PowerPoint

Guest (Female): Welcome to PowerPoint with Jack Graham.

Jack Graham: Many marriages are in trouble because men are unwilling to obey God's command to them. When a man is out of the will of God, he is a menace to himself and everyone around him.

Guest (Female): On today's PowerPoint, Dr. Graham brings a message about what it really means to be a godly man who loves his wife. Now here's Dr. Graham with his message, "When a Man Loves a Woman."

Jack Graham: Take your Bibles and turn with me to 1 Peter chapter 3, and we're going to look at one verse, which is a direct order to men and to husbands. But this one verse is a powerful, strong description of how a man loves a woman. Just one verse, and that verse is verse 7. Likewise. This is a reciprocal relationship.

Even as your wives have responsibilities in the home, we men have responsibilities and roles to fulfill. Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way. Know your wife, understand her, who can understand a woman? She is fearfully and wonderfully made, she is a marvelous creation of God, and yet it is the goal of every man to study his wife and to seek to know her. It is the most intimate of words to know her intimately, not just to live with her but to live with her in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel. We'll talk about that and what that means in a moment, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life.

Deb Graham is not only my wife, the mother of our children, she is my sister in Christ. We are heirs together of the grace of God. The grace of life. So that, here's the reason, so that your prayers will not be hindered. You know, when the Bible tells us to live with our wives with understanding or in an understanding way, that becomes a lifetime objective. And I have to tell you, I'm still learning.

And so should you always be learning as you live with your wife. As a matter of fact, when Peter tells us here that we are to live with our wives and understanding, the whole concept, the whole character of oneness is there in that text. The two should become one. And the way we become one is to be one in Him. Christ makes us one. And when you think about it, marriage is not a duet.

Marriage God's way is a trinity as God unites our hearts and puts us together. One guy said, "You know, my wife and I have been one all these years. We just can't figure out which one." And God has chosen to put us together and with the oneness, there is a mutual accountability and responsibility to one another. And so wives are to lovingly respond to their husbands, respecting them.

And the biblical example has given to us, "Sarah in the Old Testament, as she honored her husband Abraham, and Abraham was no picnic." I assure you that he came home one day and said, "Hey, we're moving." She said, "Where?" He said, "I don't know, we're just going." And uh, it was an adventure with Abraham, and yet Sarah was a powerful example of a godly woman who followed the leadership and the loving leadership of her husband.

And so, as wives are to respond in this way, men have the responsibility to lead their wives. And the way we lead is with love. If you are going to lead someone, love that someone. And that is why Peter begins verse 7 by saying, "Likewise." Likewise, even as wives have responded to God, now it is our turn men to respond to God appropriately and affirmatively.

Likewise also backs us all the way up into the previous words in chapter 2, when we're told of Christ and His love and sacrifice, and giving himself for us, and therefore we are to follow in His steps. In the power of the Holy Spirit, His love is poured out into our hearts. This is not a human love but it is God's love which is everlasting and enduring and His love is poured out in our hearts.

The fruit of the Spirit is love. And so this is not human activity, but rather it is divine activity in us as we yield to Christ. You see, the problem in most marriage and problem marriages specifically is the problem of me first and the selfishness. And men, we lead the way in selfishness and wanting life our way.

And so it is the practice of the godly man. It is the principle of all men to yield their lives to Christ and to follow Him and then to love even as Christ loves. Many marriages are in trouble because men are unwilling to obey God's command to them. When a man is out of the will of God, he is a menace to himself and everyone around him.

I think about Jonah in the Old Testament, running from the from the plan of God in his life, disobeying God. And as a result, the entire ship that he was riding and all that were in it, they were in deep trouble because of this man's disobedience. And it is so often true that families are in trouble today because of the husband's irresponsibility and disobedience to God.

So we need to look at some of these specific commands that are given to husbands and the reasons for these commands. He says likewise, "Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor, showing honor to the wife." Men are to be the initiators and women the responders. God has even made us in a physical way to illustrate that.

