"Lord" Sermon: I Peter 3:1-7

"Lord"
[I Peter 3:1-7]
August 5, 2007 Second Reformed Church

Everyone has an authority over them; each one of us has someone in authority over us. The highest authority on the earth, even has an authority over him, our God, Jesus Christ. And we are called to submit to the lords who are over us -- our bosses at our jobs, our leaders in government, and, ultimately, our God.

Last week was saw Peter explain to these Christians on the run, that they still have to do what is good and right, even though they were running for their lives. They were not allowed to "do evil to settle the score." They were not allowed to break the law because they were being wrongly sought after, to be put to death. Peter explained that servants must still obey their masters, except in such things that go against the clear teaching of the Bible, and so all Christians must submit to those in authority over them.

In this morning's Scripture, Peter applies this principle to the relationship between husbands and wives, as he write, "Likewise, wives be subject to your husbands." And I know that this is one of those Scriptures that makes women purse their lips and say, "I submit to no man." This is one of those passages that some say we can skip -- that it doesn't reflect the modern understanding of relations between men and women. Yet, we must ask ourselves, if this is the Word of God, written down by humans, but the Word of God, without error, how can we say that God didn't understand men and women then?

Still, some will say, "But doesn't the Bible say that 'there is no male or female...in Christ'"? And it does, but what is the context that it is said in? Men and women are completely equal and the same -- in the fact that they are both born sinners, damned to hell, with the one and only hope of Salvation in Jesus Alone, and an equal inheritance with Christ. The Bible does not say that there is absolutely no difference between men and women. I hope we have noticed that there is a physical difference between men and women -- a wonderful and good difference. Notice for example, only women have ever given birth. No man has ever given birth. Does that mean that women are superior to men, or that men are inferior to women? No, it simply means they are different. Men and women have different functions in our sex and, as Peter explains, in our calls.

Peter tells us that the husband is to be the head of the home, especially in spiritual matters. The buck is to stop with the husband -- he is ultimately responsible for the household -- and especially with the spiritual instruction and guidance of the household. And we have some who will object, "But my husband is a spiritual moron; he doesn't understand half of what I understand in the Bible." Or, "But my husband isn't even a Christian, how can he be the spiritual head of the home?" And, "So, you're saying I can never disagree with my husband; I can never explain a better way of doing something to him?"

It's true, there are wives who are far more biblically astute than their husbands. And it is true that Christian women find themselves married to non-Christians, though such a thing is certainly not optimal. And Peter answers both of these objects by saying, "Look, you do what is right and good, conduct yourselves in a way that is honoring to your husband and Christ, and if God is willing, your husband may mature. Or, your husband may become a Christian through observing your example."

It is also true that husbands and wives disagree on things and one may have a better understanding or way of doing something -- and there is nothing wrong with that. Husbands and wives ought to work together and help each other and learn from each other. There is nothing wrong with respectfully discussing or disagreeing. However, the biblical principle is that, if, in the end, the husband is insistent on having his way in something that does not contradict the clear teaching of the Scripture, the wife should submit and give the husband the respect and responsibility of his decision.

Then, Peter says that women ought not have their appearance as their primary concern -- and this is true for men, as well. Peter says that women ought to be more than braided hair, gold jewelry, and the latest clothes. Now, there is nothing wrong, in itself, in having a hair style, in wearing jewelry, or in wearing contemporary clothes. But, if we are only as deep as our makeup, there is nothing much to commend us to each other, much less God.

Peter tells us that God is most concerned with the dressing of our souls. We ought to spend at least as much time and effort reading the Scripture and becoming more Christ-like as we do getting dressed, putting on make-up, etc. Think about it: how much time do you take getting ready in the morning? How much time do you spend in the bathroom, in front of the mirror, asking if such and such looks good? Do you spend at least that much time with God and in His Word? If we do not, we are not submitting to our husband, Christ. We are a bride who is more obsessed with ourselves than our Groom!

There is a current advertisement for tuxedos that has the tag line, "While everybody else is looking at her, she will be looking at you." When I heard that, I thought that describes what Peter is saying in this passage: while the world is looking at the Church, at us, Christians, seeing what we do, we ought to be fixed on Christ Are we? I fear, much of the Church isn't looking at Christ as all, but we are holding a mirror in front of ourselves as we walk down the aisle, and we are fawning over ourselves, telling ourselves how wonderful we look -- we have forgotten the Groom that waits at the altar! We have forgotten our First Love; we have dressed for ourselves.

