Opening and Introduction
In our lesson tonight, we heard part of a longer passage that’s a discussion on how a wife and husband should treat each other. It’s a message about relationships.
This text applies to all of us, married or not. We’re all in some form of relationship with each other… family, friends, co-workers, even the sales clerk that we bought our lunch from. We connect to people in different ways.
Some of these people, we can talk to easily about anything. Others we’re not comfortable sharing with. There are some who we can freely discuss our faith, and probably a few we avoid the topic at all costs. Whether we talk to people or not, we model our Christian faith by how we do things, how we act, and how we live.
Tonight, we’re going to look at how Peter wanted us to be an example of our faith. We’ll also look at how the world tries to lead us in a different direction. Finally, we’ll look at how we can be a better role model to those around us.
Live Faithfully
In the early church, there was a challenge with Christian believers marrying unbelievers. Some women were married to non-Christian husbands, and they needed some spiritual guidance and loving support.
When a woman married, it was assumed that she would follow the faith of her husband, and unlikely that she would challenge him about his faith. But here in our text, Peter addresses this very specific situation where conflict could, or had arisen.
Peter describes a wife who is a believer, but a husband who doesn’t obey the word. To disobey the word, he must’ve heard what scripture has to say. Either he’s rejected the message, or ignored it. He’s a
non-believer, or at the very least, one who is weak in his faith.
Men were considered the leaders of their family, as society was very patriarchal at this time. This meant that the husband ran the family. How can a wife convince her husband, of her honestly held faith, without starting an argument, without challenging his role in the family, and without disgracing him in the eyes of society?
Respect was a big deal. But so were appearances. Women followed the practices of the Romans and Greeks by dying their hair in bright colors and stacking it high on their heads, wearing jewelry and dressing in beautiful clothes. Entire fortunes were spent on wardrobes, and makeup, producing stunning looks.
Outward appearances were of the utmost importance. But, the inner beauty of character, heart, and faith… that’s what Peter was focusing on.
He addresses these concerns of maintaining a peaceful, respectful relationship. He says that they should win their husbands over, not with nagging, nor with arguing or protesting. But with a gentle, quiet spirit… through inner beauty, rather than outward appearance.
Peter was advising a way to build relationships, and demonstrate the gospel by being an example, show faith in our daily lives, and demonstrate what being a Christian is about. This is more important than decorating our exterior.
The Example Around Us
But, the world around us, tries to show us a different way to live, a different example to follow. Peer pressure is one example that tries to get us to change.
Our peers might try to convince us to do something or follow the crowd. If we don’t get in line, we could be excluded from their group, or maybe even made fun of. Peer pressure has resulted in people doing things they should’ve never done. And it’s not something only kids deal with.
A few years ago, a new type of robbery started to gain popularity, and accomplices were pressured into participating. It’s based on the idea that the police can’t catch everyone.
An organized mob goes to a store, all the people enter at the same time, and grab whatever they can, then leave as quickly as they arrive. In a few cases, more than 300 people have participated in a single crime, and over $30,000 dollars of merchandise have been stolen in less than 10 minutes.
The example here focuses on oneself, and is an attitude of take what you can, regardless of who’s hurt.
It’s the me-me-me mentality. I’m only concerned about what’s good for me. We call this self-centered approach narcissism, and narcissism is on the rise all around us.
Then there’s social networks and their example of how to behave. There are more than 65 social networking sites today with some of the more popular ones including Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and for the older crowd, there’s still Facebook.
These apps have made it easier to connect people across the globe. And can do some positive things. A few years ago, a challenge appeared on social media asking people to make a video of them getting a bucket of ice water poured over them. The Ice Bucket challenge increased awareness of the disease ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and raised over $115M for the cause. This was a challenge with a positive example. But, there’s also been some of the craziest bad ideas.
One really bad idea that served as an example for many teens and even adults was the Tide Pod challenge. Many dared each other to make videos of themselves eating laundry detergent with the goal of seeing who could tolerate it better. Yes, people actually ate Tide soap pods. The trend got so bad with kids being injured, that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning. 8 kids were reportedly killed by eating these. Some examples should never be followed.
