God's Purpose in Our Lives and Marriages

Summary

In today's gathering, we celebrated the beautiful orchestration of God's plans in our lives, particularly through the story of Shadwa and Sandra. Their journey reminds us of the intricate ways God works behind the scenes, aligning our paths for His greater purpose. As Shadwa steps into her role as our children's ministry director, we are reminded of the profound impact of teaching children to follow Jesus. This is a sacred calling, and those who are gifted in this area are invaluable to our congregation. We prayed for Shadwa, asking God to bless her ministry and guide her steps as she nurtures the next generation of disciples.

We then delved into the book of Ephesians, exploring the profound truths about marriage. Over the past weeks, we've examined God's purpose for marriage, focusing on unity, enjoyment, and today, godliness. Marriage is not just about companionship or happiness; it is a divine tool to cultivate godliness in us. The essence of marriage is unity, as seen in Genesis 2, where God brings a man and a woman together as one flesh. This unity is not meant to be a burdensome obligation but a joyful partnership.

Moreover, marriage is a reflection of Christ's relationship with the church. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church, with self-sacrificial love that seeks the other's good above their own. Wives, in turn, are encouraged to respect their husbands, not because they are always deserving, but out of reverence for Christ. This mutual submission and love create a marriage that mirrors the gospel, showcasing God's love to the world.

In Ephesians, Paul emphasizes that our lives, including our marriages, should reflect the transformative power of the gospel. As believers, we are called to walk in humility, gentleness, and patience, maintaining unity and peace. This is not just a call for individual conduct but a blueprint for our relationships, especially in marriage. When both partners strive to out-love and out-serve each other, they create a glimpse of heaven on earth.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Orchestration in Our Lives: The story of Shadwa and Sandra illustrates how God aligns our paths for His purposes. Even when we cannot see the full picture, God is at work, weaving our lives together in ways that only He can. Trusting in His plan allows us to embrace the roles He has prepared for us. [12:37]

2. The Sacred Calling of Teaching Children: Teaching children to follow Jesus is a profound and sacred calling. Those who are gifted in this area are invaluable to the church, as they shape the next generation of disciples. Investing in children's ministry is investing in the future of the church. [22:32]

3. Marriage as a Reflection of the Gospel: Marriage is a divine tool to cultivate godliness in us. It reflects Christ's relationship with the church, where husbands are called to love sacrificially, and wives are encouraged to respect their husbands. This mutual submission and love create a marriage that mirrors the gospel. [29:19]

4. Walking in Unity and Peace: As believers, we are called to walk in humility, gentleness, and patience, maintaining unity and peace. This is not just for individual conduct but a blueprint for our relationships, especially in marriage. When both partners strive to out-love and out-serve each other, they create a glimpse of heaven on earth. [45:50]

5. The Transformative Power of the Gospel: Our lives, including our marriages, should reflect the transformative power of the gospel. The love and grace we receive from God should spill over into our relationships, creating a living advertisement of God's love to the world. [52:04]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [12:37] - Introduction of Shadwa and Sandra
- [22:32] - The Importance of Children's Ministry
- [24:23] - Exploring Ephesians
- [25:52] - The Power of Purpose in Marriage
- [27:19] - Unity in Marriage
- [29:19] - God's Purpose for Marriage
- [31:17] - Understanding Ephesians
- [32:19] - The Culture of Ephesus
- [34:54] - God's Love and Grace
- [36:33] - The Immeasurable Love of God
- [38:56] - The Good News of Jesus
- [40:05] - Unity in Christ
- [41:09] - Breaking Down Hostility
- [43:23] - The Legacy of the Gospel
- [44:17] - Walking Worthy of the Calling
- [45:50] - Practical Christian Living
- [46:37] - The Purpose of Work
- [48:31] - The Power of Words
- [50:07] - Living as God's Children
- [52:04] - The Transformative Power of the Gospel
- [53:34] - Marriage and Mutual Submission
- [55:36] - Respect and Love in Marriage
- [57:02] - Husbands, Love Your Wives
- [58:51] - Sacrificial Love in Marriage
- [01:00:53] - The Role of Husbands
- [01:02:49] - The Profound Mystery of Marriage
- [01:03:38] - Heaven on Earth Through Marriage
- [01:05:03] - The Covenant of Marriage
- [01:06:23] - Invitation to Trust Jesus

