Sermon Notes - Uncommon Marriage - Mutual Submission

Uncommon Marriage - Mutual Submission, Ephesians 5:15-21
Larry Parsley, Valley Ranch Baptist Church, attended October 18, 2009

Concerned about leaving out a segment of his audience by preaching on marriage, i.e. singles or widowed.

When it comes to marriage, decorating is easier than building. Tend to focus on secondary issues. Tend to ignore the manufacturers instructions. We can’t do this. Paul says the “days are evil”. Our culture doesn’t help the marriage institution. Paul says time is not on your side.

Spirit filled people do things others don’t, i.e. singing praises, worshipping, etc. The number one problem therefore in every relationship is you! Marriages often have one person who is unilaterally trying to wreck it. Self righteousness says the problem is the other when, in reality, I’m the problem. Self-centeredness is a disease.

What is the answer? Ephesians 5:21. Submission is the opposite of slavery. Selfishness is slavery. Submission is an act of God. Submit in the original is a military term. It is like joining the military and giving up our individual freedoms for the good of the whole. Jesus is the commander here. He is our role model, motivation and strength and we should submit out of reverence for Christ.

We need to find the right energy source. The Holy Spirit is the fuel. Used illustration of a paddleboat in which we use our own power and don’t go far or a sailboat which harnesses the wind, God’s power.

A paddleboat leads to finger pointing, i.e. are you paddling as hard as me? A marriage on our own power becomes a business relationship where you stay at 50/50 and never give more unless you are paid.

I am the problem in this relationship because ____________.