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SO WHAT?
Matthew 25: Parable of the ten young bridesmaids
1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten young bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and the other five were foolish. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but didn’t bring oil for them. 4 But the wise ones took their lamps and also brought containers of oil.
5 “When the groom was late in coming, they all became drowsy and went to sleep. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Look, the groom! Come out to meet him.’
7 “Then all those bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 But the foolish bridesmaids said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps have gone out.’
9 “But the wise bridesmaids replied, ‘No, because if we share with you, there won’t be enough for our lamps and yours. We have a better idea. You go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were gone to buy oil, the groom came. Those who were ready went with him into the wedding. Then the door was shut.
11 “Later the other bridesmaids came and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us.’
12 “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore, keep alert, because you don’t know the day or the hour.
Parable of the valuable coins
14 “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who was leaving on a trip. He called his servants and handed his possessions over to them. 15 To one he gave five valuable coins,[a] and to another he gave two, and to another he gave one. He gave to each servant according to that servant’s ability. Then he left on his journey.
16 “After the man left, the servant who had five valuable coins took them and went to work doing business with them. He gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one who had two valuable coins gained two more. 18 But the servant who had received the one valuable coin dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.
19 “Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received five valuable coins came forward with five additional coins. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five valuable coins. Look, I’ve gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Excellent! You are a good and faithful servant! You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’
22 “The second servant also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two valuable coins. Look, I’ve gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done! You are a good and faithful servant. You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’
24 “Now the one who had received one valuable coin came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man. You harvest grain where you haven’t sown. You gather crops where you haven’t spread seed. 25 So I was afraid. And I hid my valuable coin in the ground. Here, you have what’s yours.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You evil and lazy servant! You knew that I harvest grain where I haven’t sown and that I gather crops where I haven’t spread seed? 27 In that case, you should have turned my money over to the bankers so that when I returned, you could give me what belonged to me with interest. 28 Therefore, take from him the valuable coin and give it to the one who has ten coins. 29 Those who have much will receive more, and they will have more than they need. But as for those who don’t have much, even the little bit they have will be taken away from them. 30 Now take the worthless servant and throw him outside into the darkness.’
“People there will be weeping and grinding their teeth.
Judgment of the nations
31 “Now when the Human One[b] comes in his majesty and all his angels are with him, he will sit on his majestic throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in front of him. He will separate them from each other, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right side. But the goats he will put on his left.
34 “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began. 35 I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. 36 I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’
37 “Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? 38 When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me, you who will receive terrible things. Go into the unending fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 I was hungry and you didn’t give me food to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me anything to drink. 43 I was a stranger and you didn’t welcome me. I was naked and you didn’t give me clothes to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ 45 Then he will answer, ‘I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.’ 46 And they will go away into eternal punishment. But the righteous ones will go into eternal life.”[Footnotes:
Matthew 25:15 Or talantas (talents)
Matthew 25:31 Or Son of Man]
Do you miss the point when it comes to church? Sometimes we miss out on all that church can be. Do you think of it like a movie theater experience, looking to be entertained or impressed, then leave? That is not why the church exists. Christ is coming back again, and it could be at any moment. So how are we to behave in light of this great truth? The church has three basic purposes.
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES
1. The glorification of God. The purpose of worship is to glorify God. We honor the Lord and fulfill the purpose for which God created us.
2. The edification of the saints. Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served but He came to serve.” We are not in church to be ministered to but we ask, “What can I do?” or “Is there some other need?” “How can I be used of God to help others?”
3. The evangelization of the world. We are here to get the gospel out. In Ephesians
4 it says that God has raised up pastors, teachers, and evangelists for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry. It’s not just about learning data and hearing information.
RELEVANT REMINDERS
• Everyone plays a role in the church. We should be participants and not spectators.
• We are supposed to be an active, functioning part of the church, encouraging and motivating one another.
• God has given each of us time, talent, and treasure. We are to take those things and use them for the glory of God.
• It’s what you do with what you have that matters to God. APPLICABLE ACTIONS
If you are faithful in the little things, God will give you greater opportunities. God doesn’t compare you with anyone else. He compares you with you. So, be faithful with what the Lord has given you and run your race well, remembering who the real enemy is. Be the guy or girl that God has called you to be.
