A Marriage Made in Heaven

1 Peter 3:1-7

Preface: The Bigger Picture of Marriage

- How does a Christian wife relate to an unbelieving husband ->specific focus of verses 1-6

Let's go back to the beginning: Gen 2:18-25 The purpose of marriage was invented by God. It is not a man-made idea. Marriage is ordained by God.

1. For an intimate, satisfying relationship. God created marriage for us to have an intimate partner. Women were created to be an equal helper. Man needs a helpmate. Woman is comparable to man -- a counterpart, opposite and complimentary. The relationship is to be second only to your relationship with God. Sin has upset that intimacy.
   v.24 - a man's job is to pursue his mate
   
   Matt 19:6 what God has put together, let no man separate.


2. To raise children who will love God. Deut 6:4-9, esp. v.7. Children are also God's idea. The family is the foundation of any nation.
3. Your witness before the world. Marriage is intended to be a reflection of the love of God for us and to the world.
   
   Eph 5:31-33 -- our model is Christ's relationship with the church.

Both people in the marriage need to submit themselves fully to God. Then mutual submission (to each other). That relationship is what the children will see and desire in a good marriage.

Next week: Eph 5 and 1 Peter 3

Sojourners and Pilgrims

1 Peter 2:11-25
Our relationship to the world and human government
v.9-12 - Our relationship to the world

1. our citizenship has changed -- we are now set apart as people belonging to God (v.9,10).
2. your citizenship is evident in your behavior. The change in our citizenship demands a change in our conduct. (v.11,12) -- People know where you are from by the way you act.
   --v.11 do not forsake your inheritance by living like the people of the world.

giving glory (glorifying) God is a RESPONSE to what He has already done for us. If you don't glorify God:

1. what you do will glorify something or someone else.
2. you are involved in behavior that wars against your soul.

v.13-17 - Our relationship with human government

1. Don't use your citizenship/freedom as a cover-up for doing evil.
   --Christ has given us freedom from sin. We have been given the Holy Spirit to live after Spirit.
   
2. being free is NOT an excuse to rebel against human government. We are to be witnesses.
3. god ordained human government for a reason; to keep order, to punish evildoers, to commend those who do good (v.13,14).

Matt 5:13-16:

¹³"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
¹⁴"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

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The Living Word

1 Peter 1:22-2:10

If it's [the Word] true it requires a response. Peter sets before us Jesus as a LIVING HOPE, requires a life of holiness (v. 13-15)

v.22-2:3 Highlights

1. v.23 - we have been born again through the living and enduring Word of God. Obedience to the Word brings us new life.
2. v.22, 2:11 - obeying God's Word will purify your souls. Sinful desires war against our soul.
   --You are not able to obey the Word by your own strength, but you can THROUGH the Spirit. Let the Spirit work in you.
3. Obeying God's Word will cause you to continue to grow (2:2,3)
   --we should be eager and crave the Word (milk). The milk is the gospel.
4. 2:4,5 -- As you obey God's word you will be separated from the world.

Our response:
Jesus is the Living Hope - live holy
Jesus is the Living Word - obey Him
Jesus is the Living Stone - serve Him

Hope and Holiness

1 Peter 1:13-21

Hope: the confident expectation of things to come.

- God has proven himself to us by telling us what is going to happen. Many Old Testament and New Testament prophesies have been proven true.

If your hope in God is real it affects how you live your life. Hope begets holiness. v.13 Therefore (what is it there for? based on what you have read before)

v.13-16 Peter connects our conduct to the coming of the Lord (v.15)

1. v.13 prepare your mind for action. Set your mind on the things of the Spirit.
   --be disciplined in your thinking. Set your mind on what matters, what counts.


2. v.13 - Be sober (self-controlled).
   --evidence of walking in the Spirit
   --to be free of every form of mental and physical excess
. We Can choose to live after our body or after the Spirit.

3. v. 13c Set your hope on the Lord's return
   --the fullness of the grace given to you will be given at the end of the race.
   --set your sights on the end, don't quit in the middle. Prepare yourself for a long race, at the end you get your reward.


4. v. 17-21 To call on your Heavenly Father for help.
   --v.20 Jesus was chosen before Creation. He (God) had the plan in place from the beginning of time.
   --v.17 God deals with us with impartiality
   --our judgment is individual, not on a curve and NOT compared to others
   --God judges us [holds us accountable] only by what He has asked us to do

God has already given us his greatest treasure -- Jesus. He will freely give us whatever we need to get through this life.