Are Ants Eating Into Your Home?

Ephesians 5:14-21 1. Hundreds of marriage ants of time eat into your home… Are Ants Eating Into Your Home? 2. It isn’t quantity of time…sitting in front of the t.v. …on the computer… video games… Introduction 3. It is quality and quantity time…making something of your time together. 1. Is your marriage being eaten away? Patch the weak spots. B. The Reason For Your Time 2. In Ephesians 5:14-21 we are going to see 5 common weak spots: The days are evil… 1. The most dangerous time for children is between 3-6 p.m. when neither parent Is your marriage being eaten away? Patch the weak spots. is I. WHEN WE ARE NOT AWAKE 5:14 home.

Paul has been saying you need to walk…in love…in light (a living relationship with 2. You only get one chance to do it right. It’s a matter of priorities.

Christ)… walk carefully… Being too busy is a friend to the marriage ants.

It is easy to doze off in a marriage. Suggestions: *Shut off the T.V., computers, cell phones *Do things

A. Awake (wake up) together…walk…exercise…say, ‘No’ to appointments…make ‘together’

1. When you begin to take each other for granted. intentional… 2. When you stop talking and communicating. 3. When you stop appreciating, and stop listening. Is your marriage being eaten away? Patch the weak spots. 4. When you stop showing affection, being thoughtful and considerate of each IV. WHEN WE ARE NOT APPROACHABLE 5:17 other. A. The Callousness…unwise…foolish (insensitive to God first) like a callous. Sleep comes on so gradually…so easy…so natural… 1. It’s easy to draw back. We build walls around ourselves. You may not treat each other poorly, you just stop really caring for each other. 2. We are so afraid to show emotion…so afraid to show affection…so afraid to B. Arise (get up) out from among the dead… care. 1. You are going to have to stop doing what you’ve always done. 3. We go through life at arm's length. 2. In some marriages the heart is nearly gone. B. The Challenge…understand what the will of the Lord is… 3. It’s going to take effort on the part of both. It’s going to seem impossible. 1. It will never be so apart from the Word of God. As you wake up and get up…Christ will give you light. 2. What does God have to say about you…your home…your problems? The worst thing you can do is nothing! Let Him in!! 3. Learn to lower your guard…reverence each other…respect each other. 4. Accept each other, holes and all! Is your marriage being eaten away? Patch the weak spots. II. WHEN WE ARE NOT ACCURATE 5:15 Is your marriage being eaten away? Patch the weak spots. Keep on taking heed how accurately…how exactly you conduct yourself. V. WHEN WE ARE NOT ALIGNED 5:18-21 Let’s do it right! Most Christian homes aren’t doing it right! A. Controlled By The Holy Spirit A. Fools…unwise…the fool has said in his heart, ‘No God’. 1. If the Holy Spirit doesn’t control, something artificial will. Here the controller 1. Just leave God out. is 2. We live like everyone else…same problems…same needs…same results. alcohol. It may be pleasure…pride…position…things. 3. We live like the world…our pleasure…our finances…our children…our 2. The first control switch is at salvation, and then moment by moment we take priorities… our We become a product of our society. hands off. B. Wise…let God into your home. B. Characteristics of the Holy Spirit 1. Get out the road map..the Bible. Marriage ants will eat these up!! 2. Use this as a guide so you can think clearly. There is an absolute standard. 1. Singing 19 3. Change is absolutely necessary. *Is there joy in your home? *Is it fun to be there? Watch when the negative aspects of the world have invaded your home. *Has the song gone? The Holy Spirit is not in control, and something artificial Is your marriage being eaten away? Patch the weak spots. has taken His place. III. WHEN WE ARE NOT AVAILABLE 5:16 2. Satisfaction 20 Make the most of your time, because the days are evil. (It’s not easy!) *Are you thankful? *Is your home marked by contentment? (Do you A. The Requirement of Your Time always want more?) *Is there a lot of griping and complaining? (Never satisfied… Nothing pleases you) *You have a spiritual problem. Christ is not in control! 3. Submission 21 *Do you live for yourself or your mate and family? *Is there ‘mutual submission’…you give up your rights in love. *Are you doing what you want or what’s best for your family. If not, you have a spiritual problem. Christ is not in control!

Get rid of those marriage ants! Start Today! Turn them over to the exterminator Jesus Christ! Adjust your life to do His will! Don’t Quit!