5.11.42 9.15.2019 1 Peter 3.1-7 The Hidden Person of the Heart

Entice: Me-too quickly became "We-too." Have you wondered why the media elite are quick to condemn elite male social structures but no one every brings up the "sexual revolution"? The more things change the more they stay the same. Human behavior is pretty stable, if ugly.

Entice: Me-too quickly became "We-too." Have you wondered why the media elite are quick to condemn elite male social structures but no one every brings up the "sexual

revolution"? The more things change the more they stay the same. Human behavior is pretty stable, if ugly.

Engage: We cannot just abandon the teaching of scripture because the cultural environment is not friendly to it. Nor do we exonerate or ignore those who do what is evil and then hide behind the cover of religious faith or mis-applied Bible verses. Applying the Bible can be hard. Men and women can be hard. Marriage can be hard. If we stop doing difficult things, then eventually we will have nothing.

Engage: We cannot just abandon the teaching of scripture because the cultural environment is not friendly to it. Nor do we exonerate or ignore those who do what is evil and then

hide behind the cover of religious faith or mis-applied Bible verses. Applying the Bible can be hard. Men and women can be hard. Marriage can be hard. If we stop doing difficult

Expand: So, Peter addresses men and women. Some were in mixed marriages. All lived within the structures of cultural expectations and Imperial responsibilities. The role of Christian men and women is to bring about change. We have our words. We have our deeds. In that hodgepodge of cultural, social, religious, legal expectations Peter reminds us that our deeds can have greater resonance than our words.

things, then eventually we will have nothing.

Expand: So, Peter addresses men and women. Some were in mixed marriages. All lived within the structures of cultural expectations and Imperial responsibilities. The role of

1 Peter 3:1–7 ESV

1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. 7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Christian men and women is to bring about change. We have our words. We have our deeds. In that hodgepodge of cultural, social, religious, legal expectations Peter reminds us

that our deeds can have greater resonance than our words.

Excite: In our differing roles we are joint-heirs of the kingdom. When we each learn how to submit to one another the words of our gospel are reinforced by the impact of transformed lives.

Excite: In our differing roles we are joint-heirs of the kingdom. When we each learn how to submit to one another the words of our gospel are reinforced by the impact of

transformed lives.

Explore:

The deeds done by the hidden person of the heart can have an impact beyond words.

Explain: Today Peter focuses on some necessary (though potentially) unpopular responsibilities for we men and women of the cross.

Today Peter focuses on some necessary (though potentially) unpopular responsibilities for we men and women of the cross.

Body of Sermon:

1 Empowered Submission. vv. 1-2

1.1 Not coerced but convinced that virtuous behavior has impact.

1.2 Conduct can accomplish what conversation cannot.

2 Engaging Silence. vv. 3-4

2.1 The Hidden person of the heart.

2.2 Imperishable beauty of Spirit

(gentle & quiet)

2.3 Precious before God.

Example of Sarah 5-6

…Goodness not goading

…Respect….not reverence

...Honor…not horror

3 Empathetic Support. v. 7

3.1 Understanding

3.2 Honor

3.3 Sharing

3.4 Praying

Shut Down:

For Biblical Christianity there is a norm which governs our behavior in fluid cultural environments…but when we get down to brass tacks cultural norms are actually less fluid than sociologists, physiologists, and media pundits would have us to believe. Human behavior is pretty stable, if ugly.

sociologists, physiologists, and media pundits would have us to believe. Human behavior is pretty stable, if ugly. The powerful try to take advantage of the weak. Power games

The powerful try to take advantage of the weak. Power games have always been popular. When a woman comes to saving faith in Jesus, there will be stress between her and her husband. It doesn’t matter if it is 21c Grayville for 1st century Asia Minor.

have always been popular. When a woman comes to saving faith in Jesus, there will be stress between her and her husband. It doesn’t matter if it is 21c Grayville for 1st century

When a man seeks to understand and honor his wife some of his buddies are going to question his machismo.

Asia Minor. And these words which Peter wrote can help us to navigate the minefield of marriage, mixed or otherwise.

These words of Peter can help us to navigate the minefield of marriage, mixed or otherwise.

Peter wants us all; husbands and wives to rise above petty power games to love and serve one another and to bring the power of a changed life to bear upon the unredeemed all around us. It may not be easy. It may not seem "fulfilling." But when someone sees your life and asks about your hope, seeks your Lord, and comes to faith it truly is.

are not redeemed. It may not be easy. It may not seem "fulfilling." But when someone sees your life and asks about your hope, seeks your Lord, and comes to faith it truly is.

Living faithfully for God, before an unbelieving world is the first step to change. If you have been changed I invite you to begin that journey which will have impact on others.

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