Skip to content 1 Peter 3-5: Reflecting God's Inward Beauty Nov 21 · 14 min ...more
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Living in Unity and Godly Conduct 0:10 Good morning. Welcome to Stand on the Word. Thanks for joining me this morning. Alright. The sun is coming up ever so slowly this morning, but we're gonna move forward as we finish Peter's first letter to the0:21 church. We're gonna read, chapters 3 through 5 today, verse 7 of chapter 4. But the end of all things is at hand. Therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers. Now I tell you what, I could spend0:34 a whole week discussing these 3 chapters because there's so much in these 3 chapters that are highly relevant to us today. When when you look at where we are, I think, on the timeline of human0:45 history. Now let me just say this. If you're short on time and you have to choose between watching this video and reading the chapters, turn the video off and read the passage. Remember, I'm just your your0:57 trail guide on this journey through the word. The focus is the word of God. It is the word of God that he says will not return unto him void. So make that your priority. Alright. Chapter 3 is about1:09 relationships. It's actually a continuation of chapter 2 where he first writes about a relationship with government. Then he talks about slaves and masters, the principles of which apply to the workplace. Then in chapter1:20 3, we move to the home and to the church community. So let's jump in here. Verse 1, chapter 3. Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they,1:32 without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives. When they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear, Do not let your adornment be merely outward, arranging the hair,1:44 wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel. Rather, let it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious1:56 in the sight of God. What great instruction. Now what he's talking about here is that the unsaved husband can be won to Christ by the testimony2:08 of the wife's following of Christ. Not by her words, but by the testimony of that relationship. And this instruction of outward appearance has universal application. And I2:20 this is what it says here. Let your outward beauty be a reflection of your inward beauty, not a cover up. Now just as Paul did not let husbands off, Peter holds us,2:32 his husbands, accountable as well, telling the husbands that he, the husband, that he needs to be spiritually mature, understanding God's design for marriage and for the home. Verse2:44 7, husbands, likewise, dwell with them, that is their wife, with understanding, giving honor to the wife as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together2:56 of the grace of life that your prayers may not be hindered. So notice the consequences here of a husband who is not walking in the proper order, providing the leadership and being the3:08 man of the house. When when I say by being the man, assuming that responsibility of making things right, their prayers are hindered. Husbands and wives need to be in unity, and the husband needs to3:20 take the lead in preserving and establishing that unity. And you know what that requires? Oftentimes, it requires saying I'm sorry, admitting when we make3:31 mistakes. Believe me, in 40 years, I've made some mistakes, and I've owned up to them. And my wife has been gracious. Now Peter turns to the community of believers.3:43 Verse 8. Finally, all of you be of 1 mind. There it is. We see this unity again. Having compassion for 1 another. Love as brothers. Be tenderhearted. Be3:55 courteous. Wow. What a different place it would be if if if that was our community. Not returning evil for evil, reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, blessing,4:09 knowing that you were called to this that you may inherit a blessing. This is a this is a steep order. I mean, this is this is a lot. But look look what it says. Do you want a blessing?4:21 For he who would love life and see good days, let him refine his tongue from evil refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let4:33 him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.4:45 Wow. What practical and wise advice, but, I mean, look at the promise that comes from that, the blessing of God. Verse 13, and who is he who will harm you if4:57 you become followers of what is good? Now the meaning is better translated here. Who will do you evil if you be zealous for good? Standing with God, as Paul wrote in, Romans chapter 8 verse 31. You know, what do5:09 we have to fear? He says, what then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? If we're pursuing we're zealous for the things of God. If we're pursuing good, the hand of God is upon us. If5:20 he's for us, who can be against us? But beyond the spiritual reality of being a child of God, there is a practical truth here just based on our human nature that if we are zealous for pursuing that which is5:32 good, our disposition is going to be toward good. We we're going to see what is good. Why? Because that's what we're looking for. Now it doesn't mean that we're not going to5:43 see the bad and the ugly. You know, we we we just don't dwell on it. We move on because our search, our pursuit, our zeal is toward that which is good. You know what do we think5:55 on? Think on those things which are pure, those things which are holy. Verse 14. But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed, and do not be afraid of their threats nor be6:07 troubled. Boy, what relevance that has to us today. But rather than be troubled, rather than, you know, be afraid of their threats, look what it says, but6:18 sanctify the Lord God in your heart, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. What is what is he saying? Enshrine6:30 Jesus on the throne of your heart and be prepared to give an answer, a defense of your faith. The word apologia, what does that mean? It means that you need to know what you6:42 believe and why you believe it. So then when someone genuinely ask, you know, why why are you at peace? Why do you why do you handle these situations the way you do without getting6:54 angry? Why are you so calm? You can share with them not just, you know, feel good phrases that fit on a coffee cup, but the life life transforming truth that comes from the word of God that7:06 you have experienced. Because no 1 no 1 can challenge your story of what God has done in your life. That's your testimony, and you need to be prepared to share7:18 it. Verse 16, having a good conscience that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. Why? Because it doesn't stick because people know your7:30 character and your personality your your conduct. The world will speak evil of those who follow Jesus, but as we live in Christ and for Christ, leave their attacks7:42 to the Lord. Let him deal with it. So how do we prepare for the world's hostility? Alright. Let's go to chapter 4 verse 1. Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves7:54 also, listen, with the same mind. For he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lost8:06 of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past time in doing the will of the Gentiles when we walked in lewdness, lost drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and8:18 abominable id idolatries. In regard to these, they think it's strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to8:29 him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Look. Follow God, have the same mind that's in Christ, and leave the results to him. Verse8:41 12, beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing has happened. Do you remember when we started this, yesterday? I was talking about how Peter8:53 was writing this most likely after the martyrdom of Paul, and the persecution of Nero began to spread through the Roman Empire, and it was it was coming upon them. He says, don't, you know, don't don't think it's9:05 strange that this fiery trial has come upon you, but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. Guess9:17 why? Because when we when we share in the sufferings of Christ, we share in the glory of Christ that is yet to be revealed. If you are a reproach for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the spirit9:29 of glory and of God rest upon you. On their part, he is blasphemed, but on your part, he is glorified. Just make sure that you're being reproached for the name of Christ. Now9:42 I've gone into this before, but I'll just say, I I think in the United States in America, just as Paul did as a Roman citizen, he exercised his rights. I I do I do believe that we are to advocate for the freedoms that we9:53 have because they're rights that come from God. We shouldn't surrender them, but it is the heart attitude that we pursue them with. We we, what I like to say,10:05 we don't walk around with a Jesus chip on our shoulder waiting for someone to knock it off so that we can get into a confrontation. We should not want a confrontation, but we should not back down from a confrontation if10:16 it means defending the the rights that God has given to us that are be be be protected by our government. Alright. Verse 15, but let none of you suffer as a10:28 murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. Verse 19. Therefore, let10:40 those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to him in doing good as to a faithful creator. Chapter 5, Peter closes with further instructions on conduct andFaithful Leadership and Spiritual Vigilance 10:52 service to the Lord beginning with the leadership of the church. Verse 1, the elders who are among you, I exhort. I, who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of the11:03 glory that will be revealed, shepherd the flock of God, which is among you serving as overseers, not by compulsion, but willingly, not for dishonest gain, but eagerly,11:15 not nor as being lords over those entrusted you, but being examples to the flock, servant leaders. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not11:27 fade away. Likewise, alright, he moves to the younger people. Submit yourselves to your elders. Yes. All of you be submissive to 1 another and be clothed with humility. For God resists the proud,11:39 but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time. Great advice. Casting all your care upon him11:51 for he cares for you. Let me let me repeat that because someone I think somebody needs to hear that this morning. Casting all of your care upon him because he cares12:03 for you. Be sober. Be vigilant because your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. This12:15 is real. Satan is out there seeking whom he may devour. So we've got to be vigilant. We've got to be sober minded. We've got to be watchful. We need to be praying. And we need, verse 9, resist12:27 him steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. Well, let me close as Peter closed this letter with a12:39 blessing. But may the God of all grace, who called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish,12:50 strengthen, and settle you. To him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Father, we thank you for your word. And, Lord, I do pray that this blessing would go13:02 forth to those who are a part of this journey, that, Lord, they would, or they would be perfected. They would be established and strengthened and settled by you,13:15 lord, through the power of your holy spirit. Lord, continue to lead us on this journey. And, lord, may we be prepared to give a defense of the hope that's within us to those13:27 who see you living in us and through us. And so I pray and ask all this in Jesus' name. Amen. Alright. Thanks for joining me this morning. 1 final reminder, if, you'd like to13:39 check out the Stand on the Word store, lots of resources there for you, gifts. But if you wanna get those in time for Christmas, you just need to order them this weekend. So text the word store to13:50 6 7 7 4 2. That's store to 6 7 7 4 2. Alright. Until next time. Keep standing on the word.14:01 Today's study comes from the stand on the word bible reading plan available for free at f r c dot o r g slash bible. By following along in just a few minutes a day, you14:13 can read through the entire Bible in just 2 years. Learn more and request the free reading guide at frc dot org slash bible.In this video 0:00 Living in Unity and Godly Conduct10:47 Faithful Leadership and Spiritual Vigilance
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