, Check Yes or No, in 1995. song, Check Yes or No, in 1995. song, Check Yes or No, in 1995. Then Celine Dion sang in 1996, Because Then Celine Dion sang in 1996, Because Then Celine Dion sang in 1996, Because You Loved Me. You Loved Me. You Loved Me. And then, for some reason, we decided to And then, for some reason, we decided to And then, for some reason, we decided to send uh Bruce Willis to go land on an send uh Bruce Willis to go land on an send uh Bruce Willis to go land on an asteroid and save humanity, and somehow asteroid and save humanity, and somehow asteroid and save humanity, and somehow from that Aerosmith gave us I Don't Want from that Aerosmith gave us I Don't Want from that Aerosmith gave us I Don't Want to Miss a Thing, which ended up being to Miss a Thing, which ended up being to Miss a Thing, which ended up being the number one love song of 1998, the the number one love song of 1998, the the number one love song of 1998, the year I graduated high school. So, there year I graduated high school. So, there year I graduated high school. So, there you go. you go. you go. Then Beyoncé gave us Crazy in Love, her Then Beyoncé gave us Crazy in Love, her Then Beyoncé gave us Crazy in Love, her and Jay-Z. She definitely got the crazy and Jay-Z. She definitely got the crazy and Jay-Z. She definitely got the crazy part right. Just Just big Beyoncé fans out there, man. big Beyoncé fans out there, man. big Beyoncé fans out there, man. Then Taylor Swift and her coming out Then Taylor Swift and her coming out Then Taylor Swift and her coming out song in 2008, Love Story. song in 2008, Love Story. song in 2008, Love Story. And then Adele covered a great love And then Adele covered a great love And then Adele covered a great love song, song, song, To Make You Feel My Love, in 2010. It's To Make You Feel My Love, in 2010. It's To Make You Feel My Love, in 2010. It's one of my favorites.

one of my favorites. one of my favorites. And then John Legend sang in 2013, if And then John Legend sang in 2013, if And then John Legend sang in 2013, if you want to know about love, you get all you want to know about love, you get all you want to know about love, you get all of me. Now, I stopped after that because of me. Now, I stopped after that because of me. Now, I stopped after that because no good music has been written since no good music has been written since no good music has been written since 2014, but 2014, but 2014, but it's a good it's a good it's a good it's a good list of love songs, isn't it's a good list of love songs, isn't it's a good list of love songs, isn't it? And we love to sing about love, and it? And we love to sing about love, and it? And we love to sing about love, and that's good. I I love a good love song. that's good. I I love a good love song. that's good. I I love a good love song. You love a good love song, but let's be You love a good love song, but let's be You love a good love song, but let's be honest, every love song has one purpose. honest, every love song has one purpose. honest, every love song has one purpose. It is singing to the ideal. It is singing to the ideal. It is singing to the ideal. It is not singing to the everyday. It's It is not singing to the everyday. It's It is not singing to the everyday. It's singing to our feelings and our singing to our feelings and our singing to our feelings and our emotions, and there's nothing wrong with emotions, and there's nothing wrong with emotions, and there's nothing wrong with that. I I think it's great to to love to that. I I think it's great to to love to that. I I think it's great to to love to be in love, to sing about love, but be in love, to sing about love, but be in love, to sing about love, but nobody Nobody is writing a love song nobody Nobody is writing a love song nobody Nobody is writing a love song that goes something like, "Hey babe, that goes something like, "Hey babe, that goes something like, "Hey babe, just want to call to let you know, a kid just want to call to let you know, a kid just want to call to let you know, a kid just threw up in the car. Um I'm going just threw up in the car. Um I'm going just threw up in the car. Um I'm going to be I'm going to be home late again to be I'm going to be home late again to be I'm going to be home late again from work. Student loan bills are due. from work. Student loan bills are due. from work. Student loan bills are due. How are we going to pay them?" Uh nobody How are we going to pay them?" Uh nobody How are we going to pay them?" Uh nobody writes the love song, "Hey, our parents writes the love song, "Hey, our parents writes the love song, "Hey, our parents are arguing about who's going to host are arguing about who's going to host are arguing about who's going to host Christmas again for the third time. Hey, Christmas again for the third time. Hey, Christmas again for the third time. Hey, the house is a wreck. There's dishes in the house is a wreck. There's dishes in the house is a wreck. There's dishes in the sink. No one is getting along."

the sink. No one is getting along." the sink. No one is getting along." That's not usually That's not usually That's not usually our love song. our love song. our love song. It's to the ideal. It's to the ideal. It's to the ideal. We sing about love We sing about love We sing about love in the the perfect picture of it. in the the perfect picture of it. in the the perfect picture of it. We don't always sing about the realities We don't always sing about the realities We don't always sing about the realities of our married lives. And for many of us of our married lives. And for many of us of our married lives. And for many of us as couples, as husbands and wives, as couples, as husbands and wives, as couples, as husbands and wives, we live the majority of our married we live the majority of our married we live the majority of our married lives right between the valley and the lives right between the valley and the lives right between the valley and the mountaintop. mountaintop. mountaintop. And we're walking down that narrow road And we're walking down that narrow road And we're walking down that narrow road of faithfulness and commitment every day of faithfulness and commitment every day of faithfulness and commitment every day together. together. together. And sometimes marriage is great. And sometimes marriage is great. And sometimes marriage is great. Sometimes marriage has incredible Sometimes marriage has incredible Sometimes marriage has incredible victories and and and stories and victories and and and stories and victories and and and stories and wonderful things, and we love it, and we wonderful things, and we love it, and we wonderful things, and we love it, and we love that person that we are doing life love that person that we are doing life love that person that we are doing life with. And other days marriage is a with. And other days marriage is a with. And other days marriage is a little bit harder than we might like to little bit harder than we might like to little bit harder than we might like to admit. admit. admit. And maybe this is why And maybe this is why And maybe this is why there's a lot of songs about love, but there's a lot of songs about love, but there's a lot of songs about love, but the institution of marriage in our the institution of marriage in our the institution of marriage in our culture is in a little bit of trouble. culture is in a little bit of trouble. culture is in a little bit of trouble. It's why I think marriage has become It's why I think marriage has become It's why I think marriage has become something that we analyze way more than something that we analyze way more than something that we analyze way more than we celebrate. And there's books and we celebrate. And there's books and we celebrate. And there's books and conferences and podcasts and sermons. conferences and podcasts and sermons. conferences and podcasts and sermons. They're all great resources to help They're all great resources to help They're all great resources to help people get married, stay married. I hope people get married, stay married. I hope people get married, stay married. I hope I hope you use those, the biblical ones I hope you use those, the biblical ones I hope you use those, the biblical ones for sure.

for sure. for sure. But something I'm noticing too as a dad But something I'm noticing too as a dad But something I'm noticing too as a dad and as a pastor, saw this just come out and as a pastor, saw this just come out and as a pastor, saw this just come out the other day. Do you know the divorce the other day. Do you know the divorce the other day. Do you know the divorce rate for young adults is actually rate for young adults is actually rate for young adults is actually flattening now? flattening now? flattening now? After a couple generations of divorce After a couple generations of divorce After a couple generations of divorce rates going up in our culture, now for rates going up in our culture, now for rates going up in our culture, now for the youngest in our generation in our the youngest in our generation in our the youngest in our generation in our culture that are coming into adulthood, culture that are coming into adulthood, culture that are coming into adulthood, their divorce rate is flattening. It their divorce rate is flattening. It their divorce rate is flattening. It seems like good news on the surface, but seems like good news on the surface, but seems like good news on the surface, but if you peel it back, you find out what if you peel it back, you find out what if you peel it back, you find out what the experts tell us, the real truth is the experts tell us, the real truth is the experts tell us, the real truth is that's because that's because that's because fewer and fewer young Americans are fewer and fewer young Americans are fewer and fewer young Americans are getting married. getting married. getting married. The average age of when adults in The average age of when adults in The average age of when adults in America get married is several years America get married is several years America get married is several years older than just a generation or two ago. older than just a generation or two ago. older than just a generation or two ago. Everybody's waiting for the algorithm to Everybody's waiting for the algorithm to Everybody's waiting for the algorithm to provide the perfect match that's provide the perfect match that's provide the perfect match that's flawless and perfect and awesome. flawless and perfect and awesome. flawless and perfect and awesome. And so many young people are afraid that And so many young people are afraid that And so many young people are afraid that if they get married if they get married if they get married they're asking themselves the question, they're asking themselves the question, they're asking themselves the question, man, can can we make it? Will we make man, can can we make it? Will we make man, can can we make it? Will we make it? it? it? In a world filled with financial In a world filled with financial In a world filled with financial uncertainty uncertainty uncertainty in a world filled with broken promises in a world filled with broken promises in a world filled with broken promises and broken hearts and and broken hearts and and broken hearts and broken dreams, a lot of people, the broken dreams, a lot of people, the broken dreams, a lot of people, the reality is they look at the possibility reality is they look at the possibility reality is they look at the possibility of marriage and they just don't want to of marriage and they just don't want to of marriage and they just don't want to get hurt.

get hurt. get hurt. Maybe because of what they experienced Maybe because of what they experienced Maybe because of what they experienced and saw growing up and saw growing up and saw growing up or maybe because of what they've been or maybe because of what they've been or maybe because of what they've been through. through. through. There's a lot of love in our culture. There's a lot of love in our culture. There's a lot of love in our culture. But marriage is under a lot of fire. But marriage is under a lot of fire. But marriage is under a lot of fire. And I think one of the biggest reasons And I think one of the biggest reasons And I think one of the biggest reasons for young adults and especially why for young adults and especially why for young adults and especially why marriage is being delayed it could just marriage is being delayed it could just marriage is being delayed it could just be because for the youngest adults among be because for the youngest adults among be because for the youngest adults among us us us they just don't want to fail. they just don't want to fail. they just don't want to fail. Yeah, that's the part of the Yeah, that's the part of the Yeah, that's the part of the the love story we don't always write the love story we don't always write the love story we don't always write about. That's the part about marriage we about. That's the part about marriage we about. That's the part about marriage we don't always sing about. The reality don't always sing about. The reality don't always sing about. The reality that marriage, for it to grow, for it to that marriage, for it to grow, for it to that marriage, for it to grow, for it to flourish, marriage takes work. It takes flourish, marriage takes work. It takes flourish, marriage takes work. It takes intentionality and ultimately, we know intentionality and ultimately, we know intentionality and ultimately, we know as believers in the Lord Jesus, it takes as believers in the Lord Jesus, it takes as believers in the Lord Jesus, it takes the power of the love of Jesus for a man the power of the love of Jesus for a man the power of the love of Jesus for a man and a woman to live in a lifetime of and a woman to live in a lifetime of and a woman to live in a lifetime of love together. love together. love together. But what I believe But what I believe But what I believe and I think many of you believe and I think many of you believe and I think many of you believe is that because of the good news of the is that because of the good news of the is that because of the good news of the gospel, because of the finished work of gospel, because of the finished work of gospel, because of the finished work of the cross, Jesus went and died, was the cross, Jesus went and died, was the cross, Jesus went and died, was buried, and rose again, and shed his buried, and rose again, and shed his buried, and rose again, and shed his blood, and rose again in victory.

blood, and rose again in victory. blood, and rose again in victory. Because Jesus is alive, I believe love Because Jesus is alive, I believe love Because Jesus is alive, I believe love in your marriage can be alive. in your marriage can be alive. in your marriage can be alive. Because Jesus is alive and risen, Because Jesus is alive and risen, Because Jesus is alive and risen, I believe that when his love comes to I believe that when his love comes to I believe that when his love comes to live in our lives, live in our lives, live in our lives, in my life, and Michelle's life, as a in my life, and Michelle's life, as a in my life, and Michelle's life, as a husband, as a wife, in your marriage, in husband, as a wife, in your marriage, in husband, as a wife, in your marriage, in your home, when love comes to live in your home, when love comes to live in your home, when love comes to live in your heart, I believe that love can come your heart, I believe that love can come your heart, I believe that love can come alive in your marriage. And I don't alive in your marriage. And I don't alive in your marriage. And I don't really care what the culture wants to really care what the culture wants to really care what the culture wants to critique about marriage. I believe that critique about marriage. I believe that critique about marriage. I believe that marriage is a beautiful gift from God, marriage is a beautiful gift from God, marriage is a beautiful gift from God, and the secret to a lifelong of covenant and the secret to a lifelong of covenant and the secret to a lifelong of covenant marriage isn't all the books and the marriage isn't all the books and the marriage isn't all the books and the podcasts and even the sermons. They're podcasts and even the sermons. They're podcasts and even the sermons. They're all great. It's the love of Jesus. all great. It's the love of Jesus. all great. It's the love of Jesus. That's what builds a marriage to last. That's what builds a marriage to last. That's what builds a marriage to last. So, I want us to learn about that So, I want us to learn about that So, I want us to learn about that together today, cuz I really believe together today, cuz I really believe together today, cuz I really believe that love and marriage really do that love and marriage really do that love and marriage really do go together. go together. go together. So, go with me to Ephesians chapter 5, So, go with me to Ephesians chapter 5, So, go with me to Ephesians chapter 5, beginning in verse 22. We're going to beginning in verse 22. We're going to beginning in verse 22. We're going to read all the way to verse 33. We're read all the way to verse 33. We're read all the way to verse 33. We're going to talk for just a few moments going to talk for just a few moments going to talk for just a few moments together about God's design and our role together about God's design and our role together about God's design and our role in marriage. And then, husbands and in marriage. And then, husbands and in marriage. And then, husbands and wives, we're going to apply the wives, we're going to apply the wives, we're going to apply the principles in verse 33 into our principles in verse 33 into our principles in verse 33 into our marriages today.

