Liberals across the land stated repeatedly that family values would not play any part in choosing their candidate. Such a statement is incomprehensible.
When we hear liberals, across the land, state that family values are not important in a presidential election, we want to say, “Will you please play that back. I think I must have misunderstood what he/she said!"
But when we hear liberals say it over and over again, we realize we did not misunderstand what they said, they said it and they meant every word of it.
Illus: Years ago, a housing development firm built many houses on the site of an old garbage dump that had been filled in and covered up. When the houses were finished they were as lovely as any in any other neighborhood. It was only after the families had began moving into the new homes that they noticed:
• Curbs along the streets began to crack.
• Roofs on the houses bowed.
• Walls began to crack.
Finally the families had to move out of this new housing development because the houses became unsafe to live in.
The fact is, this same thing has happened across this nation SPIRITUALLY.
We see families all across this nation, who have built their homes on the dump heap of what this lost world has to offer, and they are coming apart at the seams. You would think people could see all the:
• Teen pregnancies,
• Divorces,
• Live-in families,
• Abortions,
• Teen rebellion,
• Drug and alcohol problems, etc.,
You would think they would see the need to build families with solid foundations, built upon solid family values.
Our text deals with how a couple can build a home on a solid foundation.
Peter gives us at least three things in this story of Abraham and Sarah we would do well to learn from.
First, let us look at...
1. A WORD TO THE WISE PERSON.
Verse 1, "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to Your own husbands..."
First, this scripture gives us the ELEMENTS OF WHICH A MARRIAGE IS MADE.
Notice that when Peter speaks about marriage. he refers to a MAN and a WOMAN, not two men, or two women.
God made man and gave him a help-mate. He created them Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.
We are being told today by the anti-Bible crowd, that a marriage can consist of two men or two women. DON'T YOU BELIEVE THAT CROWD!
God is the One who formed marriage, and when He did, He created a MALE and a FEMALE!
The reason we keep stressing this, is because we are hearing so much these days about homosexuality.
Before the mid 50's, most people never thought of, or heard of, homosexuality. Those who did would not admit it because they knew it was wrong, and that most people detested that kind of lifestyle.
Even people who were not Christians knew homosexuality was perversion, they referred to homosexuals as "queers' because they knew homosexuals were not even close to being normal. They considered it sickening
.
Then, little by little, with the help of pornographers and movie and television producers, the push began to try to normalize this sinful lifestyle, because those entrapped in that sin did not want their "queer' behavior to be considered queer.
Now, “sexual preference” is referred to in conversations.
WHY? Because people are becoming convinced either choice can be right.
Why? People are becoming comfortable with evil.
Because Incest, abortion, infidelity, lying, rape, etc., are so prevalent in the land, that those who are homosexuals do not feel uncomfortable about coming "out of the closets”. They have been hiding in the closet for years to conceal their queer behavior.
Now they are out to brainwash everyone into thinking homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle.
Well, people may change, but God’s Word does not, and will not!
Leviticus 18:22 still stands, "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination . "
The word translated "abomination" means: disgusting also abhorrent.
Every God-loving and God-respecting person feels hate and disgust for this sin every time it is paraded before them.
It is DISGUSTING! It is enough to make a maggot throw up!
If Christians do not wake up and make our voices heard we are going to see more and more of this ungodliness.
Why? Because they have an agenda. Their goals are to:
• Promote this sinful lifestyle on television so our boys and
girls will get so used to it they will think it is normal.
Many of the actors and actresses the children look up to as role models, are actively living out this sinful lifestyle. Many of the Hollywood and New York producers are homosexuals, so naturally it is on their agenda to promote homosexuality every way they can until everyone is brainwashed into accepting it.
• Promote it in public schools, including it in sex education
as an acceptable alternative lifestyle.
Parents who never attend PTA meetings need to attend and speak out and say, “I will not allow my child to be taught that homosexuality is an acceptable alternative lifestyle! No, never!
They even have the audacity to try to teach children that God makes people this way! That is a lie!
