1 Peter 5:1-14, Worldview affects leadership and spiritual battles too

• Review:
• Theme: Suffering as a Christian; Remaining true to your worldview and witness
• Discussion to this point
• World without faith is ignorant and foolish (in a spiritual sense)
• Arguments won't convince the world, but rather a lifestyle (witness)
• This is not our reward; we are foreigners and strangers


1 Peter 5:1–4 (ESV) — 1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.


• What is an elder?
• Shepherds (pastor); overseers
• In our church, who are or is the elder(s)?
• Pastor (and possibly the other ministers as well)
• Not all Baptist churches function this way
• Some have elders, both paid staff (pastors) and lay leaders
• The NT overwhelming assumes in a plurality of elder leadership
• What characterizes the life of an elder? How is that different from the world's view of a leader
• Willingness to serve vs expecting to be served
• Servant heart vs no heart
• Humility vs arrogance and pride for elevated position
• Examples of Jesus Christ vs examples of great leaders (ungodly lives)
• An elder who serves well has a great reward (but not necessarily in this life)
• (referring to elders and deacons) 1 Tim 3:13 (NIV) Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.


1 Peter 5:5–7 (ESV) — 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.


• In context, what would the term "young men" be referring to?
• Contrasted to old men or elder, in this case the spiritually immature
• And how are we to respond to our elders, those who are our spiritual leaders?
• We are to submit to their authority
• We are to be humble
• And why do we need to cast all our anxiety on God?
• Because it is hard to trust men who are not perfect even if they are spiritually older
• Rick B. gave a good example when he said, "Pastor, be careful what you ask me because I will not say no"
• Last, and most importantly: Who wants to be doing ministry fighting against God?


1 Peter 5:8–14 (ESV) — 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.


• And how does the admonition in verse 8 fit within the context?
• The devil is looking for those who struggle with the idea of submitting to human, spiritual authorities
• The devil is looking for the bitter and angry, so that he can fester the bitterness and anger
• Hebrews 12:14–16 (ESV) — 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.
• Also, the devil is going to use suffering to discourage you
• But what is God's promise in regard to suffering?
• After we have suffered a little while, he will
• Restore you
• Make you strong
• Make you firm
• Make you steadfast
• The problem is, what does God mean by "a little while?"
• Silas or Silvanus is formerly one of Paul's companion and apparently the letter carrier
• Mark is probably John Mark who deserted the ministry when he was with Paul and Barnabbas
• Most people believe John Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark based upon Peter's recollections
• Babylon is probably referring to Rome, which indicates Peter's current location
• Also, has a metaphorical context, any place where the worldview drives life
• "She" probably refers to the church, as opposed to Peter's wife




APPLICATION:

1 Peter 4:7-19 Peter's summary of surviving judgment and why it is so important

1 Peter 4:7–11 (ESV) — 7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.


• "The end of all things is near." - what does this mean? 
• Nearly all the NT writers say the same thing, and yet they were wrong! why?
• This is an orthodox view and a theological  concept -- "imminence of Christ"
• How does the idea of imminence fit with the  Author's purpose so far?
• In order to be willing to suffer, we have to believe that somehow it is  worth it
• We have to believe that we are strangers and foreigners in this world (else we would feel cheated)
• We have to believe that this world is not our reward
• "Clear-minded... self-controlled" KJV says  "serious"- what is the point here?
• The ASV, by putting a comma after the first verb, keeps the two commands as distinct duties: (1) They must maintain a personal disposition of balance and self-control as they face life, and (2) they must be alert in mind and attitude so that they can pray. Dallas Theological Seminary. (1982; 2002). Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 139 (139:246).
• The phrase, “for the purpose of prayer” (εἰς προσευχάς, “unto, with a view to prayer”) implies that prayer is a normal and expected activity of the Christian life, but it is easy to become distracted and unfitted for its performance. “Prayer” is a general term and includes prayer in all its aspects. Dallas Theological Seminary. (1982; 2002). Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 139 (139:246).
• The author now gives two basic communed commends,  what are they?
1. Mutual love
2. Mutual service
• How does this all fit with the idea of suffering  and that the end is near ?
• We need each other. The body is  a community of believers. If we are  to survive, we need each other
• It is too easy to get sidetracked into disputes between brothers and sisters. Mutual love can cover a multitude of sins
• There is an important truth stated in  regards to spiritual gifts, what is it? 
• We each have been given a gift  (1 Cor 12:7; Rom 12:6)
• We are not just a gaggle that gather together for mutual support. We have unique gifts which are essential to our witness and our ability to survive the onslaught in a world that deeply hates our worldview
• Peter generally places the gifts in two  broad categories, speaking and serving.
• You could also say "out-front" and  behind the scenes"
• In God's minds, these qualities are  equally important, although in  our sinful minds, we place more  importance on the "out - front" gifts


