TITLE:  When Mama’s happy

TEXT: Proverbs 31:30 ESV  Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Proverbs 14:1 ESV The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.

Titus 2:3-5 ESV Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Objective:  When Women learn submission to God and to their husbands, they will experience the greatest fulfillment that is possible.

INTRODUCTION:

1.  Great tragedy—Tuesday and Wednesday on the news

--Compound in Texas—Men are groomed to dominate women and have many wives and children-Lie is told that there a spirits waiting out there and the women are to get pregnant in order for that spirit to be complete.  Otherwise, the woman goes to hell.

These men are doing what comes naturally—despot women

Woman’s desire is rule over her husband but will be dominated

2.  Picture of Christ and the Church—Ephesians 5:21-33

      --Head—Body

      --Head tells the body to do things and the head hurts

      --Smashed your finger, your head stayed awake all night

      --When the body is hurting, the head is not happy

3.  Eph 5:21—Mutual submission to each other

      --Head is to be respected

      --body is to be loved

4.  Differences between men and women, boys and girls—

      a. Men are warriors—cowboys and Indians, war games, swords

      b. Girls are life givers, decorators, etc.

5. Satan tries to destroy the home and family because he wants to destroy the offspring.

      a.  When Satan has done an attack on society, he kills the babies

      b.  Moloch—Babies were sacrificed to the god Moloch

            Pharaoh—Kill all the babies

            Herod—Kill all the infants under 2 years of age

            America—Kill the babies—48 Million aborted

6.  Curse in Genesis 3:15

Genesis 3:15-16 ESV 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” 16 To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”

      --Satan has tried to destroy the seed of the woman ever since

      --Seed will trample on the serpent

Romans 16:20a The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  NASB 95

7. One of the Principles of Scripture that Satan has distorted is the principle of submission.

8.  This has caused the break down of the home in many ways.

9.  Men will tend to hear "submission" only and hear nothing else

10.  Scripture never allows men to force or intimidate their wives into submission.

11.  Men are to love, care for and be considerate of their wives.

12.  Women desire to rule over their husband.  Therefore the question,  “If I spoke in the woods with no one around, would I still be wrong?”

13.  Remember that God's Word is the standard for all life and godliness.  NOT THE WORLD

Ephesians 5:6 ESV  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Ephesians 5:11 ESV Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

I.  A Wise Woman Recognizes

A.  God's Plan of Authority  ‑‑Wise woman recognizes

1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

1.  The relationship between Christ and God

      a.  Christ is one with God

John 10:30 I and the Father are one.” NASB 95.

b.  God and Christ are equal.  There is not a difference in value, character, or importance between members of the Godhead  John 1:1‑3.

c.  Christ is functionally submissive to the Father

2.  The relationship between a wife and her husband

a.  "one flesh" creating same unity as Godhead.  Gen 2:24

b.  Just as God and Christ are equal, so Husband and wife are equal

c. Wife is functionally submissive to her husband as Christ is to the Father

1) Avoids confusion, envy, strife, bitterness

2) Has God's blessing

B.  God's Plan for Protection ‑‑Wise woman recognizes

1.  God's plan is for the husband to protect his wife

1PE 3:7. Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. (NIV)

            2.  This is not a statement of value or usefulness

a. Refusal to be under Husband's protection

b. Refusal to be under God's protection

c. Refusal of God's blessing

C.  God's Plan for Fulfillment ‑‑Wise woman recognizes

1.  Only through obedience to God is fulfillment

Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. NASB 95.

2.  Reject the current barrages from the world

      "Do you have a job or are you at home?"

      "Are you a working mother?"

      "Not fulfilled unless you have the latest fashion"

II.  A Wise Woman Responds

      Must be more than knowing facts from God's Word

      A.  With Submission

            1.  Direct command from God

Colossians 3:18 ESV  Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Ephesians 5:22 ESV  Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

2.  Submission defined

a.  Military term‑‑to get in order, to rank under

b.  John MacArthur Family Feuding, How to End it.  "It is not in essence, it is only in function.  Within the function of the God‑head, it was deemed necessary that Christ submit Himself....  In essence and nature, Christ and God are the same;  but by God's design, the function of the Son demanded that He submit to the Father....  The same is true in marriage.  The essence, the spiritual quality and position before God is the same;  but in the family, for the sake of function, the woman is to take the place of submission to the headship of the man."

                  c.  Submission is not denial of the wife's personality or will.  When conflict arises that cannot be resolved mutually, the husband's decision is accepted by the wife.  

