Respect
Marriage & the Church, 16 August 2026
16 08 26 Filed in: Sermons | Ephesians: Our True Identity
Marriage and the Church
Ephesians: Finding Our True Identity
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
August 16, 2026
Ephesians 5:15-33
Series Big Idea: For followers of Jesus, we find our true identity in Christ.
Big Idea: In God’s Kingdom, we are to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
One of my favorite things about the Bible is how it is so simple and clear, nobody has ever disagreed about its meaning, interpretation, or application! All Christians agree on everything…right?!
We live in a divided world, a divided nation, and tragically a divided Church (capital C). Even though Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father praying for our unity, we struggle to agree on—seemingly—anything and everything! The roles and differences between men and women are a hot potato in our day, yet I believe we can discern God’s will if we are curious and patient enough to do so.
We’re making our way through the book of Ephesians, written by Paul to early Christians. It feels like this ancient text could’ve been written last week!
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16)
The more things change, the more they stay the same. The days were evil then. The days are evil now. We are called to be light in the darkness, hope in the chaos, love in the indifference, peace in the conflict. Family, we’re on a mission from God, and it’s not to sit around and wait until we die or some so-called “rapture” event. We’re here to love, equip, and send, making disciples of all nations. We must be wise in our living. We’re not supposed to blend in and do what everyone else is doing.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. (Ephesians 5:17)
Do you want to know God’s will? Paul continues…
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20)
There it is! This is God’s will for you. God’s will for you is to
- be wise
- stay sober
- be filled with the Holy Spirit (evidence will be the fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5:22-23)
If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, it will be natural for us to
- worship God through music
- give thanks for everything
While it’s not always easy, it is simple. It’s the next section that gets controversial.
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22
I can’t begin to imagine how much damage men have done taking this verse out of context. “Submit, woman! The Bible says you are to do whatever I want. Be a good godly woman and…”
One of my greatest frustrations as a pastor is scripture turned into sound bites, words used as weapons, passages manipulated to support agendas. It happens all the time. We must always read the Bible in context because the Bible can never mean what it never meant.
If you’re paying close attention, I skipped a verse, and it might be the cornerstone verse for the rest of our scripture today. Verse twenty-one says,
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:21)
In God’s Kingdom, we are to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. This can only occur when we’re filled with the Holy Spirit, when we are surrendered and submitted to God, when we embrace Jesus as not just Savior but LORD. The fruit of this is honoring, loving, and serving one another.
Now Paul’s going to use the examples of wives and husbands.
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. (Ephesians 5:22-24)
The word “submit” does not actually occur in the original Greek. Verse 22 flows from verse 21 reading literally, “Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ; wives, to your own husbands as to the Lord.”
God created us male and female. We are different, made to complement one another. The Greek word for “head” here is kephale which could mean “source” as woman was created from man in Genesis 2. It could also convey authority in this context. If so, this authority is not worldly power and control, but sacrificial love. I believe the heaviest burden—the greatest responsibility—is on the husband.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31
(Ephesians 5:25-30)
Jesus “gave himself up” for us, the church. He literally died for us. He makes us holy. He washes us and forgives us. He loves and sacrifices for us. In the Roman context of Ephesians, asking husbands to sacrifice for their wives would’ve been laughable, yet that’s what’s done in the Kingdom of God. Husbands are to be willing to die for their wives…daily. That’s a high calling.
Today, Jesus cares for the church. We are members of his body. He is the head, the bridegroom. He will return soon to our planet. We will spend eternity together on the new earth and the New Jerusalem.
I love how this passage is about marriage, but also about the Church. Husbands and wives. Jesus and the Church. No ego, control, sin, pressure, or selfishness.
Paul has been talking about the different roles of the head and body, but now he will talk about the unity of the two, beginning with a quote from the book of Genesis.
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:31-33)
God’s design for marriage is a husband and wife becoming one, one flesh, one family, one body, mutual submission.
An Instagram post from MarriedWithTheMugicas summarized this well.
