Good morning friends and family. I am so excited to share this message today. I am also excited to steer away from Skype, which for the past few months has been an issue with dropped calls, and move to a platform that seems to be more stable. It also is a time that I can work on getting these messages shared with you, my friends involved with us. Praise the Lord. I am in high hopes of having the messages uploaded to u-tube, and that opens the door for thousands to be able to hear these messages. Halleluiah!
For those who may be hearing this or reading it, and you want to join in, we are using Paltalk, and you can find the link by going to jandlministries.weebly.com and there will be a link to this page on the home page. For those who are new, we have been in a study called "Who Are We In Christ." We have been going through the book of Colossians. To read earlier sermons, please go to jandlministries.weebly.com and look for the tab at the top called Sermon notes and you will see this whole series and other teachings we have done in the last couple years. Today we will begin lesson 15, starting in Colossians 3:18, so please turn to that chapter and verse. This is also a great time to have new people join in with us, as we will be looking into the family. Who are you in Christ with your spouse? Who are you in Christ with your children and your parents? For those listening online, I can see you rolling your eyes and sliding down your chair. Don't tune me out, because marriage and family is very important in God's eyes. Okay, because I am polite, ladies first. I hear laughter from the men and shrieks from the women. Don't shoot me girls, I am just the messenger. We are going to have fun this morning. Praise Jesus! Colossians 3:18 KJV Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Guys, this does not mean they are slaves. Keep your place here and please turn to Ephesians 5: 21. We are going to be bouncing back and forth from these two passages. Ephesians 5:21-24 ESV submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (22) Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. (23) For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. (24) Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Leanna, would you please read the rest of this passage? Ephesians 5:25-33 ESV Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, (26) that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, (27) so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. (28) In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (29) For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, (30) because we are members of his body. (31) "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." (32) This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. (33) However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. As members of the family of God, it is our duty to put on the family likeness by walking as obedient children, and in full yieldedness to the Holy Spirit. Only as we are flexible in His hands may we be victorious in our walk, sincere in our worship or successful in our work. Church, as we have read, and as we continue to read these verses, these are God's words. You can look at any translation, and I have about 40 of them, and the overall picture is not going to change. I want you to think about when you and your spouse first started dating. There was something there that sparked that relationship. Right? Fellowship? Fellowship is such a big part in any relationship. Wives, you started talking to one another. Yes? Men? You both started doing things together? Maybe the first date might have been getting together for lunch or dinner. Maybe a walk in the park or a drive. For Leanna and I, our first date was at a local race track. The point that I am trying to get across is you did things and got to know each other, TOGETHER. You know, you can get all kinds of ideas from all kinds of people with titles in front of their names and I think you will find, they have not been married, or their marriage is in trouble. Who invented marriage? God. So where do you think you're going to find out about marriage? There are so many verses that you can find in the Bible concerning to marriage, but you have to search for them, and when you find these verses, it is now time to be doers of what we read. Amen? What would your guess be as to what the Webster's dictionary's definition of marriage might be? Ready for this? MARRIAGE : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law. Okay, part 2 just makes me want to vomit. (2) : the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage. Let's turn to Genesis 2:21. Let's look at the very first marriage. Genesis 2:21-24 KJV And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; (22) And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. (23) And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. (24) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. So we see God made man, and then woman was made from man and they were husband and wife. So, tell me friends, why are many denominations teaching that it's okay for Tom to wed Jack, or Sally Sue and Katy to get married? And worse than that, church leaders performing marriages of same sex couples. I purposely gave up my license to be a Notary, because no way was I going to be forced to perform these acts which the Bible says in many places that it's an abomination. I am going to go on a tangent for a few minutes, but church we need to understand this. What we read in the Bible, we need to take seriously. 2 Corinthians 4:1-4 KJV (1) Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; (2) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. So someone might be thinking, "What in the world does this passage have to do with marriage?" It has everything to do with our marriage, family and ourselves. Friends, for century after century, stuff has been changing in what is being taught in churches. Look how many denominations there are. Look how many splits there are of different denominations. For example, there are over 200 types of Baptist churches. Yet, apostle Paul said, "I wish there be no division among you. That you all speak the same thing." Now, does it happen within families too? I think so. Especially within families who might not be grounded in the Word of God. "I like this part of the Bible, but this part doesn't fit my lifestyle." Think about it friends. Colossians 3:18 KJV Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Now, there may be some ladies listening, or reading this thinking, "No way. I'm not doing it. You don't know my man." What did we just read? We read the same in Ephesians 5:22. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. (23) For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church. Men and women are made up so differently and when God made us, there was a reason He did that. Women, most women, are tender, emotional people. Men, again most men, are strong and some of us men are numb to women's sensitivities. (Woman, what you crying for?) Husbands, you know what I am talking about? You know what guys? That's how God made them. Friends, church goers have been cutting brothers and sisters to pieces with the Word. Some women cut their husbands up with the word and husbands are doing the same to their wives. So I ask you to put your swords away. So how should women submit to their husband? I am going to give a short example. Let's think of Sarai and Abram. God had promised them children. Look at the stars in the sky and that will be the children you will have. So Sarai, gives her handmaid to Abram. Of course he didn't refuse. But then what happens? Tempers fly between the two women and Abram is stuck in the middle. Husbands and wives, do we get into these messes? We think we're doing things that seem like it is of God, but God never said to do it. They usually flop, don't they? We need to be in sync with God. What I want us to notice is Sarai's pride got her into trouble. She didn't want to be looked down on because Abram had no children. This mighty man of God. Friends, I can't stress this enough, please, please, please, if you are not in your Bibles daily, be there. Even if it is just a chapter a day. Couples, want to grow in faith together? Read together. Discuss what you have read. For those couples who are struggling in their marriage, I believe it will get you back on track. And pray together. Praise God. Put Christ first in all things. Even before your spouse. Most men don't want to hear that, but if you want to have a more meaningful marriage, a more meaningful relationship with God, then this must be done. Glory. I said family is important to God. Couples, God is not the author of confusion. Amen? I want you to think about this. Subjection deals with order so that chaos is not the result of everyone trying to be a leader. You cannot have two heads in the family. It doesn't work. God gave Adam a help mate. Now does that mean a wife can't share her ideas? Absolutely not true. I ask Leanna often her opinion. She is gifted in so many areas that I am not. Turn if you will to Galatians 4:4. Subjection does not mean inferiority. Jesus Himself was made under the law. Galatians 4:4 KJV But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. Hebrews 2:9 KJV But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Jesus said in John 14:28 KJV Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane cried out in Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Does this mean that Jesus, who is subject to the will of the Father, was inferior to Him? Not at all. Subjection does not mean being a slave. Submission does not mean being immoral...which is why Paul says "as is fitting in the Lord." If a husband wants his wife to do something sinful, she is not to submit. I am sure Paul was very aware that there would be husbands who would misuse their position of authority. We see it happening every day. Okay guys, your turn. Colossians 3:19 KJV Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Someone might be thinking, "I love my wife. Of course I love her, well when she sees things my way." No my friend, that is not how it works. It needs to be give and take and Leanna and I have and are still learning it. Love is sacrificial and should be Christ centered. Church, listen up and get this. Jesus, Who is God in flesh, had all power and authority. Amen? He could have ordered the universe out of existence. Instead of going through being ripped to pieces and nailed to an old rugged cross, He could have called upon the angels and said, "Enough of this. I am not going to let prophecy come to pass." But no church, how did He use His authority? He taught. He healed, and friends He died for you and He died for me. His bride. So men, the husband is to use his authority in a serving and edifying way. Girls shout Halleluiah. We read Ephesians 5:28 earlier, but let's turn there again. Ephesians 5:28-30 KJV So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. (29) For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: (30) For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. To not be embittered against them means to not be rude, ill tempered, or harsh. The husband is to be compassionate, supportive, a godly leader, a good provider, and a man to whom his wife would be glad to submit. One more passage and we will close today's service. Please turn to 1 Peter 3:7. Friends, we need to get an understanding of these verses and make them part of our lives if we are to stay married. How far the church has walked away from God's Word, when you see that among Christians, we are neck to neck with non-believers when it comes to divorce. When you have so-called Christians that come up to you and ask how they should vote on gay rights and they don't really know how they feel about whether or not they are okay with abortion or not. How very, very sad. Sad when you hear about pastors beating their wives and children, especially when they supposedly know the Word and are supposed to be good examples to the flock they lead. 1 Peter 3:7 KJV Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. That verse may very well explain why a large part of the churches prayers are still floating around somewhere. Suppose? We as Christians should gladly submit to the loving, nurturing, and kind direction of Christ. Husbands are to reflect Jesus in that way so wives would want to submit to them as they willingly do to Christ. Friends, I am hoping that the scriptures that we looked at today spoke to all those who are in a hurting relationship. There are wives who rebel to subjection. There are men who don't understand what the Bibles says about women being submissive to their husbands and have twisted that verse to their liking. Men love your wives as Christ loves the church. Again, that scripture has been twisted, and used in a non-loving, nurturing way. I would highly recommend taking these two verses we looked at today and once a week look at them and study them and pray about them, so you my friends, get it. Thank you for joining us today. I would ask you all to be in prayer for this ministry as we are growing and Leanna and I want only to please Christ, Who is our Foundation and our Guide. We love you all. God bless.
1 Comment
Harold J. Howland
2/9/2015 09:23:42
Brother Jim, is it amazing there are men in marriage to Lord it over the wife. They don't stop to realize, that the rib of Adam, that was taken fro m his side. The Lord form that rib into Eve, his wife. Coming from his side, does not mean to lord it over them. She is to be in marriage partnership to work together. The ones that Lord it over the wife. It just like saying, the rib came from Adam's foot. I had a relation one day tried to get me to talk to his wife about something. He really had no business in doing that. He was lording it over her. I told them, I love you both very much. But, I had to tell him, that he was out of order. In fact, you were bringing me between you two. I am not going to manipulate over her. And you should not be doing that either. I tried to explain what a Godly Christian wife and Husband should be with each other according to the Word of God. I told him, "If you want to be a leader of the home. First of all, you have to become a servant to your wife." Jim, for two months he would not speak to me. Finally, he came to apologize to me, which I accepted. He broke down and admitted, that I was right. I said, no, the Lord is right. Lord Bless you brother Jim. Bro. Harold.
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