Fight Club Part 2

If you are looking for Fight Club Part 1 you will not find it on this blog.  I was out of town and it isn't on podcast yet.  I heard great things about the sermon though (and not just from my pastor-husband.) Rule #1 from last week - don't win the fight, settle the conflict.  Sounds interesting! This week....

Rule #2  - Define love biblically, not culturally.  We as believers need to know and understand how God defines love.  We see in 1 John 4:7-8 that God is love.  We see in 2 John 6 that love means walking in His commands. His command: John 15:12-13 - we need to love sacrificially "love one another, just as I have loved you."  We need to look and live like Jesus; love like Jesus.

Point to remember:  Is what I am trying to accomplish of greater value than trying to show Christ in my relationship?

The sermon moved to Ephesians 5:22 - 30.  Beautiful verses that show a healthy marriage.  Vs22 Wives be subject to your own husband, as to the Lord. - in the original language this represents an equal relationship where mutual submission is taught, to yields one's right.  " I loved the phrase "as to the Lord", and all the times I have read this passage I do not think I really thought about it before.  Jesus gave us a great example of yielding one's rights in the Garden of Gethsemane.
More thoughts:
A Christ-centered wife does not want power, she wants a Christ-centered husband.
My actions are  NOT contingent on Scott's character but on MINE.

Vs 25 - 30 speak to the husbands.  The Holy Spirit will equip Scott to love me.  Husbands need to serve graciously, serve sacrificially.  The Holy Spirit brought a point to Scott's heart as he was preaching.  It resonated in both services and it is so true....No one can see an act over an attitude.  How true!  Another section of these verse that I have never noticed before were the words" having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless"  Scott has a huge task of loving me like Christ loved the church - to present me to God one day without scars from our marriage.  Wow - I am praying very different prayers from this point on...he needs them, as does Dean and Ariel's future mate.
  

The husbands were encouraged to lead out in conflict resolution!

And one final thought:  What do I need to do to help Scott receive God's best?

Powerful stuff!