God’s Plan for Marriage:  The Rewarded Cycle

Introduction (Text:  Ephesians 5:33)

1.  Wives need love from their husbands, while husbands need respect from their wives.  We are trying to get off The Crazy Cycle.
2. We have begun The Energized Cycle.  Husbands are learning to practice C-O-U-P-L-E toward their wives to show them love.  Wives are learning to practice C-H-A-I-R-S toward their husbands to show them respect.
3. Marriages will get better if these biblical principles are put into practice.  
4. What happens if the spouse refuses or is unable to respond appropriately?  I believe Christians are called to practice The Rewarded Cycle.

#1:  Your Marriage Is Really a Triangle (James 1:26, 3:9-10)

1. Think of your marriage as a triangle.  Bottom left is the husband, bottom right is the wife, and at the top of the triangle is Jesus.
2. Point is simple, but profound:  The Christian realizes that instead of two people, there are three involved in the marriage relationship.

#2:  Being a Blessing to Your Spouse

1. We will become a blessing to our spouse and our home if we can learn to talk like Jesus did.  God will bless us even if our spouse does not.
2. Put on the new self.  Dr. Eggerich suggests the acronym T-U-F-T-S, if we would talk like Jesus talked:

T--

U--

F--

T--

S--

Conclusion:

1. As we strive to become more like Christ, our lives will be blessed.
2. No matter how others respond, it will be worth our effort (Romans 8:18).  
3. You have a choice of how you will live:  The Crazy Cycle, The Energized Cycle,  or The Rewarded Cycle.