1 Peter 4:12–16 (ESV) — 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.


• This passage, verses 12-19, is a summary of the entire letter. What points is Peter making?
• "Don't be surprised at the fiery trial." Why?
• The world hates what we believe
• The world is ignorant and foolish and our lives are a threat to their way of life
• "Rejoice that you are sharing in Christ's suffering." Why?
• He did not deserve it
• His life was a perfect witness of the Father to the world
• "If you are insulted, you are blessed …" Why?
• You are being the witness that God has cause you to be
• You are not living as if this world was your home, but you are living as a stranger and foreigner
• "Don't suffer as a … evildoer." Why?
• Your witness is critical. That is why we are here. This is not our reward
• Peter differentiates suffering though in  two classes, what are they?
1. Suffering you deserve
2. Suffering you don't deserve,  which is not necessarily in the name of Christ!!
• Suffer as a Christian, not because you are a Christian
• This is key for me, because I  always have wondered if I  really suffered since it was  not apparently related to the  gospel (Job's was not apparent either)


1 Peter 4:17–19 (ESV) — 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.


• Two groups of people are mentioned in these verses about suffering. Who are the two groups?
• In a sense, the whole world is being judge, believers and unbelievers
• Yes, Jesus paid for our sins completely, but there is still a judgment on the world that even the OT verse alludes
• There is also a great throne judgment for the believer and unbeliever, for believers it is a judgment on how we lived our Christian life
• This judgment on earthly may be related -- how do we respond to suffering? How do we reflect Jesus on earth
• The KEY is that our judgment is very LIGHT compared to the what the ungodly will undergo


APPLICATION: Brainstorm how we apply this passage …

1 Peter 3:13-4:6, Our worldview is a threat to our world

REVIEW:
• Ignorant and foolish
• Ignorant - don't know the facts
• Foolish - don't want to know; don't want to upset their apple-cart
• Submission
• God - live such good lives such that the pagan must glorify God on the day He visits
• Citizen to Authorities - obey the laws
• Employee to Employer - when deserved and not deserved
• Wife to Husband - inward beauty
• Husband to Wife - considerate; respectful; spiritual leader
• One to another - harmony; love; compassion; humility
• Goal: force the ignorant and foolish to consider our worldview (and our faith)
• According to Apostel, a worldview should comprise seven elements:
1. An ontology, a descriptive model of the world
2. An explanation of the world
3. A futurology, answering the question "where are we heading?".
4. Values, answers to ethical questions: "What should we do?".
5. A praxeology, or methodology, or theory of action.: "How should we attain our goals?"
6. An epistemology, or theory of knowledge. "What is true and false?"
7. An etiology. A constructed world-view should contain an account of its own "building blocks", its origins and construction.
Pasted from <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_view>


• Everyone has a worldview. Whether or not we realize it, we all have certain presuppositions and biases that affect the way we view all of life and reality. A worldview is like a set of lenses which taint our vision or alter the way we perceive the world around us. Our worldview is formed by our education, our upbringing, the culture we live in, the books we read, the media and movies we absorb, etc. For many people their worldview is simply something they have absorbed by osmosis from their surrounding cultural influences. They have never thought strategically about what they believe and wouldn't be able to give a rational defense of their beliefs to others. 
Pasted from <http://www.christianworldview.net/>


