Feb 10, 2014
Nehemiah 1:3-11, 4:1-9; Song of Songs 2:15
The Assessment . . .
· Right now our marriage is broken andit seems hopeless.
o Cry out to God in prayer.
o Confess sin.
o Stand on the truth of God’s word.
· Right now our marriage has breaches in it that need to be repaired and it seemsoverwhelming.
o Ask God to do what seems impossible.
o Identify the areas that need to be repaired.
o Join God in the work of repairing your marriage.
· Right now our marriage is steady, and it seems secure. (Song of Songs 2:15)
o Realize the enemy is always scheming against you.
o Remain constant in prayer.
o Stay guarded in every way.
The Need for Transformation . . .
v Regardless where you are in your marriage, it should constantly be transforming in a way that is conforming you to the image of Christ. (Romans 12:2)
And here’s why . . .
v Before God will transform your marriage, God must transform you from the inside-out.
· It is easy for us to look at our spouse and say, “You need to change.”
· It’s much more difficult to allow God to examine our heart, our motives, our attitudes, our actions, and hear Him say to us, “I need to change you.”
v When we allow God to change us from the inside out, we begin to view our mate in a much differentway.
· I see you as a child of God/creation of God vs. Youare my enemy.
· I want to serve you vs. I want you to serve me.
· I want to give you vs. I want you to give me.
· I want to honor you vs. I want you to honor me.
· I want to build you up vs. I want to tear you down.
· I want to show you love vs. I want you to show me love.
Truth Statement: Transformation in your marriage begins with transformation in you.
5 Keys for Transformation . . .
1. Mutual submission (Ephesians 5:21-24; 1-6)
2. Respectfulhonor (1 Peter 3:7)
3. Sacrificial love (Ephesians 5:25-33)
4. Undeserved grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)
5. Christ-like forgiveness (Matthew 6:12; 18:21-35)