The Conduct of a Believing Household

Basic Outline:

I. Peter's Discussion about Believing Wives' Conduct (1-4)
II. Peter's Appeal to Daughters of Sarah (5-6)
III. Peter's Direct (and Sobering) Warning to Believing Husbands (7)
Application

Text: 1 Peter 3:1-7
1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,
2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.
3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward -- arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel --
4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,
6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.
7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

Paul's advice to husbands and wives: Ephesians 5:22-33
Peter's advice to husbands and wives: 1 Peter 3:1-7

Paul's main idea:
Man is the head of the wife: Picture of Christ as the head of the Church (His bride)
Men: Sacrificial love
Women: Respectful submission

Peter's main idea:
The woman needs to honor and respect her husband, him being responsible over both
Men: Treat her well and gently
Women: Submission with a gentle conduct and pure heart

Peter's section is couched in more of a behavioral section. He is concerned that Christians are going to hold the name of Jesus high, despite how they will be treated. Part of this relates to lifestyle -- how we live. But as we will see in this text, both come to the same main conclusions, as well as focus on the same motivations in living for Jesus. Before we go further, let's open in prayer.

Opening Prayer

I. Peter's Discussion about Believing Wives' Conduct (1-4)

"EVEN IF"
- There are a bunch of 'even if' ideas, and two direct clauses as such in the middle of this book:

Even if…your husband does not obey the Word... (3:1)
Even if…you should suffer for righteousness' sake… (3:14)

Same idea throughout: Live your life in a pure manner. Our focus needs to be on God -- we need to seek to please Him in all things and give no excuse for ill repute.

Key idea: The importance of a good testimony. We shine Jesus' glory through a clean testimony. It should not be a matter of legalism, where we rejoice in our own self-righteousness, but when we are right before God, we can rejoice in His preservation of us through every temptation and be an example to those who may come to know Jesus.

Stumbling block: I'm sure you can name tons of pastors and so-called representatives of the faith who have fallen into treacherous public sin. How many times have you talked to someone outside of belief who has cited one of these men as their excuse not to believe in Jesus? In many street evangelism trips and emails, I've seen this as a huge barrier to get over even from the get-go. Those who have tarnished public records are often used by the enemy to turn others away from hope in Jesus. It's very unfortunate,