Staying

the

Course

God says, "Persevere in Confidence"  (September 5th, 2004)

Generally, each message is a part of a series, that deals with applying the Bible to real-life issues.  Don't worry if you've missed part of a series.  Each Sunday will work together with the other messages, or can stand alone to help you deal with the things life brings each day.

The salvation of holiness (September 12th, 2004)

Identity (September 19th, 2004)

where nobody stands alone

The Rebellious Runaway (September 26th, 2004)

Staying the Course with Marriage (October 3rd, 2004)

Making Peace with an Unpeaceful World (December 10th, 2004)

God's Will (October 17th, 2004)

In the Midst of Troubles (October 31st, 2004)

Video Illustration:  Cheaper by the dozen (ch. 3) – breakfast frog clip. - Various trial come, but the boy nicknamed “Fed Ex” was still part of the family.  We must be confident today that we are still part of the family. Staying the Course Sermon Series:  a look at 1 Peter The chief value of the epistle is that it shows Christians how to live out their salvation in a hostile world.  Salvation may involve suffering, but it also brings hope, as the grace of God is amplified in the individual life. Sermon title:  God says, “Perservere in confidence” Opening illustration:  I have a tomato plant.  Every time that I pass the plant I see these big green worms eating it.  I believe that the plant itself is producing these worms, because I have never seen them on anything else, nand I didn’t know they existed until I possessed a tomatoe plant. (ha).  I could give up on my tomatoes.  Everyday thate is a worm eating it away.  No matter how hard I try, the worms are not going away.  I take care of one, and another one comes up.  I cousl give up and just say that I am battling a never ending battle.  These little worms are like destroyers.  Just like our Christian walk … no matter what we do or accomplish something else is going to come up.  Everytime we have one success, another evil will appear.  Let me tell ya, I have found the cure for my tomatoe plant.  It’s called 7 dust. Satan is named Apollyon, which means destroyer. Revelation 9: 11 (NAS) They had as their king the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he has the name Appollyon. I. God is saying, “Be confident in your … faith” (v. 6 – 7) a. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various tiral, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; b. Various trials will prove your faith i. V. 7 – tested by fire c. Illustration (Max Lucado, In the Eye of the Storm, Word Publishing, 1991, p. 11.) i. Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming.  One second he was peacefully perched in his cage.  The next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over. ii. The problems began when Chippie’s owner decided to clean Chippie’s cage with a vacuum cleaner.  She removed the attachment from the end of the hose and stuck it in the cage.  The phone rang, and she turned to pick it up.  She’d barely said “hello” when “ssssopp!” Chippie got sucked in. iii. The bird owner gasped, put down the phone, turned off the vacuum, and opened the bag.  There was Chippie – still alive, but stunned. iv. Since the bird was covered with dust and soot, she grabbed him and raced to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and held Chippie under the running water.  Then, realizing that Chippie was soaked and shivering, she did what any compassionate bird owner would do … she reached for the hair dryer and blasted the pet with hot air. v. Poor Chippie never knew what hit him. vi. A few days after the trauma, the reporter who’d initially written about the event contacted Chippie’s owner to see how the bird was recovering.  “Well,” she replied, “Chippie doesn’t sing much anymore – he just sits and stared.” vii. It’s hard not to see why.  Sucked in, washed up, and blown over … That’s enough to steal the song from the stoutest heart. d. Various trials will come, misery is optional i. Will your song be stolnen in the midst of trials? ii. Will your faith be shaken in the midst of trials. iii. Faith trials are those that test your belief in God. 1. Job 10: 12 (HCSB) a. You gave me life and faithful love, and Your care has guarded my life. iv. I Corinthians 10: 13 (NAS) 1. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity.  God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it. e. If the temptation does overcome you, then you must ask… Where is your faith grounded? i. V. 7 – your faith ought to produce praise/glory/honor of God. 1. It is not a pedestal for opinions, feelings or thoughts. ii. Opinions, feelings, thoughts iii. Bible, Word of God f. I we are a church of opinions, thoughts and feelings, then we will have 100 different directions to go. i. Don’t tell your pastor what you think, tell him what the Bible says. ii. 2 Timothy 4: 2, 3 1. 2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires. II. God is saying, “Be confident in your … salvation” (v. 4 – 5) a. 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,  5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. b. God preserves our salvation. c. Serendipity – an inheritance that is immune i. Why – Hebrews 12: 2 ii. Hebrews 12: 2 (NAS) 1. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. d. V. 5 – this salvation is permanent because it is protected by the power of God. i. John 10: 28, Romans 8: 38 – 39 1. this is why Peter says that your treasures in heaven are imperishable, because to store them God must have given this protected salvation. e. How could you loose it? i. God is the author and perfector of the faith 1. For Him to be the perfector, He has to hold on to it to perfect it. f. Have you doubted your salvation?  Is your faith tested?  Then III III. God is saying, “Be confident in your … God.”  (v. 8, 9) a. We need to have a dependence on God. i. Fasting provides this need for God. ii. V. 8 – a love that will motivate you to evangelize b. 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and htough you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your soul. c. What is the salvation of souls?  First what is faith? d. What is faith? i. Faith is not blindly accepting of facts through ignorance. 1. V. 8 – faith is … ii. Accepting a God that you have not seen e. Salvation of souls – the release of hate i. 1 John – this same faith has forgiveness, mercy and grace for all. ii. When you are confident in your God and walk with Him daily, then the trials that come on an ongoing basis do not seem to be trials at all. 1. You will not be offended, hate will not be with you, unforgiveness is unheard of, you are made of duck feathers. IV. Invitation a. Illustration i. A 1990 Subaru car commercial shows a Volvo heading toward a wall, and then, in slow motion, crashing into the wall.  The Volvo is build so sturdily that the passengers are not hurt, in spite of the severe nature of the crash.  Then a Subaru is shown heading at a high rate of speed toward a wall.  At the last possible moment the driver slams on the brakes and the Subaru stops inches from the wall.  The announcer then cuts in and asks what you would prefer:  to live through wrecks, or not to get in wrecks in the first place? b. God is tired of seeing your life go through wreck after wreck c. Have faith in God that He will preserve you and your salvation and your life will be changed.

