The Daughters Of Sara

DAUGHTERS OF SARAH

TEXT: 1 Peter 3:1-6

1 Peter 3:1-6 KJV 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.

I. INTRODUCTION—A STRANGE TEXT FOR A MOTHERS DAY MESSAGE

-I fully realize that this is Mother’s Day and I am sure that you perhaps think that this is a strange passage to use to honor our mothers. As always, I would like to provide a setting of context of this biblical passage.

-It deals several matters:

• The sanctity of biblical marriage.

• The unique relationship that God ordained for marriage.

• The reality of a believing wife who is living with an unbelieving husband.

• The chastity or purity of a godly wife and mother.

• The power of a focused and spiritual heart over the superficiality of the outward appearance (that so many women find an enslavement to in our culture).

-In fact, here is what the Lord would have us to understand about what a godly woman looks like:

• She has a godly heart that cannot be corrupted by the outward pressures of society—v. 4

• She is marked by a meek and quiet spirit—v. 4

• She has a high value when God looks at her—v. 4

• She has complete trust in the Lord—v. 5

• She adorns or beautifies herself with a spirit of submission—v. 5

-I would also add that if we read just a bit further in 1 Peter 3:7 we find that men who treasure and value their wives and mother of the children moves into a powerful realm of their prayer being answered. Peter notes that if men do not treasure and value their wives that their prayers are hindered. If ever there were a time when our prayers definitely need to be versed in authority, it is now! Men, we must do our part!

II. SARA—AN OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTER

-The apostle Peter pulls back from history in his time somewhere around 1950 years (for us 2500 years ago) plus a character that many of the saints of that scattered and persecuted church would have been familiar with. He speaks of Sara, the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac.

A. What Sara’s Days Looked Like

-If we were to take a look at Sara and what she had to contend with, I suppose the following matters could have been said about her. She would have felt the pressure of her circumstances just as all of you mothers would feel them in your life in 2014.

• I can sense an uneasiness in my spirit over this matter with Lot. He is Abraham’s nephew but there is a tension that is pressing on Abraham and I can feel that nothing good is going to take place from this. I wish that Abraham would have obeyed God and left him in Ur when we pulled out of there.

• I can began to see that the communication that we have with Lot and his wife and girls is becoming strained. I wish that things were not like this.

• I know that men sometimes can be so driven toward success and I feel that with Abraham. My husband, my hero, the one that I loved so much has been working so hard here lately to keep the flocks and the men under control that he is exhausted when he comes in from work. It is a silent supper and then he passes out on the couch from weariness. I wish it weren’t like this! I remember so much life and happiness in the early days of our marriage.

• I so wish I could be an encouragement to him but I feel overwhelmed with trying to keep Isaac and Ishmael out of their fighting. Ishmael is such a bully and when someone is picking on my kid, it takes so much out of me. I want to speak in ways that I know I shouldn’t. I feel so alone in my struggles!