Love Works: The Gospel Changes Everything

Week 1: Purpose of Marriage
Week 2: The Meaning of Headship
Week 3: The Point of the Promises
Week 4: The Gift of Singleness

The Gift….at the heart of the gospel, the good news
In Christ (gospel), God has changed everything
“Flipped the Script”

Ezekiel 36:26 (The Message)
I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed.

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

Jesus is the “supply line” or headwater for SHALOM
He is the Source
- Ephesians 2:14 (ESV) 

God is the “supply line” or headwater for SHALOM
God is the Source
- Isaiah 44:3 (ESV)

God’s Shalom Revolution Described as HEADWATERS (Source)
- Isaiah 58:11 (ESV)

He expects us to become “supply lines” of Shalom…”
A Source for others!
- Isaiah 1:5, 17(ESV)

John 7:37–38 (ESV)

Marriage is a transforming relationship that transforms us toward the increasing experience and expression of oneness where WE BRING GLORY TO THE TRIUNE GOD!

Be Encouraged! God is at WORK moving us toward greater splendor!!!

Ephesians 5:26–27 (ESV)

Ephesians 5:22-23

Christ is in Charge
He is Kurios
- Philippians 2:9–11 (ESV)

What is it that Needs to Be Changed
Oppressive Patriarchy

“The male is by nature superior, and the female inferior, one rules and the other is ruled; this principle of necessity extends to all mankind.”
Aristotle described women as incomplete men — or, as it were, “a deformity." - Aristotle , Politics

Paterfamilias… “ruled by the father, the paterfamilias, to whom his wife, his slaves, and possibly several generations of his descendants were subject and in whom title to all property was vested, so that a son or any other member of the house, even as an adult, did not own anything. Anyone within his household had no rights and he held the absolute power over their lives which could be taken without any legal recourse.”

Universal SCRIPT FOR LEADER
Plutarch, a prolific author and native Greek speaker, wrote a letter in around 100 AD to a bride and groom where he gives marriage advice. Throughout his letter, Plutarch uses various Greek words to describe the husband’s leadership. He writes, for example, that the husband is the one who displays “leadership” (hēgemoneia) and “decision-making” (proairesis) in the home . And, the husband is “to rule” (kratien and archein) his wife.

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)
- Hegoemai….same word used in secular Greek for leader

THE NEW SCRIPT
From patriarchy to “HEAD”
Husbands, Be a “supply line” a “Headwater” for Shalom

Ephesians 5:22–23, 25-27 (ESV)

Household codes by pagan authors, such as Aristotle and Xenophon, were written in order to uphold the rights of the powerful and to keep the less powerful in their place.
The purpose of Paul’s codes in the New Testament, however, was different. He writes for a revolution of shalom. He writes for the powerful in the world to become a supply line of power for the the vulnerable

1.) Build Daily “Supply Lines” into each other’s lives
a.) Talk different
b.) Stop flexing…
c.) Talk less… pass the mic
2.) Honor and Elevate the Giftedness of Each Other
a.) Pray for each other in the unique qualities and giftedness that God has given
b.) Affirm and celebrate the others giftedness often
c.) Empower