I challenge any homosexual to show me one scrap of evidence in the scripture where God says He made them that way!
They commit this horrendous sin and they want to blame it on the holy God of heaven, HOW DARE THEY!
It is bad enough to commit the act, but to commit it and then say that God is responsible is disgraceful! How did they become homosexual?
To find out how they reach this deplorable lifestyle, you need to read, Romans 1:21; 26-27 and you will see the explanation is clear.
Notice the order of things. First man disobeys and rejects God. Then “They change”, then God gives them up.
He gives them up to what?
The Bible says he gives them up to the wretched, despicable "vile affections,” they wish to follow.
Now if they had been created that way, born that way, then why would they need to CHANGE.
The fact they have to change to become homosexual reinforces the obvious - God did NOT create them that way!
Because of their rebellion against Him, He gave them up and they changed into homosexuals.
It is important in this day and time that we establish, from the Word of God, that when God formed marriage, He formed it with a MAN and a WOMAN.
We hear more and more these days about same sex marriages.
Illus: And we hear more and more these days about companies like Disney, Time Warner, and McDonalds (almost fast foods) are recognizing same sex marriages.
Peter addressed a MAN AND A WOMAN when he addressed the subject of marriage. This is the only kind of marriage the Bible speaks about.
• If you are a WISE YOUNG PERSON you will not fall into
this damnable sin.
• If you are a WISE YOUNG PERSON IN A SCHOOL where
homosexuality is being taught as an acceptable alternative lifestyle, you will recognize the Bible does not teach it that way. IT TEACHES THAT IT IS AN ABOMINATION!
• If you are a WISE PARENT you will monitor what your
child watches on television and what he reads.
This passage of scripture gives us a WORD TO THE WISE PERSON that a marriage consists of a MAN and a WOMAN.
In this passage Peter also gives...
II. A WORD TO THE WISE WIFE.
Look at I Peter 3:1-6, We read, “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.”
The wife can learn many things from these verses if she is WISE enough to receive them. Notice, It speaks of-
A. HER SUBMISSION.
Look at verses 1-2, We read, “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.”
If you were to read this verse at an ERA rally they would laugh you to scorn.
That could be the reason 99% of them at that rally are not married. God knows something they do not know about building a strong marriage.
In this age of equal rights, we hear young women say, "I am not going to submit to any man!” Well, do yourself and some man a favor, do not get married. With that attitude both of you will be miserable.
Without submission there can be no order in the home. God placed Christ as head of the man, and man as head of the home.
DOES THAT MEAN THE HUSBAND IS SUPERIOR TO THE WOMAN?
Absolutely not!
You say, "Well preacher, if the man is placed as the head of the wife, doesn't that make him superior?" Absolutely not!
Illus: Is the quarterback on the football team superior to the other players just because he calls the plays? Of course not. All together they make up the team. They could not be successful if they did not have someone to call the plays.
Illus: Every successful business or corporation has someone who makes major decisions for that business or corporation. It would be absurd to think that IBM or GM could operate successfully without a CEO. Does that mean that the CEO is superior to the employees. Not in the slightest. He is a human being just like the rest of them.
He might make more money. He might have, more responsibility, but that is as far as it goes.
In order for a marriage to be successful, someone has to be the head.
Two things can cause problems in homes:
(1) Where there is no "head” there is a problem.
It is going to be rough on judgment day for many dads who will not accept their secular and spiritual responsibilities.
The other problem is just as bad, that is-
(2) Where there are two “heads” there is a problem.
Anything with two heads is a freak and when you have two heads in a marriage you have a freakish marriage.
The woman is not inferior to the man, but God saw fit to place the man as head of the family, and God says the woman is to submit to this position. God has placed the man over the home because God gave the husband that position.
In other words, the scripture says since Christ has placed the man as the head and since Christ has commanded the woman to submit, she is to submit AS UNTO THE LORD.
