Marriage Matters Series

Marriage Matters

1 Peter Sermon Series, Part 7

1 Peter 3:1-7

Introduction

- Last week we talked about our testimony and how important it is in several ways:

• With those around us

• With those in authority

• With those we work for

• When suffering unjustly

- Why is our testimony so important?

-- v21, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”

-- We are called to remember what Christ went through and willingly follow!

- Now, why is all of this important? Read v22-25

- Jesus is the ONLY one who is totally sinless

-- Isaiah 53:9, “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.”

-- There was no deceit, no lie, no sin that was committed by the Messiah

-- He was literally the perfect sacrifice of God; suitable for our redemption

- When they hurled insults: didn’t retaliate; when he suffered: made no threats

-- What He did do: Submit Himself to the One that He served; righteous Judge

-- The one who judges justly; who divides truth from a lie for His honor

-- He gave Himself on the cross so that we might die to our sin and live righteous

- Now, how should we apply this to our dealings with one another?

-- Actually, how should we apply this to our most intimate relationship?

-- OK, so let’s set this off right … repeat after me: “I love, Brother TJ.”

- Read 1 Peter 3:1-7

∆ Point 1 – Wives

- Peter, being a disciple of hope, has a heart for those who need Christ

-- He understands how he was once lost and needed a savior, so his heart is there

-- APP: It really is where our hearts ought to be as well, love for one another

- Peter starts out (v1) showing that we ought to live always to honor God

-- His encouragement to women is with a very simple, yet sad fact we see today

-- More wives know Christ, or at least live for Him, than husbands do

- This submission has nothing to do with any kind of authority or rule over

-- It is the VERY misguided person who things this word means she is a “slave”

-- APP: It is also a very misguided and false religion who claims this as well

- Peter’s app. is that husband’s might be won to Christ b/c of wives behavior

-- IMP: See what Peter did right there? It is STILL about Christ!

- Wives, submit to your husbands as the Lord directs you to do

-- Ephesians 5:22, “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.”

-- Submit because it is His will that you live a proper life … even at home

- 1 Peter 2:12 gives us a very similar insight about living with unbelievers: “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

-- APP: As Christian wives live as they should, God is glorified as well

-- It all relates to living properly (see 1 Peter 2:19) … even in tough situations

- He commands (v2) that they live lives of purity (ref not only to moral/sexual)

-- It implies there is purity in their standards; to be women living above board

-- A recent stat by USA Today claims that 40% of married women have had affairs

-- APP: Obviously, what Peter is driving at here still applies to you and I today

- Purity of life isn’t automatic, but it is natural when the reverence is focused

-- Reverence for God is a command for all believers to strive for; to honor

-- Psalm 95:6, “Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”

-- When we revere the Lord, our attention is on Him; we live for Him

- TRANS: Peter then continues with what we can all relate too: appearance

∆ Point 2 – Beauty is more than skin deep

- Let’s be clear, in NO WAY is Peter banning the use of beauty aids

-- Analogy: “If the house needs a coat of paint, then paint the house!”

- IMP: What he is saying is women should not find VALUE in these things

-- Value incorrect: “I am nothing if I don’t put my face on in the morning”

- There is a beauty found in character that is far more precious to God:

• He has seen you out of the shower …