The commands aren't independent. They're a cycle. When a husband dies to himself, it becomes safe for his wife to respect him. When a wife respects her husband, it gives him something worth dying for. Death fuels respect. Respect fuels death. Each one makes the other possible. Your marriage isn't stuck because one of you is failing. It's stuck because neither of you will go first.
So What?
Husbands are to love their wives.
Wives are to respect their husbands.
We are to submit to one another.
I like Warren Wiersbe’s summary:
When the Christian wife submits herself to Christ and lets Him be the Lord of her life, she will have no difficulty submitting to her husband. This does not mean that she becomes a slave, for the husband is also to submit to Christ. And if both are living under the lordship of Christ, there can be only harmony. Headship is not dictatorship. “Each for the other, both for the Lord.”
Some of you are struggling in your marriage. Reach out to pastor. See a Christian counselor. Get on your knees and ask God what your next step is rather than waiting for your spouse to go first. If you are in danger, get help immediately. There are local resources available, but you need to tell someone.
Some of you are doing fine in your marriage. Seek fresh ways to love and serve one another. While not scientific, consider the 5 Love Languages and ways to speak the language of your spouse, not just your own.
Some of you desperately want to get married. Be patient. Become the desirable spouse rather than seeking one. Pursue God’s will as described in our text.
All of us need to pursue God’s love language…obedience.
All of us need to serve one another in community. If you’re not in a small group or serving on a ministry team, now is the perfect time to get in the game. New groups and opportunities are starting. Use a yellow Connection Card for more information.
For those looking for more on the biblical roles of men and women, particularly in leadership, I want to recommend Preston Sprinkle’s recent book From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Says about Women in Leadership. It offers various perspectives on these and related passages.
Next week we’ll see other ways to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ,” again, a revolutionary idea then and a radical idea among many still today.
The Bible is a massive library of more than sixty books. It’s understandable that interpreting it would not always be easy, especially when it was written in a different culture thousands of years ago. Still, this ancient wisdom is incredibly relevant. When we disagree on interpretation, we should always do so with…love and respect, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians: Finding Our True Identity
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
August 16, 2026
Ephesians 5:15-33
Series Big Idea: For followers of Jesus, we find our true identity in Christ.
Big Idea: In God’s Kingdom, we are to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
One of my favorite things about the Bible is how it is so simple and clear, nobody has ever disagreed about its meaning, interpretation, or application! All Christians agree on everything…right?!
We live in a divided world, a divided nation, and tragically a divided Church (capital C). Even though Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father praying for our unity, we struggle to agree on—seemingly—anything and everything! The roles and differences between men and women are a hot potato in our day, yet I believe we can discern God’s will if we are curious and patient enough to do so.
We’re making our way through the book of Ephesians, written by Paul to early Christians. It feels like this ancient text could’ve been written last week!
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16)
The more things change, the more they stay the same. The days were evil then. The days are evil now. We are called to be light in the darkness, hope in the chaos, love in the indifference, peace in the conflict. Family, we’re on a mission from God, and it’s not to sit around and wait until we die or some so-called “rapture” event. We’re here to love, equip, and send, making disciples of all nations. We must be wise in our living. We’re not supposed to blend in and do what everyone else is doing.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. (Ephesians 5:17)
Do you want to know God’s will? Paul continues…
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20)
There it is! This is God’s will for you. God’s will for you is to
- be wise
- stay sober
- be filled with the Holy Spirit (evidence will be the fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5:22-23)
If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, it will be natural for us to
- worship God through music
- give thanks for everything
While it’s not always easy, it is simple. It’s the next section that gets controversial.
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22
I can’t begin to imagine how much damage men have done taking this verse out of context. “Submit, woman! The Bible says you are to do whatever I want. Be a good godly woman and…”
One of my greatest frustrations as a pastor is scripture turned into sound bites, words used as weapons, passages manipulated to support agendas. It happens all the time. We must always read the Bible in context because the Bible can never mean what it never meant.
If you’re paying close attention, I skipped a verse, and it might be the cornerstone verse for the rest of our scripture today. Verse twenty-one says,
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:21)
In God’s Kingdom, we are to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. This can only occur when we’re filled with the Holy Spirit, when we are surrendered and submitted to God, when we embrace Jesus as not just Savior but LORD. The fruit of this is honoring, loving, and serving one another.
