HOW TO LIVE WITH YOUR HUSBAND?
October 14, 2001 PM
Sermon Outline
1 Pet 3:3-6
INTRO: The husband/wife relationship is very special in Gods view. Yet, humanity has done all sorts of things to that relationship. Because there has been so much problem in marriage over the years, the Bible has said a great deal about how God designed marriage to be and how it develops into a truly happy and serene experience for both partners in the marriage. The Bible does not answer every question, but it does give guidelines and principles which are a basis for successfully solving problems. Because this is such an important relationship, the apostle Peter addresses it. Tonight we will consider How To Live With Your Husband.
I. IN GENERAL, SUCCESS BEGINS WITH ME!
A. Two things Peter does not say
1. he does not say leave your unbelieving husband
2. he does not say remake a husband who has some traits you dont like (although that effect is likely through what Peter will advise)
B. Peter says to the wife, Look at yourself first
1. one has said, a successful marriage does not depend on finding the right person, but on being the right person
2. that is the emphasis of the text before us
II A WIFES ADORNMENT
A. Should she give no thought to personal appearance (3:3)
1. that is certainly not what Peter says
2. so many women then devoted themselves to beautification of the bodyhair was arrayed with gold and precious stones; clothes were of expensive cloth with a decking of pearls; might spend hours in such beautifying
3. this si the kind of thing Peter criticizes
4. there is a forgetfulness of what real beauty is
5. but women should most assuredly give attention to themselvesto be all out for the Lord, you dont have to look all in!
B. Peters concernthe real youthe hidden man of the heart (3:4a)
1. 1 Sam 16:7 what God sees (note 3:4c)
2. Prov 23:7a the important thing for anyone (the wife in the text) is to be concerned about the qualities of character and behavior
3. beauty is truly more than a face, a garment!
C. incorruptible ornaments? (3:4b)
1. the point here is similar to Mt 7:19,20
2. physical beauty is a fading thing (explain)-beauty queens have a perishing commodity
3. ah, but meekness! opposite of self-assertiveness, of ambition for self...is self-suppression leading to loving service
4. and the quiet spirit! she is not showy, boistrous...she is calm and controlled (Prov 19:13)she, in fact, is an ornament to her husband (Prov 18:22)
D. The example of saintly wives of old (3:5)
1. meekness, quietness, submission to husband are not confined to a culture or time frame...Sarah was an ancient woman by 1st Century standards; yet, she is the example
2. and she is the example for the 20th century wife!
3. the qualities Peter has mentioned are the manner of the wife who trusts in Godothers may behave in ways contrary to Gods design...but not the wife who is a Christian (her goal in all things: 1 Cor 10:31)
4. their own husbands again as in 3:1noroving eye
E. The sweet example of Sarah (3:6)
1. Christian wives are daughters of Sarah
2. Sarah was an example of submission; of devotion to her husband; of concern for him
3. and, Peter says, she called him lord...He was her life; she exalted him (comment on the danger and future in devoting self to children)
4. her calling him lord evidenced an attitude which is right and correct in Gods plan (Eph 5:33b)
CLOSE: Is there anything to fear in such wifely behavior? Perhaps there are exceptions. But in general, her following the teaching of these verses should enrich markedly her relationship with her husband. And if he is a Christian husband, his reciprocation will make her life a joy of true fulfillment.
Cecil A. Hutson
14 October 2001