Church of the Redeemer • Pastor Dale A. O’Shields • September 29 & 30, 2018

#4 MAKING MARRIAGE WORK - PART 3

To make marriage work you must focus on yourself!

3 action steps that help you to focus on you:

1. Stop the blame game.

• Genesis 3:6-13 • Matthew 7:1-5

2. Stop playing God with people.

1 Peter 3:1-2 (TLB) Wives, fit in with your husbands’ plans; for then if they refuse to listen when you talk to them about the Lord, they will be won by your respectful, pure behavior. Your godly lives will speak to them better than any words.

1 Peter 3:7 (TPT) Husbands, you in turn must treat your wives with tenderness, viewing them as feminine partners who deserve to be honored, for they are co-heirs with you of the “divine grace of life,” so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

3. Adjust your expectations.

In marriage we have expectations about:

‣ Affection and physical intimacy.

‣ Household responsibilities.

‣ Finances.

‣ Attention.

‣ Extended family relationships.

‣ Parenting and discipline.

‣ Holidays.

‣ Vacations and entertainment.

‣ Work.

‣ Spiritual pursuits.

‣ Handling conflicts and disagreement.

‣ Completing one another vs complementing one another.

Psalm 62:5-8 (NKJV) My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.