Now Paul’s going to use the examples of wives and husbands.
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. (Ephesians 5:22-24)
The word “submit” does not actually occur in the original Greek. Verse 22 flows from verse 21 reading literally, “Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ; wives, to your own husbands as to the Lord.”
God created us male and female. We are different, made to complement one another. The Greek word for “head” here is kephale which could mean “source” as woman was created from man in Genesis 2. It could also convey authority in this context. If so, this authority is not worldly power and control, but sacrificial love. I believe the heaviest burden—the greatest responsibility—is on the husband.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31
(Ephesians 5:25-30)
Jesus “gave himself up” for us, the church. He literally died for us. He makes us holy. He washes us and forgives us. He loves and sacrifices for us. In the Roman context of Ephesians, asking husbands to sacrifice for their wives would’ve been laughable, yet that’s what’s done in the Kingdom of God. Husbands are to be willing to die for their wives…daily. That’s a high calling.
Today, Jesus cares for the church. We are members of his body. He is the head, the bridegroom. He will return soon to our planet. We will spend eternity together on the new earth and the New Jerusalem.
I love how this passage is about marriage, but also about the Church. Husbands and wives. Jesus and the Church. No ego, control, sin, pressure, or selfishness.
Paul has been talking about the different roles of the head and body, but now he will talk about the unity of the two, beginning with a quote from the book of Genesis.
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:31-33)
God’s design for marriage is a husband and wife becoming one, one flesh, one family, one body, mutual submission.
An Instagram post from MarriedWithTheMugicas summarized this well.
The commands aren't independent. They're a cycle. When a husband dies to himself, it becomes safe for his wife to respect him. When a wife respects her husband, it gives him something worth dying for. Death fuels respect. Respect fuels death. Each one makes the other possible. Your marriage isn't stuck because one of you is failing. It's stuck because neither of you will go first.
So What?
Husbands are to love their wives.
Wives are to respect their husbands.
We are to submit to one another.
I like Warren Wiersbe’s summary:
When the Christian wife submits herself to Christ and lets Him be the Lord of her life, she will have no difficulty submitting to her husband. This does not mean that she becomes a slave, for the husband is also to submit to Christ. And if both are living under the lordship of Christ, there can be only harmony. Headship is not dictatorship. “Each for the other, both for the Lord.”
Some of you are struggling in your marriage. Reach out to pastor. See a Christian counselor. Get on your knees and ask God what your next step is rather than waiting for your spouse to go first. If you are in danger, get help immediately. There are local resources available, but you need to tell someone.
Some of you are doing fine in your marriage. Seek fresh ways to love and serve one another. While not scientific, consider the 5 Love Languages and ways to speak the language of your spouse, not just your own.
Some of you desperately want to get married. Be patient. Become the desirable spouse rather than seeking one. Pursue God’s will as described in our text.
All of us need to pursue God’s love language…obedience.
All of us need to serve one another in community. If you’re not in a small group or serving on a ministry team, now is the perfect time to get in the game. New groups and opportunities are starting. Use a yellow Connection Card for more information.
For those looking for more on the biblical roles of men and women, particularly in leadership, I want to recommend Preston Sprinkle’s recent book From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Says about Women in Leadership. It offers various perspectives on these and related passages.
Next week we’ll see other ways to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ,” again, a revolutionary idea then and a radical idea among many still today.
The Bible is a massive library of more than sixty books. It’s understandable that interpreting it would not always be easy, especially when it was written in a different culture thousands of years ago. Still, this ancient wisdom is incredibly relevant. When we disagree on interpretation, we should always do so with…love and respect, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Honor, Mother's Day 2014
May 11, 2014
Big Idea: Parents are special, worthy of respect, love, obedience…and honor
Introduction
Happy Mother’s Day! This is a day of great celebration for some and sorry for others. Because it is a family day, it is a day of reflection upon those mothers who have passed away and buying or making gifts for those with us. It can be an emotional day. It can be a complicated day. One thing is for sure: each one of us has had a mother who labored in giving birth to us and, in most instances, raising us.
