Homeland Security - The Husband
Introduction
Deuteronomy 24:5
Our Scripture reading reveals the importance of establishing the marriage relationship. The Bible clearly places the emotional and spiritual well-being of the wife on the husband. There are few men (if any) who have a clue about the needs of women. A famous psychiatrist once wrote: "Despite my thirty years of research into the feminine soul, I have not yet been able to answer the great question, “What does a woman want?"
THE SEVEN STAGES OF THE MARRIED COLD
A husband's reactions to his wife's colds during the seven years of marriage:
First year: "Sugar dumpling, I'm really worried about my baby girl. You've got a bad sniffle and there's no telling about these things with all the strep going around. I'm putting you in the hospital this afternoon for a general checkup and a good rest. I know the food's lousy, but I'll be bringing your meals in from Rozzinis. I've already got it all arranged with the floor superintendent."
Second year: "Listen, darling, I don't like the sound of that cough and I've called Doc Miller to rush over here. Now you go to bed like a good girl, just for Poppa."
Third year: "Maybe you better lie down, honey. Nothing like a little rest when you feel lousy. I'll bring you something. Have we got any canned soup?"
Fourth year: "Now look, dear, be sensible. After you've fed the kids and got the dishes done and the floor finished, you better lie down."
Fifth year: "Why don't you take a couple of aspirin?"
Sixth year: "I wish you'd just gargle or something instead of sitting around barking like a seal all evening."
Seventh year: "For Pete's sake, stop sneezing! Are you trying to give me pneumonia?"
I. HUSBAND'S DUTY TO HIS WIFE
The husband is to work at building a permanent relationship with his wife, one in which there is a sacrificial type of giving."
A. COMMANDED TO LOVE HIS WIFE. (Eph. 5:25)
B. CHARGED TO CARE FOR HIS WIFE. (Eph. 5:28-29)
1. He is to nourish her.
2. He is to cherish her.
NO ONE IS PERFECT
The well-known columnist, "Dear Abby," received a letter with this disclosure and request: "I'm single, I'm forty years old, I'd like to meet a man about the same age who has no bad habits." Abby replied, "So would I."
II. HUSBAND'S HONOR OF HIS WIFE
A. HE PRIZES HER WORTH. (Prov. 18:22; 31:10-12; 1 Pet. 3:7)
B. HE PROTECTS HER REPUTATION.
1. Example of Boaz and Ruth. (Ruth 3:7-14)
2. Example of Joseph and Mary. (Matt. 1:18-21)
C. HE PRAISES HER PERSON. (Prov. 31:28b)
III. HUSBAND'S LOVE FOR HIS WIFE
A. HUSBAND'S ATTITUDE TOWARD HIS WIFE.
1. He is to rejoice in the love of his wife. (Prov. 5:18; Eccl. 9:9)
2. He is not to be bitter toward his wife. (Col. 3:19)
3. He is to be submissive along with his wife. (Eph. 5:21)
B. HUSBAND'S ATTRACTION TO HIS WIFE.
1. Her outward beauty. (Prov. 5:19a)
2. Her inward beauty. (godliness: 1 Tim. 2:9-10; 1 Pet. 3:1-4)
C. HUSBAND'S AFFECTION FOR HIS WIFE.
1. He is to be satisfied with her love. (Prov. 5:19b)
2. He is to be ravished with her love. (Prov. 5:19c)
LESSONS FOR LIFE:
1. A man's first priority must be his surrender to the Lordship of Christ.
2. Husbands need to ask God to help them to love their wives and how they can communicate and care for their needs.
3. Pride often times keep men from seeking help or to be willing to change.
4. Husbands must apply the Golden Rule of Marriage: "So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies."
5. Husbands have been given the responsibility to establish the home in love.
6. The greatest need of the home is spirit-filled men who love Jesus supremely, their wives as Christ loved the church and their children as precious gifts.
7. The greatest need of every man is salvation.