marriages today. marriages today. Verse 22 of Ephesians 5 says this, Verse 22 of Ephesians 5 says this, Verse 22 of Ephesians 5 says this, "Wives, submit to your own husbands as "Wives, submit to your own husbands as "Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord." Now, we really ought to to the Lord." Now, we really ought to to the Lord." Now, we really ought to start in verse 21, start in verse 21, start in verse 21, where Paul says, "Submit to one another where Paul says, "Submit to one another where Paul says, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." out of reverence for Christ." out of reverence for Christ." Then he says, "Wives, submit to your own Then he says, "Wives, submit to your own Then he says, "Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord, for the husband husbands as to the Lord, for the husband husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is the head of the church, his body, and is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its savior. is himself its savior. is himself its savior. And now, as the church submits to And now, as the church submits to And now, as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in Christ, so also wives should submit in Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, everything to their husbands. Husbands, everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the love your wives as Christ loved the love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that church and gave himself up for her, that church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her having cleansed he might sanctify her having cleansed he might sanctify her having cleansed her by the washing of water with the her by the washing of water with the her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the word, so that he might present the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor without church to himself in splendor without church to himself in splendor without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. she might be holy and without blemish. she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way, In the same way, In the same way, husbands should love their wives as husbands should love their wives as husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. their own bodies. their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. He who loves his wife loves himself. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but For no one ever hated his own flesh, but For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it. Guys, you're nourishes and cherishes it. Guys, you're nourishes and cherishes it. Guys, you're going to want to circle that word.

going to want to circle that word. going to want to circle that word. Just as Christ does the church, because Just as Christ does the church, because Just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. Therefore, a we are members of his body. Therefore, a we are members of his body. Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother man shall leave his father and mother man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two and hold fast to his wife, and the two and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. shall become one flesh. shall become one flesh. The apostle says in verse 32, "This The apostle says in verse 32, "This The apostle says in verse 32, "This mystery is profound, and I'm saying that mystery is profound, and I'm saying that mystery is profound, and I'm saying that it refers to Christ and the church." But it refers to Christ and the church." But it refers to Christ and the church." But verse 33 says this, verse 33 says this, verse 33 says this, "However, "However, "However, let each of you love his wife let each of you love his wife let each of you love his wife as himself, as himself, as himself, and let the wife see and let the wife see and let the wife see that she respects that she respects that she respects her husband." her husband." her husband." Here's what's great about this passage. Here's what's great about this passage. Here's what's great about this passage. It's the only instance in all of the New It's the only instance in all of the New It's the only instance in all of the New Testament where the Apostle Paul, where Testament where the Apostle Paul, where Testament where the Apostle Paul, where the scripture will hold up a human the scripture will hold up a human the scripture will hold up a human institution in real life as a mirror to institution in real life as a mirror to institution in real life as a mirror to the relationship of Jesus and his the relationship of Jesus and his the relationship of Jesus and his church. When the Bible talks about Jesus church. When the Bible talks about Jesus church. When the Bible talks about Jesus and his church, it talks about his and his church, it talks about his and his church, it talks about his church as his bride. And what we know church as his bride. And what we know church as his bride. And what we know that Jesus feels about his bride is that that Jesus feels about his bride is that that Jesus feels about his bride is that he loves his bride so much that he would he loves his bride so much that he would he loves his bride so much that he would lay his life down for her. The only lay his life down for her. The only lay his life down for her. The only other picture we have in all of the other picture we have in all of the other picture we have in all of the scripture scripture scripture of what Jesus did for his church, ready?

of what Jesus did for his church, ready? of what Jesus did for his church, ready? Is your marriage. Is your marriage. Is your marriage. Love Love Love and marriage, how do they go together? and marriage, how do they go together? and marriage, how do they go together? Well, we see a couple of truths here Well, we see a couple of truths here Well, we see a couple of truths here before we unpack the principles of verse before we unpack the principles of verse before we unpack the principles of verse 33 in particular. There's two truths I 33 in particular. There's two truths I 33 in particular. There's two truths I want us to see and I want you to write want us to see and I want you to write want us to see and I want you to write these down as we go because I think this these down as we go because I think this these down as we go because I think this is good theology. It's good biblical is good theology. It's good biblical is good theology. It's good biblical understanding of what the Apostle Paul understanding of what the Apostle Paul understanding of what the Apostle Paul is teaching us about marriage. Then is teaching us about marriage. Then is teaching us about marriage. Then we're going to learn to apply that love we're going to learn to apply that love we're going to learn to apply that love in our marriage. So here's two in our marriage. So here's two in our marriage. So here's two principles. Number one, as believers in principles. Number one, as believers in principles. Number one, as believers in the Lord Jesus, we should celebrate the Lord Jesus, we should celebrate the Lord Jesus, we should celebrate God's design for marriage. Write that God's design for marriage. Write that God's design for marriage. Write that down. I want you to celebrate God's down. I want you to celebrate God's down. I want you to celebrate God's design for marriage. Why? Because the design for marriage. Why? Because the design for marriage. Why? Because the design for marriage belongs to God. He design for marriage belongs to God. He design for marriage belongs to God. He holds the patent on marriage. It's his holds the patent on marriage. It's his holds the patent on marriage. It's his trademark. trademark. trademark. It's a covenant between one man and one It's a covenant between one man and one It's a covenant between one man and one woman who desire to live in that woman who desire to live in that woman who desire to live in that covenant and love one another covenant and love one another covenant and love one another for life. That is the biblically defined for life. That is the biblically defined for life. That is the biblically defined definition of marriage.

definition of marriage. definition of marriage. And we see God ordaining marriage in the And we see God ordaining marriage in the And we see God ordaining marriage in the earliest moments of humanity, all the earliest moments of humanity, all the earliest moments of humanity, all the way back in the book of Genesis chapter way back in the book of Genesis chapter way back in the book of Genesis chapter 2 verses 18 through 24. You can read the 2 verses 18 through 24. You can read the 2 verses 18 through 24. You can read the story where there God creates the man, story where there God creates the man, story where there God creates the man, his name is Adam, puts him in the his name is Adam, puts him in the his name is Adam, puts him in the garden. Adam gets to name all the garden. Adam gets to name all the garden. Adam gets to name all the animals and do all the stuff, but the animals and do all the stuff, but the animals and do all the stuff, but the only thing Adam doesn't have is a helper only thing Adam doesn't have is a helper only thing Adam doesn't have is a helper that is suitable. So the scripture that is suitable. So the scripture that is suitable. So the scripture records that God, being the first expert records that God, being the first expert records that God, being the first expert anesthesiologist, God put Adam to sleep anesthesiologist, God put Adam to sleep anesthesiologist, God put Adam to sleep and while asleep, he removes the rib. In and while asleep, he removes the rib. In and while asleep, he removes the rib. In the Hebrew there, the word rib actually the Hebrew there, the word rib actually the Hebrew there, the word rib actually means side. A whole chunk of Adam is means side. A whole chunk of Adam is means side. A whole chunk of Adam is removed. And God uses that chunk, that removed. And God uses that chunk, that removed. And God uses that chunk, that rib, that side to create rib, that side to create rib, that side to create the woman. Her name is Eve. And God the woman. Her name is Eve. And God the woman. Her name is Eve. And God brings Eve to the man. And fellas, guess brings Eve to the man. And fellas, guess brings Eve to the man. And fellas, guess what? He calls her good. He's a smart what? He calls her good. He's a smart what? He calls her good. He's a smart guy. guy. guy. Says, "This is good. She is good." And Says, "This is good. She is good." And Says, "This is good. She is good." And he calls her flesh of my flesh and bone he calls her flesh of my flesh and bone he calls her flesh of my flesh and bone of my bones. In the Hebrew, he is the of my bones. In the Hebrew, he is the of my bones. In the Hebrew, he is the ish. In Hebrew, she is the ishah. ish. In Hebrew, she is the ishah. ish. In Hebrew, she is the ishah. They are of one another. Then God joins They are of one another. Then God joins They are of one another. Then God joins them together for the first marriage them together for the first marriage them together for the first marriage ceremony there in the garden. ceremony there in the garden. ceremony there in the garden. And he says in Genesis 2:24, "Now the And he says in Genesis 2:24, "Now the And he says in Genesis 2:24, "Now the man will leave his father and mother man will leave his father and mother man will leave his father and mother and cleave, not separate, cleave to his and cleave, not separate, cleave to his and cleave, not separate, cleave to his wife. And the two will become what?

wife. And the two will become what? wife. And the two will become what? One flesh. One flesh. One flesh. God calls it a covenant. He'll call it a God calls it a covenant. He'll call it a God calls it a covenant. He'll call it a covenant in Malachi chapter 2 verse 14. covenant in Malachi chapter 2 verse 14. covenant in Malachi chapter 2 verse 14. Jesus will affirm and call it a covenant Jesus will affirm and call it a covenant Jesus will affirm and call it a covenant in Matthew 19:4-6. in Matthew 19:4-6. in Matthew 19:4-6. And the Apostle Paul refers to it as a And the Apostle Paul refers to it as a And the Apostle Paul refers to it as a covenant here and multiple other times covenant here and multiple other times covenant here and multiple other times in the scripture. Hear me on this in the scripture. Hear me on this in the scripture. Hear me on this church, please. There is no other church, please. There is no other church, please. There is no other definition for marriage other than what definition for marriage other than what definition for marriage other than what the scripture gives us. the scripture gives us. the scripture gives us. So, what we understand first as So, what we understand first as So, what we understand first as followers of the Lord Jesus is that we followers of the Lord Jesus is that we followers of the Lord Jesus is that we are to celebrate God's design for are to celebrate God's design for are to celebrate God's design for marriage and the box that he has drawn marriage and the box that he has drawn marriage and the box that he has drawn around it. This is an indisputable around it. This is an indisputable around it. This is an indisputable argument in the scripture and in the argument in the scripture and in the argument in the scripture and in the heart of God. So, therefore, what we heart of God. So, therefore, what we heart of God. So, therefore, what we conclude is this. Since God is the conclude is this. Since God is the conclude is this. Since God is the designer, he holds the patent, he gets designer, he holds the patent, he gets designer, he holds the patent, he gets to set the framework of the design for to set the framework of the design for to set the framework of the design for marriage, then what we declare by faith marriage, then what we declare by faith marriage, then what we declare by faith and in truth is that there is only one and in truth is that there is only one and in truth is that there is only one way to define marriage. One man, one way to define marriage. One man, one way to define marriage. One man, one woman living in a covenant love together woman living in a covenant love together woman living in a covenant love together under the authority of God. Every other under the authority of God. Every other under the authority of God. Every other attempt to redefine marriage in our attempt to redefine marriage in our attempt to redefine marriage in our culture, every other attempt to migrate culture, every other attempt to migrate culture, every other attempt to migrate other definitions or worse, change God's other definitions or worse, change God's other definitions or worse, change God's definition to fit some other framework definition to fit some other framework definition to fit some other framework or construct is, watch now, or construct is, watch now, or construct is, watch now, unbiblical and unfaithful.

unbiblical and unfaithful. unbiblical and unfaithful. There is only one definition biblically There is only one definition biblically There is only one definition biblically for marriage. for marriage. for marriage. And it's God's design. And it's God's design. And it's God's design. It's a covenant. It's a covenant. It's a covenant. And this covenant is destined to succeed And this covenant is destined to succeed And this covenant is destined to succeed when Jesus holds his rightful place at when Jesus holds his rightful place at when Jesus holds his rightful place at the center the center the center of your marriage. of your marriage. of your marriage. And so, one of the things we understand And so, one of the things we understand And so, one of the things we understand right at the earliest moments as we see right at the earliest moments as we see right at the earliest moments as we see that first wedding ceremony, the man, that first wedding ceremony, the man, that first wedding ceremony, the man, the woman, but who's in the middle? God the woman, but who's in the middle? God the woman, but who's in the middle? God himself. himself. himself. The place of Jesus in your marriage is The place of Jesus in your marriage is The place of Jesus in your marriage is the central place. He is to be in the central place. He is to be in the central place. He is to be in authority and Lord of your life and over authority and Lord of your life and over authority and Lord of your life and over your marriage. And when he is, he will your marriage. And when he is, he will your marriage. And when he is, he will be the Lord of your love in marriage. be the Lord of your love in marriage. be the Lord of your love in marriage. Jesus must begin in the center. Jesus must begin in the center. Jesus must begin in the center. And while we're here talking about God's And while we're here talking about God's And while we're here talking about God's design for marriage, let me just say a design for marriage, let me just say a design for marriage, let me just say a word of encouragement to everybody in word of encouragement to everybody in word of encouragement to everybody in the room watching online. Maybe you find the room watching online. Maybe you find the room watching online. Maybe you find yourself in a season of singleness. yourself in a season of singleness. yourself in a season of singleness. You're desiring to be married. You're desiring to be married. You're desiring to be married. Or there's moms and dads, you've raised Or there's moms and dads, you've raised Or there's moms and dads, you've raised your kids, and like Michelle and I, your kids, and like Michelle and I, your kids, and like Michelle and I, we've got children that we're raising.

