* Paul wrote in Ephesians that men are to love their wives as Christ loved the church.

* Here in Philippians he gives us a picture of what that love looks like.

* Husbands should see Christ’s example and apply it to their lives:

* 1) He is humble (vs 5) - humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.

* Women naturally do this, but men have to work on it.

* When men are humble it melts a woman’s heart.

* 2) He is sacrificial (vs 6) - He sacrificed his right for His responsibility.

* He let go of His “Godness” so He could experience our “Humanness” - He empathized with us.

* When men empathize it breaks down the walls in their wife’s heart.

* 3) He is a servant (vs 7) - He washed feet.

* A man who serves his wife will have a happy life.

* 4) He was willing to be misunderstood (vs 8) - He died a criminal, but this wasn’t true.

* A man should be willing to forsake his reputation for his beloved.

* *** The results of doing the above:

* 1) He was elevated to a place of honor (vs 9) - Jesus is now in the place of honor.

* “A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown” (Proverbs 12:4).

* She became noble by the way he loved her, and her nobility reveals his royalty (a crown).

* 2) He accomplished His purpose (vs 10-11) - everyone can now confess Him as Lord.

* A man’s purpose is directly tied to how well he loves his wife.

* His prayers won’t be answered if he doesn’t treat her properly (1 Peter 3:7).

* If men love their wives as Christ loved the church then they will be elevated to the position of honor (having a wife of nobility) and will accomplish the purpose God set for them.

* Marriage is the test of how much you love the Lord.