November 13, 2016
Morning Service

I Pet. 3:1-12

 

            In chapter two Peter addresses the listeners as Dearly beloved, strangers, and pilgrims.  His instructions to them were to forsake fleshly lusts, having an honest walk before gentiles, that they may glorify God in the day of visitation.  He went on telling them to be under subjection to all authority.  Telling them that this was God’s will.

Then telling them not to use their liberty as a cloak for unrighteousness.  Do not use your liberty to practice sin. 

Then he addresses servants, or the working class of people.  Telling them to be obedient to their masters, even if they are mean to them.  He says this a thankworthy thing if you suffer for doing good, you expect suffering if you do wrong, but it is thankworthy if you suffer for well doing.

 

Now we find in chapter three that Peter will address the wives and husbands.   Let’s begin.

 

1Pe 3:1-22  Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands;

·        Some women have trouble with this, but it is the will of God.  Strong Christian home.

·         1Co 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

·         This is the order of the family that God has instituted in His Word.

that, if any obey not the word, ( meaning the husbands) they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;  (2)  While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 

·        What Peter is saying is that as you wives show respect, and give due honor to your husbands, even if they have not accepted Christ as Lord, by you being submissive, and living a dedicated life in front of them, will win them to the Lord.

·        They will respect your life, and also have a fear of God that you have shown.

·        You will never win your loved one to the Lord by being rebellious, and disrespectful to your mate.  Regardless of how they act, or places they go, they will eventually come around to recognizing that your way of life is best, and most rewarding, and they will accept your Jesus for their Savior.

·        This Scripture always reminds me of Dorothy Hughes, Lou, and Laura’s Grandmother.  She was the first piano player in our fellowship, and encouraged Judy to start playing.  Dorothy was dedicated to the Lord, but her husband wasn’t, yet they stayed together, and before he died, he accepted Christ and was baptized.

NOW THIS IS ONE OF THE PLACES I REFER PEOPLE TO WHEN THEY ASK HOW THEY SHOULD DRESS.       SPEAKING ABOUT THE WIVES.

(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; 

·        Dolling up, or putting on the dog.  This is different than putting on a little make up.

(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. 

·        Dress from the heart, to please your bridegroom, meekly, with a quiet spirit, and these traits of God, are of a great price.  This is what pleases our God, and what will also win your mate to the Lord, if need be.

(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. 

·        Here Peter uses an old testament example of a wife being under subjection to her husband, one we all know.  Some might think this is a thing of the past, it still works.

·        Remembering what Paul told Timothy, “all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, and instruction in righteousness.”

·        He also said, that the things done in the old testament were examples for us to learn by.

NOW FOR THE HUSBANDS:

(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. 

·        As you can see, men are not to lord over their wives, but to respect, and honor them, because they are the weaker vessel, and because we are all heirs together of the grace of life, and this way your prayers will not be hindered.  This also still works.

·        You disrespect your wife, and not honor her, you might as well pray to the barn door, because God will not hear your prayers.   Another truism.

(8)  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 

·        FINALLY:  after all these things he has just instructed us to do, the strangers, and pilgrims, the servants, the wives, the husbands, all having received instructions, and now he says FINALLY. 

·        Be of one mind.  Work things out to where you are on the same page.  It’s not always my way, or hit the hiway.  It’s a matter of talking things out, and looking at the options of every situation.  COME TO BEING OF ONE MIND.  Work it out together.

·        Have compassion on one another.  It’s tough enough in this world when we work together, let alone when we are constantly at each other’s throat.

·        Wives, understand the needs of your husband.  Try to understand what he has gone through at work that day.  All the pressure on him to provide for his family.  Have compassion, and love him for what he is doing for your family.

·        Husbands, you must understand what your wife has been through on any day.  Maybe she works out in the workforce, or maybe she is a stay at home mom.  She also will be experiencing stress, and fatigue, and concerns for your family.  Be caring, and compassionate at all times.         THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD.

·        love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:   The home will flourish from these actions.

THEN NOTICE:

(9)  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing:

·         If your spouse should speak evil towards you, you are not to retaliate with evil, but good, love.

but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.  (10)  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:  (11)  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.  (12)  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

·         Hopefully we can see what the will of the Lord is in matters of this type.  Our actions should always reflect love, gentleness, kindness, soft words, and a forgiving attitude.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, GIVE US THE ABILITY TO DO THE THINGS WE KNOW WE SHOULD DO, AND WE WILL GIVE YOU THE PRAISE, AND HONOR FOR VICTORY.  AMEN.