And so as women respond to the love and the initiation of that love of men, we are to love as even Jesus loves. Likewise. Back in Ephesians chapter 5 and 25, in which a lot of ink is given to men and their responsibility in the marriage relationship. The bottom line is this, just as Christ loved the church, you are to love your wife.

Love your wife sacrificially, even as Christ has loved the church and gave himself for her. Now, how did Jesus demonstrate His love? His love is active and aggressive at the cross. And the primary example of His love, of course, is the laying down of His life, His death on the cross. The scripture says, "But God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

And as a result of the selfless love of Jesus, the undying, unfailing love of our Savior, we have responded in love to Him. We have submitted to Him. We have yielded our lives to Him. The scripture says, "We love Him." Why? "Because He first loved us." And in like manner, when a wife sees the selfless love of her husband. When a wife sees the sacrificial giving of her of her husband to her.

Then she realizes that she can respond to that love. She will love him and respond to him as God has commanded her. And that is the goal. But that can't be our only goal. Because our goal as husbands must be to fulfill the command of Christ whether or not our wives respond or not. Even if your wife is not submissive in the biblical sense, if even if your wife does not respond to your loving leadership, you keep loving and obeying the command of Christ.

And you leave your wife's reaction or response up to God. Love as Jesus loves. And that also means being willing to lay down your life. Just hold your place there in uh, 1 Peter chapter 3 and move back a few pages to uh, Philippians chapter 2. To love as Christ loved, to lay down your life and honor your wife means that you must focus on your partner's needs and not your own.

Verse 3 of Philippians chapter 2 tells us something about selfish ambition and how we are to deal with it. For it says, "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, selfish ambition, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." If we could only practice that principle, obey that verse, think how different our homes, our marriages, our families would be.

But then he adds, "Let each of you look not only on his own interests but also on the interest of others." And men, that starts with the interest of your wives. "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." "Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even even death on a cross." "Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name." And we know that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow. So what's the picture here? Men, even as Christ laid down His life and was willing to humble himself and take the form of a servant.

He laid down divine prerogatives and privileges, never laying aside His deity, but He did lay aside the privileges of His deity, and He humbled himself as a servant. Even so, He died the death, the cruel death of a cross. That's the sacrifice of Jesus. And as a result of His sacrifice and His obedience unto death, God raised Him up.

God exalted Him and elevated Him above all others. He humbled himself and here's the point. True authority comes from humility.

Guest (Female): You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message, "When A Man Loves a Woman." July 4th, 2026 will be a day of great celebration for the 250th birthday of our great country. However, there has never been a more important time in our 250 years as a nation where we need God to move in power and heal our land. That's why I'm inviting you to join Dr. Graham in a prayer challenge for our nation. To join, simply text 'CRY' to 59789. Again, text 'CRY' to 59789. Remember that your support of PowerPoint ministries helps bring the truth of Jesus Christ to people around the world. Every day we hear from listeners who are searching for answers, longing for peace, and discovering hope through God's word. Often for the very first time. Your generosity keeps that message going out. And as our thanks for your gift today, we'd love to send you Dr. Jack Graham's book, The Jesus Book. A powerful guide to help you grow deeper in your relationship with Christ. Text 'MAY' to 59789 to give your gift and request your copy. Again, text 'MAY' to 59789. Thank you for helping proclaim the hope of Jesus. Now, let's get back to today's message, "When A Man Loves a Woman."

Jack Graham: Authority does not mean to manipulate or lord over someone. A man who is constantly lecturing his wife and lipping off at his wife about his authority, has no authority. A husband is to be firm and strong and fair and decisive, but he is always to be humble and unselfish and treating his wife even as Jesus has treated us.

Live with your wife according to understanding. Knowing her doubts, her fears, her desires, her ambitions. How long has it been since you've had a good conversation with your wife about what's going on in her heart? I read somewhere this week that the average man converses with his wife about four minutes a day. Now, it's obvious, you can't have a meaningful conversation in four minutes.