Monday, 2 February 2015
So What? — III
Matthew 25: Parable of the ten young bridesmaids
HOPE FOR HURTING MARRIAGES, PART 1
Monday, 2 February 2015
So What? — III
Matthew 25: Parable of the ten young bridesmaids
1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten young bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and the other five were foolish. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but didn’t bring oil for them. 4 But the wise ones took their lamps and also brought containers of oil.
5 “When the groom was late in coming, they all became drowsy and went to sleep. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Look, the groom! Come out to meet him.’
7 “Then all those bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 But the foolish bridesmaids said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps have gone out.’
9 “But the wise bridesmaids replied, ‘No, because if we share with you, there won’t be enough for our lamps and yours. We have a better idea. You go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were gone to buy oil, the groom came. Those who were ready went with him into the wedding. Then the door was shut.
11 “Later the other bridesmaids came and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us.’
12 “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore, keep alert, because you don’t know the day or the hour.
Parable of the valuable coins
14 “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who was leaving on a trip. He called his servants and handed his possessions over to them. 15 To one he gave five valuable coins,[a] and to another he gave two, and to another he gave one. He gave to each servant according to that servant’s ability. Then he left on his journey.
16 “After the man left, the servant who had five valuable coins took them and went to work doing business with them. He gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one who had two valuable coins gained two more. 18 But the servant who had received the one valuable coin dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.
19 “Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received five valuable coins came forward with five additional coins. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five valuable coins. Look, I’ve gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Excellent! You are a good and faithful servant! You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’
22 “The second servant also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two valuable coins. Look, I’ve gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done! You are a good and faithful servant. You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’
24 “Now the one who had received one valuable coin came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man. You harvest grain where you haven’t sown. You gather crops where you haven’t spread seed. 25 So I was afraid. And I hid my valuable coin in the ground. Here, you have what’s yours.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You evil and lazy servant! You knew that I harvest grain where I haven’t sown and that I gather crops where I haven’t spread seed? 27 In that case, you should have turned my money over to the bankers so that when I returned, you could give me what belonged to me with interest. 28 Therefore, take from him the valuable coin and give it to the one who has ten coins. 29 Those who have much will receive more, and they will have more than they need. But as for those who don’t have much, even the little bit they have will be taken away from them. 30 Now take the worthless servant and throw him outside into the darkness.’
“People there will be weeping and grinding their teeth.
Judgment of the nations
31 “Now when the Human One[b] comes in his majesty and all his angels are with him, he will sit on his majestic throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in front of him. He will separate them from each other, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right side. But the goats he will put on his left.
34 “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began. 35 I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. 36 I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’
37 “Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? 38 When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me, you who will receive terrible things. Go into the unending fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 I was hungry and you didn’t give me food to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me anything to drink. 43 I was a stranger and you didn’t welcome me. I was naked and you didn’t give me clothes to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ 45 Then he will answer, ‘I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.’ 46 And they will go away into eternal punishment. But the righteous ones will go into eternal life.”[Footnotes:
Matthew 25:15 Or talantas (talents)
Matthew 25:31 Or Son of Man]
With the Last Days approaching, Pastor Greg Laurie says we need to put our spiritual gifts to good use for God's Kingdom. Listen for practical insight on making ourselves available for great things from God. HOPE FOR HURTING MARRIAGES, PART 1
Matthew 19: Teaching about divorce
1 When Jesus finished saying these things, he left Galilee and came to the area of Judea on the east side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them. 3 Some Pharisees came to him. In order to test him, they said, “Does the Law allow a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
4 Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read that at the beginning the creator made them male and female?[a] 5 And God said, ‘Because of this a man should leave his father and mother and be joined together with his wife, and the two will be one flesh.’[b] 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, humans must not pull apart what God has put together.”
7 The Pharisees said to him, “Then why did Moses command us to give a divorce certificate and divorce her?”[c]
8 Jesus replied, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because your hearts are unyielding. But it wasn’t that way from the beginning. 9 I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
10 His disciples said to him, “If that’s the way things are between a man and his wife, then it’s better not to marry.”
11 He replied, “Not everybody can accept this teaching, but only those who have received the ability to accept it. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been eunuchs from birth. And there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by other people. And there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs because of the kingdom of heaven. Those who can accept it should accept it.”
Jesus blesses children
13 Some people brought children to Jesus so that he would place his hands on them and pray. But the disciples scolded them. 14 “Allow the children to come to me,” Jesus said. “Don’t forbid them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these children.” 15 Then he blessed the children and went away from there.
