Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

The Role of the Wife Colossians 3:18 The Christian is radically changed by Christ, so we put off the old vices and put on new virtues Everything we do in word or deed is to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus

The Role of the Wife Colossians 3:18 The radical change of nature must also be applied to fulfilling our God given roles in relationships Colossians 3:18-4:1

Preliminary Thoughts Be careful about your response to each of these messages - seek to encourage, not criticize The prevalence of feminist thought has made Scriptural command controversial even in the church Preachers don’t like to have people made at them, but they must declare God’s truths nevertheless

Marriage Ephesians 5:31-32 / Genesis 2:24 Marriage is to be a picture of Christ and His relationship to the church, it is to glorify God God defines marriage as between a man and woman - so anything else is a perverse evil

Marriage No one cares about marriage more than God - so there is hope for any marriage Even if one spouse fails, the other spouse can still glorify God by fulfilling their role in godliness There is no better marriage than the one with Jesus at the center of it and both spouses living by the Spirit

The Role of the Wife Colossians 3:18 Genesis 2:18-25 1 Corinthians 11:8-9 - The woman was made for the man’s sake Paul elevated the position of women – but he did not compromise the truth about their God given role

The Role of the Wife Colossians 3:18 Feminists reject this for they are in rebellion against God ignorant of a woman’s incredible worth Prior to the fall into sin, Adam & Eve were “naked” – “without impediment” with each other - Genesis 2:25

The Role of the Wife Colossians 3:18 The curse on Eve (Gen 3:16) included her desire for her husband & him ruling over her Selfish desire replaced complimentary selfless service God’s design for marriage fights this curse through complimentary roles for husband & wife

The Issue of Submission Colossians 3:18; Ephesians 5:22 Be subject / submit (uJpotavssw / hupotassô) - voluntary surrender of will to another

The Issue of Submission Colossians 3:18; Ephesians 5:22 Walk as wise men (vs. 15-17) be filled with the Spirit (vs. 18-20) be subject to one another (vs. 21) roles in marriage (vs. 22-30)

The Issue of Submission Colossians 3:18; Ephesians 5:22 All Christians are to submit to one another, but the wife has the particular responsibility to be submissive This is a submission rising out of being filled with the Spirit and loving Christ and her husband

The Issue of Submission Ephesians 5:23 The husband is the head - a position of authority and responsibility, not superiority The headship is God’s design (1 Cor. 11:3) based on the order of creation & purpose (1 Tim. 2:13)

The Issue of Submission 1 Peter 3:1-6 An impossible task without the Holy Spirit enabling you to do it.

Limitations on Submission Colossians 3:18 Submission is to God first, then your husband. You are not to follow a husband into sin Submission does not mean allowing your husband to abuse you - 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 Submission does not mean coddling an unbelieving husband - 1 Corinthians 7:15

The Issue of Respect Ephesians 5:33 Your husbands success will be greatly effected by your ability as a wife - Proverbs 31:23 He does not have to be perfect to show him respect - start with the areas you do respect

Power to Succeed Wives struggle with submission because of a lack in their own walk with the Lord To the degree you are controlled by the Spirit you will be better able to fulfill your role as a wife God places you in the position He wants you to be in - your responsibility is to be faithful in it

Power to Succeed The position of the wife is of incredible value - do not underestimate it or diminish it Live according to your new nature in Christ, and be the godliest wife you can possibly be.

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