Centennial Park Baptist Church – Sunday, February 25th, 2007 – 10:30 a.m.

 

SHORING UP AND SURGING FORWARD

 

EXAMPLE:  The Leaning Tower of PISA

 

Principle:  What happens to a building can happen in a life, family, and MARRIAGE

 

The process of marital erosion can have many streams:  busyness, demands, deadlines, bills, pressure, arguments, disappointments, children’s relentless needs and demands on time, etc.

 

BIBLICAL EXAMPLE:  What’s wrong with the house that Eli built?

 

  1. “Now the sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know the Lord and the customs of the priests with the people.” – I Samuel 2: 12-13

 

Wrong PRIORITY

 

Wrong PROCLAMATION - I Samuel 2: 22-25

 

Wrong PRACTICE / PASSIVITY

 

“ But they would not listen to the advice of their father.” – I Samuel 2: 25

 

DIFFICULTIES will come upon every family

 

The DANGERS of erosion threatens the stability of every marriage

 

FOUR FOUNDATION-MOVERS – (MARITAL EROSION)

 

I           TOO BUSY

 

·        How busy are you?

·        How are you doing with quantity time?

·        Do you and your spouse have enough time together to enjoy easy and relaxing conversation, or is most of your conversation dealing with problems and practical matters?

·        Do you regularly schedule time to be a couple?

·        Looking at your schedule, what is your first priority?

·        When family and work vie for the same time, which most often wins?

·        When you arrive at the end of your life, you will not be saying: “ I wish I had spent more time in the office.”

 

II          INSENSITIVE

 

·        How sensitive are you to subtle signals?

·        How aware are you of your spouse’s happiness / unhappiness?

·        Are you too distracted / self-absorbed to notice tiny cracks in your relationship?

·        Have you heard alerting comments or tone of voice from your spouse?

·        If so, how did your respond?    Dismiss  or Dig Deeper?

·        Have you noticed that your spouse is too quiet, sad, stressed, or preoccupied?

·        Have you taken time to discover what he / she may be feeling or enduring?

·        Have you noticed any subtle problems? – What will you do?

 

III        HESITATION

 

Responding promptly to issues as they arise can help make MOST

 

MARITAL issues MANAGEBALE.

 

·        How long do you wait before you discuss tricky subjects with your spouse?

·        Do you address hurts and sources of anger right away, or do you put them off for a more convenient time?

·        Does an issue have to become critical before you will make an appointment with someone who is qualified to give Biblical guidance?

·        Are you willing to schedule an appointment?

·        Do you have any lingering issues that need to be resolved?

·        Are there any past conflicts that need the balm of forgiveness?

·        Do you wait, and wait to deal with acute issues because you’re not sure how to approach them?

·        PROCRASTINATION ESCALATES EROSION

 

IV        HARD!!!

 

·        What if a marital difficulty requires a significant change – are you willing?

·        Can you make significant adjustments to your life and routine without resenting your spouse for it?

·        Are you willing to act decisively, even sacrificially?

·        What are you willing to sacrifice for the health of your marriage?

·        What are you willing to do for the highest, greatest good of your spouse?

 

THREE FOUNDATION STOPPERS

 

1.         SEE - Don’t become dull to the needs of your spouse

 

2.         SHARE - Lay aside accusations and commit yourself to communicating

 

3.         STICK - Work with your spouse to handle any difficulty as a team.

Notes:

 

 

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