Sunday 02:06:11

The Beauty of Biblical Marriage Part 2 – Balance and Leadership Marriage is like a dance – It takes balance between the partners. Marriage is mutually dependent, back and forth, mutually important. Galatians 3:26-28 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. What I know about me… what I know about you… You will come to decisions that don’t consider all sides of an issue. You will want to spend money when you need to save. You will want to save when you have money to spend. You will be gracious toward your children when they need discipline. You will be harsh toward your children when they need grace. You need someone to balance you out. When you lean out, your partner will lean out. If you over-spend, your partner will try to save . If you hoard money, your partner will try to spend. If you are too harsh with your children, your partner will be too gracious. If you baby your children, your partner will be overly tough. You and your husband/wife are always trying to compensate for you. Who is right? Usually neither. If you’re always fighting with your spouse, listen to this. Proverbs 13:10 10 Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Ask for your husband or wife’s opinion. Find the value in your husband or wife’s opinion. See the validity of their perspective. Find out where you agree. When you lean in, your partner will lean in. You can have different opinions, but you can come to unity about decisions. Coming to unity is a beautiful thing. Marriage is like a dance – The man is called to lead. What is leading? Is it making all the decisions? Is it controlling money? Is it everyone in the house doing your will? Biblical leadership is always demonstrated as serving and shepherding. Biblical leadership is serving. Biblical leadership puts other’s needs first. Matthew 20:25-28 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Rulers of the gentiles lord it over them and exercise authority over them. But you, be a servant, a slave. Biblical leadership is shepherding. The marks of a shepherd are given in some key Bible passages. Psalm 23; Ezekiel 34:11-16; and John 10:7-18 Psalm 23 – The shepherd… v. 2 Guides to rest and refreshment. v. 3 Leads to safety and well-being. v. 4 Protects from harm. v. 5 Provides for life. v. 6 Shows goodness and mercy. It can be an overwhelming thing to be responsible to provide for, lead, guide, love, protect a family. How can a man lead his family well? by following the example of Christ. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Follow His example. When you lack wisdom, ask him for wisdom. When you lack strength, ask him for strength. When you lack courage, ask him for courage. When you find you’ve been selfish, ask for selflessness and self-sacrificing like he showed you.