Pastor Mark Johnson
Sunday, February 12,2012

"LOVE AND RESPECT"

[Gleaned from “Love & Respect” by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs]

INTRO: In Eph. 5:33, God commands husbands to love their wives, and wives to respect their husbands. Why did God give different commands to each?
1. Because of what comes more natural to each.
2. Because of the different needs of each. In 1Cor. 7:28, Paul wrote that those who marry will have trouble. What kind of trouble? How should we respond?
THREE CYCLES:
1. The crazy cycle: Without love, she reacts without respect; without respect, he reacts without love.
2. The energizing cycle: His love motivates her respect; her respect motivates his love.
3. The rewarded cycle (Col. 3:23-24): His love unto Jesus Christ regardless of her respect; her respect unto Jesus Christ regardless of his love – knowing that God will reward accordingly.
*ASSUMPTION: You and your spouse are generally good-willed people (1Cor. 7:33-34b).
*FOCUS: What God wants you to do, not your spouse.
I. PINK & BLUE: NOT WRONG, JUST DIFFERENT (Mat. 19:4).   
A. God made men and women different.
B. God wants to demonstrate His image through marriage.
C. Marriage tests your commitment to Christ.
II. HOLLYWOOD OR THE HOLY WORD?
A. When there’s trouble, go with God’s Word not feelings.
B. Love/respect regardless of your mate’s actions.
III. THE 80:20 RATIO.
A. We enter marriage with unrealistic expectations.
B. We will probably have trouble 20% of the time.
C. The number in the ratio you focus on will increase!
D. Lighten up about the 20% - just roll with it.
CONCLUSION: Husbands love your wives. Wives respect your husbands. Do it regardless of your mate’s response. Do it as unto the Lord.