we've got children that we're raising. we've got children that we're raising. We're praying for their spouses. How We're praying for their spouses. How We're praying for their spouses. How many of you would say, parents, many of you would say, parents, many of you would say, parents, grandparents, you've been praying for grandparents, you've been praying for grandparents, you've been praying for your kids' spouses since the day they your kids' spouses since the day they your kids' spouses since the day they were born? were born? were born? I've been praying for I have four I've been praying for I have four I've been praying for I have four daughters and one son. I'm praying for daughters and one son. I'm praying for daughters and one son. I'm praying for my four future sons-in-law. They will my four future sons-in-law. They will my four future sons-in-law. They will all live at my house. all live at my house. all live at my house. I will I will field test them. They will I will I will field test them. They will I will I will field test them. They will go through a number of physical go through a number of physical go through a number of physical challenges, and then and only then will challenges, and then and only then will challenges, and then and only then will I give my daughters to them under my I give my daughters to them under my I give my daughters to them under my ever watchful eye and a series of ever watchful eye and a series of ever watchful eye and a series of drones. It's going to be great. We're praying for our kids' spouses, We're praying for our kids' spouses, aren't we? aren't we? aren't we? Say amen, church. Say amen, church. Say amen, church. We're praying for our kids' spouses. We're praying for our kids' spouses. We're praying for our kids' spouses. And if you're here today, you're praying And if you're here today, you're praying And if you're here today, you're praying for that spouse, or you're praying for for that spouse, or you're praying for for that spouse, or you're praying for your kids, your grandkids to have a your kids, your grandkids to have a your kids, your grandkids to have a spouse, what are you praying for? Just spouse, what are you praying for? Just spouse, what are you praying for? Just as a side note here about a celebration as a side note here about a celebration as a side note here about a celebration of God's design. First and foremost, if of God's design. First and foremost, if of God's design. First and foremost, if you are that person desiring marriage, you are that person desiring marriage, you are that person desiring marriage, what can you be doing now? You can be what can you be doing now? You can be what can you be doing now? You can be prepared. prepared. prepared. You can be in a place spiritually where You can be in a place spiritually where You can be in a place spiritually where you are growing and surrendering to you are growing and surrendering to you are growing and surrendering to Jesus, serving him and his church, Jesus, serving him and his church, Jesus, serving him and his church, reading his word, growing in holiness. reading his word, growing in holiness. reading his word, growing in holiness. I believe there is a generation of young I believe there is a generation of young I believe there is a generation of young women that are desperately looking to a women that are desperately looking to a women that are desperately looking to a generation of young men to grow up and generation of young men to grow up and generation of young men to grow up and stand up and be godly men who will love stand up and be godly men who will love stand up and be godly men who will love and lead them for a lifetime. I believe and lead them for a lifetime. I believe and lead them for a lifetime. I believe that.

that. that. I believe that part of the awakening I believe that part of the awakening I believe that part of the awakening moment that we're living in, the revival moment that we're living in, the revival moment that we're living in, the revival moment that we're living in, is not only moment that we're living in, is not only moment that we're living in, is not only that there would be an army of that there would be an army of that there would be an army of spirit-filled women of God who would go spirit-filled women of God who would go spirit-filled women of God who would go on to be to create beautiful, loving on to be to create beautiful, loving on to be to create beautiful, loving marriages, but that there would be an marriages, but that there would be an marriages, but that there would be an army of spirit-filled young men of God army of spirit-filled young men of God army of spirit-filled young men of God who would step in in a in a place of who would step in in a in a place of who would step in in a in a place of holiness and purity to love and bless holiness and purity to love and bless holiness and purity to love and bless these wives. these wives. these wives. I'm praying for this. To be perfectly I'm praying for this. To be perfectly I'm praying for this. To be perfectly candid with you, the future of our candid with you, the future of our candid with you, the future of our nation, and more than that, the future nation, and more than that, the future nation, and more than that, the future of the church of the Lord Jesus is of the church of the Lord Jesus is of the church of the Lord Jesus is depending upon men and women now in depending upon men and women now in depending upon men and women now in their singleness being prepared one day their singleness being prepared one day their singleness being prepared one day to be spirit-filled spouses. to be spirit-filled spouses. to be spirit-filled spouses. If you're in that place, you ought to be If you're in that place, you ought to be If you're in that place, you ought to be looking. Who do I look for? You ought to looking. Who do I look for? You ought to looking. Who do I look for? You ought to be looking for someone who loves Jesus be looking for someone who loves Jesus be looking for someone who loves Jesus more than they love you. more than they love you. more than they love you. As much as they love you, they should As much as they love you, they should As much as they love you, they should love Jesus the most. love Jesus the most. love Jesus the most. Committed to their walk with Christ, Committed to their walk with Christ, Committed to their walk with Christ, committed to this definition and design committed to this definition and design committed to this definition and design for marriage. for marriage. for marriage. And don't be afraid if you're in a And don't be afraid if you're in a And don't be afraid if you're in a season of singleness, don't be afraid to season of singleness, don't be afraid to season of singleness, don't be afraid to have high standards. have high standards. have high standards. Don't be afraid to wait on God to bring Don't be afraid to wait on God to bring Don't be afraid to wait on God to bring you that person who you will date and you that person who you will date and you that person who you will date and ultimately marry. And understand this, ultimately marry. And understand this, ultimately marry. And understand this, that as God brings that person into your that as God brings that person into your that as God brings that person into your life, recognize that they're going to life, recognize that they're going to life, recognize that they're going to have a story and a testimony just like have a story and a testimony just like have a story and a testimony just like you.

you. you. And to remember that the grace of Jesus And to remember that the grace of Jesus And to remember that the grace of Jesus can work in anybody's life, in anybody can work in anybody's life, in anybody can work in anybody's life, in anybody time, in any way, in any time to make time, in any way, in any time to make time, in any way, in any time to make them to be the person that God needs you them to be the person that God needs you them to be the person that God needs you for them to be, and that he wants them for them to be, and that he wants them for them to be, and that he wants them to be to build a lifetime of marriage. to be to build a lifetime of marriage. to be to build a lifetime of marriage. Now, we understand God's design. Now, we understand God's design. Now, we understand God's design. Quickly, what else do we need to Quickly, what else do we need to Quickly, what else do we need to understand? We need to understand and understand? We need to understand and understand? We need to understand and celebrate our position celebrate our position celebrate our position in God's design. What is our position in in God's design. What is our position in in God's design. What is our position in marriage? We'll come back to this text marriage? We'll come back to this text marriage? We'll come back to this text in the years to come, but I want to just in the years to come, but I want to just in the years to come, but I want to just say this while we're here on a Sunday say this while we're here on a Sunday say this while we're here on a Sunday morning morning morning and while we're studying in Ephesians 5 and while we're studying in Ephesians 5 and while we're studying in Ephesians 5 because because because celebrating our positions celebrating our positions celebrating our positions is understanding this, that you, is understanding this, that you, is understanding this, that you, husbands and wives, you have a husbands and wives, you have a husbands and wives, you have a significant position in your marriage significant position in your marriage significant position in your marriage that flows from God's design. It invites that flows from God's design. It invites that flows from God's design. It invites you to trust and obey his plan for that you to trust and obey his plan for that you to trust and obey his plan for that design, and when you do, it leads to the design, and when you do, it leads to the design, and when you do, it leads to the flourishing flourishing flourishing in your married life. in your married life. in your married life. Okay, so wives, because Paul starts with Okay, so wives, because Paul starts with Okay, so wives, because Paul starts with you, I'm going to start with you, okay? you, I'm going to start with you, okay? you, I'm going to start with you, okay? Verse 22, chapter 5. Paul says, "Wives, Verse 22, chapter 5. Paul says, "Wives, Verse 22, chapter 5. Paul says, "Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the submit to your own husbands as to the submit to your own husbands as to the Lord.

Lord. Lord. For For husband is the head of the wife, For For husband is the head of the wife, For For husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of his even as Christ is the head of his even as Christ is the head of his church, his body, and is himself its church, his body, and is himself its church, his body, and is himself its savior. Okay, ladies, women, wives, what savior. Okay, ladies, women, wives, what savior. Okay, ladies, women, wives, what is the word saying to you here? Just a is the word saying to you here? Just a is the word saying to you here? Just a reminder, reminder, reminder, in this church, we open up the word of in this church, we open up the word of in this church, we open up the word of God, we read it word for word, and we God, we read it word for word, and we God, we read it word for word, and we preach what it says. So, we don't run preach what it says. So, we don't run preach what it says. So, we don't run from any passage in the scripture, even from any passage in the scripture, even from any passage in the scripture, even the ones that might create a little bit the ones that might create a little bit the ones that might create a little bit of tension in our spirits, because I of tension in our spirits, because I of tension in our spirits, because I know as I'm preaching this even now as know as I'm preaching this even now as know as I'm preaching this even now as you're watching this service, you may be you're watching this service, you may be you're watching this service, you may be a woman, a wife in a season of a couple a woman, a wife in a season of a couple a woman, a wife in a season of a couple of places. One, you may be a woman who's of places. One, you may be a woman who's of places. One, you may be a woman who's saying, "I I struggle to trust that a saying, "I I struggle to trust that a saying, "I I struggle to trust that a man could lead me." You may be in a man could lead me." You may be in a man could lead me." You may be in a marriage where right now your husband is marriage where right now your husband is marriage where right now your husband is not leading super well. As a great not leading super well. As a great not leading super well. As a great pastor once told me in instances where pastor once told me in instances where pastor once told me in instances where there's a husband and wife loving Jesus, there's a husband and wife loving Jesus, there's a husband and wife loving Jesus, and and the wife is trying to follow and and the wife is trying to follow and and the wife is trying to follow God, and the husband is just not paying God, and the husband is just not paying God, and the husband is just not paying attention and doing the things that he attention and doing the things that he attention and doing the things that he needs to do. Uh this pastor told this needs to do. Uh this pastor told this needs to do. Uh this pastor told this wife, "Hey, why don't you just go ahead wife, "Hey, why don't you just go ahead wife, "Hey, why don't you just go ahead and put him in touch with your and put him in touch with your and put him in touch with your supervisor? That would be the Lord." And understand, women of God, wives who And understand, women of God, wives who love Jesus and want to obey his word, love Jesus and want to obey his word, love Jesus and want to obey his word, look at the position that God has look at the position that God has look at the position that God has created for you in his design. And I created for you in his design. And I created for you in his design. And I recognize that the culture of our day recognize that the culture of our day recognize that the culture of our day would scream at you would scream at you would scream at you that this is nuts that this is nuts that this is nuts to do it this way.

to do it this way. to do it this way. It would holler at the top of its It would holler at the top of its It would holler at the top of its unredeemed lungs, "Don't you dare live unredeemed lungs, "Don't you dare live unredeemed lungs, "Don't you dare live this way. this way. this way. You submit under the authority of the You submit under the authority of the You submit under the authority of the leadership of a man, it's only going to leadership of a man, it's only going to leadership of a man, it's only going to end up in hurt and pain and loss." end up in hurt and pain and loss." end up in hurt and pain and loss." That's not what the Bible says. That's not what the Bible says. That's not what the Bible says. The Bible says in verse 22, "Wives, you The Bible says in verse 22, "Wives, you The Bible says in verse 22, "Wives, you are to submit joyfully, lovingly, are to submit joyfully, lovingly, are to submit joyfully, lovingly, graciously to the leadership and the graciously to the leadership and the graciously to the leadership and the love of your husband." The language love of your husband." The language love of your husband." The language there in the text literally means to there in the text literally means to there in the text literally means to order oneself under. It is a willful order oneself under. It is a willful order oneself under. It is a willful decision decision decision that you make, spirit-filled wife, that you make, spirit-filled wife, that you make, spirit-filled wife, to step into the position in God's to step into the position in God's to step into the position in God's design that he has made for you. Why? design that he has made for you. Why? design that he has made for you. Why? Because you trust God. Because you trust God. Because you trust God. Because ultimately, you are under the Because ultimately, you are under the Because ultimately, you are under the authority of Jesus. Watch what he says authority of Jesus. Watch what he says authority of Jesus. Watch what he says there. Submit to your own husband, how? there. Submit to your own husband, how? there. Submit to your own husband, how? As to the Lord. All your All you're As to the Lord. All your All you're As to the Lord. All your All you're doing when you follow and and adhere to doing when you follow and and adhere to doing when you follow and and adhere to this text, to this principle, is you are this text, to this principle, is you are this text, to this principle, is you are simply agreeing with God about how he simply agreeing with God about how he simply agreeing with God about how he wants to design your home.