But communication and conversation and connection takes time, men. And that means being willing to put aside other priorities and make your marriage the priority of your life outside of your relationship with Jesus Christ. Your most vital and valuable relationship is that with your wife. And so that takes time. Some of us, you know, we're studying the sports pages.

We're studying Wall Street and uh, our investments, we're we're studying everything in life but our wives. And God has called every one of us to consideration and contemplation of that woman, that lady in our lives. Of course it refers to basic chivalry and being a gentleman and it means the little things and sending an email, I love you.

You know, Deb and I, every time we're together, we make it our practice to say, "I love you" or to send a little note or an email, just to stay in constant connection and expressing our love. And frankly, many of our wives are wondering, "Does he really love me? Does he really care about me? Is he really interested in what I'm interested in?" Because we have been so negligent and so self-centered that we have forgotten the most valuable relationship of all.

To listen and to learn. That is communication. That is cooperation. Now, we are to honor our wives, placing them on a pedestal. Because she is a valuable partner, and before you are to be a protector and provider, you are to be a partner because we are heirs together of the grace of life. And it is in this partnership, this oneness, this intimate relationship that we grow together in the life of Christ.

And therefore, humble yourself. You know, Moses was one of the greatest leaders of all time. Wouldn't you agree that Moses was a man for history? One of the most powerful men on the face of the planet for all times. And yet Moses was called the meekest man on the face of the earth. Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is strength under control.

And true authority, true leadership is given by God. And spiritual power and authority is rooted in a paradox. Mark 9:35, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." As in when Jesus washed the dirty feet of His disciples, when he could have rightfully been expecting others to wash His feet, as He was facing the cross.

He got down with a basin and a towel, and He washed the feet of His disciples. And then He said something very powerful. He said, "If you want to be happy, do this." Serve others. How long has it been since you have genuinely sacrificed your desires, your pleasure for the love of your wife. Love by laying down your life. Love unconditionally.

So men, the unconditional love of Christ talked about here in the scripture is the love of God flowing through us. Given to us by the work of His Spirit in our lives, fulfilling the needs of our wives by loving her unconditionally. Unconditionally. Don't come to me and say, "I can't love my wife." Yes, you can. If you're a loving man and the love of Christ is in you.

It is your responsibility. It is God's requirement. And it is our joy to love our wives. And having said all of this, Peter gives us two reasons that this should be done. One because she is the weaker vessel. Weaker, not in the sense of emotional or intellectual weakness, not at all. Weaker in a physical sense, no doubt that's true.

But it's a beautiful word picture actually, the weaker vessel refers to the most valued and treasured vessel. Now at our house, probably at your house, we have stuff that we used to eat on that's just everyday stuff. But then, you know, when the big times roll in and people, you know, we have a special dinner, we pull out the good stuff. You know all that stuff you got at the wedding, you figure you'd never use, you pull the China out and it's valuable.

And we take good care of it. And so in that sense, men, love, honor, respect, live with understanding with your wives because she is a valued treasure. She is no common, ordinary, run of the mill person in your life. She is God's gift, God's treasure to you. Valuable and precious. He who has a good wife, has a good thing.

Therefore, you ought to so honor your wife because she is such a treasure to you. But not only because the wife is a valuable treasure, the weaker vessel, but because together we are joint heirs with Christ. We share something supernatural. Something spiritual. We are soulmates. And therefore, because of this unique oneness in Christ, we are to love.

And it is your love for her that makes her beautiful. Men, it is our responsibility to so love and to so lead our wives that the love of Christ shows up in her life. It's your responsibility. You are personally responsible for the fulfillment and the happiness of your wife. You say, "That's not my responsibility." Yes, it is. Yes, it is. You are responsible for her spiritual nurture and spiritual growth.

