Pastor Lawton's Sermon

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June 13, 2010 -

"Family Matters: The Ideal and the Fallen "

Sermon Outline

Family Matters: The Ideal and the Fallen
Genesis 1:27 – 31 (P.1), 3:8 – 19 (P.2-3)

Adam and Eve Fulfill God’s Will (Gen. 1:28 - 31)

1. God’s representatives
1. God’s authority
2. He is the initiator
2. Ruled together
1. Serving together can unify a couple
2. “Be fruitful and increase in number”
3. God’s provision comes through man’s ruling      

Complementary roles

1. Man’s responsibility (2:15 – 23)
1. His authority is one of function not superiority
2. Order of authority (Eph. 5:22-24)
1. Man was created first
2. Eve was created for Adam
3. Eve was created from Adam and Adam named her
3. Biblical submission (Eph. 5:22 – 24)
1. Submission has been distorted and abused
2. The example of God the Father and Christ
4. Man’s responsibility is to work the land to provide food
2. Woman’s responsibility
1. The nurturer
2. Manages the household
3. Example: The Wife of Noble Character (Prov. 31)
1. She provides food for her family (v.15)
2. Buys a field and plants a vineyard (v.16)
3. She provides for the needy (v.20)
4. She sows and sells some of what she sows (v.24)

Fallen Marriages

1. The Fall is the reality
1. Not the beginning
2. Not the end
2. Role Mix-Up
1. Everybody wants control
2. Nobody wants the blame
3. Roles were made more difficult (3:16 – 19)
4. Lost focus of the oneness

Rebellion Against God

1. Try to fill God’s role
1. Unhealthy relationships result
2. Beware of what we become convinced of (3:6)
3. We can always choose God’s way
1. God desires love and respect in our marriages (Eph. 5:33)
2. Becoming one demands it
4. Seek unity!

Going Deeper

1. Fill out the role expectations sheet, are there any areas that seem to be points of tension?  Talk about them with your spouse and prayerfully consider how to resolve the matter.

1. Unhealthy relationships with others can be a reflection on an unhealthy relationship with God.  Is there an area in your life where you are unwilling to yield to God’s authority?  If so, surrender it to God.
2. Read Ephesians 5:22-33 focus on the potential of the relationship.  Ask God for strength and wisdom in fulfilling your duty as a husband or wife.

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