Ok, Husband, It’s Your Time!

Temple Baptist Church - 7-5-2017

1 Peter 3:7

Introduction:

A.  Last week, we looked at the word “Likewise” as be began chapter 3.  That word shows that the context is tied with the preceding chapters.  The context of 1 Peter is how to maintain a Christian testimony while suffering as a child of God. 

B.  We looked at the Christian woman whose husband was either unsaved or saved and unfaithful to God.  A place of quiet, godly submission.

C.  Tonight, I want to call you attention to the work “likewise” in verse 7.  Nothing has changed in the context.  One of the problems of these last days is that of men who profess to be saved not living a faithful, Christian life!  For whatever reason, many men have taken a spiritual “back seat” in both the home and the local church.  My prayer is: “Dear Lord, give us some men with a spiritual backbone who are willing to serve and lead in our homes an churches.

D.  Verse 7 is a clear command to us men who are married and have families.  God has placed us men in a place of authority and leadership in the marriage!  It is the man who will give an account for the home.

E.  Let us break this verse down almost word by word.

1.  “Likewise!” 

a.  As men, our responsibility is linked to that of our wives.  As they are to be submissive to authority, we are to be submissive to authority.  We cannot expect our wives to submit to an authority that does not submit to God’s authority. 

b.  Though the ladies are mentioned first and command to be submissive to their head, in 1 Corinthians, the Bible reverses the order.  Why?  Because in 1 Corinthians, God is giving the proper Chain of Command and, in 1 Peter, Peter is dealing with an improper one: men who are not right with God.

1 Corinthians 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

2.  “Husbands.”  The first mention of the word “husband” is found in Genesis 3.  It spoke of “her husband.” 

a.  A man who belongs to one woman.

Genesis 3:6  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husbandwith her; and he did eat.

b.  A man who “rules” over a wife.

Genesis 3:16  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

c.  A man who is worthy of the wife’s submission.  Husband defined: A good man, a great man, a champion.  It also means a kind man and a worthy man.

3.  “Dwell with them according to knowledge … as unto the weaker vessel”  A residence of continuance.

a.  Understanding his position of power and authority with love.  He is to be a loving husband, not a tyrant.

Ephesians 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

b.  Understanding her needs as the weaker vessel.

1)  Understanding her need of Security.

2)  Understanding her need of Strength.

3)  Understanding her need of Shelter.

4)  Understanding her need of Stability.

5)  Understanding her need of Spiritual Leadership.

4.  “Giving honour unto the wife.” 

a.  “Giving” means to bestow.  Proverbs 31:28  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

b.  “Honour” means dignity, esteem, great value.  Proverbs 18:22  Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

5.  “As being heirs together of the grace of life”

a.  One with each other.  “Cleave” is to be joined or to adhere.  Genesis 2:24  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

b.  One in this life.  All that I have belongs to Barbara and all that Barbara has belongs to me.  Our hopes and our dreams are the same.  “Heirs together” reminds me of Harold and Carroll Smith.  When the Smith children became heirs to their father’s estate, each of the children got a tract of land but Bro. Harold and Bro. Carroll got 85 acres together!

6.  “That your prayers be not hindered.”  Men, if you are not right with your wives, you are not right with God and prayers go unanswered!