Inner Beauty of a Quiet and Gentle Spirit

1. The Beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. 1 Peter 3:1-4

1 Peter 3:1–4 NKJV

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, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, 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 precious in the sight of God.

a. Ruth was kind and gentle.

b. Ruth was quiet.

i. She had a strength of refined wisdom.

1. Leon: She didn’t have to because she spoke few words but chose them well.

c. She was very loving.

i. Loved her family.

1. She made 36 Kuchen for Lorin.

ii. Loved her husband.

1. She enjoyed canning and gardening with him.

2. They were dedicated to each other.

iii. Loved her church.

1. She often would come to church when it was inconvenient and even painful to do so.

a. When she came back from a fall, it took her quite a while to walk in out of church. She came because Elroy wanted her to but she also came because she loved being here.

2. Encourager and Teacher 1 Peter 3:8-12

1 Peter 3:8–12 NKJV

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let 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.”

a. Encouraged others.

i. Gail said last night that she was always positive.

ii. Often told me how much they appreciated me.

iii. Deuteronomy 3:28 [God speaking to Moses] But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.

iv. Her boys have testified to how she has impacted their lives.

b. Taught by her example.

i. Hard Worker.

1. Milked the cows and watched the kids.

2. She got her kids involved. Going to feed grandpa.

a. She saw her work as part of life and a part that can be enjoyed.

ii. Faithful

1. Dedicated Sunday School Teacher

a. Bertha “We were always there.”

iii. Good Listener.

1. She enjoyed hearing what was going on in the lives of others.

iv. Her impact on her boys.

1. Lorin got her faithfulness and dedication to ask.

2. Lowell got her inner strength and outer quietness.

3. Leon got her gift of encourourgement.

3. Patient in suffering. 1 Peter 3:13-14; 1 Peter 3:17

1 Peter 3:13–14 NKJV

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

1 Peter 3:17 NKJV

For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

a. Loss of Lila and Dale Wuertzer

i. Mom shouldn’t have to bury her child.

ii. She knew Lila was in a better place.

b. Passing of Elroy.

i. She wanted to go first.

ii. Thankful for my boys.

iii. Thankful that Elroy is in a better place.

c. Fell and broke her hip.

i. Trusting that God is good despite my fall.

4. Strong in faith. 1 Peter 3:18-19; 1 Peter 3:22

1 Peter 3:18–19 NKJV

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,

1 Peter 3:22 NKJV

who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

a. She knew that her sins were forgiven and that heaven was her home.

b. She knew that death was not the end of life. It was the end of suffering.

c. She knew that God loved her and watched over her and something great in store for her.