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 5:21-33
- Genesis 2:24
- Ephesians 4:1-3

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Ephesians 5:21-33 say about the roles of husbands and wives in marriage? How does this passage reflect the relationship between Christ and the church? [53:34]

2. In Genesis 2:24, what is the significance of the phrase "one flesh" in the context of marriage? How does this concept relate to the unity discussed in the sermon? [27:19]

3. According to Ephesians 4:1-3, what characteristics are believers encouraged to exhibit in their relationships? How do these traits contribute to unity and peace? [45:50]

4. How does the story of Shadwa and Sandra illustrate God's orchestration in our lives, as mentioned in the sermon? [12:37]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of mutual submission in Ephesians 5:21 challenge or affirm cultural views on marriage roles today? What might this look like in a modern marriage? [53:34]

2. In what ways does the unity described in Genesis 2:24 serve as a foundation for a godly marriage? How does this unity reflect God's purpose for marriage? [27:19]

3. How can the qualities of humility, gentleness, and patience from Ephesians 4:1-3 be practically applied in a marriage to maintain unity and peace? [45:50]

4. Reflecting on the sermon, how does the transformative power of the gospel influence our approach to marriage and relationships? [52:04]

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Application Questions:

1. Think about a time when you felt God's orchestration in your life. How did that experience shape your trust in His plans? How can you apply this trust to your current circumstances? [12:37]

2. If you are involved in teaching or mentoring children, how can you view this role as a sacred calling? What steps can you take to invest more deeply in the next generation? [22:32]

3. In your marriage or close relationships, how can you practice the self-sacrificial love described in Ephesians 5:25? What specific actions can you take this week to prioritize the needs of your partner? [58:51]

4. Consider the idea of marriage as a reflection of the gospel. How can you and your partner work together to showcase God's love to those around you? What changes might be necessary to better reflect this in your relationship? [29:19]

5. Identify one area in your marriage or relationships where you struggle with humility, gentleness, or patience. What practical steps can you take to improve in this area and promote unity? [45:50]

6. How can you create a "glimpse of heaven on earth" in your marriage or relationships by striving to out-love and out-serve each other? What specific actions can you take to make this a reality? [01:03:38]

7. Reflect on the transformative power of the gospel in your life. How can this transformation influence the way you approach conflicts or challenges in your marriage or relationships? [52:04]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: Trusting in God's Divine Orchestration
Description: The story of Shadwa and Sandra serves as a powerful reminder of how God intricately weaves our lives together for His greater purpose. Even when we cannot see the full picture, God is at work behind the scenes, aligning our paths in ways that only He can. Trusting in His plan allows us to embrace the roles He has prepared for us, knowing that He is orchestrating every detail for our good and His glory. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to surrender our plans and trust in His divine timing and purpose. [12:37]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you struggle to see God's plan. How can you actively choose to trust His orchestration today?

Day 2: The Sacred Responsibility of Teaching Children
Description: Teaching children to follow Jesus is a profound and sacred calling. Those who are gifted in this area are invaluable to the church, as they shape the next generation of disciples. Investing in children's ministry is investing in the future of the church. It is a responsibility that requires dedication, love, and a deep understanding of the impact that early spiritual guidance can have on a child's life. As we pray for those in this ministry, we are reminded of the importance of nurturing young hearts and minds in the ways of the Lord. [22:32]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Reflection: Consider how you can support or participate in the spiritual education of children in your community. What steps can you take this week to contribute to this sacred calling?

Day 3: Marriage as a Mirror of the Gospel
Description: Marriage is a divine tool to cultivate godliness in us, reflecting Christ's relationship with the church. Husbands are called to love their wives with self-sacrificial love, just as Christ loved the church, while wives are encouraged to respect their husbands out of reverence for Christ. This mutual submission and love create a marriage that mirrors the gospel, showcasing God's love to the world. It is a partnership that goes beyond companionship or happiness, aiming to reflect the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. [29:19]

Ephesians 5:25-27 (ESV): "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."