Illus: Wives, with this in mind, let's just say Jesus is sitting in the recliner in your living room that your husband usually sits in. Jesus speaks to you as you walk by the chair on your way to fold the clothes you just took out of the dryer. And He says, “l am so tired, would you please bring me a glass of tea?” You know that every housewife in America would put on her prettiest smile and say, “I would be glad to." You bring the tea, knowing He is tired, and you notice He is rubbing His feet. He says, “Would you please rub my feet. They hurt so bad." Once again you say, “I will be glad to.”
Do you get the picture? There is nothing you would not gladly do for Jesus.
Illus: Now, let us put the husband back in that recliner and see what kind of response he gets. As you walk by he asks for a glass of tea. If you are like many women who have been busy all day you might say, “I am not your slave, your legs aren't broken, get your own tea you lazy bum!' Your husband has worked hard all day and he asks you if you would rub his feet. Since your feet are sore too, you might say, “You think I would stoop to rub your stinking feet!"
Now wait a minute! You said you would do anything for the Lord, and do it willingly. Jesus asks wives to be willing to submit to their own husbands as if they were doing it unto Jesus.
Now some of you wives are looking at me as if to say, "Do you have some scripture to back that up?"
(Humor) Peggy, a lady on the front row asked me if I have some scripture to back that statement up. I'm glad you asked Peggy, as a matter of fact I do have some scripture to support how a wife is suppose to submit to her own husband.
Look at Ephesians 5:22, "Wives, submit yoursleves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”
Now that verse does not mean some lazy, trifling bum who won't work for his family should sit around and make a slave out of his wife. A wife would be wise to get a frying pan and use it on his head!
However, if the woman is not willing to submit to her own husband, she should not be surprised to find that her children will not submit to him either.
Next, notice our text speaks of...
B. HER SPEECH.
Look at I Peter 3:3. We read, “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel."
Notice, the apostle Peter makes this statement.
You may already know that the Catholic church claims Peter was not married.
That could not possibly be true for two reasons.
(1) He knew a lot about married women. He knew things about
a woman that only a married man knows.
(2) Also, he had a mother-in-law. And you can not get a
mother-in-law without getting married.
In verse 3, he tells wives who want to win their husbands to the Lord, not to just rely on OUTWARD ADORNING, specifically three things, such as:
1. Hair do's.
2. Jewelry.
3. Clothing.
Peter knew that arranging these things certain ways might have something to do with GETTING A MAN, but NO ARRANGEMENT OF THEM WILL KEEP A MAN just by themselves.
You may visit any divorce court and see women with some of the fanciest hair do's, prettiest jewelry and loveliest clothes, but the husbands are telling the judges, “I do not want her.”
Illus: Many are like the man whose wife took him to court for spouse support. The judge said, “Mr. Jones I am going to give your wife a thousand dollars a month, what do you think about that?” The husband said, “Your honor that is mighty nice of you and if I have a any money left over each month I might send the old girl a few dollars myself.”
Men and women are different in many ways.
Someone says, Men have egos and they love to brag. But Women love to NAG.
Proverb 19:13 says, "...the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.”
In other words, the wife who nags all the time is like an annoying leaky faucet.
Peter tells the wise woman, You may have used your OUTWARD BEAUTY to get your man, but if you are going to win him to the Lord, you are going to have to have INWARD BEAUTY.
Why? That is the only beauty you can use to keep from losing him as the years go by, the other beauty fades with time.
Illus: Someone said, “After a few short years of marriage a man can look right at his wife without seeing her, and a wife can see right through her husband without looking at him.”
In other words, you can have the prettiest hair do in town, the prettiest jewelry, and the prettiest nightgown and prance before him and he might say, “Would you please move, I cannot see the ball game!”
Good looks might get a man, but it takes more than that to keep one.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE THAT INWARD BEAUTY.
Another reason you need that INWARD BEAUTY is that regardless of how hard you fight it, time takes its toll.
The product is yet to be invented that will make you look young forever.
Also, we have all seen women who were beautiful, but once we got to know them they were no longer attractive because they were ugly from within.
