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Sermon Notes

What Speaks Louder than Words?

Sunday 1 July 2018 Pastor Craig Ledbetter 1 Peter 3:1-6
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I. Introduction (Proverbs 24:3,4)

A. The Bible is a FAMILY book

  1. Builds up not only people, but families - homes (Proverbs 24:3,4)
  2. IF families will follow its instructions - and there are a lot of them!
    • Ephesians 5:21-33
    • Colossians 3:17-21
    • 1 Peter 3:1-7
  3. Like Nehemiah, we need to build our homes wisely
  4. Because the Bible warns that the very people who so want to have a family can actually destroy it if they are not careful (Proverbs 14:1)
  5. There is so much rubbish and twisted thinking going through the heads of even Christians today, that no one knows HOW to build a Christian home

B. What IS a Home?

  1. Not the brick and mortar, walls and windows
  2. But the people - the relationships - the family that lives there!
  3. Incredibly-gifted Craftsmen put together brick and mortar houses - spend years as apprentices, and under different accomplished builders, to be trusted to build houses that last
  4. Yet almost no one builds homes these days by anything other than a wing and a prayer - I find most people don’t even do the praying part!

C. This is a two part message on the home

  1. I deal with it in the order as laid down in Scripture - so don’t get mad at me!
  2. This morning, we will focus on the wife
  3. Next week, on the husband

II. Background

A. The Life of a Christian (1 Peter 2:11-23)

  1. A life of good works (2:11-13)

    • Being like Jesus lived
    • Being honest and real
    • And a help to people, showing what real love and marriage is like
    • And showing how to serve each other and not fight each other
    • Good works, building people up, and not tearing them down
    • Boy, we need a lot more good works in Christianity
    • Especially in our homes

  2. Submissive to God’s order of things (2:14-18)

    • Kings are not to submit to their subjects
    • Nor are parents to be subject to their children
    • Nor husbands to their wives
    • Nor masters to their servants
    • All of that would be silly
    • Funny… that THAT is how life is today, and an almost total disaster!

  3. Look at Peter’s list

    • We are subject to our authorities - even kings and governors
    • We are to honour ALL men - respect people, not trash them
    • Servants are subject to their masters, their employers
      • NOT only to the good and gentle ones
      • But also to the cruel, harsh, and mean - WOW!
      • No wonder people don’t like the Bible - it crosses with our progressive culture on every page

  4. The Christian’s life experiences suffering without sinning in response (2:19-23)

    • Want to have a good conscience?
    • Endure grief
    • Suffer wrongfully as a Christian (4:15,16)
    • Glorifying God through it all, and not giving up on Him
    • THAT’s the Christian life in a nutshell

III. The Life of the Christian Wife (1 Peter 3:1-6)

A. Likewise - In the Same Manner (3:1)

  1. Just as servants are to be subject to masters
  2. Wives are to be in subjection to their own husbands
  3. This is God’s design for the home

B. The Purpose - That They May Be Won (3:1,2)

  1. Even if the husband does not obey the word
  2. He may be won without a word
  3. By the conduct of his wife
  4. When he sees her chaste (pure) conversation (lifestyle) coupled with fear (reverence)

C. The Adornment That Matters (3:3,4)

  1. Not outward adornment
    • Plaiting of hair
    • Wearing of gold
    • Putting on of apparel
  2. But the hidden man of the heart
    • A meek and quiet spirit
    • Which is in the sight of God of great price

D. The Example of Holy Women (3:5,6)

  1. In old time, holy women who trusted in God adorned themselves
  2. Being in subjection to their own husbands
  3. Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord
  4. Whose daughters ye are - if you do well and are not afraid

IV. Application

A. What Speaks Louder Than Words?

  1. Your conduct - how you live
  2. Your spirit - meek and quiet
  3. Your trust - in God, not circumstances
  4. Your submission - to God’s design

B. For Wives

  1. Your godly life can win your husband
  2. Focus on inner beauty, not just outer
  3. Trust God with your marriage
  4. Follow the example of holy women

C. For Everyone

  1. Our lives speak louder than our words
  2. People watch how we live
  3. Are we building our homes wisely?
  4. Are we following God’s design?

The Christian wife who lives according to God’s Word speaks volumes without saying a word. Her life is a sermon that can win even the hardest heart.

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