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Husbands Responsibility: Managing Their Homes Introduction: The home is one area where people can do a poor job and thing they can get by with it. It is also one area where we may think we are doing a good job and we wrong. Proverbs 11.29 warns us of the consequences of not managing our households well. If satan wanted to hurt us, individually and collectively, he would attack our families. I) God’s Order and The Husband’s Obligation A) 1 Corinthians 11.1 shows us God’s order – (God – Christ – Man – Woman) 1. Marriage is a covenant relationship where man has the responsibility to be the head, Ephesians 5.23 2. This position is not negotiable nor can he give up his position without violating God’s law. B) What does it mean to be the head of the household? 1. He is to provide leadership and make decisions regarding the family. 2. He is to provide physically for his family, 1 Timothy 5.8 3. He is to rear his children, the passage does not say to have the state, grandparents, the schools, or someone else rear your children, Ephesians 6.4 4. He is to provide spiritual leadership in his family (Cornelius is a good example Acts 10.1-2) a. He does this by studying his Bible, 2 Timothy 2.15 Brother Raymond Reeves provided spiritual leadership by knowing his Bible. b. Busy at overseeing his family, knowing what is going on. i. Some times in looking at the qualifications for being an elder we concentrate on the number of children and "faithful children." But did he actually rear his children? ii. Being a father is a hands on job. One of the best things Regena did for me as a father was giving me the child and saying, "he’s your son too." c. Busy at working in the congregational setting; teaching, singing, praying, etc. II) Physical Lessons First and Then The Spiritual Lessons A) I Corinthians 15.46 1. A man learns to take care of his family physical needs (financial). 2. A man learns to take care of his family spiritually, Deut. 6.6-9 a. The home is where God’s word is put into practice, 2 Timothy 3.14-15 3. He learns to take care of the household spiritually, 1 Timothy 3.4-5, 12 B) When he "manages his household well" he… 1. Grows in his ability to serve God 2. He is fulfilling his responsibilities to his wife and children 3. He gives his children spiritual leadership and guidance 4. He provides for his children a good image of God `a. Our children learn about God by looking at us 5. The church is provided with men who can and will provide godly leadership C) When a man is not doing these things… 1. He is not honoring his covenant with God 2. He not fulfilling his responsibility to his wife, 1 Peter 3.7; Ephesians 5.25 a. Women are sometimes placed in the position of leadership 3. He is providing a poor example to his children and others 4. The church is deprived of godly men and leadership a. Women are placed in the position of leadership in denominations and even in some "institutional churches" 5. He is guilty of sin and must repent, Acts 17.30 a. Study, prayer, teach, get involved in the "work of the family and church" Conclusion: Our homes are not being destroyed due to a lack of wealth or things. They are being destroyed because we are not following God’s pattern in the home. D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 05.20.07 |