A rich man’s question
16 A man approached him and said, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?”
17 Jesus said, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There’s only one who is good. If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments.”
18 The man said, “Which ones?”
Then Jesus said, “Don’t commit murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t give false testimony. 19 Honor your father and mother,[d] and love your neighbor as you love yourself.”[e]
20 The young man replied, “I’ve kept all these. What am I still missing?”
21 Jesus said, “If you want to be complete, go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come follow me.”
22 But when the young man heard this, he went away saddened, because he had many possessions.
Teaching about giving up things
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I assure you that it will be very hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 In fact, it’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”
25 When his disciples heard this, they were stunned. “Then who can be saved?” they asked.
26 Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible for human beings. But all things are possible for God.”
27 Then Peter replied, “Look, we’ve left everything and followed you. What will we have?”
28 Jesus said to them, “I assure you who have followed me that, when everything is made new, when the Human One[f] sits on his magnificent throne, you also will sit on twelve thrones overseeing the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And all who have left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or farms because of my name will receive one hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last. And many who are last will be first.[Footnotes:
Matthew 19:4 Gen 1:27; 5:2
Matthew 19:5 Gen 2:24
Matthew 19:7 Deut 24:1
Matthew 19:19 Exod 20:12-16; Deut 5:16-20
Matthew 19:19 Lev 19:18
Matthew 19:28 Or Son of Man]
When it comes to marriage, we need to think and act biblically, not emotionally. We need a biblical worldview because marriages come under attack. Marriages face pressure and hardship. What are you building your foundation on? The solid ground of God’s Word? Or the shifting sands of this world? Is your marriage on the rocks or on the Rock?
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES
1. Every marriage is going to go through changes and is going to be tested. If you think your marriage is exempt, you’re mistaken. We want to build our marriages on the solid foundation of Christ, or it is only a matter of time before it collapses.
2. If a marriage is miserable, the fault lies with the participants, not the institution. God designed marriage to be a place of security, growth, and enjoyment. To say, “Marriage just doesn’t work for us” is an excuse. The truth is better stated, “We aren’t working at marriage.”
3. Wedlock should be a padlock. God hates divorce. I believe most divorces can be averted if we would just start with the operative principles of leaving and cleaving.
4. We must leave and cleave. Leaving means giving all other relationships a lesser degree of importance. Cleaving means clinging to one another, being aligned together, and welded as one.
RELEVANT REMINDERS
• Constant communication is a major key to a good marriage.
• Your spouse should be your best friend.
• Husbands should be the ones to initiate love and should be the spiritual leaders in their homes. In most cases, the wife will respond appropriately. It has been said, “Treat your wife like a thoroughbred and she will never become a nag.”
APPLICABLE ACTIONS Ruth Graham said, “A good marriage consists of two good forgivers.” If you have a hurting marriage today, start with forgiveness. Then put into practice the biblical principles of leaving and cleaving. Communicate with one another and put the needs of your mate above your own. You will see dramatic changes take place.
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
Hope for Hurting Marriages, Part 1 — III
Matthew 19: Teaching about divorce
HOPE FOR HURTING MARRIAGES, PART 2
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
Hope for Hurting Marriages, Part 1 — III
Matthew 19: Teaching about divorce
1 When Jesus finished saying these things, he left Galilee and came to the area of Judea on the east side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them. 3 Some Pharisees came to him. In order to test him, they said, “Does the Law allow a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
4 Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read that at the beginning the creator made them male and female?[a] 5 And God said, ‘Because of this a man should leave his father and mother and be joined together with his wife, and the two will be one flesh.’[b] 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, humans must not pull apart what God has put together.”
7 The Pharisees said to him, “Then why did Moses command us to give a divorce certificate and divorce her?”[c]
8 Jesus replied, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because your hearts are unyielding. But it wasn’t that way from the beginning. 9 I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
10 His disciples said to him, “If that’s the way things are between a man and his wife, then it’s better not to marry.”
11 He replied, “Not everybody can accept this teaching, but only those who have received the ability to accept it. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been eunuchs from birth. And there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by other people. And there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs because of the kingdom of heaven. Those who can accept it should accept it.”
Jesus blesses children
13 Some people brought children to Jesus so that he would place his hands on them and pray. But the disciples scolded them. 14 “Allow the children to come to me,” Jesus said. “Don’t forbid them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these children.” 15 Then he blessed the children and went away from there.