wants to design your home. wants to design your home. And there's no better place to be And there's no better place to be And there's no better place to be than in the middle of God's blessing. than in the middle of God's blessing. than in the middle of God's blessing. By being faithful and obedient to what By being faithful and obedient to what By being faithful and obedient to what God's called you to do and who he's God's called you to do and who he's God's called you to do and who he's called you to be. called you to be. called you to be. And let me just say this as well. And let me just say this as well. And let me just say this as well. Cuz I'm married to an incredible woman. Cuz I'm married to an incredible woman. Cuz I'm married to an incredible woman. I can say this to you with absolute I can say this to you with absolute I can say this to you with absolute certainty, wives, certainty, wives, certainty, wives, that you should not for one second read that you should not for one second read that you should not for one second read into this. This is what bothers me so into this. This is what bothers me so into this. This is what bothers me so much and there's a lot that does. One of much and there's a lot that does. One of much and there's a lot that does. One of the things that bothers me so much, we the things that bothers me so much, we the things that bothers me so much, we talked about this last week in 1 Peter 3 talked about this last week in 1 Peter 3 talked about this last week in 1 Peter 3 about our adversary, the devil, that about our adversary, the devil, that about our adversary, the devil, that prowls around. Remember we talked about prowls around. Remember we talked about prowls around. Remember we talked about this? He's coming for our kids. He's this? He's coming for our kids. He's this? He's coming for our kids. He's coming for our marriages, too. And let coming for our marriages, too. And let coming for our marriages, too. And let me tell you what the devil loves to do. me tell you what the devil loves to do. me tell you what the devil loves to do. I should have said this in the first I should have said this in the first I should have said this in the first service, so somebody remind me to say it service, so somebody remind me to say it service, so somebody remind me to say it in the third service. Bring me a note or in the third service. Bring me a note or in the third service. Bring me a note or something like that one guy did about something like that one guy did about something like that one guy did about that It's Only Rock and Roll from the that It's Only Rock and Roll from the that It's Only Rock and Roll from the '80s. '80s. '80s. I'll tell you what the enemy loves to I'll tell you what the enemy loves to I'll tell you what the enemy loves to do, church family. Don't miss this, do, church family. Don't miss this, do, church family. Don't miss this, please. The enemy loves to come get please. The enemy loves to come get please. The enemy loves to come get right in the middle of a covenant right in the middle of a covenant right in the middle of a covenant relationship between a man and a woman, relationship between a man and a woman, relationship between a man and a woman, and where God wants to unite us, watch and where God wants to unite us, watch and where God wants to unite us, watch this, Satan wants to divide us. this, Satan wants to divide us. this, Satan wants to divide us. You listening? You listening? You listening? Satan wants to push us away because he Satan wants to push us away because he Satan wants to push us away because he knows if a man and a woman walk in a knows if a man and a woman walk in a knows if a man and a woman walk in a covenant love under the authority of covenant love under the authority of covenant love under the authority of Jesus, when a man begins to obey God and Jesus, when a man begins to obey God and Jesus, when a man begins to obey God and a woman begins to obey God and trust the a woman begins to obey God and trust the a woman begins to obey God and trust the design that God's given and flourish in design that God's given and flourish in design that God's given and flourish in the positions that he's placed you in, the positions that he's placed you in, the positions that he's placed you in, what he knows is that the closer that what he knows is that the closer that what he knows is that the closer that God brings you together, the less room God brings you together, the less room God brings you together, the less room the devil has to tempt you and deceive the devil has to tempt you and deceive the devil has to tempt you and deceive you.

you. you. That's what the enemy has purposed to That's what the enemy has purposed to That's what the enemy has purposed to do. If he can get you on opposite ends do. If he can get you on opposite ends do. If he can get you on opposite ends of your lives, if he can put you in of your lives, if he can put you in of your lives, if he can put you in opposite corners, if he can eventually opposite corners, if he can eventually opposite corners, if he can eventually make you adversaries, make you adversaries, make you adversaries, he'll get you to be frustrated by he'll get you to be frustrated by he'll get you to be frustrated by passages like Ephesians 5:22-33. passages like Ephesians 5:22-33. passages like Ephesians 5:22-33. And regardless of what that culture may And regardless of what that culture may And regardless of what that culture may say to you, ladies, women, wives, say to you, ladies, women, wives, say to you, ladies, women, wives, understand this, understand this, understand this, that even as the devil, your enemy, your that even as the devil, your enemy, your that even as the devil, your enemy, your adversary would seek to divide you in adversary would seek to divide you in adversary would seek to divide you in your marriage, I praise God for you your marriage, I praise God for you your marriage, I praise God for you today. Because let me just tell you today. Because let me just tell you today. Because let me just tell you something. This instruction that that something. This instruction that that something. This instruction that that Paul gives to the women and to the wives Paul gives to the women and to the wives Paul gives to the women and to the wives is not meant to diminish you. Listen, it is not meant to diminish you. Listen, it is not meant to diminish you. Listen, it is meant to point you to the value you is meant to point you to the value you is meant to point you to the value you have in Christ. have in Christ. have in Christ. Women, wives, please hear me on this. Women, wives, please hear me on this. Women, wives, please hear me on this. You play an indispensable, supernatural, You play an indispensable, supernatural, You play an indispensable, supernatural, spirit-filled, God-ordained role in your spirit-filled, God-ordained role in your spirit-filled, God-ordained role in your home. Husband, it's a great time for an home. Husband, it's a great time for an home. Husband, it's a great time for an amen, by the way. amen, by the way. amen, by the way. That was weak, boys. Come on, give it to That was weak, boys. Come on, give it to That was weak, boys. Come on, give it to her now. Let her hear, boys. Come on, her now. Let her hear, boys. Come on, her now. Let her hear, boys. Come on, amen. Come on, fellas. That's better. amen. Come on, fellas. That's better. amen. Come on, fellas. That's better. That's better. Much more believable the That's better. Much more believable the That's better. Much more believable the second time around.

second time around. second time around. Wives, you play a fundamental role in Wives, you play a fundamental role in Wives, you play a fundamental role in your home. I can't tell you over 24 your home. I can't tell you over 24 your home. I can't tell you over 24 years of marriage almost, this December years of marriage almost, this December years of marriage almost, this December will be 24 years for Michelle and I, the will be 24 years for Michelle and I, the will be 24 years for Michelle and I, the number of times that I have relied upon number of times that I have relied upon number of times that I have relied upon her wisdom, her counsel, her her wisdom, her counsel, her her wisdom, her counsel, her discernment, her insight, the uniqueness discernment, her insight, the uniqueness discernment, her insight, the uniqueness of her personality, the perspective that of her personality, the perspective that of her personality, the perspective that only she can only she can bring. Cuz by only she can only she can bring. Cuz by only she can only she can bring. Cuz by the way, the same Holy Spirit that lives the way, the same Holy Spirit that lives the way, the same Holy Spirit that lives in me in me in me lives in her. lives in her. lives in her. And so when she has something to say, And so when she has something to say, And so when she has something to say, when she's been with the Lord, when when she's been with the Lord, when when she's been with the Lord, when she's prayed, I listen. she's prayed, I listen. she's prayed, I listen. Wives, you submitting to the role of Wives, you submitting to the role of Wives, you submitting to the role of your husband as leader of your home does your husband as leader of your home does your husband as leader of your home does not devalue you. Watch, it actually not devalue you. Watch, it actually not devalue you. Watch, it actually positions you to be a mighty tool in the positions you to be a mighty tool in the positions you to be a mighty tool in the hand of a living and loving God to hand of a living and loving God to hand of a living and loving God to strengthen your marriage. God uses your strengthen your marriage. God uses your strengthen your marriage. God uses your faithfulness as a testimony to your faithfulness as a testimony to your faithfulness as a testimony to your husband to inspire him husband to inspire him husband to inspire him to do what God has called him to do. to do what God has called him to do. to do what God has called him to do. Husbands, what about you? Husbands, what about you? Husbands, what about you? What's your role here?

What's your role here? What's your role here? Again, we're celebrating our position Again, we're celebrating our position Again, we're celebrating our position in our home. What is our role here, in our home. What is our role here, in our home. What is our role here, fellas? Well, the scripture says, fellas? Well, the scripture says, fellas? Well, the scripture says, beginning in verse 25, "Husbands, you beginning in verse 25, "Husbands, you beginning in verse 25, "Husbands, you are to love your wives as Christ loved are to love your wives as Christ loved are to love your wives as Christ loved the church." the church." the church." And how did he love the church? What And how did he love the church? What And how did he love the church? What does the text say? does the text say? does the text say? He gave himself He gave himself He gave himself up up up for her. for her. for her. So, men, yes, let's be clear. So, men, yes, let's be clear. So, men, yes, let's be clear. Yes, Yes, Yes, you are called and ordained and you are called and ordained and you are called and ordained and positioned in God's divine order for a positioned in God's divine order for a positioned in God's divine order for a faithful, biblically, faithful, biblically, faithful, biblically, Christ-centered home. You have been Christ-centered home. You have been Christ-centered home. You have been positioned as the leader of that home. positioned as the leader of that home. positioned as the leader of that home. You have been placed there with You have been placed there with You have been placed there with spiritual authority. You have been put spiritual authority. You have been put spiritual authority. You have been put there by God. You did You did Let me there by God. You did You did Let me there by God. You did You did Let me tell you something. Your resume is not tell you something. Your resume is not tell you something. Your resume is not good enough. You didn't pass it through good enough. You didn't pass it through good enough. You didn't pass it through the interview. This is how God has the interview. This is how God has the interview. This is how God has designed it for you. This is not about designed it for you. This is not about designed it for you. This is not about you. This is about the goodness of God you. This is about the goodness of God you. This is about the goodness of God and how he's designed the workings of and how he's designed the workings of and how he's designed the workings of your home. But, as every Spider-Man your home. But, as every Spider-Man your home. But, as every Spider-Man movie has taught us, movie has taught us, movie has taught us, with great power, with great authority, with great power, with great authority, with great power, with great authority, comes what?

comes what? comes what? Great responsibility. What does that mean, fellows? What does that mean, fellows? You see, wives, I I I I know what some You see, wives, I I I I know what some You see, wives, I I I I know what some of you are thinking. You're thinking, of you are thinking. You're thinking, of you are thinking. You're thinking, "Man, you just handed him a marital "Man, you just handed him a marital "Man, you just handed him a marital sheriff's badge." I know what you just sheriff's badge." I know what you just sheriff's badge." I know what you just did. did. did. And now he's going to sometime this And now he's going to sometime this And now he's going to sometime this afternoon, you know, "Pastor Jonathan afternoon, you know, "Pastor Jonathan afternoon, you know, "Pastor Jonathan said I'm the leader of our home, and so said I'm the leader of our home, and so said I'm the leader of our home, and so uh uh uh going to be making every decision." Now, going to be making every decision." Now, going to be making every decision." Now, that's not that's not that's not what I'm saying. what I'm saying. what I'm saying. Guys, this doesn't give you a free pass Guys, this doesn't give you a free pass Guys, this doesn't give you a free pass to ignore her. Ladies, this doesn't give to ignore her. Ladies, this doesn't give to ignore her. Ladies, this doesn't give you a free pass to bail out. No. Guys, you a free pass to bail out. No. Guys, you a free pass to bail out. No. Guys, you are called to lead your home, and you are called to lead your home, and you are called to lead your home, and what's the greatest evidence that you what's the greatest evidence that you what's the greatest evidence that you are leading? Ready? You're ready to die. are leading? Ready? You're ready to die. are leading? Ready? You're ready to die. God has entrusted to you your wife, God has entrusted to you your wife, God has entrusted to you your wife, your family, your kids. He has placed your family, your kids. He has placed your family, your kids. He has placed that in your care, your stewardship. that in your care, your stewardship. that in your care, your stewardship. When you married your wife, when she When you married your wife, when she When you married your wife, when she walked down that aisle, God was bringing walked down that aisle, God was bringing walked down that aisle, God was bringing to you I don't know how you pulled this to you I don't know how you pulled this to you I don't know how you pulled this off, fellows, but God was bringing to off, fellows, but God was bringing to off, fellows, but God was bringing to you an incredible, wonderful, beautiful you an incredible, wonderful, beautiful you an incredible, wonderful, beautiful gift. By the way, that is his image gift. By the way, that is his image gift. By the way, that is his image bearer that walked down that aisle. That bearer that walked down that aisle. That bearer that walked down that aisle. That is his daughter that that made in his is his daughter that that made in his is his daughter that that made in his image, and he has brought her to you image, and he has brought her to you image, and he has brought her to you like Eve to Adam as a beautiful, like Eve to Adam as a beautiful, like Eve to Adam as a beautiful, precious gift that you are to cherish.

precious gift that you are to cherish. precious gift that you are to cherish. It's what she is. It's what she is. It's what she is. When you married her that day, you When you married her that day, you When you married her that day, you received an incredible investment from received an incredible investment from received an incredible investment from heaven. heaven. heaven. Therefore, God holds you accountable Therefore, God holds you accountable Therefore, God holds you accountable for how you are to treat for how you are to treat for how you are to treat that investment. that investment. that investment. So, guys, our leadership is to model the So, guys, our leadership is to model the So, guys, our leadership is to model the attitude and actions of Jesus. attitude and actions of Jesus. attitude and actions of Jesus. Jesus' love and sacrifice is the Jesus' love and sacrifice is the Jesus' love and sacrifice is the standard that we are called to. standard that we are called to. standard that we are called to. So, for us to lead So, for us to lead So, for us to lead means we lay down. means we lay down. means we lay down. For us to be in authority in our home For us to be in authority in our home For us to be in authority in our home means we are the servant of all. It means we are the servant of all. It means we are the servant of all. It means that God has invested in you the means that God has invested in you the means that God has invested in you the responsibility to step out and step responsibility to step out and step responsibility to step out and step forward forward forward to be a standard-bearer for his holiness to be a standard-bearer for his holiness to be a standard-bearer for his holiness and his righteousness in your house and his righteousness in your house and his righteousness in your house and in your marriage. and in your marriage. and in your marriage. This is why This is why This is why for a number of other reasons, we don't for a number of other reasons, we don't for a number of other reasons, we don't want to be out of position in our want to be out of position in our want to be out of position in our marriage. marriage. marriage. We don't want to be out of alignment We don't want to be out of alignment We don't want to be out of alignment with the role and the lane and the place with the role and the lane and the place with the role and the lane and the place that God has given you wives, that God that God has given you wives, that God that God has given you wives, that God has given you husbands, because those has given you husbands, because those has given you husbands, because those are God-ordained places into which he's are God-ordained places into which he's are God-ordained places into which he's positioned you under the umbrella of his positioned you under the umbrella of his positioned you under the umbrella of his holy design called marriage.