1 Peter 3:13–15 (ESV) — 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15a but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, …


• This type of lifestyle has it's inherent dangers.  What worry is Peter addressing?
• We could suffer by being too different
• Our worldview could be so different as to be seen as a threat to those around us.  What could our worldview threaten?
• Actions -- lying to avoid paying taxes; lying to avoid punishment
• Lifestyle -- marriage ( living together)
• What is Peter's argument (it is a little subtle)?
• Who is going to harm you? Well certainly not God
• There is blessing -- suggests a reward; suggests an eternal perspective
• Hebrews 13:6 (ESV) — 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
• Man can kill us, but the writer does not see that as something to fear
• Matthew 10:28 (ESV) — 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
• Jesus tells us to fear the person to kill. But to fear what happens after death (this statement was evangelistic)
• The key is making Christ Lord.  But what does that mean and how is that worked out?


1 Peter 3:15b–16 (ESV) — 15b … always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.


• There are a number of applications in this verse regarding how to respond when our worldview is challenged.  What are they?
• Be prepared
1. Number one thing you can do:  Know the bible
2. Live the life.  Confess and repent and return when you fail
3. Study apologetics
• Mere Christianity.  CS Lewis
• Norman Geisler
• Ravi Zacharias
• Josh McDowell
• Have a testimony
• Different versions: 30 seconds to 3 minutes
• Should have a before, how, and after
• Gentleness
• Great debate today (radio and web blogs) about civility.  In my mind, this confirms man's problem with sin
• If your blog, life, talk, etc reads like the world's blog, full of cynicism, gutterisms, and complaining, … you won't attract anyone to the savior
• Recognize that conviction is a work of the Holy Spirit and not you.  Ultimately, a person must choose
• Respect
• Same argument in regards to civility, but also people are important.  They are not marks on the belt.  They are made in the image of God and greatly loved by God, no matter how ugly
• Clear conscience
• Words should match your life
• Don't say anything you might regret
• Don't talk about pagans or believers behind their back.  If you do, they should be able to listen in to your conversation without getting angry
• Results: 
• People will speak maliciously of your good behavior.  They will make fun of you
• Ultimately, they should be ashamed because your life (worldview) works and theirs does not


1 Peter 3:17–22 (ESV) — 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.


• We need to maintain our context.  We are discussing the difficulties of living a world-view that is counter culture
• What did Noah deal with in his life?
• Noah, not only lived a counter-culture lifestyle, he spent 120 years building an ark when there was no water around
• People laughed at him
• For doing what God had commanded him to do
• For doing something that seemed to have no logical purpose
• For not engaging in their sin
• Noah is a picture of a person saved from an ungodly, ignorant, and foolish population


• Let me say that 1 Pet 3:18-20 is probably the most difficult passage in all of scripture to understand.  There are six major views:
1. Christ “in spirit” preached through Noah when Noah was building the ark. This was a message of repentance and righteousness, given to unbelieving persons who were then on earth but are now “spirits in prison” (i.e., persons in hell).
2. Between His death and resurrection Christ preached to humans in Hades, giving them a message of repentance and righteousness, thus giving them opportunity to believe and be saved, though they had not availed themselves of such an offer during their time on earth.
3. Between His death and resurrection Christ went to people in Hades and announced that He had triumphed over them and that their condemnation was final.
4. Between His death and resurrection Christ proclaimed release to people who had repented just before the Flood. He led them from imprisonment in purgatory to heaven.
5. Between His death and resurrection or between His resurrection and ascension, Christ descended into Hades and proclaimed His triumph over the fallen angels who had sinned by mating with women before the Flood.
6. The reference to Jesus’ preaching is not to be taken literally. It is symbolic, conveying in this graphic form the idea that redemption is universal in its extent or influence.
[Dallas Theological Seminary. (1995; 2002). Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 152 (152:137). Dallas Theological Seminary.]


