BUILDING THE HOME A Series of Lessons

BUILDING THE HOME Consult the Architect Bricks for Wives Bricks for Husbands Termites in your Troth

TITLE EXPLAINED  Troth  Old English word  Faithfulness, loyalty, trust  You know about termites  Tree or house may look sound on outside  Termites destroy from the inside  They gnaw, weaken, destroy – WITHIN  Notice 4 termites that can destroy a home

EPHESIANS 5: See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

1} CONFUSION OF ROLES  Walk with wisdom  Understand the will of the Lord  Be Very Careful  Secular World  Swingers have fun  Marriage is too absolute 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

1} CONFUSION OF ROLES  Secular World confuses us  Complex Relationships  12 in a family of 4  Immaturity  Marry then grow up 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

2} TOO BUSY Slow Me Down, Lord Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady the hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time. Teach me the art of minute vacations – of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog, to smile at a child, to read a few lines from a good book.

2} TOO BUSY Slow Me Down, Lord Remind me each day that the race is not always to the swift; That there is more to life than increasing speed. Let me look upward to the towering oak and know That it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well. Orin L. Crain

2} TOO BUSY  Workaholics book “When I Relax, I Feel Guilty”  Please listen to a reformed “workaholic.”  Each day is precious  Termites eat at our time. Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

3} INSENSITIVITY  Unwise -  Fool = dull, thick, no feeling, insensitive  Subtle trap – many are “married singles”  Married  But living separate lives  This is a termite! Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

4} STUBBORNNESS  Bull-headedness will make a home a hell  Mutual Submission  Both must be willing to give in  Not willing to back up?  Some homes need the alternate possession rule (basketball) Ephesians 5:21 Submitting to one another in the fear of God.

CONCLUSION Admit the termites have invaded Discuss how to control and eliminate them Start today Pledge your troth (loyalty and trust) To God To each other