THE CHRISTIAN MAN AS A HUSBAND
EPHESIANS 5:25-33
INTRODUCTION:
A. Best marriages between those who recognize and submit God's will
B. The divorce rate in U.S. is now higher than in any other civilized
nation in the world and even more tragic, the divorce rate among
Christians is only slightly lower than for the population at large
C. Husband is to dwell with wife according to knowledge 1Pet 3:7
Knowledge of what is right; God's will. Custom, tradition, and
personal preference must be subordinated to this
D. Every man needs knowledge of what God wants in this relationship and
he needs to be reminded from time to time 2Pet 1:12-15
DISCUSSION:
I. HUSBAND GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY OF HEADSHIP
A. Headship is a role given by God 1Cor 11:3
1. Two reason for this headship 1Tim 2:11-14; Gen 2:18,24; 3:1-6
2. God did not make woman a slave Eph 5:22-25
a. Yes submission, but husband love wife as himself Eph 5:28,29
b. To give honor unto his wife 1Pet 3:7
B. Husband is responsible for success or failure of home
1. Has heavier responsibility than his wife, submission is easy
compared to husband's role
2. Leadership is earned not taken or assumed
a. Good leader a good example Phil 2:5-8; Lk 22:25-27
b. Good leader is a good listener
c. He gives honor to his wife 1Pet 3:7
C. Guard against three pitfalls of marriage
1. In-law troubles - leave & cleave to wife Matt 19:5,6
2. Infidelity - give yourself wholly to each other 1Cor 7:1-5
a. Sex not dirty, except outside marriage Heb 13:4
b. Work at understanding each other's emotion and physical needs
3. Insufficient funds - work together on finances
II. HUSBAND GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY OF PROVIDER
A. Provide leadership in separate from parents Gen 2:24; Matt 19:4-6
1. So wife can make her home her own way Prov 14:1
2. Serious problems result when either the parent fails to turn loose
the oversight or when children fail to turn loose of their parents
security
3. Love suggest that children will counsel with parents, but remember
there are two separate families.
B. Provide protection from dangers
1. Women today go anywhere and do anything men do and husbands allow
this to be Eph 5:28,29
2. He provides protection from strenuous or masculine work. Not
being sexist, but honoring 1Pet 3:7
C. Provides for physical needs, financial security Gen 3:19 1Tim 5:8
Woman not given this role
D. Provides for her sexual needs 1Cor 7:1-4
E. Provides for her spiritual needs (heirs together) 1Pet 3:7
F. One who does not provide is worse than infidel 1Tim 5:8
III. THE STRENGTH OF GENTLENESS
A. Gentleness is a God-like quality
1. Ruggedness synonym of manhood and gentleness to femininity.
2. Thus some avoid being gentle, but think of term "gentle - man"
3. Jesus demonstrated the strength of gentleness 1Pet 2:21-25
4. Gentleness commanded of Christians Gal 5:22,23, Jas 3:17
B. What is involved in being gentle
1. Meekness a twin to gentleness 2Tim 2:24,25; Tit 3:2
2. Tenderness & affection are expressions of gentleness Eph 4:32
3. Restraint and self control, these prove gentleness is a quality of
strength. Anyone can react with evil for evil, but only strong can
contain their emotions and calmly control both tongue and body
C. The results of gentleness in marriage
1. A husband will nourish his wife Eph 5:28,29, causing to grow,
supporting and maintaining
2. He will cherish his wife Eph 5:29, "cherish" literally means "to
heat, to soften by heat; then to keep warm, as of birds covering
their young with their feathers (Vine's Expository Dictionary)
CONCLUSION:
A. Things have discussed simply show a husband's love for his wife
B. Such love is the summation of all the husband should be and do
C. Is sacrificial love: "as Christ loved church"; preeminent love: "as
own bodies"; truly caring love: "even as himself" Eph 5:25-33.
Daniel Lee Henderson Buckhorn, MS 2/11/98 10:25:44 PM
From an outline by Jerry L. Henderson
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