1 Peter 4:1–6 (ESV) — 1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.


• What is Peter saying in this passage?
• Sometimes it takes great suffering to finally begin to peel you away from the world
• Example:  Luke and trache incident.  Afterwards, all my sin and selfish desires seemed so worthless
• How does the ignorant and foolish view your lifestyle?
• They think it strange
• How do the ignorant and foolish respond to your lifestyle?
• They heap abuse on you
• But what is the bottom line?
• Everyone will be judged
• Justice will come
• Requires an eternal perspective.  If you live for this life, you will be greatly disappointed because most of the time, you will not see justice


APPLICATION:
1. We have no reason to be afraid on the world
2. We need to be prepared
1. Starts with the bible, a testimony, a lifestyle, and some extra study
3. We need to respond with gentleness and respect (opposite of how the world will respond to us)
4. People will make fun of our lifestyle
5. People will abuse us because of our lifestyle
6. We can be assured that there will be justice

1 Peter 3:1-12, Our witness requires mutual submission and healthy relationships

• Timeline (key events):



~33 A.D.	Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection
~48	First book: I Thessalonians
64	Fire destroys most of Rome;  Nero blames Jews (means Christians too)
~65	1 Peter
~68	Death of Peter (historically crucified head down)
70	Jerusalem and Temple destroyed
~90-100	Last books: John, 1 2 & 3 John, and Revelation



• Review themes:
1. Stand firm, you are going to suffer
1. We are strangers here, this world is not our reward.  We should live as strangers and not get too attached
2. We need to live for things that are eternal -- God, His Word, and people
3. We live here, not because it is a reward but because we are supposed to be witnesses
1. Will other people use our witness as an excuse for why the never believed?
4. Last week:  We live among spiritually ignorant and foolish people.  We represent a threat to a person's worldview.  As long as they can discredit our lives, they don't have to contemplate our message.  You can't argue with them.  They require experiential knowledge to refute their preconceived notions.  We need to live in such a way that we force people to acknowledge and struggle with our worldview


1 Peter 3:1–6 (ESV) — 1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.


• Remember: the overall theme has been "endurance in suffering"
• Practical applications have been in the area of what we live for -- our reward and our eternal perspective
• Also, Peter has already emphasized the importance of our submission in our witness
• Now this passage continue the previous discussion on submission -- what two areas has Peter already covered in regards to submission?
• Governing institutions and Employers
• He has three more groups with practical applications toward submission -- wives, husbands, and one another
•  Background:
• How are women treated during this time?
• There is no more impressive contrast between the nations which have been under the influence of Christianity and those which have not been, history declares, than the difference in the position of woman. Her condition was a debased one in the ancient monarchies of the Orient. The female served the male; polygamy prevailed; divorce was obtained easily. Among Greeks and Romans the woman held a higher position than elsewhere, yet from the earliest period even there the wife was regarded as a piece of property, an individual destitute of legal rights, absolutely under the control of her father until marriage. ... Under Christianity, however, woman has been enabled to occupy the high position assigned her at creation, namely, social equality with man. Witness the active part which women took in the history of the early church, when the apostles led to the greatest triumph which Christianity has ever known. And witness how the Galilean apostle grants them recognition in his writings. Just as the lowly slave has been esteemed a fellow human being, so the woman is accounted equal to man, though differing in her responsibilities. Thereby the Christian faith took a deliberate stand against all entrenched custom and prejudice.  Dallas Theological Seminary. (1943; 2002). Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 100 (100:263). Dallas Theological Seminary.
• Greek and Roman culture expected a wife to follow her husband's religion.  If a woman trusted Jesus as her savior and her husband did not, she would immediately encounter difficulty
• First, society and her husband would suspect her of disloyalty to her husband.  How could she refute that suspicion?
• Second, she might become confused as to her proper attitude toward her husband.  Since she is free in Christ, should she defy her husband?  Should she witness to her husband since his conversion would make her life easier?  Should she buckle under his demands that she return to the Greek and Roman gods?
• So, what are some of the reasons Peter gives for the wife's submission to the husband?
• This is a good example of the previous section.  The wife's actions force the husband to consider her faith (her worldview)
• It is interesting to note that they word "obey" is used of the husband to the word, while the woman's verb it to "put herself under"
• They are two different words, one you have no choice, but the other is a choice
• [WARNING NOTE]  In case you haven't noticed, men and women are different.  In general, because it is not true in all cases, how are men and women different in their view of life?
• Mark 14:3–11 (ESV) — 3 And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. 4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” 10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.
• What was the disciple's concern, the men's concern?
• It was a waste of money (John 12:1-8)
• What did Jesus call it?
• A beautiful thing
• 90% of the use of the word beautiful in the bible refers to women
• What does it mean to be created in the image of God?
• Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
• We are "male and female" created in the image of God
• Here is my point.  God gave woman a special understanding of the importance of beauty that most men don't have.  God understands beauty, just look at creation.  Men can appreciate beauty, but they don't understand its importance.  Jesus, because he is God, understood its importance
• It is a godly thing to want to look beautiful
• But because of sin, we can mar the true aspects of beauty with an overemphasis on the external
• So, what is Peter saying about the God-given desire to look beautiful?
• I've read this many times, and I do not believe he is saying that outward adornment is bad
• Commentaries also seem to agree on this point
• Peter is challenging his readers to develop inner beauty
• Gentle and quiet spirit
• Incidentally, Sarah is not perfect.  It was her constant complaining to Abraham that resulted, first in the birth of Ishmael, and then second, in kicking him and Hagar out of the house -- So, we are not talking about perfection here
• The key here is that a woman has to put her hope in God.  I'm sure it is very fearful to trust in a sinful man to actually care for your needs
• But that is also true of employer-employee relationships as well (of course the difference there is that you can leave)
• In many ways, the submission is to God and not to the husband.  In obedience to God, the woman chooses to put herself under the husband's authority (this is biblical submission)
• Submission rules out ungodly requests
• Ultimately, we are looking for a reward that is in heaven and not on earth


