Sermon Info
Summary
Men, the message on Sunday was a challenge to display greater faith in God. Have you taken time to process the three big questions that every man should ask? If not, take some time today to pray through these: 1. When was the last time you did something that was destined to fail without the help of God? 2. Are you leading your children to walk in faith? 3. Have you given your life fully to God?
Content
The One: Staying in Love
Created Equally but Differently
God created men and women differently, including in what each of our roles are in a relationship. Though we are not created to be exactly the same, we were created to be equal in role and significance. Our culture and world today is constantly redefining what these expectations are for gender roles; however, the intention and purpose that God had when He defined our roles as different genders has remained the same.
Men, specifically, are designed to be the spiritual leader of the home, and God desires for men to walk out in faith, trusting Him even as they go into an uncertain future. As their loyal companions and partners, women are created to encourage and support their husband, regardless of what or where God calls them to.
What the Bible Says about the Men & Women’s Role in a Relationship
In Genesis 5, it says that God created mankind “in the likeness of God,” and he created us as both male and female. Both genders were called blessed; God never gave man superiority over women nor did he give women superiority over men. He called them both blessed and both made in His likeness.
However, when God created Eve, He said that she would be a suitable helper for Adam (Genesis 2:18). Again, this is not giving Eve, or women, an inferior position or status to men, but this is where God created women with a purpose and design that differed from the purpose and design of man.
Ephesians 5:21-33 is another passage that speaks directly to the individual roles that men and women have, specifically in a marriage relationship. Wives are instructed here to to their husbands as to the Lord, and husbands are called “the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.” (Ephesians 5:23) According to the Bible, God has specifically called men to be the spiritual leader of the home, which includes wives acknowledging and respecting their husband as the head of the household. God calls men to lead their families and their wives by listening to and seeking out the calling that God has given for their lives.
In this way, this passage also calls women, specifically a wife, to be a loyal companion and partner to her husband, encouraging and supporting him regardless of what or where God calls them to. As the leader, God’s intention for man is to walk out in faith, trusting that God will lead and guide him to the proper place for him and his family.
As a point of clarification, not once does the Bible call one role superior to another; however, it is clear that the roles are distinct and different. This design for the role of each gender was intentional, thoughtful, and perfectly planned by our good Father. Though we will never follow these roles perfectly nor are we expected to because of our fallenness and brokenness as humans, God designed marriage in this beautifully thoughtful way so that, ultimately, it would be a picture of the Gospel and, in turn, point others to Jesus.
Are You Willing to Walk by Faith?
Whether you’re male or female, married or unmarried, God has a plan and calling for your life. Have you given your life to God, trusting Him even if He calls you out into the unknown? Relationships can be difficult. Change can be difficult. Life, in general, can be difficult. Whether it’s a calling on your life or on your spouse’s or family’s, God will call you into the unknown at some point.
As a man, you must be ready and willing to follow where the Lord leads you. As a woman, if it’s your calling or your husband’s, you must be willing to submit to God’s leading and trust that He will provide for you and your family regardless of what the calling may be. God’s role for each of our lives may be different, but that does not change the truth that He longs for us to listen, first and foremost, to His call. Then, He longs for us to submit to His guidance in His Word. That means we must love, respect, and submit to our spouse and trust that the Lord will, ultimately, be all that we need no matter the outcome.
When was the last time you did something that was destined to fail without the help of God? Take this question as a challenge. Go out in faith. Walk forward trusting God, even if you don’t have a clue what the future holds. Our God is faithful, good, and true, and He will provide the answers and the guidance to face all things.
Supporting Sermon(s):
