The Divine Design

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: 1 Peter 3:1-7The marriage relationship is meant to be the most intimate of all human relationships. In marriage, we share the inmost part of our nature with another person. But in order to build lives together as husband and wife, we need to build on a solid foundation.1 Peter 3:1-7 explains God’s divine design for marriage: “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…” (1 Peter 3:1-2).There must be order in the home rather than chaos. As is true in any organization, there must be a leader. God has appointed the husband to lead the home; this does not mean the wife is inferior. When wives express an attitude of submission, it means they are to look to their husbands, not as servants to masters, but as subjects to leaders.These verses also call to attention a wife’s adornment of serenity. According to 1 Peter 3:3-4, a woman is to have an internal beauty about her—a gentle spirit, which becomes more beautiful every day. It is also important for wives to respect their husbands and offer them encouraging affirmations. She must pay close attention to his needs.“Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7).Husbands may delegate authority, but they cannot escape their responsibility. They must provide for the home, more than just food and clothing—they must also meet their wives’ emotional needs.He is also called to protect the home and pastor it; as the God-appointed spiritual leaders of the home, husbands are to treat their wives as Christ treats the Church.Adrian Rogers says, “You cannot have a Christian home without having Christians, any more than you could have a cherry pie without cherries; if you want God in your home, then you have to give your heart to God.”Apply it to your lifeHave you laid the foundation for a good, godly marriage, accepting your divine role as a husband or wife? Prayerfully agree to God’s plan and enact what He has called you to be in your home.