A rich man’s question
16 A man approached him and said, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?”
17 Jesus said, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There’s only one who is good. If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments.”
18 The man said, “Which ones?”
Then Jesus said, “Don’t commit murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t give false testimony. 19 Honor your father and mother,[d] and love your neighbor as you love yourself.”[e]
20 The young man replied, “I’ve kept all these. What am I still missing?”
21 Jesus said, “If you want to be complete, go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come follow me.”
22 But when the young man heard this, he went away saddened, because he had many possessions.
Teaching about giving up things
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I assure you that it will be very hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 In fact, it’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”
25 When his disciples heard this, they were stunned. “Then who can be saved?” they asked.
26 Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible for human beings. But all things are possible for God.”
27 Then Peter replied, “Look, we’ve left everything and followed you. What will we have?”
28 Jesus said to them, “I assure you who have followed me that, when everything is made new, when the Human One[f] sits on his magnificent throne, you also will sit on twelve thrones overseeing the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And all who have left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or farms because of my name will receive one hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last. And many who are last will be first.[Footnotes:
Matthew 19:4 Gen 1:27; 5:2
Matthew 19:5 Gen 2:24
Matthew 19:7 Deut 24:1
Matthew 19:19 Exod 20:12-16; Deut 5:16-20
Matthew 19:19 Lev 19:18
Matthew 19:28 Or Son of Man]
Somewhere along the line it seems "'til death do us part" has come to mean "until we decide we're done." Pastor Greg Laurie brings God's point of view for the marriage relationship. Listen for insights on the permanence of marriage, and how to make love thrive. HOPE FOR HURTING MARRIAGES, PART 2
Ephesians 5: Greeting
1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will.
To the holy and faithful people in Christ Jesus in Ephesus.[a]
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
The believers’ blessings
3 Bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing that comes from heaven. 4 God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in God’s presence before the creation of the world. 5 God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his goodwill and plan 6 and to honor his glorious grace that he has given to us freely through the Son whom he loves. 7 We have been ransomed through his Son’s blood, and we have forgiveness for our failures based on his overflowing grace, 8 which he poured over us with wisdom and understanding. 9 God revealed his hidden design[b] to us, which is according to his goodwill and the plan that he intended to accomplish through his Son. 10 This is what God planned for the climax of all times:[c] to bring all things together in Christ, the things in heaven along with the things on earth. 11 We have also received an inheritance in Christ. We were destined by the plan of God, who accomplishes everything according to his design. 12 We are called to be an honor to God’s glory because we were the first to hope in Christ. 13 You too heard the word of truth in Christ, which is the good news of your salvation. You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit because you believed in Christ. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment on our inheritance, which is applied toward our redemption as God’s own people, resulting in the honor of God’s glory.
Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians
15 Since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, this is the reason that 16 I don’t stop giving thanks to God for you when I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, will give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation that makes God known to you. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see what is the hope of God’s call, what is the richness of God’s glorious inheritance among believers, 19 and what is the overwhelming greatness of God’s power that is working among us believers. This power is conferred by the energy of God’s powerful strength. 20 God’s power was at work in Christ when God raised him from the dead and sat him at God’s right side in the heavens, 21 far above every ruler and authority and power and angelic power, any power that might be named not only now but in the future. 22 God put everything under Christ’s feet and made him head of everything in the church, 23 which is his body. His body, the church, is the fullness of Christ, who fills everything in every way.[Footnotes:
Ephesians 1:1 The location of Ephesus was added in some later manuscripts, probably to make the opening of this letter similar to the others in the collection of Paul’s letters.
Ephesians 1:9 Or mystery
Ephesians 1:10 Or the fullness of times]
1 Corinthians 13: Love: the universal spiritual gift
1 If I speak in tongues of human beings and of angels but I don’t have love, I’m a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and I know all the mysteries and everything else, and if I have such complete faith that I can move mountains but I don’t have love, I’m nothing. 3 If I give away everything that I have and hand over my own body to feel good about what I’ve done but I don’t have love, I receive no benefit whatsoever.
