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for Novelty ShopP: Begins sermon by reading 2nd lesson from Ephesians 5:21-31.
J: (From front row) Hey preacher! (Gets up and walks to lectern.)
P: Excuse me?
J: That lesson you just read--that's my favorite passage from the Bible.
P: Sir--excuse me--but these people are waiting to hear a sermon.
J: (Looks at congregation) Them? Oh, they won't mind this. Some of them look like they're ready to go to sleep. Look at em.
P: Well, you have a point there. Let me ask you--what is it you like about this particular passage from Paul's letter to the Ephesians?
J: The part every good red-blooded man--every married man should like-- "wives be subject to your husband." (With enthusiasm) Boy, do I like that! Old Paul knew what he was talking about!
P: But that's just a tiny piece of that passage.
J: Who cares? It works! Right out of the Bible.
P: But Bible passages should be read in context.
J: In what?
P: Bible passages need to be read as a whole--in their proper setting--not just a couple of words jerked out of context.
J: My wife tried to say something like that once but (punches fist in hand) she learned to keep her mouth shut "Wives be subject to your husbands!" (Laughs).
P: That's terrible! This passage is not an "Excuse for abuse!" That's totally wrong.
J: Now hold on preacher--just a minute. One of my buddies at work--we talk about our wives--they went to marriage counseling with some type of preacher--and he told them to read this Bible verse, go home, and pray about it. Boy, did his wife "knuckle under"--a little double meaning there, preacher (Laughs). She does anything he wants now. He's a happy man--thanks to that preacher.
P: That's terrible!
J: What's so terrible? He's happy ,and she does whatever he wants. "Wives be subject to your husbands." (Proudly) I made my wife come today to hear this.
P: Then you're in for a big disappointment. This passage is about mutual love, and reading it properly, it's a parallel between a mutually--do you know what mutual means?
J: Nope.
P: Two-way--it means two-way, not one-sided and dominating. This passage is a parallel between a mutual loving relationship and Christ's love for the church. You should love your wife with the same tenderness and self-sacrifice that Christ loves loves the church.
J: Self sacrifice? Preacher, my wife is listening to this sermon, and I thought you'd preach it right!
P: I am.
J: I made a special effort to drag--errr--I mean bring my wife, Martha, to the service today. I was all set to make a big contribution to this church.
P: So?
J: You're not preaching what I thought (Shows anger).
P: I'm sure I'm not. Why don't you go home and try a little love and self-sacrifice for your wife, Martha, and for your marriage? Apply this passage properly to your life.
J: (Angrily) A few of your church members are going to be angry with you, preacher. I told them I was going to put in a big contribution today. But now I'm not. No way! (Pounds lectern).
P: You are always welcome here. You can keep your money. It can't buy what's free--God's love for you and Martha in Christ. And money can't change the truth of God's Word, God's Word of unconditional love in a world of abuse and violation.
J: (Very angry--pounds lectern) Abuse and violation? My wife and my kids are supposed to knuckle under to me. They know what happens if they don't. (Turns to congregation) Right men? Well preacher, I'm going home, and I won't be back (Walks down to the front row--yells at wife). Let's go. (Louder) I said, Martha let's go. (Pause) You're staying? (He exits out the door.)
Pastor may or may not make concluding remark. The dialogue is a "door-opener" to domestic abuse.
Pastor Richard L. Swenson
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