Reflection: Reflect on your own relationships, whether married or not. How can you embody the self-sacrificial love and respect that mirrors the gospel in your interactions with others?

Day 4: Walking in Unity and Peace
Description: As believers, we are called to walk in humility, gentleness, and patience, maintaining unity and peace. This is not just a call for individual conduct but a blueprint for our relationships, especially in marriage. When both partners strive to out-love and out-serve each other, they create a glimpse of heaven on earth. This unity is a testament to the world of the peace and love that the gospel brings into our lives, encouraging us to live in harmony with one another. [45:50]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: Identify a relationship in your life where unity and peace are lacking. What practical steps can you take today to foster humility, gentleness, and patience in that relationship?

Day 5: The Transformative Power of the Gospel
Description: Our lives, including our marriages, should reflect the transformative power of the gospel. The love and grace we receive from God should spill over into our relationships, creating a living advertisement of God's love to the world. As we allow the gospel to transform us, we become vessels of His love and grace, impacting those around us and drawing them closer to Him. This transformation is a continuous journey, inviting us to daily surrender to His will and purpose. [52:04]

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."

Reflection: Reflect on how the gospel has transformed your life. How can you intentionally share this transformative power with someone in your life this week?

Quotes

1) "There is not a more important place on this campus and not a more important season of life that you can invest your life in than teaching children to follow Jesus. Practically speaking, I've told our staff for years, people will put up with a lot from me if we teach and care for their children well. So it doesn't matter. who you are, where you've come from. If you have gifts that you think you could offer Jesus to teach kids of all ages to follow him, we need you. We have three services on Sunday morning and we have a thriving children's ministry on Wednesday nights as well. Think about it. Not everybody's wired, not everybody's gifted, not everybody is called to serve children. But those who are are very, very special gifts to any local congregation." [12:37] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "The power of purpose is a real thing. One of the most brutal things that any human being can experience is suffering for no apparent reason. And I think that's a very important thing. Suffering for no apparent reason. Suffering that seems chaotic, uncalled for, that doesn't seem purposeful in any way. So what I've tried to do for three weeks, this originally was supposed to be one sermon with three points, but then I think I made a better decision to slow down and take each of those truths one at a time. All I've tried to do in calling that audible is to show you for three consecutive weeks what God had in mind for marriages. God's purpose, God's why for marriage." [25:52] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "God wants you in all things. And if you have the gift, as I do, of being married, if you're in a season of life where you are married, if you someday want to be married, whether you're going to remarry or you're going to be married for the first time, young and old alike should know, it doesn't matter when you enter the marriage, and in what circumstances you enter marriage, God will always want from His children the same thing in every gift He gives them, including marriage. He wants our godliness." [29:19] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Paul tells the church at Ephesus, who he loved and spent a lot of time teaching, that God has called them out of that kind of darkness, that they were once dead in their trespasses and sins, but now God in His great mercy has reached down and saved them. And then, through the entire letter, he tells them that Jesus Christ is supreme, that Jesus is the only one who loved them and died for them. And, revolutionary in the ancient world, He not only loved them and them alone, Jesus loved people across ethnic groups and across socioeconomic divides, and God loved religious Jews and pagan Gentiles alike. And if any one of those people would trust Jesus, Jesus would save them all." [32:19] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Imagine a love so vast that you can't even understand it. Nobody else in the world loves you that way. Not your mom, not your dad, not your kids, not your best friend. No one in the world loves you the way God has loved you in Christ so that His love is so vast that it will take the rest of eternity for you to understand it and you need God's help to even begin to grasp it." [37:55] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Marriage is a tool in God's hand to kill selfishness and grow godliness. What is God doing in every scene? of your marriage. He is trying to make you more like His Son, Jesus Christ. He is trying to weave the good news of the gospel that you are this loved, this forgiven, this cherished, this safe, this secure, this blessed so deeply into your life that as a natural response, wives put husbands ahead of their own agenda, and husbands do the same." [01:03:38] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "If you're married, you have the opportunity to make heaven come a little closer to earth and show the love of your Father every single day. And the way He's going to do that is, through hard and good times, He's going to develop His character in each of you." [01:06:23] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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