Fireproof Your Relationships

Ephesians 5:21-33

According to my dictionary, "FIREPROOF" means, "CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING OR PREVENTING DAMAGE BY FIRE." In the next 40 days, I want to give you principles and practices from the Bible that will fireproof your marriage, your friendships, and your relationships at work, school and play. Two of the messages in the series will cover marriage, the rest will cover issues that all of us deal with as we learn to love those around us. Today, we're going to look at how to get along with members of the opposite sex.

Fireproofing principle number 1 is… MARRIAGE WORKS BEST WHEN BOTH HUSBAND AND WIFE GIVE UP THEIR RIGHTS FOR THE SAKE OF THE OTHER.

"Submit to another out of reverence for Christ" - Ephesians 5:21

That verb, "submit," in Greek means, TO LINE YOURSELF UP UNDER, or, TO GIVE UP YOUR RIGHTS.

Each one is to give up their rights and look out for the best interests of their partner.

Mutual submission is one of the great keys to a great marriage.

In 1 PETER 3:7, God says, "HUSBANDS, BE CONSIDERATE AS YOU LIVE WITH YOUR WIFE."

The second core fireproofing principle is MARRIAGE WORKS BEST WHEN WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENCES AND TREAT EACH OTHER ACCORDINGLY.

Paul says, "Each of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." - Ephesians 5:33

What are husbands supposed to do? - Love their wives.

What are wives supposed to do? - Respect their husbands.

Because we are different, we have different ways of receiving what we need.

Men need respect. They need the one who matters most to us to believe in us. If we're not the heroes of our homes, then we're not going to be heroes anywhere else.

Women need love. "Husbands, love your wives, just as christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" - Ephesians 5:25

Take this by faith: your wife needs to know that you love her. the way she receives love best is to have you listen to her.

Principle # 3: MARRIAGE WORKS BEST WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND AND REMEMBER THAT SOMETHING MORE THAN MARRIAGE IS TAKING PLACE - YOU ARE LIVING OUT A PREVIEW OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO JESUS IN HEAVEN.

"This is a profound mystery, but I am talking about Christ and the church." - EPHESIANS 5:25

Here's the mystery friends. WHAT YOU AND I EXPERIENCE IN MARRIAGE HERE ON EARTH IS SOMEHOW A REFLECTION, A PREPARATION, AND A FORESHADOWING OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST FOREVER IN HEAVEN.

Marriage is a profound mystery, because it's a reflection of Christ and His people, the church.

THE LOVE DARE CHALLENGE #1:

WIVES: What makes your husband feel respected by you? And therefore, what would you like to do this week to make him feel respected by you?

HUSBANDS: What makes your wife feel loved? And therefore, what would you like to do this week to make her feel loved by you?

SINGLES: In your work, school, or home environment, whose life would you like to add value to by giving them greater love or respect? What can you do this week to make that happen?