Staying the Course sermon series Sermon Title:  Part 2, the salvation of holiness 1 Peter 1: 13 – 2: 3 (NAS) Therefore, prepare your minds for action keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behaviour; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”  17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;  18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.  20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.  22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.  24 For, “All flesh is like grass, and all it’s glory like the flower of grass.  The grass withers, and the flower falls off, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”  And this is the word which was preached to you. v. 13 – Prepare, Keep Sober, Hope on Jesus 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  I. God mandates that we Prepare for ourselves a pure heart a. We are to prepare ourselves for the Greatest Commandment found in Matthew 22 i. Love God, Love your neighbor b. 22 – Prepare - purify your souls to love the brethren i. Why do we purify? 1. B/C of v. 23 a. You do this b/c you are born of the imperishable seed i. The imperishable seed is the Living Word of God. ii. The only way to love your brother is when you have no malice (etc.) in your heart, but sincerity of love. c. Illustration i. Two theological students were walking along a steet in the Whitechapel district of Longdon, a section where old and used clothing is sold. “What a fitting illustration all this makes!” said one of the students as he pointed to a suit of clothes hanging on a rack by a window.  A sign on it read:  SLIGHTLY SOILED – GREATLY REDUCED IN PRICE. ii. That’s it exactly,” he continued. “ We get soilded by gazing at a vulgar picture, reading a course book, or allowing ourselves a little indulgence in dishonest or lustful thoughts; and so when the time comes for our character to be appraised, we are greatly redeuced in value.  Our purity, our strength is gone.  We are just part and parcel of the general, shopworn stock of the world.”  Yex, continual slight deviations from the path of right may greatly reduce our usefuleness to God and to our fellowman. d. Philippians 4 filter i. Philippians 4: 8 (NAS) 1. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. ii. This is what Peter is saying in v. 24, 25 1. When you contaminate your body, then the glory or production/fruition of your life is seen as contaminated. e. Illustration i. After a violent storm one night, a large tree, which over the years had become a stately giant, was found lying across the pathway in a park.  Nothing but a splintered stump was left.  Closer examination showed that it was rotten at the core because thousands of tiny insects had eaten away at its heart.  The weakness of that tree was not brought on by the sudden storm; it began the very moment the first insect nested within its bark.  With the Holy Spirit’s help, let’s be very careful to guard our purity. f. When you allow your life to wither away by impurities such as the ants were to the tree, then your life will no longer stand for the purities that have been eaten away. g. Peter is stating … i. You have to prepare your minds with purity found through obeying His Word. II. Keep yourself Sober from ungodly desires a. Illustration i. Steph rejecting my kiss on our first date. 1. I was drunk with the thought that every woman wanted it. b. v. 14 - 16 – Keep Sober – by not conforming to former lusts, do not conform to lusts, but be holy. i. Romans 12: 1 – 2 (NAS) 1. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of god is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. c. What does sober mean? i. Conforming our minds to be like Christ. ii. Do not let your mind get drunk off of the temptation of the sin. iii. How can we do that? 1. abstain from evil appearances a. 1 Thessalonians 5: 22 i. Abstain from every form of evil. 2. Self – control a. Galatians 5: 22, 23 i. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ii. It will take self control to avoid appearances of temptation 3. be a workman that is not ashamed of a folly that he/she didn’t commit. a. 2 Timothy 2: 15 i. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. d. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 9: 24 – 27 (NAS) i. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win.  25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.  They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  26  Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. e. Here is the issue: i. People say, “God, make me good, but not yet.” 1. People are not willing to give it all up to self – control. 