MY HUSBAND IS NOT A CHRISTIAN!
September 30, 2001 PM
Sermon Outline
1 Pet 3:1,2
INTRO: Peter has touched upon social, civil and vocational relationships as he has written of the new life in Christ. Now, he begins to address the closest and most intimate of human relationships...that of husband and wife. And he jumps right into one of the most serious possible problems which may come into that very special relationship. That problem may be simply stated as so often it is like this...My husband is not a Christian. Of course, there is also the reverse possibility...with equal potential as a serious problem. Peter gives important advice, then, to wives in this situation. Incidentally, there is herein wise advice for all wives in their relationships with husbands.
I. SOME BACKGROUND THOUGHT
A. Role of wife in the ancient world?
1. in Jewish, Roman, and Greek cultures she had little real importance, freedom...or expression
2. at best she was property-at worst she could be killed by her husband for virtually no offense
3. for woman to obey gospel was a bold step
B. The problems?
1. immediately perceived to go against her husband
2. was in company with people who may not have been the right sort
3. was with Christian men whose deportment toward women would be drastically different from pagan husbands
4, two problems then were potential: (a) a change for the worse in her husband toward her (b) a change in her feelings toward her husband for the worse
5. to some degree the same possibilities exist now
II. WHAT IS ONE IN THIS SITUATION TO DO?
A. What she is not told to do is very significant
1. she is not told to leave her husband!
2. 1 Cor 7:12,13 Christianity emphasizes family and does not seek in any way to weaken it
3. contrarily, Christianity aims to reinforce the family
B. She is to be in submission to her husband
1. to her own husbandhe must still be first in human relationships
2. submit: voluntary selflessness, desire to serve, submission of perfect love!
3. this is the only way marriage can be as God intends it
4. Eph 5:22,23 room for only one head in familyhusband
C. She is to be concerned for his spiritual condition
1. obey not suggests certain antagonism, stubbornness
2. yet, she wants to win him for the Master
3. for, indeed, his condition is graveand needs changing
4. but note without the word...literally, without a wordshe cannot nag, be pushy, etc. (a fact in truth!)
D. She should live in hope of his conversion
1. the tenor of Peters words is so positive
2. even the most hopeless case is not impossible when God, His word and good example are involved-Mt 19;26b
3. there will undoubtedly be disappointment, delay, heartbreak and ache...but Phil 4:13
E. She must live a completely exemplary life
1. isnt it reasonable that Christ in her would make her a better person and wife than ever? husband will notice that
2. too, he must see seriousness of her choice in her
3. Titus 2:4,5 with 1 Tim 4:12 an example of domestic and spiritual qualities
F. She must be chaste, faithful to her husband (3:2a)
1. this must be fidelity founded in/on love
2. chastity...not just a quality of restraint, but an inner quality which makes unchastity, impurity, infidelity unthinkable1 Jno 3:9
3. Christ, in his word are sorely needed in marriage!
G. She must give honor, respect to her husband-Jesus (3:2b)
1. note Eph 5:33-what formula could be more perfect
2. yet, Peter writes of a relationship in which not both are children of God! still, she must reverence him
and, yes, the basis for all of this is her godly fear
CLOSE: Will it always work? Perhaps not. But perhaps, too, we are not always using this advice as we should. In any case, the relationship will-in all probability-be better than ever!
Cecil A. Hutson
30 September 2001