4 Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, 5 it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, 6 it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. 7 Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. As for prophecies, they will be brought to an end. As for tongues, they will stop. As for knowledge, it will be brought to an end. 9 We know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, what is partial will be brought to an end. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, reason like a child, think like a child. But now that I have become a man, I’ve put an end to childish things. 12 Now we see a reflection in a mirror; then we will see face-to-face. Now I know partially, but then I will know completely in the same way that I have been completely known. 13 Now faith, hope, and love remain—these three things—and the greatest of these is love.
There are no more opposite people than Greg and Cathe. We see everything differently. Cathe is very
neat. And I am fairly messy. She likes Indian and Thai food. I like hamburgers and burritos. She is
usually late. I am usually early. I am always in a rush. She is pretty laid back. We are different. You
see, when you put two people together, they are going to have differences. But wasn’t it those very
differences that initially attracted you to your spouse? I believe that you can get through the
problems you are facing in your marriage today.
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES
1. Men should love their wives as Christ loves the church. Four times in eight verses, we are told to
love our wives.
1 Corinthians 13 tells us how:
a. Be patient with her. Wait for God’s timing and cut her some slack.
b. Show kindness and tenderness to her. Sometimes we show more kindness to strangers that
to our own wives.
c. Treat her with respect. Don’t be rude. Don’t tear her down. Praise her.
d. Just love her without boasting about it. Don’t parade your loving acts and draw attention
to yourself.
e. Don’t be harsh with her. Love is not provoked or aroused to anger.
f. Believe the best, and not the worst, about her. Don’t keep records of past disagreements.
Realize her intentions toward you are not evil.
2. Wives should submit to their husbands. Some people choke on the word “submit.” Submission
does not speak of inferiority. Submission is something we all do every day to the authorities
above us. Jesus Christ Himself is under the submission of the Father. He is not different in essence
or nature, but in function. The same principle applies to wives.
RELEVANT REMINDERS
• Love is not something abstract or passive. It is active. It is functioning. Love doesn’t just feel
patient. It practices patience. It doesn’t just have kind feelings. It does kind things. Love is
only love when it acts.
• It doesn’t do any good to look for something, if you are looking in the wrong place. If you
are looking for answers in your marriage, the right place to look is the Word of God.
• Wives should submit to their husbands only “as is fit in the Lord.” If your husband is asking
you to do something unbiblical, you are not required to submit.
APPLICABLE ACTIONS
God has already given you everything you need to turn your marriage around. He has given you the
power. He has given you the resources. And He has given you the direction. The question is, are you
going to start doing it? Don’t wait for some surge of emotional love to come over you. Just start
doing what is right. Start loving. Start doing the practical things. Start showing kindness. Even if you
don’t feel like it, just start doing it. You watch how God can change your hurting marriage.
Wednesday, 4 February 2015
Hope for Hurting Marriages, Part 2 — I
Ephesians 1, 1 Corinthians 13
They say opposites attract. That may be the case, but sometimes opposites create friction in a long-term marriage. Pastor Greg Laurie points out how to renew the harmony in our homes. It's a look at God's design for healthy marriages.
Thursday, 5 February 2015
Hope for Hurting Marriages, Part 2 — II
Ephesians 1: Greeting
HOW TO HAVE A BLESSED AND SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE
Wednesday, 4 February 2015
Hope for Hurting Marriages, Part 2 — I
Ephesians 1, 1 Corinthians 13
They say opposites attract. That may be the case, but sometimes opposites create friction in a long-term marriage. Pastor Greg Laurie points out how to renew the harmony in our homes. It's a look at God's design for healthy marriages.
Thursday, 5 February 2015
Hope for Hurting Marriages, Part 2 — II
Ephesians 1: Greeting
1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will.
To the holy and faithful people in Christ Jesus in Ephesus.[a]
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
The believers’ blessings
3 Bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing that comes from heaven. 4 God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in God’s presence before the creation of the world. 5 God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his goodwill and plan 6 and to honor his glorious grace that he has given to us freely through the Son whom he loves. 7 We have been ransomed through his Son’s blood, and we have forgiveness for our failures based on his overflowing grace, 8 which he poured over us with wisdom and understanding. 9 God revealed his hidden design[b] to us, which is according to his goodwill and the plan that he intended to accomplish through his Son. 10 This is what God planned for the climax of all times:[c] to bring all things together in Christ, the things in heaven along with the things on earth. 11 We have also received an inheritance in Christ. We were destined by the plan of God, who accomplishes everything according to his design. 12 We are called to be an honor to God’s glory because we were the first to hope in Christ. 13 You too heard the word of truth in Christ, which is the good news of your salvation. You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit because you believed in Christ. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment on our inheritance, which is applied toward our redemption as God’s own people, resulting in the honor of God’s glory.
Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians
15 Since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, this is the reason that 16 I don’t stop giving thanks to God for you when I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, will give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation that makes God known to you. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see what is the hope of God’s call, what is the richness of God’s glorious inheritance among believers, 19 and what is the overwhelming greatness of God’s power that is working among us believers. This power is conferred by the energy of God’s powerful strength. 20 God’s power was at work in Christ when God raised him from the dead and sat him at God’s right side in the heavens, 21 far above every ruler and authority and power and angelic power, any power that might be named not only now but in the future. 22 God put everything under Christ’s feet and made him head of everything in the church, 23 which is his body. His body, the church, is the fullness of Christ, who fills everything in every way.[Footnotes:
Ephesians 1:1 The location of Ephesus was added in some later manuscripts, probably to make the opening of this letter similar to the others in the collection of Paul’s letters.
Ephesians 1:9 Or mystery
Ephesians 1:10 Or the fullness of times]
1 Corinthians 13: Love: the universal spiritual gift
1 If I speak in tongues of human beings and of angels but I don’t have love, I’m a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and I know all the mysteries and everything else, and if I have such complete faith that I can move mountains but I don’t have love, I’m nothing. 3 If I give away everything that I have and hand over my own body to feel good about what I’ve done but I don’t have love, I receive no benefit whatsoever.
4 Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, 5 it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, 6 it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. 7 Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. As for prophecies, they will be brought to an end. As for tongues, they will stop. As for knowledge, it will be brought to an end. 9 We know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, what is partial will be brought to an end. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, reason like a child, think like a child. But now that I have become a man, I’ve put an end to childish things. 12 Now we see a reflection in a mirror; then we will see face-to-face. Now I know partially, but then I will know completely in the same way that I have been completely known. 13 Now faith, hope, and love remain—these three things—and the greatest of these is love.
Pastor Greg Laurie says, even in today's culture, divorce isn't inevitable . . . in fact, it isn't even likely if we follow the Lord's plan. It's a practical discussion to keep our marriages healthy and in proper alignment with God's blueprint. HOW TO HAVE A BLESSED AND SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore, imitate God like dearly loved children. 2 Live your life with love, following the example of Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us. He was a sacrificial offering that smelled sweet to God.
3 Sexual immorality, and any kind of impurity or greed, shouldn’t even be mentioned among you, which is right for holy persons. 4 Obscene language, silly talk, or vulgar jokes aren’t acceptable for believers. Instead, there should be thanksgiving. 5 Because you know for sure that persons who are sexually immoral, impure, or greedy—which happens when things become gods—those persons won’t inherit the kingdom of Christ and God.
Be children of light
6 Nobody should deceive you with stupid ideas. God’s anger comes down on those who are disobedient because of this kind of thing. 7 So you shouldn’t have anything to do with them. 8 You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, so live your life as children of light. 9 Light produces fruit that consists of every sort of goodness, justice, and truth. 10 Therefore, test everything to see what’s pleasing to the Lord, 11 and don’t participate in the unfruitful actions of darkness. Instead, you should reveal the truth about them. 12 It’s embarrassing to even talk about what certain persons do in secret. 13 But everything exposed to the light is revealed by the light. 14 Everything that is revealed by the light is light. Therefore, it says, Wake up, sleeper![a] Get up from the dead,[b] and Christ will shine on you.[c]
Be filled with the Spirit
15 So be careful to live your life wisely, not foolishly. 16 Take advantage of every opportunity because these are evil times. 17 Because of this, don’t be ignorant, but understand the Lord’s will. 18 Don’t get drunk on wine, which produces depravity. Instead, be filled with the Spirit in the following ways: 19 speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; sing and make music to the Lord in your hearts; 20 always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 and submit to each other out of respect for Christ. 22 For example, wives should submit to their husbands as if to the Lord. 23 A husband is the head of his wife like Christ is head of the church, that is, the savior of the body. 24 So wives submit to their husbands in everything like the church submits to Christ. 25 As for husbands, love your wives just like Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. 26 He did this to make her holy by washing her in a bath of water with the word. 27 He did this to present himself with a splendid church, one without any sort of stain or wrinkle on her clothes, but rather one that is holy and blameless. 28 That’s how husbands ought to love their wives—in the same way as they do their own bodies. Anyone who loves his wife loves himself. 29 No one ever hates his own body, but feeds it and takes care of it just like Christ does for the church 30 because we are parts of his body. 31 This is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two of them will be one body.[d] 32 Marriage is a significant allegory,[e] and I’m applying it to Christ and the church. 33 In any case, as for you individually, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and wives should respect[f] their husbands.[Footnotes:
Ephesians 5:14 Isa 26:19; 51:17; 52:1; 60:1
Ephesians 5:14 Isa 26:19
Ephesians 5:14 Isa 60:1
Ephesians 5:31 Gen 2:24
Ephesians 5:32 Or mystery
Ephesians 5:33 Or fear]
It’s no huge secret that the world is a terrible place to look for advice on having a successful
marriage. Society, in general, has grown increasingly hostile toward the family and everything it
stands for. Culture has tried to redefine it, undermine it, and subvert it. Why look for advice on
strong marriages from the very forces that would try to destroy them?