Peter says that we ought not be merely superficial, but we ought to put Christ and the growth of holiness in our soul first. Understand, that doesn't mean we should neglect ourselves and how we look -- the Church is to be beautiful. It is good for a wife to look beautiful and a husband to look handsome, but our greatest and chief beauty is in the decorating of our souls with holy living and service to Jesus.

The holy women of old, like Sarah, who was beautiful physically, and wore jewelry, as well, made themselves beautiful by hoping in God, submitting themselves to the authority and leadership of God and husband, as Sarah submitted to Abraham.

And some will object, "Abraham wasn't always such a great husband and leader." And you would be correct. Husbands are sinners; husbands fail their wives. And wives are sinners; wives fail their husbands. God told Abraham that Sarah would become pregnant, and all the nations would be blessed through him. But Sarah was barren, and she wouldn't wait, and she told Abraham to have a child with Hagar, and Abraham submitted to Sarah and not God, and the result was the birth of Ishmael. And the Arabs and the Jews have fought each other for 4,500 years.

If men submit to God, we are children of Abraham. If wives submit to their husbands, they are children of Sarah.

"So," someone asks, "if my husband is abusive, I should just submit and take it?"

Of course not. Being a spiritual and household leader does not give the husband the right to be a dictator, or to abuse his wife, or to treat her like a slave. Remember, the Bible says that men and women are equal -- but different. Men and women, husbands and wives, we are all equal in God's Eyes in both sin and Salvation, but there are differences between men and women. That is why most men need a women to become complete. That is why most women need a man to become complete. Men and women were created one for the other, to complete each other. We are two equal but different puzzle pieces that fit together into a whole.

"Husbands." Peter tells husbands that they are to understand their wives. They are not to run roughshod over their feelings and opinions as though they were worthless or day-laborers to be dismissed. Husbands are to respect and honor their wives, as Christ glories in the Church. The husband is to teach, support, protect, and encourage the wife in all that she is, just as Christ spurs on the Church.

Because, women are "the weaker vessel." And that does not mean that women are less than men. It does not mean that women are inferior to their husbands. It means that husbands are responsible for the safety, security, and maturity of their wives. Men carry the responsibility of their wives and their households. Paul writes, "For Adam was formed first, then Eve, and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor" (I Timothy 2:13-14). Hear this: Adam received the greater guilt. Eve did not submit to Adam, and she was deceived into sinning. But Adam put aside his very call to be lord of his home, and rather than pulls Eve back from the fire, he consciously disobeyed God and followed after her in sin.

Thus, "wives, be subject to your husbands." And husbands, be subject to Christ. Wives, do not be merely superficial, but make you souls beautiful. Men, do likewise. Become daughters of Sarah and sons of Abraham. Husbands take the responsibility of your call in serving and leading and teaching and protecting your families.

And remember men and women, husbands and wives are co-heirs in the grace of life. We are equally heirs with Christ if we have believed in Him Alone for our salvation. If we are Christians, we will live in relationships that reflect our call to be husbands and wives, women and men. We will understand and live out our equality while glorying and supporting each other in our differences in sex and call.

And, if we do those things -- if men will be men and women will be women, our prayers will not be hindered. What is Peter saying? Peter is saying that sin hinders prayer, and it is a sin for a wife to try to be the husband or for the husband to try to be the wife. We are equal, but different, with different roles, that reflect the relationship between Christ and His Church.

So, we come this morning, men and women, before our Lord, at this table. We come before Him, the Church subjecting herself to Christ. And the world looks on and sees us submitting ourselves to Him and His Rule over this, His Household. Whom do you see? When we come to the table -- do you see me? Do you see those serving the elements? Do you look in the mirror at yourself? Or do you see Jesus Christ?

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, we come before You in humility, subjecting and submitting ourselves to You, because You are the Holy Lord Jesus. We come together, equally sinners, forgiven only by You, and we gather at this table to meet You. Give us Your Grace, that we each might mature in You, living out the call You have put on our lives, that You would been seen and glorified by all. For it is in Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.