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"The holy women who trusted in God"

Text: 1 Peter 3:5

ENCOURAGEMENT GIVEN

The Apostle Peter sought to encourage the believing wives in their faith in the Lord. A difficult marriage would present many more challenges in life.

“For in this manner, in former times,
the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves,
being submissive to their own husbands,
as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord,
whose daughters you are if you do good
and are not afraid with any terror.”
1 Peter 3:5-6

1. “For in this manner, in former times”

a) The advice given was drawn from good examples in the past.

b) “In this manner”

i) This was the way (manner) in which godly women conducted themselves.

ii) This word of advice was now given to the women in Peter’s day and age.

c) “In former times”

i) Peter did not cite examples in his time.

ii) He chose examples of a past era.

2. “The holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves”

a) These women led lives that were holy.

b) They also trusted in God (their hope was in the Lord).

c) Their adorning:

i) Not the physical.

ii) But the internal and spiritual (1 Peter 3:4).

3. “Being submissive to their own husbands”

a) Submission was once again suggested (1 Peter 2:13, 18; 3:1, 5).

b) This was obviously a key principle Peter believed in.

4. “As Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord”

a) Sarah was cited as an example.

b) There were occasions when Sarah had difficulties with Abraham.

c) But generally speaking, Sarah obeyed Abraham.

i) She followed Abraham to go to Canaan.

ii) She was with him in difficult times and situations.

d) “Calling him lord”

This was another way of describing the practice of submission.

5. “Whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror”

a) To be called “a daughter of Sarah” was a title of honour.

i) It is a word of praise.

ii) It is a word of commendation.

b) Features of a true daughter of Sarah:

i) They must be committed to doing good.

ii) They need not be afraid or be in terror.

c) The challenge was to exercise faith and practise good behaviour.

i) Some husbands may be wicked or terrifying.

ii) It would take much trust to live without feeling fear or terror.