What Can I Do to Help You?

---

Series: iVOW (2) Power Down to Power Up Ephesians 5:21 March 1, 2015 *

iVow series, based on Ephesians 5, is for everyone - For married: correct error, give hope - For single: know what getting into

Marriage * Men – “What can I do to help you?” - On day off, vacation - What if started to serve family by taking leadership? - Servant leader (J.D. Greear) – “Taking initiative for the benefit of others”

*

Context:

*

-

*

*

Ephesians 1-3 - what Christ has done Ephesians 4-6 - implications - Ch. 5 – discusses several marks of a person who is “filled with the Spirit”

Submit – old military term meaning to line up under v. 21 is about mutual submission and is written to every follower of Jesus. We are all to be submitting ourselves to each other.

“out of reverence for Christ” - Reality - those who understand the gospel undergo a radical change in the way they relate to others. They understand they are so lost & flawed & sinful Jesus had to die for them, but so loved & valued Jesus was glad to die for them. Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:15

*

Submitting to others: * They don’t deserve it, but Jesus does. It’s a way of saying to Him, “I love You and am so grateful for Your grace & saving me from hell that I’d gladly serve anyone as a way of honoring You.”

*

One Life-changing, (marriage changing) Question

*

*

Ladies – ask husband, “What can I do to help you?” (Note: most men are going to say ‘nothing’ but asking lets them know you are aware of the burdens.)

Barrier is Fear - Fear of what may say - Fear they won’t change - Fear won’t be happy * There is joy in selflessness

“Reverence (fear, love, gratitude) to Christ” * Understand the stakes are far greater than your current happiness, satisfaction. The real issue is how satisfied you are with Him. Whether your marriage is full of joy or pain, God’s glory is at stake. - Marriage is humbling and forces us to wrestle with our selfishness & pride. It also gives us a platform to reflect God’s glory. - When people see Christian marriages characterized by humility – loving, sacrificing, forgiving when difficult – it makes love and the grace of the gospel believable.

(Andy Stanley)

* “What Can I Do to Help You?” -

If asked this once a day, your family dynamic would change. * Ex. – teenagers, church, boss/employees

Once a day for each important relationship:

“What Can I Do to Help You?”