The Future Mr. and Mrs.

Introduction

There was a drunkard husband, that spent is night at the bar with his friends, who boasted that if he took a group of his friends home with him at midnight and asked his Christian wife to get up and cook supper for them, she would do it without complaint. The crowd considered it a vain boast and dared him to try it. So the drunken crowd followed him home, and he made the unreasonable demands of his wife. She obeyed, dressed, came down, and prepared a very nice supper and served it as cheerfully as if she had been expecting them.

After supper one of the men asked her how she could be so kind when they had been so unreasonable and when she did not approve of their conduct. Her reply was: “Sir, when my husband and I were married, we were both sinners. It has pleased God to call me out of that dangerous condition. My husband continues in it. I tremble for his future state. Were he to die as he is, he would be miserable forever. I think it my duty to render his present existence as comfortable as possible.” Not long after, her husband was saved.

I start with this story because it gives us a good picture of what we are about to discuss tonight as we start chapter 3 of 1st Peter. Now, I know most of you right now may not be considering dating, but maybe some of you are considering it, are actually dating, or now in the process of thinking if the person I’m dating is going to be the person I will be marrying. Wherever you are in this process, the verses we are about to read will be beneficial.

1 Peter 3:1–7 CSB

In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by the way their wives live when they observe your pure, reverent lives. Don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes, but rather what is inside the heart—the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For in the past, the holy women who put their hope in God also adorned themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and do not fear any intimidation. Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner, showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

(Prayers)

Wives

1 Peter 3:1–2 CSB

In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by the way their wives live when they observe your pure, reverent lives.

“In the same way”-As who? Jesus Christ!

Submission: to be or become inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes of others or showing such inclination.

Wives are called to submit to their husbands leadership as the church submits to the leadership of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:22–24 (CSB)

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything.

“If you have a hard time submitting to Christ, you will have a harder time submitting to your husband.”

(Example: CatDog Show)

What If Your Husband Isn’t Leading Well?

“You will win him over by your example.”

“What you do speaks so loudly that I can’t hear what you are saying.”

True Beauty:

1 Peter 3:3–4 CSB

Don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes, but rather what is inside the heart—the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

A science teacher was grading a test that she had given to her elementary-school class and was reading some of the results. The subject was “The Human Body,” and the first question was: “Name one of the major functions of the skin.”

One child wrote: “To keep people who look at you from throwing up.”

“True beauty doesn’t come from the outside.”

Isaiah 3:18–24 CSB

On that day the Lord will strip their finery: ankle bracelets, headbands, crescents, pendants, bracelets, veils, headdresses, ankle jewelry, sashes, perfume bottles, amulets, signet rings, nose rings, festive robes, capes, cloaks, purses, garments, linen clothes, turbans, and shawls. Instead of perfume there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of beautifully styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothes, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding.

An Example To Follow:

1 Peter 3:5–6 CSB

For in the past, the holy women who put their hope in God also adorned themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and do not fear any intimidation.

“lord”: husband with authority

Husbands:

1 Peter 3:7 CSB

Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner, showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

“Understanding Way”

A husband and wife were at a party chatting with some friends when the subject of marriage counseling came up. “Oh, well never need that. My wife and I have a great relationship,” the husband explained. “She was a communications major in college and I majored in theatre arts.” He continued, “She communicates well, and I act like I’m listening.”

“Don’t act like you’re listening or paying attention, actually do these things!”

“Weaker” doesn’t mean she is weak.

Ephesians 5:25–33 CSB

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, since we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.

Honor as co-heirs:

Why are you dating?

Dating should lead to marriage, and marriage isn’t a game.

(Ex: Personal Life)