We Do - Allowing God To Transform Your Marriage

Nehemiah 1:3-11, 4:1-9; Song of Songs 2:15   The Assessment . . .   ·         Right now our marriage is broken andit seems hopeless. o   Cry out to God in prayer. o   Confess sin. o   Stand on the truth of God’s word.                                ·         Right now our marriage has breaches in it that need to be repaired and it seemsoverwhelming. o   Ask God to do what seems impossible. o   Identify the areas that need to be repaired.  o   Join God in the work of repairing your marriage.   ·         Right now our marriage is steady, and it seems secure. (Song of Songs 2:15) o   Realize the enemy is always scheming against you. o   Remain constant in prayer. o   Stay guarded in every way.    The Need for Transformation . . .   v   Regardless where you are in your marriage, it should constantly be transforming in a way that is conforming you to the image of Christ. (Romans 12:2)   And here’s why . . .   v  Before God will transform your marriage, God must transform you from the inside-out. ·         It is easy for us to look at our spouse and say, “You need to change.” ·         It’s much more difficult to allow God to examine our heart, our motives, our attitudes, our actions, and hear Him say to us, “I need to change you.”    v   When we allow God to change us from the inside out, we begin to view our mate in a much differentway.  ·         I see you as a child of God/creation of God vs. Youare my enemy. ·         I want to serve you vs. I want you to serve me. ·         I want to give you vs. I want you to give me. ·         I want to honor you vs. I want you to honor me. ·         I want to build you up vs. I want to tear you down. ·         I want to show you love vs. I want you to show me love.     Truth Statement:  Transformation in your marriage begins with transformation in you.   5 Keys for Transformation . . .   1.    Mutual submission (Ephesians 5:21-24; 1-6) 2.    Respectfulhonor (1 Peter 3:7)  3.    Sacrificial love (Ephesians 5:25-33) 4.    Undeserved grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) 5.    Christ-like forgiveness (Matthew 6:12; 18:21-35)