I want to talk about the Ten Commandments. When you think of God’s Top Ten List, what is the first command that comes to mind?
I want us to spend a few moments reflecting upon Command 5. It’s not a “thou shalt not” command, but rather a positive, affirming command with a promise.
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)
We rarely use the word honor in our culture. It almost seem old-fashioned, unless it refers to someone in the military. The original Hebrew word, kabed, means “to be heavy, to be wealthy, honored, glorified, renowned, substantial.”
The Ten Commandments appear in Exodus 20 and again in Deuteronomy 5 where it says
“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Deuteronomy 5:16)
Don’t miss the promise: “that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is given you.” What land? This is God’s promise to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land after a forty year journey through the wilderness. This idea of honoring dad and mom is a really big deal!
Sometimes people mistakenly dismiss the Old Testament as somehow unimportant. They call themselves “New Testament Christians” and rarely turn to the front of their Bible. You cannot understand the New Testament without knowing the Old. It’s like walking into the second act of a play, having no clue about act one. Today, by the way, we are living in act three of God’s story…HiStory.
On several occasions Jesus referred to the Ten Commandments. Matthew and Mark both recorded His words:
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ (Matthew 15:4)
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ (Mark 7:10)
Did you catch the penalty for cursing or dishonoring dad or mom? Death!
Have you ever thought of that?!
The question of the day is how do we honor mothers? This is not always simple.
How do you honor an abusive mother?
How do you honor a deceased mother?
How do you honor an estranged mother?
How do you honor a mother you never knew?
Perhaps you may think your mother is not worthy of honor or glory.
We recently studied Paul’s instructions to the church in the city of Ephesus and beyond. He wrote
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” — which is the first commandment with a promise —“that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)
Here we see honor connected to obedience and a reminder of the promise. This gives us a hint at what is meant by the word honor.
Perhaps you may think your mother is not worthy of obedience. You may disagree with her instructions.
As we noted last week, God created man and woman and commanded them to be fruitful and multiply. Marriage and the family was God’s idea. When His commands are followed, we are able to flourish and thrive, experiencing joy, peace, and satisfaction. Tragically, sin affects all families and relationships, fighting against God’s design and seeking to steal, kill and destroy the abundant life God intends for each of us to encounter.
I’m reminded of another of Paul’s writings, one of my favorite verses:
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21)
Notice it says, “as far as it depends on you” live at peace with everyone. We have an obligation to do our part, but can never control another.
As much as it depends on you, obey God’s commands.
As much as it depends on you, show honor and respect to your parents.
As much as it depends on you, seek reconciliation in broken relationships.
As much as it depends on you, live a life worth following, bringing honor to your family, your family’s name, and God.
For those of you with great, living moms, express your love and appreciation for them. Give them a hug, kiss them, tell them how much they mean to you, make a gift for them, or the greatest thing of all…buy them chocolate!!!
If mom is distant, call her or video chat with her. Visit her. Write a letter.
If your mom is no longer living, you can still write a letter, say a prayer, tell others about her, or reflect upon her life, thank God for the life she gave you, and live a life that would honor her.
Moms, how have you been honored by your children?
Children, how have you honored your mom?
Legacy
I often think about generations of families passing a baton from one generation to the next. If your baton was broken, ask God to bring healing and holy duct tape to it in order to provide a solid baton to the next generation. It’s never too late to begin a legacy of faith, hope and love even if it was never a part of your heritage.
As you may know, yesterday I had the privilege of honoring my dad by doing his funeral. It was one of the most important moments of my life as I desperately wanted to celebrate and pay tribute to the most influential man in my life, a great godly man that influenced so many lives, even during his many years of failing mental and physical health. While I worked hard to say the right words to pay homage to his life, the greater work begins today by my actions. I want not only my words but my life to bring honor to my dad…my mom…and my heavenly Father. What about you?
You can listen to this message and others at the Scio podcast here. You can also subscribe to our podcast here.
Big Idea: Parents are special, worthy of respect, love, obedience…and honor
Introduction
Happy Mother’s Day! This is a day of great celebration for some and sorry for others. Because it is a family day, it is a day of reflection upon those mothers who have passed away and buying or making gifts for those with us. It can be an emotional day. It can be a complicated day. One thing is for sure: each one of us has had a mother who labored in giving birth to us and, in most instances, raising us.