There really is only one credible source for insight into successful marriages, and that’s the Bible.
Ephesians 5 gives us important principles for men and women that will help build and maintain
strong marriages.
For this study, we’ll focus on three sections of Ephesians 5—imitating God, walking in wisdom, and
submitting to one another.
IMITATE GOD AS DEAR CHILDREN (VERSES 1-12)
1. Stay away from immorality (Verse 3). Ephesus was a hotbed of sexual immorality, with
thousands of prostitutes serving the Roman goddess Diana. Paul makes it clear that as Christians,
you can’t engage in that kind of behavior anymore. He even extends that to even a hint of
unclean behavior or covetousness on our part.
2. Avoid obscene talk (Verse 4). Next, Paul goes even further by telling believers to avoid obscene
language, which covers everything from cussing to dirty jokes to using double entendres or sexual
innuendoes. Our words reveal what’s in our hearts, so we need to be careful what we feed our
minds and hearts.
3. Do not covet (Verse 5). Coveting is serious enough that God included it in the Ten
Commandments. It is eagerly desiring something that belongs to someone else, setting
your heart on it—from their car to their house to their spouse. This ultimately manifests
itself as other sins, whether it’s adultery or stealing or even murder.
4. Walk in a new way (Verses 8-10). Paul uses three words to describe how Christians should
live—goodness (or generosity), righteousness, and truth. We should be giving people, conducting
ourselves with integrity when we are dealing with others, and being honest without any
deception. We should walk in the Light, being a shining example to those who are in darkness.
5. Confront sin (Verse 11). In short, we need to stand up against sin, when we see it. This is not
about tolerance or acceptance. Our motive should be protecting God’s people from getting into
something that can hurt them. This may also mean confronting a fellow believer who is in
compromise. Now, we need to be loving and wise in doing it, but we still need to do it.
WALKING IN WISDOM (VERSES 13-18)
1. Turn on the light (Verse 13). Light shows things for what they really are. In the same way, you
should shine the light of God’s Word on your life and the way that you live. Shine it on your
marriage or your singleness, and on the world around you.
2. Wake up (Verse 14). For most people, it’s impossible to sleep with the lights on. Now that you’ve
turned the light on, get up! See your life in the light of God’s Word. See the world for what us, a
culture that is hostile to your faith and to the family.
3. Walk carefully (Verse 15). The idea here is that of examining and investigating something with
great care. Just as you’d read the fine print before signing a contract, examine the Bible and all
that God calls you to do as a husband or wife.
4. Redeem the time (Verse 16). Make the most of the time that you’ve been given. Keep yourself
from things that would distract you from your goal. Get your life and your house in order, so
that it is more like God wants it to be.
5. Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Verse 18). The Holy Spirit is the only way that we can truly be the
husband or wife that God wants us to be. God commands us to be filled with the Holy Spirit,
letting it direct and permeate every part of our lives.
SUBMISSION (VERSES 21-25)
1. Submit to one another in the fear of God (Verse 21). Even as the husband is the leader of the
home, he should also help bear his wife’s burdens. He should always be ready to meet her needs
and sacrifice his own desires, and she is willing to do the same for him. You put the needs of your
mate above your own.
2. The model of submission (Verses 22-23). The attitude of submission is to be to the Lord. A wife’s
submission to her husband is her act of submission before the Lord (Colossians 3:23), knowing
that Christ is the model of submission, having given up His rights and privileges for us.
3. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church (Verse 25). This means real affection
and involvement in your marriage, being the spiritual leader of the home. Even if your wife does
things that are unlovable, you need to love her as Christ loves the church. You need to let her
know that you love her.
APPLICABLE ACTIONS
Every marriage will be tested, but they can succeed if you built the foundation on the Rock and live
by God’s principles. If you let it go, it will begin to unravel. But if you read the fine print of God’s
Word and apply it to your life, God will bless your marriage. And you will stand whatever test
comes your way
Friday, 6 February 2015
How to Have a Blessed & Successful Marriage — I
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore, imitate God like dearly loved children. 2 Live your life with love, following the example of Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us. He was a sacrificial offering that smelled sweet to God.
More from Harvest
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Friday, 6 February 2015
How to Have a Blessed & Successful Marriage — I
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore, imitate God like dearly loved children. 2 Live your life with love, following the example of Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us. He was a sacrificial offering that smelled sweet to God.
3 Sexual immorality, and any kind of impurity or greed, shouldn’t even be mentioned among you, which is right for holy persons. 4 Obscene language, silly talk, or vulgar jokes aren’t acceptable for believers. Instead, there should be thanksgiving. 5 Because you know for sure that persons who are sexually immoral, impure, or greedy—which happens when things become gods—those persons won’t inherit the kingdom of Christ and God.
Be children of light
6 Nobody should deceive you with stupid ideas. God’s anger comes down on those who are disobedient because of this kind of thing. 7 So you shouldn’t have anything to do with them. 8 You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, so live your life as children of light. 9 Light produces fruit that consists of every sort of goodness, justice, and truth. 10 Therefore, test everything to see what’s pleasing to the Lord, 11 and don’t participate in the unfruitful actions of darkness. Instead, you should reveal the truth about them. 12 It’s embarrassing to even talk about what certain persons do in secret. 13 But everything exposed to the light is revealed by the light. 14 Everything that is revealed by the light is light. Therefore, it says, Wake up, sleeper![a] Get up from the dead,[b] and Christ will shine on you.[c]
Be filled with the Spirit
15 So be careful to live your life wisely, not foolishly. 16 Take advantage of every opportunity because these are evil times. 17 Because of this, don’t be ignorant, but understand the Lord’s will. 18 Don’t get drunk on wine, which produces depravity. Instead, be filled with the Spirit in the following ways: 19 speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; sing and make music to the Lord in your hearts; 20 always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 and submit to each other out of respect for Christ. 22 For example, wives should submit to their husbands as if to the Lord. 23 A husband is the head of his wife like Christ is head of the church, that is, the savior of the body. 24 So wives submit to their husbands in everything like the church submits to Christ. 25 As for husbands, love your wives just like Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. 26 He did this to make her holy by washing her in a bath of water with the word. 27 He did this to present himself with a splendid church, one without any sort of stain or wrinkle on her clothes, but rather one that is holy and blameless. 28 That’s how husbands ought to love their wives—in the same way as they do their own bodies. Anyone who loves his wife loves himself. 29 No one ever hates his own body, but feeds it and takes care of it just like Christ does for the church 30 because we are parts of his body. 31 This is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two of them will be one body.[d] 32 Marriage is a significant allegory,[e] and I’m applying it to Christ and the church. 33 In any case, as for you individually, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and wives should respect[f] their husbands.[Footnotes:
Ephesians 5:14 Isa 26:19; 51:17; 52:1; 60:1
Ephesians 5:14 Isa 26:19
Ephesians 5:14 Isa 60:1
Ephesians 5:31 Gen 2:24
Ephesians 5:32 Or mystery
Ephesians 5:33 Or fear]
Pastor Greg Laurie shows us that the closer our lives get to the biblical ideal, the closer our marriages will get to that ideal. Take some time to invest in your marriage relationship. Discover how it all starts with your relationship with God.More from Harvest
Radio is just one way to hear A New Beginning. Check out our free mobile app and podcasts to access with audio, video, and more from pastor Greg!
Connect now
We would like to send you My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers as a gift to you for your donation ofany amount.
Donate Today
Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie
P.O. Box 4000
Riverside, California 92514-4000 United States
Phone: 1-800-821-3300
Phone: 1-800-821-3300
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