Here are the seven points of application from the sermons of 28 June, based on Ephesians 5:25-30, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body."
The 7P Husband loves his wife as Christ loved the church by being for her a
1. Prophet – goes before God with a listening ear to discern His will, wisdom, and guidance
2. Priest – goes before God to present praise & petition, to make confession, and to seek forgiveness and reconciliation
3. Protector – protects and guards his wife from physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual harm
4. Provider - provides for the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of his wife and seeks to place what is needed in each of these areas “on the table” from the resources of the Lord.
5. Partner – acts as one of a pair or a team to take up and share all of life with his wife and lighten her “load”
6. Pal – lives as his wife’s best friend, seeking the fullest joy and happiness in life for her individually and for them together
7. Professor - teaches her and trains her in the practical skills of life and godliness
Husbands, this is one order you can follow, one for each day Sunday through Saturday, to help you think about and pray about how to live Jesus’ example before your wife. Rearrange them to suit your preference and schedule, and your wife’s needs.
And don’t forget: one of the smartest things you can do is consistently open the car door for your sweetheart! Keep at it till it becomes habit. Encourage her to wait until you can walk around the car to let her enter or exit. It will show just how special she is and will be a consistent reminder to you about being a 7P Husband. May the Lord richly bless you as you seek to follow the Lord and bless your “bride” in His name.
Note: As mentioned in the sermon, the seven titles came from Jack Taylor during a lunch time message at a couple’s retreat weekend at Park Avenue Baptist Church, Titusville, Florida in October 1977. The explanation of each comes after thirty two years of remembering, forgetting, and adjusting what he said. I’m sure he would agree: “To God be the glory!”
John