holy design called marriage. holy design called marriage. And when you flourish in those places And when you flourish in those places And when you flourish in those places and you celebrate those positions, and you celebrate those positions, and you celebrate those positions, well, then you're ready well, then you're ready well, then you're ready to apply verse 33. to apply verse 33. to apply verse 33. In the few moments we have left, I want In the few moments we have left, I want In the few moments we have left, I want to give you some very practical ways to give you some very practical ways to give you some very practical ways that you can do this in your life as that you can do this in your life as that you can do this in your life as husbands and as wives. Come back to husbands and as wives. Come back to husbands and as wives. Come back to Ephesians 5, look at verse 33. Here's Ephesians 5, look at verse 33. Here's Ephesians 5, look at verse 33. Here's what the Apostle Paul says, "Now, what the Apostle Paul says, "Now, what the Apostle Paul says, "Now, however, however, however, let each one of you love his wife as let each one of you love his wife as let each one of you love his wife as himself. himself. himself. And let the wife see And let the wife see And let the wife see that she respects that she respects that she respects her husband. her husband. her husband. Let's talk for a few minutes about love Let's talk for a few minutes about love Let's talk for a few minutes about love and respect. The word respect there, and respect. The word respect there, and respect. The word respect there, ladies, ladies, ladies, when Paul says that you are to respect when Paul says that you are to respect when Paul says that you are to respect your husband, that's how you show love. your husband, that's how you show love. your husband, that's how you show love. Here's the principle. Wives, your love Here's the principle. Wives, your love Here's the principle. Wives, your love is revealed in how you respect your is revealed in how you respect your is revealed in how you respect your husband in your in your home and in your husband in your in your home and in your husband in your in your home and in your marriage. It's how you can show him marriage. It's how you can show him marriage. It's how you can show him love. love. love. But, it's in very specific ways. The But, it's in very specific ways. The But, it's in very specific ways. The word respect there, it translates word respect there, it translates word respect there, it translates literally to mean honor. It means to literally to mean honor. It means to literally to mean honor. It means to admire. It means to lift up. It means to admire. It means to lift up. It means to admire. It means to lift up. It means to do some very specific things. Here's the do some very specific things. Here's the do some very specific things. Here's the first one.

first one. first one. Wives, I hope you'll write this down Wives, I hope you'll write this down Wives, I hope you'll write this down this morning. Your first opportunity to this morning. Your first opportunity to this morning. Your first opportunity to honor your husband, to love him, is you honor your husband, to love him, is you honor your husband, to love him, is you build his confidence build his confidence build his confidence with your words. with your words. with your words. Ephesians 4:29 says this, "Let no Ephesians 4:29 says this, "Let no Ephesians 4:29 says this, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, corrupting talk come out of your mouths, corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up but only such as is good for building up but only such as is good for building up as fits the occasion, that it may give as fits the occasion, that it may give as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." grace to those who hear." grace to those who hear." So, wives, can I ask you a question So, wives, can I ask you a question So, wives, can I ask you a question today? today? today? What does your husband hear more in your What does your husband hear more in your What does your husband hear more in your marriage? marriage? marriage? Does he hear a list about how he fails? Does he hear a list about how he fails? Does he hear a list about how he fails? Or does he hear a list about how proud Or does he hear a list about how proud Or does he hear a list about how proud of him you are? of him you are? of him you are? Does your husband feel built up by what Does your husband feel built up by what Does your husband feel built up by what you say? you say? you say? Does he hear from you regularly, "I know Does he hear from you regularly, "I know Does he hear from you regularly, "I know she believes in me"? she believes in me"? she believes in me"? Or has he come to conclude, by virtue of Or has he come to conclude, by virtue of Or has he come to conclude, by virtue of the conversations you continue to have, the conversations you continue to have, the conversations you continue to have, "Man, I just can't do anything right. "Man, I just can't do anything right. "Man, I just can't do anything right. I go one step forward, five steps back. I go one step forward, five steps back. I go one step forward, five steps back. I might get this problem solved, but I might get this problem solved, but I might get this problem solved, but there's 10 others I did wrong." What there's 10 others I did wrong." What there's 10 others I did wrong." What does he hear from you, wives?

does he hear from you, wives? does he hear from you, wives? Are you building his confidence? Are you building his confidence? Are you building his confidence? Wives, I want you to know Wives, I want you to know Wives, I want you to know I think you know this, but I think you know this, but I think you know this, but let me be the one to say it for you. let me be the one to say it for you. let me be the one to say it for you. That your words carry incredible weight That your words carry incredible weight That your words carry incredible weight in our hearts. in our hearts. in our hearts. That they can either supercharge your That they can either supercharge your That they can either supercharge your husband's confidence husband's confidence husband's confidence or they can deflate his self-worth. or they can deflate his self-worth. or they can deflate his self-worth. And where you ought to start to get And where you ought to start to get And where you ought to start to get nervous with your husband is when more nervous with your husband is when more nervous with your husband is when more and more he gets quieter and quieter. and more he gets quieter and quieter. and more he gets quieter and quieter. Now fellas, we're going to talk in a Now fellas, we're going to talk in a Now fellas, we're going to talk in a moment about being engaged, so hang on. moment about being engaged, so hang on. moment about being engaged, so hang on. But wives, I would caution you the But wives, I would caution you the But wives, I would caution you the quieter a man gets, sometimes that means quieter a man gets, sometimes that means quieter a man gets, sometimes that means the more his heart is hurting. the more his heart is hurting. the more his heart is hurting. And perhaps what God would have you to And perhaps what God would have you to And perhaps what God would have you to do is build him up do is build him up do is build him up with what you say to him. with what you say to him. with what you say to him. This includes, This includes, This includes, obviously, when it's you and him in the obviously, when it's you and him in the obviously, when it's you and him in the room, room, room, but it definitely includes when it's you but it definitely includes when it's you but it definitely includes when it's you and others and you're talking about him. and others and you're talking about him. and others and you're talking about him. Are you building your husband up? It's Are you building your husband up? It's Are you building your husband up? It's one of the ways that you love him by one of the ways that you love him by one of the ways that you love him by honoring him.

honoring him. honoring him. Does he feel built up and strengthened Does he feel built up and strengthened Does he feel built up and strengthened and encouraged by you? Here's the second and encouraged by you? Here's the second and encouraged by you? Here's the second thing, wives, are you blessing him with thing, wives, are you blessing him with thing, wives, are you blessing him with your consistent prayers? We're talking your consistent prayers? We're talking your consistent prayers? We're talking about that a lot during this series about that a lot during this series about that a lot during this series right now about the power and the right now about the power and the right now about the power and the function of prayer. And in marriage, function of prayer. And in marriage, function of prayer. And in marriage, prayer is a significant tool in the hand prayer is a significant tool in the hand prayer is a significant tool in the hand of God and in our heart that we can use of God and in our heart that we can use of God and in our heart that we can use that God has given us to cry out and that God has given us to cry out and that God has given us to cry out and call out to him regularly for our call out to him regularly for our call out to him regularly for our spouse. Ephesians 6:18 says this, spouse. Ephesians 6:18 says this, spouse. Ephesians 6:18 says this, "Praying at all times in the spirit with "Praying at all times in the spirit with "Praying at all times in the spirit with all prayer and all big Bible word, here all prayer and all big Bible word, here all prayer and all big Bible word, here it comes, all supplication." it comes, all supplication." it comes, all supplication." That's a big Bible word that simply That's a big Bible word that simply That's a big Bible word that simply means standing up for somebody. means standing up for somebody. means standing up for somebody. Wives, are you standing up for your Wives, are you standing up for your Wives, are you standing up for your husband husband husband by being on your knees for him in by being on your knees for him in by being on your knees for him in prayer? prayer? prayer? Are you praying for him consistently? Are you praying for him consistently? Are you praying for him consistently? Now men, let me just give you a hint, Now men, let me just give you a hint, Now men, let me just give you a hint, there's some stuff that the Bible tells there's some stuff that the Bible tells there's some stuff that the Bible tells her to pray for and you just need to get her to pray for and you just need to get her to pray for and you just need to get okay with it, all right? One of the okay with it, all right? One of the okay with it, all right? One of the prayers that she is praying for you, prayers that she is praying for you, prayers that she is praying for you, probably not out loud, that's kind of probably not out loud, that's kind of probably not out loud, that's kind of weird, like passive-aggressively, "Lord, weird, like passive-aggressively, "Lord, weird, like passive-aggressively, "Lord, please change my husband right now as please change my husband right now as please change my husband right now as he's 2 ft from me." That you can try he's 2 ft from me." That you can try he's 2 ft from me." That you can try that move, but a lot of times, wives, that move, but a lot of times, wives, that move, but a lot of times, wives, what I know you do is you're praying what I know you do is you're praying what I know you do is you're praying quietly, kind of like that that that quietly, kind of like that that that quietly, kind of like that that that wonderful wife in the scriptures, Sarah, wonderful wife in the scriptures, Sarah, wonderful wife in the scriptures, Sarah, that 1 Peter 3 talks about?

that 1 Peter 3 talks about? that 1 Peter 3 talks about? Says that Sarah won her husband's heart Says that Sarah won her husband's heart Says that Sarah won her husband's heart just through a gentle and quiet spirit. just through a gentle and quiet spirit. just through a gentle and quiet spirit. A prayerful disposition. A prayerful disposition. A prayerful disposition. An attitude of graciousness. An attitude of graciousness. An attitude of graciousness. But men, you need to know. But men, you need to know. But men, you need to know. You need to understand. You need to understand. You need to understand. That there may very well possibly be That there may very well possibly be That there may very well possibly be many late many late nights where your many late many late nights where your many late many late nights where your wife, while you're asleep, may quietly wife, while you're asleep, may quietly wife, while you're asleep, may quietly be on the side of your bed be on the side of your bed be on the side of your bed praying over you. praying over you. praying over you. Praying for you. Praying for you. Praying for you. Praying that yes, God will grow you. Do Praying that yes, God will grow you. Do Praying that yes, God will grow you. Do you know that that's a biblical prayer? you know that that's a biblical prayer? you know that that's a biblical prayer? It's okay for your for your wife to pray It's okay for your for your wife to pray It's okay for your for your wife to pray that. She wants you to grow. that. She wants you to grow. that. She wants you to grow. She wants you to be a Romans 12 kind of She wants you to be a Romans 12 kind of She wants you to be a Romans 12 kind of guy, that you'd be transformed by the guy, that you'd be transformed by the guy, that you'd be transformed by the renewing of your mind. renewing of your mind. renewing of your mind. God, would you be growing him? God, God, would you be growing him? God, God, would you be growing him? God, would you be changing him? I know I would you be changing him? I know I would you be changing him? I know I might be preaching to somebody right might be preaching to somebody right might be preaching to somebody right now, somebody watching online, where now, somebody watching online, where now, somebody watching online, where you're here, but your spouse is not. you're here, but your spouse is not. you're here, but your spouse is not. There's a wife that's here today, you There's a wife that's here today, you There's a wife that's here today, you love Jesus, but your husband is not. He love Jesus, but your husband is not. He love Jesus, but your husband is not. He does not love Jesus. You are coming to does not love Jesus. You are coming to does not love Jesus. You are coming to church by yourself. I just want you to church by yourself. I just want you to church by yourself. I just want you to understand something. In this church, understand something. In this church, understand something. In this church, you do not come here alone. Say amen, you do not come here alone. Say amen, you do not come here alone. Say amen, Prestonwood. Prestonwood. Prestonwood. You are not here alone. You are not here alone. You are not here alone. And even though you might feel like it And even though you might feel like it And even though you might feel like it right now, and the enemy is creeping in right now, and the enemy is creeping in right now, and the enemy is creeping in to say, "Man, it's never going to work to say, "Man, it's never going to work to say, "Man, it's never going to work out. It's never going to come together."

