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 …
• He already knows the flaws …
• So, how is your heart condition toward Him and towards other people?
- v3 is a reminder that what you wear and put on is NOT all there is
-- The implication here is that people will hide behind attire to fool the world
-- Jeremiah 17:10, “I, the LORD, search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve."
- This is why v4 drives it home: it should be your inner self that is beautiful!
-- A gentle and quiet spirit demonstrates strength; it shows resolve to be faithful
-- The word “quiet” also refers to one who is under control; a contemplative soul
-- Interesting that a man who is basically “a bull in china shop” would say this
-- APP: It shows how Christ changed his life as well; he sees what God desires
- Peter, being one who knows history, reminds these souls of these facts (v5-6)
-- Sarah, Abraham’s wife, is singled out for her obedience to her husband
-- She was one who spent time listening to her husband, she honored him
-- Sarah called Abraham her lord or master, but not her supreme ruler
- When she used those words, it was a form of endearment, like we use “sir”
-- It was a sign of respect for how she treated her man … in AND out of the home
- Remember, Abraham was a nomad, and this life is NOT easy to accept
-- She willingly accepted that this life meant moving from place to place
-- Never really setting up roots, but being flexible to changing landscapes
- Abraham though was not bound by the things of this world, He was faithful
-- James 2:23, “And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.”
-- You don’t get that title for being popular … Sarah followed her husband
- You are daughters (of God – v6) if you do what is right (implies: before Him)
- TRANS: Peter’s encouragement to live above the norm is critical here
-- He is not suggesting you become slaves, but that your life honors God always
-- IMP: Your value is found because you live to please God … in everything
- Everyone still with me?
-- Husbands … we get one sentence here, but its crushing in its application
∆ Point 3 – Husbands
- 1 Peter 3:7, “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”
- Peter’s counsel over 6 verses to women is not showing an uneven balance
-- He does this because he knows that it was far tougher for women in this time
-- APP: Culturally, to be a believing wife of an unbelieving husband was difficult
- The word considerate is the Greek word, “gnosin”; come to know, to perceive
-- It carries with it the implied meaning of “wisdom and understanding”
- We should approach our marriages intelligently; live according to knowledge
-- Marriage is a real life relationship, it is NOT a fantasy portrayed on television
-- And at no time, is everything solved in 30 minutes with a big laugh/credits roll
- There is an implication here that is more than just surface knowledge of her
-- We ought to treat our wives well by knowing the things we should be doing
-- It’s not just about being a “nice guy”, but about living faithfully to honor God
- We treat them with respect because they are due this respect b/c of who they are
-- They are the daughter of God, and we will answer to Him for our behavior
-- We treat them with respect and honor because she is PRECIOUS to you
-- She is a gift from the Lord, and well deserving of honor by her husband
-- Proverbs 31:31, “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
- She is a weaker partner (not a weaker subject) … but a partner in all we do
-- This weakness is ONLY referred to in physical form, nothing more
-- This weakness however, is where you come in as protector, not as overlord
- Wives are never considered inferior to husbands and …
-- Repentance is commanded if we treat them this way!
- They are quite literally heirs to the same reward we’ve received – Jesus Christ
-- The same gift of life (more than air in our lungs) – the grace of God in Christ
- Don’t drift off on me - if you miss this you miss the whole thing
- Fellas, if you don’t follow this model look at what happens to your prayers
-- The word hindered (in v7) means “to interrupt”
-- Some suggest this means that your prayers won’t reach the Lord
-- I honestly do not believe this is what Peter is saying here … it’s deeper
- APP: A husband who treats his wife poorly will be unfit to pray
- IMP: A husband like this will most honestly have no desire to pray!
-- Why? Because you’ve sin in our life and your spiritual health is off kilter
- Let me connect the dots: Your spiritual health depends on how you treat her!
-- Suddenly, Peter doesn’t just seem like a loud-mouth fisherman, does he?
-- He cuts right to the heart of where we live with God’s word …
-- Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
- APP: Through God’s word we see this: We must honor our wives, always.
- TRANS: So what shall we take away from this message?
∆ Big Idea
- Wives must be submissive to their husbands
- Husbands must be considerate and respectful to their wives
- How do you measure up with these two statements?
- Where do you need to get things right with God … or your spouse?
- Have a conversation … be honest … it is well worth the outcome!
- Pray
