A Challenge for the Guys

Guys,

1 Peter 3:7 says "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."

If you're anything like me, you don't always live up to the high calling of that verse. It is unbelievably hard, often times, to overcome our own selfishness, pride, etc. and sacrificially love and serve the wife God has blessed us with. And if we're honest with ourselves, we likely haven't taken seriously enough the responsibility of serving our wives and children as Christ served the church (Ephesians 5:25).

A good friend shared this sermon (by Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle) with me on this very subject that has challenged me in a major way. It is not easy, but I admit it's a message I needed to hear (and continue to!). And now I want to share it with you.

I am writing this because I am thankful my friend shared it with me and challenged me to not just be an OK husband, but to work on being the type of husband Jesus calls us to be. I believe change only happens when we challenge one another in life, and as we seek God's strength and power to be more like Christ ("iron sharpening iron"). Single guys - there is incredible teaching and biblical truth here - stuff I wish I had been privileged to hear before I got married - so this is for you as well!

Here's the sermon description from the website: Jesus is the only perfect man to ever live. Because most men fail to look to Him as our example, there exists 2 extremes in men: chauvinism and cowardice. Pastor Mark Driscoll preaches to men about being real men who love God and serve their family well in this sermon from the "Trial" series.

Here's the link:
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/trial/marriage-and-men

You can watch it online, but since it's long (over 70 minutes), I recommend you download the video or audio (both are available on this page under the tab that says "Downloads") to your computer or ipod to watch/listen to later.

And if you get into this (or all the way through it even) and don't believe it applies to you, I challenge you to ask your wife to check it out and lovingly tell you your blind spots - we're all in need of continual improvement in how we love our wives and if you don't take anything out of it, I am pretty darn sure your wife will have some suggestions for how you can better love her!

; )

I've listened to it a few times in the last couple of months and will continue to revisit it every so often, so I don't forget the lessons here.

Thanks to all the men in my life who challenge me to be better - you know who you are!

Ladies - please pass it on to any guys in your life who could benefit from hearing it...

I'd love to hear any ways this message challenges and encourages you, as I believe it will, if you are willing to put your pride and defensiveness aside (as I had to) and really hear what Mark is saying.

May God bless you and your marriage and may we all have a hunger to grow closer to Christ and be a little more like Him at the end of every day!