The Holy Women

The Holy Women

1 Peter 3:1-6

1 Peter 3:5 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:

ILL - TEN DOLLARS IS TEN DOLLARS

A man named Stumpy and his wife Martha went to the state fair every year and every year when Stumpy saw the antique bi-plane he would say, "Martha, I'd like to ride in that airplane." Martha always replied, "I know Stumpy, but that airplane ride costs 10 dollars, and 10 dollars is 10 dollars." One year Stumpy said, "Martha, I'm 81 years old. If I don't ride that airplane I might never get another chance." Martha replied, "Stumpy, that airplane ride cost 10 dollars, and 10 dollars is 10 dollars." The pilot overheard them and said, "Folks, I'll make you a deal. I'll take you both up for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say one word, I won't charge you: but if you say one word its 10 dollars." Stumpy and Martha agreed and up they went. The pilot did all kinds of twists and turns, rolls and dives, but not a word was heard. He did all his tricks over again, but still not a word. When they landed, the pilot turned to Stumpy and said, "By golly, I did everything I could think of to get you to yell out, but you didn't."

Stumpy replied, "Well, I was gonna say something when Martha fell out, but 10 dollars is 10 dollars."

(From a sermon by Guy McGraw, Does God Care About Money? 5/20/2012)

Introduction: Welcome to our Mother's Day 2016 service. This morning I want to share some thoughts with you concerning what it takes to be "A Holy Woman." I know that in the 21st century this phrase sounds archaic to some but let me tell you that "holiness" is the center of the Gospel, it is God's will for your life, it ought to the highest aspiration of your life and it is the one thing that will bring hope, harmony and happiness into your life. Where do we start? I'm going to start this exposition with a word that if spoken in the wrong crowd would start a riot. In the world those who might use this word would be deemed sexist and stupid. What word could possible incite such upset? It is the word submission and that is the beginning of holiness.

I. The Conversation of Holy Women v. 1-2

a. In holiness we are called to a lifestyle of submission; to God, God ordained authority (3:13) and to you own spouse.

Biblical submission does not relegate a woman to an inferior position in any way. Men and women are spiritual equals as heirs and joint heirs. In God's economy for the home He has ordained different but complimentary roles for husbands and wives.

1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

When husbands and wives fulfill these God given roles then the home becomes a testimony to the grace of God.

Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Eph 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

b. Holiness in lifestyle will prove winsome to an unsaved husband

George Müller told of a wealthy German whose wife was a devout believer. This man was a heavy drinker, spending late nights in the tavern. She would send the servants to bed, stay up till he returned, receive him kindly, and never scold him or complain. At times she would even have to undress him and put him to bed.