Society has a lot of examples. Examples of poor behavior that we’re supposed to imitate, and narcissistic attitudes of focusing on ourselves.
People look around to see how they should act, how they should dress, how they should treat people. People are seeking something, but they don’t always realize what they’re looking for. They might be looking for God and not realize it. Some who hear God’s Word reject it. But our example can still be seen even if it’s not heard. We can bring our character and our attitude to the masses, and perhaps move them to ask why we’re different.
Being an Example for Others
Actions speak louder than words. They indicate how we REALLY feel about things. Our actions can reveal our most inner thoughts, even if we don’t want others to know what they are.
How we behave in both our public and private lives can impact those around us. Not just those closest to us, but those who happen to be near us. What kind of example do we show others in how we live and behave?
When it comes to examples, Jesus was the clearest, and best example that any of us could have. So, in the time that we have remaining, I’d like to share three ways, that we can follow Jesus’ lead, and be an example to others.
First, we can be an example by serving those around us.
In the upper room, the night before Jesus was betrayed, He celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples and gave them an example they didn’t expect.
During supper, He rose from the table, poured water into a basin, sat down in front of them and washed each of their dirty, dust-coated feet. And when He finished, Jesus said:
“I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you.” (John 13:15, ESV)
Jesus showed us that no-one is above serving. He was true God who humbled Himself by stepping out of heaven and became man. He continued to serve by doing things for others, healing them, feeding them, teaching them, leading them.
That’s what it’s like to be a servant. Putting aside pride and ego, and self-interests, and getting to work doing the things that need to be done. Jesus demonstrated how to step forward and do the lowliest of tasks, and do it willingly, and gladly. That’s the example of a true servant’s heart. Perhaps we can show our faith by serving a little more often.
Second, we can be an example by showing forgiveness.
Jesus demonstrated how to forgive. He showed how to turn the other cheek, even to those that we might not think that they deserve to be forgiven. Jesus said:
“I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27, ESV)
Jesus asks us to forgive all people, including those who try to harm us. This is more than tolerance. It’s doing good to those who are full of hate, and outwardly hostile.
But the best example of Jesus’ forgiveness was when he was on the cross. Hurting from the pain of being beaten. His body is broken from carrying His cross. Bleeding from the nails in His hands and feet. And His first concern is forgiveness for those causing His pain.
“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34, ESV)
Forgiving those who hurt us, that’s a really hard thing to do. But it’s what Jesus showed us, and the example of forgiveness that He set for us to follow. Perhaps we can show our faith more clearly, by forgiving more freely.
Third, we can be an example through the love we share.
Jesus’ entire ministry was about love. One of the more well-known phrases that Jesus told us, was his summary of the Ten Commandments. Jesus said:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39, ESV)
Loving God… and loving everyone how we want to be treated, it sounds so easy. But there are times when that’s really hard to do. When our sinful priorities get in the way, and we put God last, that’s not love. When we focus on ourselves rather than the person next to us, that’s not love either. Love is putting the needs of others before ourselves. It’s the opposite of the world that says put ‘me first’.
Love is caring of others first, praising God first, being patient and kind with others first. Then, taking care of our own needs.
That’s the example that Jesus gave us, and the example that we can try to emulate. Perhaps we can work on loving others, even when it might be such a hard thing to do.
Conclusion
Wherever we go, whatever we do, we are all examples of what Christians look like, and act like. We represent Christians with what we say and how we say it, our conduct, our attitude, everything we do can show the hope, the grace and the faith that’s in us.
Peter was trying to tell us to be an example of our faith so that those who won’t hear the gospel could see a small glimpse of what the Good News is. Jesus showed us a servant’s heart… how to forgive, and above all, who to love, leading up to our forgiveness on a cross.
Be an example to everyone around us, by serving others, forgiving freely, and by loving often.
All of Jesus’ ministry was a work of love, and the example that He gave us was to love God, love our neighbors, and yes, love our enemies too.