out. It's never going to come together." out. It's never going to come together." We are believing by faith for you that We are believing by faith for you that We are believing by faith for you that God is going to take what the world God is going to take what the world God is going to take what the world would call as broken, and he's going to would call as broken, and he's going to would call as broken, and he's going to build it back to something amazing and build it back to something amazing and build it back to something amazing and beautiful. beautiful. beautiful. And so you keep praying, wives. And so you keep praying, wives. And so you keep praying, wives. You keep interceding for him. Keep You keep interceding for him. Keep You keep interceding for him. Keep asking God to grow him, stretch him, asking God to grow him, stretch him, asking God to grow him, stretch him, challenge him, bless him, protect him, challenge him, bless him, protect him, challenge him, bless him, protect him, strengthen him. strengthen him. strengthen him. Pray daily that God would give him Pray daily that God would give him Pray daily that God would give him wisdom. I promise, he doesn't want to wisdom. I promise, he doesn't want to wisdom. I promise, he doesn't want to fail. fail. fail. I believe with all my heart, I've done I believe with all my heart, I've done I believe with all my heart, I've done dozens and dozens of weddings over the dozens and dozens of weddings over the dozens and dozens of weddings over the years. I've never once sat in premarital years. I've never once sat in premarital years. I've never once sat in premarital counseling, or that day at the altar, counseling, or that day at the altar, counseling, or that day at the altar, looked at a husband, and been like, "Uh looked at a husband, and been like, "Uh looked at a husband, and been like, "Uh he's planning to blow this thing. he's planning to blow this thing. he's planning to blow this thing. He really wants this thing to fall He really wants this thing to fall He really wants this thing to fall apart." I believe in my heart of hearts apart." I believe in my heart of hearts apart." I believe in my heart of hearts that when a man comes into a life of a that when a man comes into a life of a that when a man comes into a life of a woman and says, "Be my wife," I don't woman and says, "Be my wife," I don't woman and says, "Be my wife," I don't think at that moment that he's secretly think at that moment that he's secretly think at that moment that he's secretly plotting for the whole thing to fall plotting for the whole thing to fall plotting for the whole thing to fall apart. apart. apart. He wants to be a good husband for you He wants to be a good husband for you He wants to be a good husband for you wives. Are you praying wives. Are you praying wives. Are you praying consistently consistently consistently that God will make him that that God will make him that that God will make him that for you, for your family, and for the for you, for your family, and for the for you, for your family, and for the glory of God? What's the third thing you glory of God? What's the third thing you glory of God? What's the third thing you can do, wives, to honor him?

can do, wives, to honor him? can do, wives, to honor him? You can bear the burdens of life with You can bear the burdens of life with You can bear the burdens of life with him. him. him. You can bear the burdens of life with You can bear the burdens of life with You can bear the burdens of life with him. Galatians 6:2 says to bear one him. Galatians 6:2 says to bear one him. Galatians 6:2 says to bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of another's burdens and fulfill the law of another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ. Christ. Christ. We know, fellows, that leading our We know, fellows, that leading our We know, fellows, that leading our families families families it's a blessing, but it can often feel it's a blessing, but it can often feel it's a blessing, but it can often feel heavy. heavy. heavy. And wives, women, I'm telling you, I And wives, women, I'm telling you, I And wives, women, I'm telling you, I promise you he does not want to let you promise you he does not want to let you promise you he does not want to let you down. And remember, just like Eve was down. And remember, just like Eve was down. And remember, just like Eve was Adam's helper, suited perfectly to him, Adam's helper, suited perfectly to him, Adam's helper, suited perfectly to him, he cannot do this without you. he cannot do this without you. he cannot do this without you. You are one flesh. Boy, I just thought You are one flesh. Boy, I just thought You are one flesh. Boy, I just thought of another great song, Stand by Your of another great song, Stand by Your of another great song, Stand by Your Man. There we go. It's true though, isn't it? It's true though, isn't it? For the husbands, for the men in this For the husbands, for the men in this For the husbands, for the men in this room, room, room, it's as if when I know my wife is next it's as if when I know my wife is next it's as if when I know my wife is next to me, not just physically, but is with to me, not just physically, but is with to me, not just physically, but is with me, is believing in me, is building me me, is believing in me, is building me me, is believing in me, is building me up, is supporting me even when I stumble up, is supporting me even when I stumble up, is supporting me even when I stumble and fail and falter, and I do, I get it and fail and falter, and I do, I get it and fail and falter, and I do, I get it wrong a lot. Sometimes, I know, fellows, wrong a lot. Sometimes, I know, fellows, wrong a lot. Sometimes, I know, fellows, we feel like we get it wrong more often we feel like we get it wrong more often we feel like we get it wrong more often than we get it right. But to know that than we get it right. But to know that than we get it right. But to know that our wife, full with the spirit of God our wife, full with the spirit of God our wife, full with the spirit of God and full with his love and full of his and full with his love and full of his and full with his love and full of his grace, is hanging in there with us from grace, is hanging in there with us from grace, is hanging in there with us from one day to the next, one month to the one day to the next, one month to the one day to the next, one month to the next, one year to the next, and wives, next, one year to the next, and wives, next, one year to the next, and wives, you are still walking down this road of you are still walking down this road of you are still walking down this road of life between the valleys and the life between the valleys and the life between the valleys and the mountaintops, mountaintops, mountaintops, and you're bearing up with us and you're bearing up with us and you're bearing up with us as we do what God's called us to do.

as we do what God's called us to do. as we do what God's called us to do. And guys, let me tell you what this And guys, let me tell you what this And guys, let me tell you what this means in verse 33 for you. Husbands, here's the principle, write Husbands, here's the principle, write this down, men. this down, men. this down, men. Your love is revealed in how you cherish Your love is revealed in how you cherish Your love is revealed in how you cherish your wife. your wife. your wife. She loves you with honor, with respect, She loves you with honor, with respect, She loves you with honor, with respect, with building you up. with building you up. with building you up. You love her You love her You love her by cherishing her. by cherishing her. by cherishing her. We saw that word a moment ago in verse We saw that word a moment ago in verse We saw that word a moment ago in verse 29. 29. 29. He nourishes and cherishes himself, He nourishes and cherishes himself, He nourishes and cherishes himself, therefore he nourishes and cherishes his therefore he nourishes and cherishes his therefore he nourishes and cherishes his wife. That's what the word there when wife. That's what the word there when wife. That's what the word there when you translate it from the original you translate it from the original you translate it from the original language to the English we're speaking language to the English we're speaking language to the English we're speaking and reading today, that's what that word and reading today, that's what that word and reading today, that's what that word literally means. Love here Paul means literally means. Love here Paul means literally means. Love here Paul means cherish. cherish. cherish. It means that you hold her in the It means that you hold her in the It means that you hold her in the highest regard. highest regard. highest regard. It means three simple things, guys. It means three simple things, guys. It means three simple things, guys. Number one, Number one, Number one, it means you learn to be gentle with her it means you learn to be gentle with her it means you learn to be gentle with her heart. Proverbs 18:21 says this, Proverbs 18:21 says this, "Death and life are in the power of the "Death and life are in the power of the "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." By the way, if you want to know tongue." By the way, if you want to know tongue." By the way, if you want to know why I give you a lot of scripture in why I give you a lot of scripture in why I give you a lot of scripture in these messages, especially in this these messages, especially in this these messages, especially in this series, is because I want to equip you series, is because I want to equip you series, is because I want to equip you with the word of God so you can go home, with the word of God so you can go home, with the word of God so you can go home, memorize it, and then put it to work in memorize it, and then put it to work in memorize it, and then put it to work in your life.

your life. your life. "Death and life are in the power of the "Death and life are in the power of the "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Simple truth here, guys. tongue." Simple truth here, guys. tongue." Simple truth here, guys. Her ears hear different. Her ears hear different. Her ears hear different. Her heart feels different. Her heart feels different. Her heart feels different. So, how you speak to her and with her So, how you speak to her and with her So, how you speak to her and with her must be different. must be different. must be different. And I don't want to hear any excuse And I don't want to hear any excuse And I don't want to hear any excuse clause here, fellas. clause here, fellas. clause here, fellas. I've heard them all as a pastor over the I've heard them all as a pastor over the I've heard them all as a pastor over the years. It's always an excuse clause for years. It's always an excuse clause for years. It's always an excuse clause for a lot of guys when it comes to being a lot of guys when it comes to being a lot of guys when it comes to being gentle with their wives. Girls, women, gentle with their wives. Girls, women, gentle with their wives. Girls, women, wives, we are not naturally gentle. Like wives, we are not naturally gentle. Like wives, we are not naturally gentle. Like we're we're we're meant to live out in we're we're we're meant to live out in we're we're we're meant to live out in the wild. We're really sorry about this, the wild. We're really sorry about this, the wild. We're really sorry about this, okay? okay? okay? All right, your husband, it's just how All right, your husband, it's just how All right, your husband, it's just how he's wired. he's wired. he's wired. I saw the other night I was at a Ranger I saw the other night I was at a Ranger I saw the other night I was at a Ranger game and like 90 dudes were up in the game and like 90 dudes were up in the game and like 90 dudes were up in the upper deck all with their shirts off, upper deck all with their shirts off, upper deck all with their shirts off, just fine. That is your husband. He just fine. That is your husband. He just fine. That is your husband. He could do that in He would do it if you'd could do that in He would do it if you'd could do that in He would do it if you'd let him, I promise. But guys, gentleness needs to come not But guys, gentleness needs to come not naturally to us, but supernaturally for naturally to us, but supernaturally for naturally to us, but supernaturally for us. us. us. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. So, we don't get an excuse clause here. So, we don't get an excuse clause here. So, we don't get an excuse clause here. We don't get to say, "Well, my dad had a We don't get to say, "Well, my dad had a We don't get to say, "Well, my dad had a bad temper and that's what I grew up bad temper and that's what I grew up bad temper and that's what I grew up being used to, so it is what it is." being used to, so it is what it is." being used to, so it is what it is." You don't get to say, "Well, look, I I You don't get to say, "Well, look, I I You don't get to say, "Well, look, I I had one guy tell me this one time. Look, had one guy tell me this one time. Look, had one guy tell me this one time. Look, Pastor, she's just come to understand Pastor, she's just come to understand Pastor, she's just come to understand that sometimes I get easily annoyed.

that sometimes I get easily annoyed. that sometimes I get easily annoyed. Time out, bro. Time out, bro. Time out, bro. We don't get to hide behind the excuse We don't get to hide behind the excuse We don't get to hide behind the excuse clause of well, that's just how I talk. clause of well, that's just how I talk. clause of well, that's just how I talk. That's just how I am. I got news for That's just how I am. I got news for That's just how I am. I got news for you, man of God. Grow up. you, man of God. Grow up. you, man of God. Grow up. Change. The spirit of God will not leave Change. The spirit of God will not leave Change. The spirit of God will not leave you where he found you. He will make you you where he found you. He will make you you where he found you. He will make you who he wants you to be. And what she who he wants you to be. And what she who he wants you to be. And what she needs you to be is gentle. needs you to be is gentle. needs you to be is gentle. She needs the fruit of the spirit of She needs the fruit of the spirit of She needs the fruit of the spirit of gentleness to flow out of you. gentleness to flow out of you. gentleness to flow out of you. Because 1 Peter 3 says that she's built Because 1 Peter 3 says that she's built Because 1 Peter 3 says that she's built different. different. different. Literally, the Bible calls for the Literally, the Bible calls for the Literally, the Bible calls for the weaker vessel that has nothing to do weaker vessel that has nothing to do weaker vessel that has nothing to do with her CrossFit records or how fast with her CrossFit records or how fast with her CrossFit records or how fast she That's not what that means. It she That's not what that means. It she That's not what that means. It literally has to do with how she's literally has to do with how she's literally has to do with how she's built. You are to cherish her, husband. built. You are to cherish her, husband. built. You are to cherish her, husband. You want to lead? You want to lead? You want to lead? You want to be You want to be the one to You want to be You want to be the one to You want to be You want to be the one to whom she looks to for the authority and whom she looks to for the authority and whom she looks to for the authority and the blessing of your home, you must the blessing of your home, you must the blessing of your home, you must envelop her envelop her envelop her with gentleness. Secondly, quickly, man, with gentleness. Secondly, quickly, man, with gentleness. Secondly, quickly, man, you got to be present with her. you got to be present with her. you got to be present with her. So much more I want to say this. We'll So much more I want to say this. We'll So much more I want to say this. We'll come back to it another time. But 1 come back to it another time. But 1 come back to it another time. But 1 Peter 3:7, Peter 3:7, Peter 3:7, you got to be present with her. Live you got to be present with her. Live you got to be present with her. Live with your wife in an understanding way.

with your wife in an understanding way. with your wife in an understanding way. Guys, if we're going to live with her, Guys, if we're going to live with her, Guys, if we're going to live with her, there's the phrase. Live, active, there's the phrase. Live, active, there's the phrase. Live, active, ongoing, with ongoing, with ongoing, with physical reality, her. That's the object physical reality, her. That's the object physical reality, her. That's the object of the living. Live with her. See, I I I of the living. Live with her. See, I I I of the living. Live with her. See, I I I I do, Pastor. I I I live at the house. I I do, Pastor. I I I live at the house. I I do, Pastor. I I I live at the house. I don't mean exist. don't mean exist. don't mean exist. I don't mean pull up, park, walk in, I don't mean pull up, park, walk in, I don't mean pull up, park, walk in, food, sports center, sleep. That's not food, sports center, sleep. That's not food, sports center, sleep. That's not what I mean. what I mean. what I mean. I mean live with her in a dedicated and engaged way, removing in a dedicated and engaged way, removing distractions, distractions, distractions, learning about her, learning about her, learning about her, listening to her, paying attention to listening to her, paying attention to listening to her, paying attention to her, learning the keys of her heart that her, learning the keys of her heart that her, learning the keys of her heart that can be unlocked to love her more and can be unlocked to love her more and can be unlocked to love her more and more. She'll tell you if you'll listen, more. She'll tell you if you'll listen, more. She'll tell you if you'll listen, man. man. man. If you'll just stop long enough, if If you'll just stop long enough, if If you'll just stop long enough, if you'll put your stinking phone down you'll put your stinking phone down you'll put your stinking phone down and look her in the eye and look her in the eye and look her in the eye and ask This is This is I'm changing and ask This is This is I'm changing and ask This is This is I'm changing somebody's life right now.