The wise woman understands the importance of OUTWARD BEAUTY AND INWARD BEAUTY.
Read verse 4. Peter is telling the wise woman to place emphasis on INWARD BEAUTY.
Now understand, he is NOT trying to tell women to see how ugly they can be OUTWARDLY. (Please ladies do not think he is teaching this, PLEASE!)
He is NOT telling women to not comb their hair or brush their teeth, nor is he telling them to sleep in their clothes before they wear them.
Most women today understand the benefits of being as presentable as possible, as much of the time as possible for their husbands, but Peter tells women they should have an INWARD BEAUTY of “...A MEEK AND OUIET SPIRIT...”
We have looked at: HER SUBMISSION, and HER SPEECH.
But let us look at something else-
C. HER SERVICE.
Look at verse 5-6, We read, “For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.”
Sarah knew how to make a man want to fill the position God placed him in.
Out of respect for him she called him “Lord'.
She recognized his position over the family and she showed the respect God required of her. Now Peter gives...
Ill. A WORD TO THE WISE HUSBAND.
Look at verse 7, Peter tells husbands to "...dwell with them (speakinq of their wives) according to knowledge.. "
Alright ladies, this is your time to holler “Amen” and yell out, “Preach it preacher”.
Ok, I am going to preach it, but I wish I did not have to, because my wife is here also. And It would be much easier to preach if she was not here.
But what Peter is saying here, is that many of us husbands do not have enough sense to have a wife.
In order to be the husbands that we should be, he shows us four things.
A. OUR AWARENESS.
Most of us husbands are OVERLOADED with ignorance.
We are not aware of the fact that our wives:
• ARE CAPABLE OF THINKING.
That is, we do not think that our wives know as much about situations as we do. Usually the contrary is true. This is because they not only think with their HEADS, they think with their HEARTS.
• HAVE FEELINGS.
Before we were married, we chased these girls all over the country telling them we could not live without them. We told them how much we enjoyed TALKING to them and LISTENING to them. Now that we are married, many of us do not do either as much as we should. Your wife still needs to KNOW SHE IS THE SPECIAL GIRL that you told her she was before you married her.
Listen, if we do not show her that special attention that we once showed her, it might be some other man will tell her what she longs to hear.
OUR DWELLING WITH OUR WIVES REQUIRES SOME AWARENESS.
B. OUR ACCEPTANCE.
Husbands should accept their wives. Before marriage, the man usually accepts the girl he loves the way she is. IT IS HER UNIQUENESS THAT HAS DRAWN HIM TO HER.
Contrary to what we have been told, it is not only what two people have in common that draws them together, but also the differences.
It would probably be rather dull to spend your life with a person whose every thought and action agreed 100% with yours. Husbands know of differences before they get married. They must accept them after marriage just as they did before marriage.
Some husbands think it is their life's calling to remake their mates to be like themselves. One mess in the home is enough. Leave her alone!
WE ARE TO DWELL WITH OUR WIVES WITH ACCEPTANCE.
C. OUR ADJUSTMENT.
Husbands are to dwell with their wives always keeping in mind the wife is the "...weaker vessel..."
Being stronger, husbands, you are to adjust and lift up your wife. God has given women a more delicate nature. He had a reason for this and you husbands need to adjust.
D. OUR APPRECIATION.
Husbands are to let their wives know they appreciate them . ..... giving honour unto the wife...'
Conclusion/Summary:
Abraham and Sarah had a successful marriage. It was not because everything went well. They were not the perfect couple. For example:
• Abraham and Sarah had problems with their children.
• Abraham was careless and lied a couple of times.
• Abraham was not thoughtful toward Sarah.
They survived all the stages of their marriage, went from ROMANTIC to RUMATIC, because their marriage was based on COMMITMENT AND APPRECIATION. This is the only way you can make your marriage successful today. We must take heed.
I. A WORD TO THE WISE PERSON.
II. A WORD TO THE WISE WIFE.
III. A WORD THE WISE HUSBAND.
