Brad Wilkerson // COC Metro

Man vs Wife Part 4

This week will be the last installment of blogs on my current message series, "Man vs Wife."  This past Sunday we wrapped up the series with what I would consider to be one of the toughest sermons I have ever had to preach.  We simply looked at a "Bowl of Stew" contained in Genesis 25 and how that bowl of stew changed Esau's life forever.  Here is a recap:

3 Facts about Appeties:

1.  God created them....Sin distorted them.

Genesis 1 & 2.  God created everything and He said, "It is good."  So what happened?  Sin entered the story in Genesis 3 and distorted what God meant for good.

2.  Appetites are never fully and finally satisfied.

MARRIAGE was not given to us for our satisfaction but rather for our sanctification.

Continually pursue your spouse just as Christ continually pursues you.

3.  Your appetite will always whisper, "Now", never "Later"

We want instant gratification in our marriages but MARRIAGE is a lifelong endeavor.

The 3 Lies of Genesis 25

1.  The Accomplishment Lie

The grass is greener on the other side simply because there is a leak in the septic tank.

2.  The "That Will Never Happen to Me" Lie

Extreme Sin requires Extreme Measures

When you say things like, that will never happen to me, you are hanging a neon sign out that says, "Come get me satan."

3.  The "It's Not a Big Deal" Lie

An affair is a BIG FLIPPIN deal!

Esau lost it all for a bowl of stew.  No longer would God be known to the children of Israel as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Esau.  He is forever known as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all because Esau sold his birthright for the momentary satisfaction of a bowl of stew.

It's a BIG DEAL!

I know a lot of Jacobs but I have never met anyone named Esau....interesting.

"Giving up something NOW for something better LATER is never a sacrifice....it's an investment!"

Man vs Wife Part 3

This past Sunday we continued in our message series discussing the issue of marriage.We are just simply asking the question:  "What happened to marital bliss?"  For the entire month of May we are trying to unwrap that question and get back to when we first fell in love.  Our ultimate goal is to see the marriages of COC Metro remove the "D" word from their vocabulary.

This week we picked on the women and challenged them on what Biblical Womanhood really looks and feels like.

Week Thre Recap:

1. Submission

No matter what culture says:  SUBMISSION is NOT  a dirty word! 

Here’s the deal…..some women struggle with this idea of SUBMISSION because it has been MISUSED and MISUNDERSTOOD. 

I Peter 3:1

Here’s the deal ladies….when you understand the BIBLICAL definition of SUBMISSION it is the most freeing thing in your life.  

A.  Are you submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

B.  Are you submitted to your Husband?

Ladies understand:  Your husband we will stand before God and give an account for his family….Not you.

That is so freeing! 

SINGLE LADIES:  Wives submit….Not Girlfriends!!!!

I Peter 2:23-25

SUBMISSION….Surrendering to your husbands MISSION….Men is your MISSION CHRIST?

2. Purity

 I Peter 3:2

 Here is the key question:  “Ladies are you PURE in your motives toward your husband?” 

A.  Let’s talk about the EMOTIONAL Affair.

*Sharing secrets with another man about your marriage

*Text Messaging

*Social Media…..FACEBOOK

Here’s what happens…..A wife is not feeling an emotional connection with her husband and Satan will bring someone into her life who fills that emotional void……many times through a computer screen / social media.

B.  Unrealistic romantic expectations. 

Ladies:  When people look at you do they see purity and reverence or something else?

3. Beauty

Most women don’t truly think they are beautiful. 

ASK:  Ladies:  Why don’t you feel beautiful?

1.  Compare yourself to unrealistic standards.

No bodies' face / body / hair / eyes / house / LIFE is perfect.

I Peter 3:3-4

True beauty is INNER Beauty.

Stop comparing yourselves to false standards.

2.  Because of what has been done to you.

In Christ you are a new creation....No matter what was done to you!

 

See you Sunday for Part 4.... "Bowl of Stew"

 

Man vs Wife Part 2

This past Sunday we continued in our message series discussing the issue of marriage.We are just simply asking the question:  "What happened to marital bliss?"  For the entire month of May we are trying to unwrap that question and get back to when we first fell in love.  Our ultimate goal is to see the marriages of COC Metro remove the "D" word from their vocabulary.

So since this past Sunday was, Mother's Day, we decided to pick on the men and challenge them on what it means to love our wives, "No Matter What!"  

Week Two Recap:

1.  Commitment #1

NO MATTER WHAT……You Do as my wife, I will love you!.....NO MATTER WHAT!

 (FOR BETTER…..FOR WORSE)

 Ephesians 5:25a

Christ loves the church (you and me) based on our position not our performance!

Paul says to us men, love your wives just as Christ loves HIS church.

Men, love her based on her position not her performance.

2.  Commitment #2

 MEN:  No Matter What……..It Takes!

 Ephesians 5:25b …and gave himself up for her.

 ONE WORD MEN:  Sacrifice 

The couple who prays together stays together….

Praying together….HARD…Sacrifice!

3. Commitment #3

No Matter What……You Need

Number one need in a woman’s life in the 21^st Century is for her man to step up and be the spiritual leader of the home.

CONCLUSION 

1 Peter 3:7

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way (Let that sink in a bit and sit and simmer), showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life.

See you Sunday as we pick on the ladies just a bit!!!!

 

Man vs Wife

This past Sunday we started a new message series here at COC Metro discussing the issue of marriage.We are just simply asking the question:  "What happened to marital bliss?"  For the entire month of May we are trying to unwrap that question and get back to when we first fell in love.  Our ultimate goal is to see the marriages of COC Metro remove the "D" word from their vocabulary.

Week One Recap:

Bottom Line:  To fix something that is broke you have to be willing to work on it.

Bottom Line:  To keep something from breaking you have to protect it.

In marriage there is going to be a FIGHT....PERIOD!

We all have to make the decision if we are going to fight in or fight for our marriage!

"My marriage or my future marriage will go far beyond my imagination when I focus on my responsibilities not my rights!"

Point One:  We've Got to Walk With Christ

We need divine intervention in our marriages because we all enter them with unrealistic expectations!

Philippians Chapter 2 Paul tells us to:

Encourage / Comfort / Fellowship / Show Tenderness & Compassion to and with each other (this includes our spouse)

Point Two:  We've Got to See Like Christ

This is a must because we are different.  Paul calls marriage a great mystery.  You think?

Two totally different people (chemically / emotionally / physically) are told to come together and live, till death does them part, as one.

I call that a serious MYSTERY.  You better see things through the eyes of Christ.

Point Three:  Be Like Christ

Live life (especially in your marriage) without selfishness or vain conceit.

READ Philippians 2:6-11 and see what being like Christ truly means

It means:  Focusing on your responsibilities not your rights.

This week we dive into Part Two with the talk:  No Matter What!  We will be looking at what women need from their man in the marriage....No Matter What!  Perfect timing for Mother's Day!

Have a great week and we'll see you Sunday at COC Metro.