A sword in one hand. Working with the other. (February 18, 2012)
Gospel Marriage (February 15, 2012)
This past weekend we started our relationship series called CRUSH. The idea is that we get into marriage because of the passion we have for another person but then the marriage becomes a crushing weight. None of us wanted it to go that way but somehow it does. The reason is that we can misunderstand marriage and fail to see the underlying reasons that led it to that point.
In Ephesians 5, Paul calls marriage a “profound mystery” because of how it compares to the relationship between Jesus and the church. It could be translated a “Great Secret” and helps us to understand why marriage can be crushing. In other words, we will never be passionate in our marriage until we understand how it relates to the gospel. In addition, we will never receive from marriage what was intended until we apply the gospel to it.
The reason why marriage is crushing is because both people are wanting the other to make them happy and when they don’t it gets heavy. But there in lies the problem. Marriage is not about us being happy but about us becoming holy. If we put our happiness on our spouse it will crush them, however if we put it on Jesus then He has already been crushed and rose again. A Gospel marriage is one where you find your satisfaction in who Jesus is for you and then you are free to “crush” or love on your spouse. This then creates a true sacrificial love where your actions are not based on their responses. When you love your spouse this way it opens up their heart and then in turn they will reciprocate love back to you.
Marriage can only work when the Gospel is at the center and not self-gratification. This is the essence of Gospel marriage.
Here are my sermon notes: Crush week #1: Crush or Crushed (18)
P.S. I know we immediately think about objections to this based upon circumstances and we will deal with those this weekend for week 2. Make sure you are there.
Sunday Set List | 2.12.12 (February 13, 2012)
Yesterday was incredible. I know I probably say that every Monday after every Sunday, but that is honestly how I feel about Revolution. What we are experiencing is not normal. In fact, it blows my mind… what a sense of excitement and anticipation yesterday! God does not disappoint! He never fails! I read a tweet the other day by a well known worship leader…He said, “Anticipation is the breeding ground for miracles”. Revolution, keep the anticipation high. Expect God to move in and through lives every single week. Not only on Sunday, but every other day as well and we will continue to see more and more miraculous things. We will see more and more people come to Christ who we thought had written God off. We will see more and more marriages restored that we thought were too broken to be healed. Expect! Anticipate! He is here.
Songs from Sunday:
1. Set Fire to the Rain | Adele | iTunes
2. Exalted One | Elevation Worship | iTunes
3. With Us | Hillsong Live | iTunes
Contributor | Thad Wood (Worship Pastor)