somebody's life right now. somebody's life right now. Ask her questions. Ask her questions. Ask her questions. Like real questions. Like real questions. Like real questions. And then listen. And then listen. And then listen. I'm thoroughly convinced that God gave I'm thoroughly convinced that God gave I'm thoroughly convinced that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a us two ears and one mouth for a us two ears and one mouth for a significantly obvious purpose in significantly obvious purpose in significantly obvious purpose in marriage, men. marriage, men. marriage, men. Is that we would do one more than the Is that we would do one more than the Is that we would do one more than the other. other. other. And we would listen to our wives as part And we would listen to our wives as part And we would listen to our wives as part of how we live with them so that we can of how we live with them so that we can of how we live with them so that we can understand them. Okay, third principle, understand them. Okay, third principle, understand them. Okay, third principle, we'll be done. we'll be done. we'll be done. How do we apply verse 33? How do we How do we apply verse 33? How do we How do we apply verse 33? How do we cherish our wives? How do we love them cherish our wives? How do we love them cherish our wives? How do we love them the way that God's called us to, men, so the way that God's called us to, men, so the way that God's called us to, men, so that we can be who God's called us to that we can be who God's called us to that we can be who God's called us to be? Wives, how do we honor and love him be? Wives, how do we honor and love him be? Wives, how do we honor and love him so you can be who God's called you to so you can be who God's called you to so you can be who God's called you to be? Well, verse 25 said it just a moment be? Well, verse 25 said it just a moment be? Well, verse 25 said it just a moment ago, husbands. ago, husbands. ago, husbands. Love your wives as Christ loved the Love your wives as Christ loved the Love your wives as Christ loved the church. church. church. How did he love her? How did he love her? How did he love her? Gave himself up for her. Gave himself up for her. Gave himself up for her. Husbands, Husbands, Husbands, if we're going to cherish our wives, if we're going to cherish our wives, if we're going to cherish our wives, here's what you must do. here's what you must do. here's what you must do. You must learn to be first. You must learn to be first. You must learn to be first. So, I that didn't make sense.

So, I that didn't make sense. So, I that didn't make sense. Listen. Listen. Listen. What should you be first to do in your What should you be first to do in your What should you be first to do in your marriage, men? marriage, men? marriage, men? You need to be first to forgive. You need to be first to forgive. You need to be first to forgive. Guys, it's not right for us to hold Guys, it's not right for us to hold Guys, it's not right for us to hold grudges against our wives. grudges against our wives. grudges against our wives. We ought to be first to serve. We ought to be first to serve. We ought to be first to serve. And not, by the way, in the anticipation And not, by the way, in the anticipation And not, by the way, in the anticipation of any kind of credit of any kind of credit of any kind of credit or acknowledgement. or acknowledgement. or acknowledgement. Serve because it's a blessing to serve Serve because it's a blessing to serve Serve because it's a blessing to serve her. Serve [snorts] her. Serve [snorts] her. Serve [snorts] because it's a joy to honor her. Serve because it's a joy to honor her. Serve because it's a joy to honor her. Serve cuz, hey, hello, things need to get cuz, hey, hello, things need to get cuz, hey, hello, things need to get done. done. done. Serve Serve Serve because she deserves to feel loved and because she deserves to feel loved and because she deserves to feel loved and cherished. cherished. cherished. Guys, we need to be first to heal. Guys, we need to be first to heal. Guys, we need to be first to heal. We're going to more about this on We're going to more about this on We're going to more about this on Father's Day in a few weeks, guys. Father's Day in a few weeks, guys. Father's Day in a few weeks, guys. You want to be the leader of your home? You want to be the leader of your home? You want to be the leader of your home? Then you got to take the lead in coming Then you got to take the lead in coming Then you got to take the lead in coming to the table, coming to the side of the to the table, coming to the side of the to the table, coming to the side of the bed, picking up the phone. Don't just bed, picking up the phone. Don't just bed, picking up the phone. Don't just text her, call her. Hey, I want to make text her, call her. Hey, I want to make text her, call her. Hey, I want to make that right. that right. that right. Hey, I don't like how that argument Hey, I don't like how that argument Hey, I don't like how that argument went. I don't like how that conversation went. I don't like how that conversation went. I don't like how that conversation went. It doesn't matter whose fault it went. It doesn't matter whose fault it went. It doesn't matter whose fault it is. It doesn't matter Listen, Satan is. It doesn't matter Listen, Satan is. It doesn't matter Listen, Satan wants to divide you by playing the blame wants to divide you by playing the blame wants to divide you by playing the blame game and whose fault it is and it's game and whose fault it is and it's game and whose fault it is and it's them. I said, "Listen, enough of all them. I said, "Listen, enough of all them. I said, "Listen, enough of all that silliness. That's from the world.

that silliness. That's from the world. that silliness. That's from the world. That's not from the spirit of God." That's not from the spirit of God." That's not from the spirit of God." Listen, man, you want to lead your home? Listen, man, you want to lead your home? Listen, man, you want to lead your home? You say to your wife, "Hey, I don't like You say to your wife, "Hey, I don't like You say to your wife, "Hey, I don't like how that happened. I'm responsible for how that happened. I'm responsible for how that happened. I'm responsible for my part of it. I'm sorry. Please forgive my part of it. I'm sorry. Please forgive my part of it. I'm sorry. Please forgive me." me." me." You be the first to heal. You be the first to heal. You be the first to heal. Be the first to sacrifice. Be the first to sacrifice. Be the first to sacrifice. Guys, you do the hard thing. Guys, you do the hard thing. Guys, you do the hard thing. Guys, you take the inconvenient road. Guys, you take the inconvenient road. Guys, you take the inconvenient road. Guys, you do the things, whatever we Guys, you do the things, whatever we Guys, you do the things, whatever we need to do to be first to die. need to do to be first to die. need to do to be first to die. That's how we love and cherish the That's how we love and cherish the That's how we love and cherish the brides and the wives that God has given brides and the wives that God has given brides and the wives that God has given us. Love and respect to us. Love and respect to us. Love and respect to and to cherish. and to cherish. and to cherish. When Michelle and I, on our wedding day, When Michelle and I, on our wedding day, When Michelle and I, on our wedding day, almost 24 years ago, we picked a song almost 24 years ago, we picked a song almost 24 years ago, we picked a song that we love to this day. It's by a guy that we love to this day. It's by a guy that we love to this day. It's by a guy that some of you grew up in church who that some of you grew up in church who that some of you grew up in church who remember the name Steven Curtis Chapman. remember the name Steven Curtis Chapman. remember the name Steven Curtis Chapman. You with me? Some of you know the title You with me? Some of you know the title You with me? Some of you know the title I'm about to throw out there. He wrote a I'm about to throw out there. He wrote a I'm about to throw out there. He wrote a great song years ago. It still holds up. great song years ago. It still holds up. great song years ago. It still holds up. It's called I will be here. It's called I will be here. It's called I will be here. It's a song of commitment. It's a song of commitment. It's a song of commitment. Tomorrow morning, you wake up, Tomorrow morning, you wake up, Tomorrow morning, you wake up, the sun does not appear, the sun does not appear, the sun does not appear, I'll be here. I'll be here. I'll be here. If in the night we lose sight of our If in the night we lose sight of our If in the night we lose sight of our way, way, way, I'll be here.

I'll be here. I'll be here. You start to cry, I'll be here. You start to cry, I'll be here. You start to cry, I'll be here. When you feel like being tired and When you feel like being tired and When you feel like being tired and giving up, I'll be here. giving up, I'll be here. giving up, I'll be here. When the unexpected hits us that we When the unexpected hits us that we When the unexpected hits us that we never saw coming, I'll be here. When the never saw coming, I'll be here. When the never saw coming, I'll be here. When the mistakes and the flaws come to light, mistakes and the flaws come to light, mistakes and the flaws come to light, I'll be here. When the failure and the I'll be here. When the failure and the I'll be here. When the failure and the stumbles is real, I'll be here. I will stumbles is real, I'll be here. I will stumbles is real, I'll be here. I will be here. Listen to me, church. What be here. Listen to me, church. What be here. Listen to me, church. What America needs, what the world needs, America needs, what the world needs, America needs, what the world needs, what Prosper, Texas needs, what what Prosper, Texas needs, what what Prosper, Texas needs, what Prestonwood needs, what your house Prestonwood needs, what your house Prestonwood needs, what your house needs, is a man and a woman who stepped needs, is a man and a woman who stepped needs, is a man and a woman who stepped into a lifelong covenant of love and into a lifelong covenant of love and into a lifelong covenant of love and they live together for the glory of God. they live together for the glory of God. they live together for the glory of God. You want to see a nation get turned You want to see a nation get turned You want to see a nation get turned upside down? You want to see a church upside down? You want to see a church upside down? You want to see a church burn for revival? Watch the husbands and burn for revival? Watch the husbands and burn for revival? Watch the husbands and wives say, "No matter what, no matter wives say, "No matter what, no matter wives say, "No matter what, no matter how, no matter what happens, I will be how, no matter what happens, I will be how, no matter what happens, I will be here. here. here. I'm in. I'm in. I'm in. I'm committed I'm committed I'm committed to a lifetime to a lifetime to a lifetime of love of love of love and marriage. and marriage. and marriage. Would you bow your heads with me? Would you bow your heads with me? Would you bow your heads with me? All across this room.

All across this room. All across this room. I want to take just a moment before we I want to take just a moment before we I want to take just a moment before we end our service today. We do this every end our service today. We do this every end our service today. We do this every time we preach the gospel. I want to time we preach the gospel. I want to time we preach the gospel. I want to give you a chance to respond. give you a chance to respond. give you a chance to respond. And you may be here today and you're And you may be here today and you're And you may be here today and you're you're confronting some realities about you're confronting some realities about you're confronting some realities about your life in this moment. We've been your life in this moment. We've been your life in this moment. We've been talking about grace and love and Jesus talking about grace and love and Jesus talking about grace and love and Jesus and and and if you were honest about yourself, you if you were honest about yourself, you if you were honest about yourself, you would you would have to say if it was would you would have to say if it was would you would have to say if it was just you and God, you would have to just you and God, you would have to just you and God, you would have to confess that there's never been a time a confess that there's never been a time a confess that there's never been a time a moment in your life when you surrendered moment in your life when you surrendered moment in your life when you surrendered to Jesus as savior and Lord. to Jesus as savior and Lord. to Jesus as savior and Lord. When you received his free gift of grace When you received his free gift of grace When you received his free gift of grace and his love has come into your life and and his love has come into your life and and his love has come into your life and changed you. You're not saved changed you. You're not saved changed you. You're not saved from your sin. from your sin. from your sin. You've not been made new. You've not been made new. You've not been made new. You're not right with God today. You're not right with God today. You're not right with God today. Because of your sin and your brokenness Because of your sin and your brokenness Because of your sin and your brokenness in your life, in your life, in your life, things in your marriage aren't where things in your marriage aren't where things in your marriage aren't where they need to be, things in your family they need to be, things in your family they need to be, things in your family aren't where they should be, things in aren't where they should be, things in aren't where they should be, things in your life aren't where they could be your life aren't where they could be your life aren't where they could be because you are simply far from God. You because you are simply far from God. You because you are simply far from God. You are not a follower of Jesus and this are not a follower of Jesus and this are not a follower of Jesus and this church loves you too much to not tell church loves you too much to not tell church loves you too much to not tell you that there's only one way to get you that there's only one way to get you that there's only one way to get right with God. It's not church, it's right with God. It's not church, it's right with God. It's not church, it's not religion. What you need to do in not religion. What you need to do in not religion. What you need to do in just a moment is when we stand and we just a moment is when we stand and we just a moment is when we stand and we sing. The last few weeks it's been sing. The last few weeks it's been sing. The last few weeks it's been happening before we even get to the song happening before we even get to the song happening before we even get to the song and that's great. If you don't know and that's great. If you don't know and that's great. If you don't know Jesus, you need to come down this aisle Jesus, you need to come down this aisle Jesus, you need to come down this aisle and stand right here with me.

