Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Did you hear about the couple that celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary?

After the party and they had opened all the cards and had the nice reception with their family and friends, they finally were back home, sitting on their front porch watching the sun go down.

They had taken their hearing aids out and were winding down from the excitement of the day.

Fred leaned over to Wilma and gently whispered, “For 50 years you have been tried and true!” Wilma looked at him…and said, “What??” Fred said again, “For 50 years you have been tried and true!” Wilma looked at him again....this time even more puzzled, and said, “What???!!???” Fred leaned over closer to her, taking her hand saying ever so softly, “For 50 years you have been tried and true!!” Wilma pulled her hand out of his and said, “Well after 50 years I am tired of you too!”

Often, just like this little funny, what we think we hear is not necessarily what we should have heard.

Our passage today is one of the most misquoted passages in the Bible.

Sometimes, teaching has been derived from this passage that is inaccurate and misleading.

A Word to the Husbands First

Wait a minute, the first word in this passage says “Wives.”

You are correct.

There is a huge difference gentlemen between leading and driving.

Leading we do by influence and example.

Driving is forcing something to happen because of power.

You will notice that there 6 verses in the passage directed to women and only one directed to men.

However there is a strong implication here, if we as men are living our lives the way God desires, we will be loving as Christ is loving.

The word to the wives comes into effect if the man is not a believer.

A Word to the Wives

Peter is continuing his discussion that he has shared in the previous verses with the idea of submitting.

He references, IN THE SAME WAY.

What way is this?

A review of show several ideas of what this means.

It always best to interpret scripture in context.

Submission is first and foremost for the sake of Christ.

It is doing good, It is showing respect, and it is entrusting oneself to the One that judges justly!

For the wife of the both the believing and unbelieving husband, submission for the sake of the Lord, doing good, showing respect and entrusting oneself to the One that judges justly will help point toward Christ.

As a result, the bible tells us here that purity and reverence of your lives will be demonstrated.

Matthew

Philippians 4:

Psalm 5:7

Next, ladies, Peter describes the idea of inner beauty verses outer beauty.

Inner beauty versus outer beauty

Again there are many misinterpretations of this passage.

One pastor was asked if it was a sin for a woman to wear make up.

To which he replied, it is a sin for some women not to wear make-up!

1 Peter 3:

Did you catch that last phrase?

Unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight

Proverbs 31:30

Verse 5 and 6 have a great lesson for us:

A history lesson.....older ladies helping shape and mold younger ladies.

The Bible tells us here that even though Abraham was so imperfect, Sarah submitted herself for the Lord’s sake, showing respect, and trusting in her Lord!

Our church thrives on older ladies coming alongside of younger ladies to help nurture them in this idea!

Men we would do well to model this!

And Another Word to the Husbands

The admonition is STRONG:

Be considerate

Treat with respect

The weaker partner?

Heirs to the GRACIOUS GIFT OF LIFE

Hindrances to prayer

How is your prayer life good sir?

Are you fellowshiping with our Lord, or are you struggling a bit....

Maybe you are not being considerate, or treating with respect....

It is about me....

You see…it is not about my spouse submitting to me.....it is about ME submitting to Christ!

Submitting on the inside not the outside!