Mike Storrs story of women at work-“How do you and your wife settle things?  - You don’t want to know.”

                  d.  Submission is as to the Lord—Not when asked to sin

3.  Excuses for rebellion‑‑2 main reasons

a.  Feeling that submission is degrading

‑‑an injustice to her human dignity

‑‑Pride is great factor

‑‑Submission does not degrade but instead exalts

Philippians 2:9 ESV Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

TURN TO 1 PETER 3

b.  Fear of the husband's response

1)  Fear of being abused, his irresponsibility

1 Peter 3:5-6 ESV 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.

2)  Fear and Faith are opposed

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him,…NASB 95.

4.  Essence of Submission

1 Peter 3:1 ESV 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,

1 Peter 2:21 ESV  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

            5.  STEPS OF SUBMISSION

a.  Christ was without sin

1 Peter 2:22 ESV He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.

1)  Wife is not sinless‑‑Must check attitudes

2)  Must not concentrate on His weaknesses but on her own sin and confess it.

b.  Christ blessed those who hurt Him

1 Peter 2:23a ESV  When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten…

1)  Not how husband acts but how she responds

2)  Not based on husband's performance

3)  Based on her obedience to God

c.  Christ trusted the situation to the Father

1 Peter 2:23 ESV When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

1)  Submission is not ultimately to husband but to God.

2)  She can then trust God to work out situation for His glory

d.  Christ obeyed that mankind might be healed

1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.  ESV

1)  a wife's submission heals her marriage

2)  God will honor her for her submission

B.  With Honor‑‑A Wise woman responds

1.  Synonyms of "to honor"

a.  To respect

b.  To reverence

c.  to Praise

2.  Phrases that provide foundation for honoring

Ephesians 5:33 ESV However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

1 Peter 3:2 ESV when they see your respectful and pure conduct.

1 Peter 3:5-6 ESV 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.

a.  Trusted (hoped in) God v. 5

‑‑Faith that God will honor His Word when the wife is obedient

b.  By submitting unto their husbands. v. 5

‑‑Accepting God's order of authority

‑‑submission is the true adornment of a godly wife

c.  obeyed‑‑v. 6

‑‑Submissive attitude put into behavior

d.  Calling him lord  v. 6

‑‑Way women in OT showed honor to husbands

‑‑Word and life must be matched

C.  With Contentment‑‑A wise woman responds

1.  Modern advertising makes us discontented with:

Husbands         He is not the ideal man

Children           They are not perfect and they are so much trouble

Finances           There is never enough

Home                It isn't big enough, nice enough or in the right neighborhood.

Own self          Our looks, clothes, or importance is not good enough.

Circumstances   Life is not fair

2.  Dissatisfaction:

stifles spiritual growth,

damages their testimony

robs them of joy

causes others to question God

1 Timothy 6:6 ESV Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment,

3.  Learning to be content

a.  admit the problem is with herself

‑‑Obedience‑‑HEB 13:5b. {and be} content with such things as ye have:

b.  Develop an attitude of thankfulness

‑‑a matter of choice

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

c.  Develop a proper view of material things

‑‑Things of the world are TEMPORARY AT BEST

1 Timothy 6:7-8 ESV 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

‑‑Set affections on eternal

Colossians 3:2 ESV  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

d.  Develop a proper view of eternity

Matthew 6:25 ESV  “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Matthew 6:33 ESV  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

e.  Develop a proper view of God

Matthew 7:11 ESV 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Psalm 84:11 ESV For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

 III.  A wise Woman Receives

REWARDS

A.  Honor from Her Husband

1.  Trust worthy

Proverbs 31:11 ESV The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

a.  Checkbook

b.  Credit cards

c.  Honest and does not manipulate him

d.  She does not betray his confidences

e.  She does not openly speak of his failures and disappointments to others

2.  Consistent

Proverbs 31:12 ESV She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

‑‑Seeks to do  things for his best

3.  Industrious

Proverbs 31:13-15 ESV 13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. 14 She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. 15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.

4.  Many other characteristics

Cautious

enterprising

healthy

diligent

charitable

B.  Praise from Her Children

Proverbs 31:28 ESV Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

1.  One of the greatest joys is when a grown child expresses thankfulness for sacrifice

2.  She is consistent and obedient to God's plan

      C.  Blessings from God

Proverbs 31:30-31 ESV 30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

Great reward

Psalm 19:11 ESV 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Ephesians 5:18-21 ESV 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

1.  Submissive

2.  Contented

3.  Saved‑‑Right with God