and stand right here with me. and stand right here with me. If you don't know Jesus as savior If you don't know Jesus as savior If you don't know Jesus as savior [music] and Lord, you can respond to him [music] and Lord, you can respond to him [music] and Lord, you can respond to him by faith today. You want a marriage that by faith today. You want a marriage that by faith today. You want a marriage that lasts a lifetime? lasts a lifetime? lasts a lifetime? You want to know love? You want to know love? You want to know love? You want to experience grace? It begins You want to experience grace? It begins You want to experience grace? It begins in a relationship in a relationship in a relationship with Jesus. [music] If that's never with Jesus. [music] If that's never with Jesus. [music] If that's never happened in your life, happened in your life, happened in your life, I don't want you to take one more step I don't want you to take one more step I don't want you to take one more step forward forward forward in the journey of the life God's given in the journey of the life God's given in the journey of the life God's given you you you until you do it until you do it until you do it in the holy hands of Jesus. He can save in the holy hands of Jesus. He can save in the holy hands of Jesus. He can save you today. Doesn't matter who you are, you today. Doesn't matter who you are, you today. Doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, what you've done, what you've done, where you're stuck right now. where you're stuck right now. where you're stuck right now. It could be that everything that's It could be that everything that's It could be that everything that's happening in your life brought you to happening in your life brought you to happening in your life brought you to this moment this moment this moment for you to come and run to Jesus for you to come and run to Jesus for you to come and run to Jesus >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> and for him to meet you with his grace. >> and for him to meet you with his grace. >> and for him to meet you with his grace. Why don't you come to Jesus today? Why don't you come to Jesus today? Why don't you come to Jesus today? If you're here today as part of this If you're here today as part of this If you're here today as part of this invitation, I just want to say to all of invitation, I just want to say to all of invitation, I just want to say to all of the the the husbands and wives in the room, husbands and wives in the room, husbands and wives in the room, wherever you are, whatever you're wherever you are, whatever you're wherever you are, whatever you're walking through, that let today let this walking through, that let today let this walking through, that let today let this be time of worship and let this be time of worship and let this be time of worship and let this invitation be your opportunity to pray.

invitation be your opportunity to pray. invitation be your opportunity to pray. Maybe you just want to grab your spouse Maybe you just want to grab your spouse Maybe you just want to grab your spouse by the hand and say, "Hey, will you come by the hand and say, "Hey, will you come by the hand and say, "Hey, will you come with me?" Come down and talk to one of with me?" Come down and talk to one of with me?" Come down and talk to one of our ministers. Say, "Hey, we're going our ministers. Say, "Hey, we're going our ministers. Say, "Hey, we're going through some things. We're going through through some things. We're going through through some things. We're going through some challenges. We're in some valleys some challenges. We're in some valleys some challenges. We're in some valleys right now. Will you pray for [music] right now. Will you pray for [music] right now. Will you pray for [music] us?" Maybe make this altar a place of us?" Maybe make this altar a place of us?" Maybe make this altar a place of prayer. I can't think of a better prayer. I can't think of a better prayer. I can't think of a better testimony for a young couple in this testimony for a young couple in this testimony for a young couple in this church than to see a couple that's been church than to see a couple that's been church than to see a couple that's been doing it for a while to come down to doing it for a while to come down to doing it for a while to come down to these steps and bow before a holy God to these steps and bow before a holy God to these steps and bow before a holy God to just remind them and all of us who's in just remind them and all of us who's in just remind them and all of us who's in authority over your marriage. authority over your marriage. authority over your marriage. So, whatever you need to do in this So, whatever you need to do in this So, whatever you need to do in this invitation, I challenge you. invitation, I challenge you. invitation, I challenge you. I invite you. I invite you. I invite you. Come to Jesus [music] during this time. Come to Jesus [music] during this time. Come to Jesus [music] during this time. Let him change you. Let him change you. Let him change you. Lord, we love you. Lord, we love you. Lord, we love you. This invitation belongs to you. You do This invitation belongs to you. You do This invitation belongs to you. You do everything that you want to do, God, for everything that you want to do, God, for everything that you want to do, God, for your glory. We pray it in your name. your glory. We pray it in your name. your glory. We pray it in your name. Amen. Will you stand with me all across Amen. Will you stand with me all across Amen. Will you stand with me all across [music] this room? If God's moving in [music] this room? If God's moving in [music] this room? If God's moving in your life, we're going to sing more than your life, we're going to sing more than your life, we're going to sing more than able. You come right now. >> You are [music and singing] more than >> You are [music and singing] more than able.

>> Bless you, buddy. >> Bless you, buddy. >> You are [music and singing] more [music] [music] >> Do you trust God today for your >> Do you trust God today for your >> Do you trust God today for your marriage? >> [music] >> [music] >> Do you know that he's more than able to >> Do you know that he's more than able to >> Do you know that he's more than able to turn it around? turn it around? turn it around? As you come to Jesus today, As you come to Jesus today, As you come to Jesus today, he can do [music] anything for anybody. he can do [music] anything for anybody. he can do [music] anything for anybody. Does he need to do it in your life Does he need to do it in your life Does he need to do it in your life today? [singing] [singing] [music] [music] [music] >> This is our song, church.

[music] [music] [singing] >> I want [music] us to bow our heads as we >> I want [music] us to bow our heads as we go. If you're here with your spouse go. If you're here with your spouse go. If you're here with your spouse today, today, today, just because of what we've been just because of what we've been just because of what we've been preaching on today, what we've been preaching on today, what we've been preaching on today, what we've been saying. saying. saying. Husbands and wives that are here today, Husbands and wives that are here today, Husbands and wives that are here today, [music] what men, why don't you just if [music] what men, why don't you just if [music] what men, why don't you just if your bride's right with you, why don't your bride's right with you, why don't your bride's right with you, why don't you just take her by the hand, maybe put you just take her by the hand, maybe put you just take her by the hand, maybe put your arm around her shoulder. [music] your arm around her shoulder. [music] your arm around her shoulder. [music] Why don't you just let her know you're Why don't you just let her know you're Why don't you just let her know you're there. there. there. Wives, why don't you why don't you grab Wives, why don't you why don't you grab Wives, why don't you why don't you grab onto your husband? And in this place, I just want to pray And in this place, I just want to pray >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> pray a blessing over you right now. >> pray a blessing over you right now. >> pray a blessing over you right now. I may be preaching to somebody right I may be preaching to somebody right I may be preaching to somebody right now, your spouse has already gone on to now, your spouse has already gone on to now, your spouse has already gone on to heaven. heaven. heaven. I was talking to a friend the other day, I was talking to a friend the other day, I was talking to a friend the other day, her and her husband, they're about to her and her husband, they're about to her and her husband, they're about to celebrate 70 [music] years of marriage. celebrate 70 [music] years of marriage. celebrate 70 [music] years of marriage. Praise God. Praise God. Praise God. Some of you Some of you Some of you God gave you a lifetime [music] of love. God gave you a lifetime [music] of love. God gave you a lifetime [music] of love. You're a testimony to this church. We You're a testimony to this church. We You're a testimony to this church. We praise God for you. Amen, church? praise God for you. Amen, church? praise God for you. Amen, church? We praise God [music] for you. We praise God [music] for you. We praise God [music] for you. You may be here today and it's you, your You may be here today and it's you, your You may be here today and it's you, your spouse isn't here. This prayer is for spouse isn't here. This prayer is for spouse isn't here. This prayer is for you. you. you. So whether you've got the heart in the So whether you've got the heart in the So whether you've got the heart in the hand of your spouse or whether they're hand of your spouse or whether they're hand of your spouse or whether they're in your heart right now, in your heart right now, in your heart right now, I just want to take this time to pray I just want to take this time to pray I just want to take this time to pray over you a prayer of blessing.

over you a prayer of blessing. over you a prayer of blessing. So Lord, all across this room, we are So Lord, all across this room, we are So Lord, all across this room, we are thanking you today. thanking you today. thanking you today. God, we are acknowledging your presence God, we are acknowledging your presence God, we are acknowledging your presence and our need for you. Father, we are and our need for you. Father, we are and our need for you. Father, we are praying right now that we would discover praying right now that we would discover praying right now that we would discover all over again that you are more than all over again that you are more than all over again that you are more than able. God, there may be a marriage able. God, there may be a marriage able. God, there may be a marriage that's on the rocks right now, staring that's on the rocks right now, staring that's on the rocks right now, staring over the cliff. Two people that are over the cliff. Two people that are over the cliff. Two people that are tired, they don't feel the love, they tired, they don't feel the love, they tired, they don't feel the love, they don't see the love, they're not living don't see the love, they're not living don't see the love, they're not living the love, and they're ready to go. They the love, and they're ready to go. They the love, and they're ready to go. They got it all together. They got all the got it all together. They got all the got it all together. They got all the stuff. You look at their life, God, and stuff. You look at their life, God, and stuff. You look at their life, God, and you would think, "Oh man, they got it you would think, "Oh man, they got it you would think, "Oh man, they got it all figured out." But their hearts are all figured out." But their hearts are all figured out." But their hearts are heavy and broken. God, we're praying heavy and broken. God, we're praying heavy and broken. God, we're praying today for revival in their marriage. today for revival in their marriage. today for revival in their marriage. God, there's a husband and wife here God, there's a husband and wife here God, there's a husband and wife here today, they are just in a valley [music] today, they are just in a valley [music] today, they are just in a valley [music] right now. right now. right now. God, they're hanging on to you and God, they're hanging on to you and God, they're hanging on to you and hanging on to one another. hanging on to one another. hanging on to one another. God, would you hold on to them tighter God, would you hold on to them tighter God, would you hold on to them tighter than ever before? than ever before? than ever before? Father, would you remind them that Father, would you remind them that Father, would you remind them that you're with them even in the valley, you're with them even in the valley, you're with them even in the valley, God? [music] God? [music] God? [music] That your light shines the brightest in That your light shines the brightest in That your light shines the brightest in those moments. those moments. those moments. That they can trust you for the next That they can trust you for the next That they can trust you for the next >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> days ahead. >> days ahead. >> days ahead. God, we pray for young couples and young God, we pray for young couples and young God, we pray for young couples and young families, young marriages in this room families, young marriages in this room families, young marriages in this room that are just starting out, God. They that are just starting out, God. They that are just starting out, God. They want to live a lifetime of love. God, want to live a lifetime of love. God, want to live a lifetime of love. God, would you protect them and guard them would you protect them and guard them would you protect them and guard them and bless them? For young moms and dads and bless them? For young moms and dads and bless them? For young moms and dads that are trying to chase kids and do that are trying to chase kids and do that are trying to chase kids and do life and pay bills, God, would you life and pay bills, God, would you life and pay bills, God, would you protect them and bless them and love protect them and bless them and love protect them and bless them and love them? For the more [music] seasoned them? For the more [music] seasoned them? For the more [music] seasoned couples in this room, where the couples in this room, where the couples in this room, where the temptation of the world is for love to temptation of the world is for love to temptation of the world is for love to grow cold with years, God, I pray that grow cold with years, God, I pray that grow cold with years, God, I pray that you would blow a fresh wind of love and you would blow a fresh wind of love and you would blow a fresh wind of love and life into their marriages, God, that life into their marriages, God, that life into their marriages, God, that they'd be a living testimony for you as they'd be a living testimony for you as they'd be a living testimony for you as they live a lifetime of covenant love they live a lifetime of covenant love they live a lifetime of covenant love together. God, what we're saying this

together. God, what we're saying this together. God, what we're saying this morning is that we give ourselves to you morning is that we give ourselves to you morning is that we give ourselves to you all over again. all over again. all over again. And we're asking that you move in a way And we're asking that you move in a way And we're asking that you move in a way that only you can. that only you can. that only you can. Lord, we love you. We praise [music] Lord, we love you. We praise [music] Lord, we love you. We praise [music] you. We bless your name today, and all you. We bless your name today, and all you. We bless your name today, and all God's people said God's people said God's people said Amen and amen. Church, just reminder as Amen and amen. Church, just reminder as Amen and amen. Church, just reminder as we go, Adventure Week starts tomorrow. we go, Adventure Week starts tomorrow. we go, Adventure Week starts tomorrow. Wednesday night we're having a great Wednesday night we're having a great Wednesday night we're having a great family night of worship in this room. family night of worship in this room. family night of worship in this room. It's going to be an incredible time It's going to be an incredible time It's going to be an incredible time together. It's going to be a blessing. I together. It's going to be a blessing. I together. It's going to be a blessing. I hope that you'll be here and be a part hope that you'll be here and be a part hope that you'll be here and be a part of Adventure Week. We can't wait to of Adventure Week. We can't wait to of Adventure Week. We can't wait to celebrate what God's going to do. God celebrate what God's going to do. God celebrate what God's going to do. God bless you. Have a great Sunday. [music] >> Thanks for joining us today right here >> Thanks for joining us today right here at [music] Prestonwood. It truly means a at [music] Prestonwood. It truly means a at [music] Prestonwood. It truly means a lot that you chose to spend part of your lot that you chose to spend part of your lot that you chose to spend part of your day with us. And we hope today's service day with us. And we hope today's service day with us. And we hope today's service [music] encouraged you and met you right [music] encouraged you and met you right [music] encouraged you and met you right where you are. where you are. where you are. If you'd like to stay connected or learn If you'd like to stay connected or learn If you'd like to stay connected or learn more about what's happening here, we'd more about what's happening here, we'd more about what's happening here, we'd love for you to take [music] that next love for you to take [music] that next love for you to take [music] that next step. And if you made a decision to step. And if you made a decision to step. And if you made a decision to follow Christ today, text the word Jesus follow Christ today, text the word Jesus follow Christ today, text the word Jesus to 55125.

to 55125. to 55125. We would be honored to walk [music] We would be honored to walk [music] We would be honored to walk [music] alongside you, pray with you, and help alongside you, pray with you, and help alongside you, pray with you, and help you grow in your faith. Have a great you grow in your faith. Have a great you grow in your faith. Have a great week, and we look forward to seeing you week, and we look forward to seeing you week, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.