We invite you to reflect. What if your atheist coworker... your unbelieving spouse... or your child who wants nothing to do with Jesus suddenly said, “I believe. I want to be baptized”? What would your reaction be? In this message, we see how true understanding of the gospel doesn’t end in knowledge—it ends in praise. That’s what the Apostle Paul does in Romans 11. After unfolding the deep truths of salvation, he falls into doxology—a cry of worship for the unsearchable mercy of God. But here’s the challenge: Do you respond to the gospel that way? Has your heart been wrecked and rebuilt by mercy? This sermon reminds us: - God’s ways are not just higher—they are inscrutable. - No one is too far gone. The Gentiles were once hopeless, but God turned the impossible into praise. - Salvation is never about your worth or works-it’s pure mercy. - And if we’re honest, many of us still try to advise God in our prayers instead of trust Him. So ask yourself: - Do you boast in your strength, or weep over your sin? - Do you offer suggestions to God, or surrender to His will? - When life doesn’t make sense, do you still worship? If the gospel doesn’t lead you to your knees in praise… If your life isn’t marked by awe over God's mercy… Have you truly seen Him? To Him be the glory forever! That’s the only right response.

Marriage: A Reflection of Christ and the Church Sermon Recap and Application (Ephesians 5 & Genesis 2) This sermon emphasized the divine purpose of marriage and its place in God’s redemptive plan. Rather than being a personal or social arrangement, biblical marriage is a living metaphor of Christ and the Church. 1. Marriage is Foundational Marriage is the first human relationship God created. It precedes the parent-child bond and is the foundation of society. When marriage crumbles, society follows. Often today, even Christian couples place their children or careers above the marriage, but biblically, the marriage must be the central human relationship. Application: Are you prioritizing your marriage? Is it the strongest human bond in your life? 2. Marriage Grows in Intimacy and Oneness Genesis 2:24 declares that two become one flesh. This unity is spiritual, emotional, and physical. In Christian marriage, intimacy should increase over time. Culture says love fades, but God’s design is that as spouses mature in Christ, they grow deeper in love and unity. Application: Is your marriage marked by increasing closeness or growing apart? Are you nurturing emotional and spiritual intimacy? 3. Marriage Mirrors Christ and the Church Marriage is a picture of Christ's love for the Church. The husband represents Christ, the wife the Church. The purpose is not self-fulfillment but to display the gospel. Ephesians 5 calls this a profound mystery. Marriage isn’t about us—it’s about reflecting Jesus. Application: Does your marriage preach the gospel? Is it marked by sacrifice, grace, and joy in the Lord? Husbands: Called to Lead Spiritually Nine of twelve verses in Ephesians 5 are directed at husbands. This underscores their responsibility. Many men believe financial provision is their main role, but the biblical calling is spiritual leadership. Christ loved His bride sacrificially, washing her with the Word. This is the model for husbands. Application: Are you spiritually leading your wife? Do you pray with her, teach her the Word, and sacrifice for her well-being? Wives: Called to Submit as to the Lord Wives are commanded to submit—not as inferiors, but as equals with distinct roles. Submission doesn’t mean silence or passivity. It is joyful cooperation with a godly husband. Submission is not obedience to sin. It is done “as to the Lord,” meaning Christ is always the ultimate authority. Application: Are you helping your husband lead by respecting him and supporting his role? Do you trust the Lord in your submission? The Analogy of the Body The husband is likened to the head, and the wife to the body. Just as the heart and brain are both vital and interdependent, so are husbands and wives. One is not more important than the other—both are essential and work toward the same purpose: the health of the marriage and glory of God. Application: Do you see your differences as competition or as complementary strengths? Respect: A Deep Need for Husbands Ephesians 5:33 calls wives to respect their husbands. Men often battle insecurity, and disrespect from their wives—especially public disrespect—can deeply wound them. Respect is not about agreeing with everything, but honoring the role God has given. Application: Do you publicly affirm your husband’s leadership? Do you express trust in him even when you disagree? Helper Does Not Mean Lesser The word "helper" in Genesis is the same used of God in the Psalms. Just as God is Israel’s necessary help, the wife is essential to her husband. A helper is not a maid—it is a vital partner in fulfilling God’s mission for the marriage. Application: Are you helping your husband toward holiness and purpose? Do you bring godly insight and support into his leadership? Submission Is Practical and Purposeful Submission isn’t blind obedience. It's about seeking God's will in every decision. A godly wife helps her husband pursue what glorifies God—whether that’s in finances, parenting, priorities, or even intimacy. Submission flows from understanding that marriage is not about control, but about Christ. Application: In times of disagreement, are you asking: what glorifies God most? Are your contributions helping the marriage fulfill its purpose? Final Thoughts Marriage ends at death. The only eternal marriage is that between Christ and His Church. Every earthly marriage points to this. This gives urgency and weight to how we live out our roles. For husbands: Are you reflecting Christ’s love, sacrifice, and holiness? For wives: Are you reflecting the Church’s trust, support, and honor? For all married couples: Does your relationship glorify God? When marriages reflect Christ and the Church, the Church becomes a bright light in a dark world—an island of truth and grace. Unbelievers will be drawn not just by the doctrine we preach, but by the beauty of the marriages we live. And we will point them to the only perfect Bridegroom: Jesus Christ.