Marriage, Married and Service

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Marriage, Married and Service 

In my little years of service as a minister who has been called to plant a church and head a ministry, I have discovered a trend which is particularly becoming a pattern among couples. I have seen couples who when single were passionate about serving God and yielded to authority figure. However, the moment marriage comes into place there comes a radical change in the opposite direction. I have seen married couples who have become so difficult to be led and many times have been shielded from partaking of the grace of God on their spiritual leader.

There are couples in the Bible I will like to exemplify to you.
Acts.5.1 - But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
Acts.5.2 - And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Acts.5.3 - But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Acts.5.4 - Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
This is a sample of couple you should never copy. The challenge here is not what they gave, but why they gave. They wanted the honour of service they did not offer. You know that feeling when you tell people I emptied my account meanwhile you didn't, but wanted the human honour that is not equal to your sacrifice?

This kind of couple wants attention and want to be highly placed . The greater mistake a minister can make is to empower and give authority to such men, because all they want is attention and undue honour.

I know the bible says marriage is honourable, but the honour there is not how people outside treat you, rather it is how you treat your spouse by staying faithful to your spouse. Infidelity is actually a dishonour to your spouse, let me explain it, the body of the man belongs to the woman and vice versa, thus when either of them get into adultery, what happens is as good as exposing the nakedness of your spouse to another person.....that is dishonour right?

Heb.13.4 - Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Now that you are married it doesn't mean everyone has to worship you. NO! You are not a super class new creation.

The second model.
Rom.16.3 - Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
Rom.16.4 - Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Rom.16.5 - Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
This is a couple which I believe represents God's model to us. See what Paul said about them.
1) They were helpers of Paul.......what that means is that they were so important in the ministry of Paul and they couldn't be rubbished because they brought help, they were not people with customer's mindset, rather they were part of the production system of the church. This is not common among couples these day, I believe any couple not operating at this level, is not fulfilling God's counsel for their marriage.

Is your pastor glad you are in church or drained because you are in church?

2) Paul said they laid down their lives. They took discomfort for the assignment of their pastor.....it is a trend that many people find it easy to complain and not ready to make adjustments that can move the work forward.
Be a couple who wants to go extra lengths to see your pastor receive help, this help comes in many ways.

3) They hosted the church in their house......how is your church perceived in your home, is it closed against your church? Have you learnt enough that your pastor can commit souls to your hand? Can we ask you to mentor men for the church, can we find you loyal enough for the pastor to commit men to you and you wont divert there heart? Are you part of the people causing division in the church or are you fostering unity in the church?


1Cor.16.19 - The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

I have shown to you two different models, make your choice today. What do you want your marriage to represent?

Pastor Jide Ojo

Grace!!!

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