1 Peter 3:7 (ESV) — 7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.


• [AMPLIFIED BIBLE] 7 In the same way you married men should live considerately with [your wives], with an qintelligent recognition [of the marriage relation], honoring the woman as [physically] the weaker, but [realizing that you] are joint heirs of the grace (God’s unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off. [Otherwise you cannot pray effectively.]
• What phrase starts out both the section on the wife and the husband?
• "in the same way"
• What does that mean?
• In context, this is how a husband submits to his wife
• The verse says to live considerately or literally, live with knowledge -- what does that mean?
• Most husbands do not take the time to understand their wife's desire
• We need to take the time to understand
• We need to take the time to listen
• We should not expect them to be the same as us
• How does this verse say our wife is different?
• They are physically weaker
• Yet we are to honor -- how do we honor someone who is physically weaker?
• We may need to do things for them.  This is where carrying books, holding doors grows out of.  It's not that a woman can't open her own door, but it honors her in a way that understands she is physically weaker
• What does this verse say regarding the wife's equality with the husband?
• "heirs with you" or more properly "joint-heirs" affirms the wife's equality
• What is the husband's motivation or reasons?
• It can hinder our prayers
• "The spiritual lives of both the husband and wife are either built up or damaged according to how a husband treats his wife"


1 Peter 3:8–12 (ESV) — 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”


• Finally, implies the end of this long section on submission, so how are we to submit to one another?
• Live in harmony (unity of mind)
• Deal with issues and come to agreement
• Be sympathetic
• When someone is hurting, we should hurt.  When someone is joyful, we should be joyful
• THINK about others
• Love as brothers
• Deeply care for each other
• Willingness to sacrifice
• Tender heart
• Care for people
• Have pity (in a good sense) meaning to feel their hurt
•  Humber Mind
• Consider others more important than self
• Do not repay …
• We are to bless and forgive
• OUR BLESSING is dependent on how we respond to perceived hurts
• At this point, Peter quotes Psalm 34.  In context, this would seem to explain the blessing
• Blessing: 
• Love life and see good days
• Attention to our prayers
• Condition:
• Keep tongue from evil
• Turn from evil
APPLICATION: our greatest enemy to mutual submission is what we say. Simple words can hurt. Assume everyone can hear what you are saying before you say it. How would that change what you would say?