I want to talk about the Ten Commandments. When you think of God’s Top Ten List, what is the first command that comes to mind?
I want us to spend a few moments reflecting upon Command 5. It’s not a “thou shalt not” command, but rather a positive, affirming command with a promise.
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)
We rarely use the word honor in our culture. It almost seem old-fashioned, unless it refers to someone in the military. The original Hebrew word, kabed, means “to be heavy, to be wealthy, honored, glorified, renowned, substantial.”
The Ten Commandments appear in Exodus 20 and again in Deuteronomy 5 where it says
“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Deuteronomy 5:16)
Don’t miss the promise: “that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is given you.” What land? This is God’s promise to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land after a forty year journey through the wilderness. This idea of honoring dad and mom is a really big deal!
Sometimes people mistakenly dismiss the Old Testament as somehow unimportant. They call themselves “New Testament Christians” and rarely turn to the front of their Bible. You cannot understand the New Testament without knowing the Old. It’s like walking into the second act of a play, having no clue about act one. Today, by the way, we are living in act three of God’s story…HiStory.
On several occasions Jesus referred to the Ten Commandments. Matthew and Mark both recorded His words:
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ (Matthew 15:4)
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ (Mark 7:10)
Did you catch the penalty for cursing or dishonoring dad or mom? Death!
Have you ever thought of that?!
The question of the day is how do we honor mothers? This is not always simple.
How do you honor an abusive mother?
How do you honor a deceased mother?
How do you honor an estranged mother?
How do you honor a mother you never knew?
Perhaps you may think your mother is not worthy of honor or glory.
We recently studied Paul’s instructions to the church in the city of Ephesus and beyond. He wrote
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” — which is the first commandment with a promise —“that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)
Here we see honor connected to obedience and a reminder of the promise. This gives us a hint at what is meant by the word honor.
Perhaps you may think your mother is not worthy of obedience. You may disagree with her instructions.
As we noted last week, God created man and woman and commanded them to be fruitful and multiply. Marriage and the family was God’s idea. When His commands are followed, we are able to flourish and thrive, experiencing joy, peace, and satisfaction. Tragically, sin affects all families and relationships, fighting against God’s design and seeking to steal, kill and destroy the abundant life God intends for each of us to encounter.
I’m reminded of another of Paul’s writings, one of my favorite verses:
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21)
Notice it says, “as far as it depends on you” live at peace with everyone. We have an obligation to do our part, but can never control another.
As much as it depends on you, obey God’s commands.
As much as it depends on you, show honor and respect to your parents.
As much as it depends on you, seek reconciliation in broken relationships.
As much as it depends on you, live a life worth following, bringing honor to your family, your family’s name, and God.
For those of you with great, living moms, express your love and appreciation for them. Give them a hug, kiss them, tell them how much they mean to you, make a gift for them, or the greatest thing of all…buy them chocolate!!!
If mom is distant, call her or video chat with her. Visit her. Write a letter.
If your mom is no longer living, you can still write a letter, say a prayer, tell others about her, or reflect upon her life, thank God for the life she gave you, and live a life that would honor her.
Moms, how have you been honored by your children?
Children, how have you honored your mom?
Legacy
I often think about generations of families passing a baton from one generation to the next. If your baton was broken, ask God to bring healing and holy duct tape to it in order to provide a solid baton to the next generation. It’s never too late to begin a legacy of faith, hope and love even if it was never a part of your heritage.
As you may know, yesterday I had the privilege of honoring my dad by doing his funeral. It was one of the most important moments of my life as I desperately wanted to celebrate and pay tribute to the most influential man in my life, a great godly man that influenced so many lives, even during his many years of failing mental and physical health. While I worked hard to say the right words to pay homage to his life, the greater work begins today by my actions. I want not only my words but my life to bring honor to my dad…my mom…and my heavenly Father. What about you?
You can listen to this message and others at the Scio podcast here. You can also subscribe to our podcast here.