To lead your family God's way. Again, not lecturing her, not demanding or commanding, but leading with love. And showing her the love of Christ. And humbly serving her. That your prayers be not hindered. This verse almost seems out of place, doesn't it in one sense? You think, why does that show up there? Prayer and marriage.

Jesus talked about this same principle when He said, "If your brother has something against you." And you've got a problem in a relationship with someone before you come to worship, before you bring your gift, before you even pray, you go get it right with your brother and then come and worship me. And that's the principle here given by Peter. If you are not right with your wife, you cannot be right with God.

If you are not right in your relationship with your wife, there is a disconnect between you and God. And if you're wondering, guys, why are my prayers bouncing off the ceiling? Why does God never seem near when I need Him? Check up on your relationship with your wife. And if there is something in that relationship that is broken, by the grace of God, fix it.

Get it right. So that God will answer your prayers and fulfill His purpose in you. There's going to be a time in your life when more than anything else, you're going to need to know that God is hearing you and responding to your call and your cry to Him. So cultivate that loving relationship with your wife so that nothing separates you in your relationship with Christ.

Guest (Female): You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message, "When A Man Loves a Woman." We want to thank you for being a part of the mission of PowerPoint Ministries. Every day, through the support of friends like you, the message of Jesus Christ is reaching people across television, radio, and digital platforms around the world. So many people today are searching for answers, longing for peace, and looking for something to still hold on to. And your support helps point them in the one who offers all that and so much more, Jesus. As our thanks for your gift this month, we'd love to send you Dr. Jack Graham's book, The Jesus Book. A powerful guide to help you move beyond simply knowing about Jesus to truly knowing Him through His word. Text 'MAY' to 59789 to give your gift and get your copy. Again, text 'MAY' to 59789. July 4th, 2026 will be a day of great celebration for the 250th birthday of our great country. However, there has never been a more important time in our 250 years as a nation where we need God to move in power and heal our land. That's why I'm inviting you to join Dr. Graham in a prayer challenge for our nation. To join, simply text 'CRY' to 59789. Again, text 'CRY' to 59789. Pastor, what is your PowerPoint for today?

Jack Graham: As husbands, we have one huge responsibility and that is to love our wives. The primary responsibility of every husband is to love his wife. Now, as simple as that sounds, it's not all that easy, apparently, because many husbands do not love their wives as Christ has taught us to love. We learned today that our example of what it means to love and how we should love our wives is the Lord Jesus Himself. Listen to Ephesians 5:25 again. "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her." So here are a couple of characteristics of Jesus' love to keep in mind. First, we are the initiators of love. Husbands, initiate love with your wives. According to 1 John 4:19, Jesus loved us, He first loved us and gave Himself for us. So if we initiate an atmosphere at home filled with the love of Christ, our wives will respond. Secondly, we are commanded to love sacrificially, just as Jesus laid down His own life for us. Genuine love means sacrifice, and that fuels loyalty, faithfulness, submission, patience, acceptance, and all the good qualities of the work of the Spirit in our lives. And then thirdly, we are to love and lead with humility. Remember, if you have to tell your wife that you're in charge, you're probably not. Authority really comes from humility. So it's obvious, isn't it? Even though it's simple, that Jesus' example of love is the biblical blueprint for success in life and in marriage. So, how does a man love a woman? In the way that Christ has loved us. Men, that is an impossible assignment on your own. We need the spirit of the living Christ to supernaturally make us more and more like Him, more and more like Jesus, as we assume the role and the responsibility He has ordained for us as husbands. Ask God today and every day to fill your spirit and your heart with the love of Christ. A love that is sacrificial, humble, and understanding. And so men, one final charge. You are responsible for this, you must own this. A marriage of lifelong satisfying love begins with you.

Guest (Female): And that is today's PowerPoint. And join us again next time as Dr. Graham brings a message about how we are to relate to one another in love. That's next time on PowerPoint with Jack Graham. PowerPoint with Jack Graham is sponsored by PowerPoint Ministries.