How to Say, I Love You

Ephesians 5:25-31 closer to Christ. How To Say, ‘I love you’ *Never do anything that would lead your wife into illicit thoughts or relationships. Introduction *Never do anything that would cause her to find fulfillment in 1. How can we say, ‘I love you’ everyday? Christ must be on the throne. someone else. 2. In Ephesians 5:25-31 we see 4 qualities of that love: *Ultimately, make her more the woman, more Christ like, as God I. A SACRIFICIAL LOVE 5:25 intended.

II. A SANCTIFYING LOVE 5:26-27 We are part of her growing process. III. A SATIFSYING LOVE 5:28-30 What place does the Word have in your personal walk? IV. A SOLIDIFYING LOVE 5:31

How can we say, ‘I love you’ everyday? Christ must be on the throne. I. A SACRIFICIAL LOVE 5:25 How can we say, ‘I love you’ everyday? Christ must be on the throne. A. The Principle…husbands love your wives III. A SATISFYING LOVE 5:28-30 1. Agape love is self giving love. A. Is Selfless 28 2. This is a command, and love is a choice. 1. The Analogy…as his own body B. The Pattern…as Christ *Time…Thoughtfulness…Tenderness 1. The world says that you love those who meet your expectations. 2. The Anomaly (deviation from the common rule)…he that loves his wife 2. This love…You may not deserve anything, but I will give you everything loves that I himself have. I would die for you. *They are ONE. C. The Priority…gave Himself up for us *He that hurts his wife hurts himself. 1. You will never know love until you sacrifice yourself. B. Is Sensitive 29-30 2. Ask: When was the last time you made a sacrifice for your wife? 1. The Pain…for no man hurts his own flesh When there was a difference of opinion: “Honey, I’m 2. The Provisions…nourishes…cherishes ready to do what 3. The Picture…v. 30 we are members of His body you think is best.” *Phil. 4:19 What do you need? God has provided it! 3. Set yourself aside…as Christ did…to do what’s right. Set aside your Something is wrong if you look at your wife merely as a cook, selfish babysitter, desires. You die! sex partner, house keeper, clothes washer and nothing more! *She is a God given treasure…to nourish…to cherish How can we say, ‘I love you’ everyday? Christ must be on the throne. *She has two basic needs: To love and to be loved…To feel a sense II. A SANCTIFYING LOVE 5:26-27 of worth:

A. The Purpose of Love…that He might sanctify and cleanse…that He might **Strength and Gentleness

present… **Praise and Reassurance

B. The Procedure of Love…Sanctify (set apart) Cleanse (make her into what **Little things mean so much. God **Cooperate with her in improving your marriage. wants her to be) Not Having Spot or Wrinkle…that she might be holy. **Learn to listen. C. The Process of Love…washing with water by the Word **Discover her particular need and try to meet it. 1. God has something in mind for your wife…be part of the process…make Why all the care and concern? v. 30 we are member of His body… it *The grace of God is amazing! He incorporates us into a Body and happen! provides all 2. Righteousness and holiness of God…by the Word: we will ever need. *We have a responsibility to provide the atmosphere which draws your *Husbands, your wives are ONE with you. To not think of them as wife special is to commit suicide and inflict needless pain on yourself. *God has a very high view of women! They are to be honored and lifted up.

How can we say, ‘I love you’ everyday? Christ must be on the throne. IV. A SOLIDIFYING LOVE 5:31 A. Oneness Is Recognized 31 B. Oneness Is Realized 1. Two shall be one… 2. Why is marriage to be unbreakable? For this cause… *It is a picture of Christ and His church. *We are members of His body. *Leave and cleave…is to create one new person. 3. God hates divorce… *Because of sin and the hardness of man’s heart divorce does occur… *God hates divorce…He can…He will…He does forgive it. Divorce destroys. 4. Divorce and remarriage cannot be the unpardonable sin. 5. Divorce…don’t say it…don’t suggest it.

“Let’s see what God can do with this marriage.”