2. When Peter writes, “Be holy for I (God) am holy.”  he is stating that God wants a complete holiness. f. Illustration i. C.S. Lewis writes:  When I was a child, I often had a toothache, and I knew that if I went to my mother, she would give me something which would deaden the pain for that night and let me get to sleep.  But I did not go to my mother – at least not till the pain became very bad.  And the reason I did not go was this:  I did not doubt she would give me the aspirin; but I knew she would also do something else.  I knew she would take me to the dentist the next morning.  I could not get what I wanted out of her without getting something more, which I did not want.  I wanted immediate relief rom my pain; but I could not get it without having my teet set permanently right.  And I knew those dentists; I knew they would start fiddling about wiwht all sorts of toerh teeth which had not yet begun to ache.  Our Lord is like the dentists.  Dozens of people go to him to be cured of some particular sin.  Well, he will cure it all right, but he will not stop there.  That may be all you asked; but if you once call him in, he will give you the full treatment. g. The first step to complete holiness and the third aspect of Peter’s verse:  III. III. Place your Hope on Jesus a. Hope means hoping when things are hopeless, or it is no virtue at all … As long as matters are really hopeful, hpe is mere flattery or platitude; it is only when everything is hopeless that hope begins to be  a strength. i. G.K Chesterton, Signs of the Times, April 1993, p. 6. b. v. 17 – 19 – Hope on Jesus - conduct in fear, know that redemption is found in the Blood of Jesus i. V. 17  - What is fear? 1. Respect, reverence, awe. a. 3 words that are words similar to actions of caution. i. We are to act cautiously in this world. 1. many times our actions are haphazard. ii. Why should our conduct not be haphazard? 1. b/c v. 18, 19 – it  was redeemed by the word of someone precious c. Illustration i. John Newton was a rough, dirty sailor with a foul mouth and an appetite for rotten living.  He hated life and life hated him.  He was captain of a slave ship.  Then someone placed in his hands a copy of Thomas a Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ.  He also had the gift of a good mother who told him about the Saviour when he was young.  And then he was saved.  He went all over England sharing his faith.  We past his “retirement” age, he had to have an assistant stand in the pulpit with him on Sundays.  He was nearly blind and spoke in whispers, but nothing could keep him from preaching while he still had breath. ii. One Sunday, while delivering his message he repeated the sentence:  “Jesus Christ is precious.”  His helper whispered to him “But you have already said that twice.”  Newton turned to his helper and said loudly, “Yes, I’ve said it twice, and I’m going to say it again.”  The stones in the ancient sactuary fairly shook as the grand old preacher said again:  “Jesus Christ is precious!” IV. Invitation a. We need to be desensitized to sin. i. That means when we hear cursing we shudder ii. When we see vulgarity, we get sick to our stomachs iii. And when we experience the love of Christ, we weep b/c we are no longer desensitized about the sin around us. 1. We are now sensitive to the Lord within us.

ABANDON Steve Lyons will be remembered as the player who dropped his pants. He could be remembered as an outstanding infielder ... as the player who played every position for the Chicago White Sox ... as the guy who always dove into first base ... as a favorite of the fans who high fived the guy who caught the foul ball in the bleachers. He could be remembered as an above-average player who made it with an average ability. But he won't. He'll be remembered as the player who dropped his pants on July 16, 1990. The White Sox were playing the Tigers in Detroit. Lyons bunted and raced down the first-base line. He knew it was going to be tight, so he dove at the bag. Safe! The Tiger's pitcher disagreed. He and the umpire got into a shouting match, and Lyons stepped in to voice his opinion. Absorbed in the game and the debate, Lyons felt dirt trickling down the inside of his pants. Without missing a beat he dropped his britches, wiped away the dirt, and ... uh oh ...twenty thousand jaws hit the bleachers' floor. And, as you can imagine, the jokes began. Women behind the White Sox dugout waved dollar bills when he came onto the field. "No one," wrote one columnist, "had ever dropped his drawers on the field. Not Wally Moon. Not Blue Moon Odom. Not even Heinie Manush." Within twenty-four hours of the "exposure," he received more exposure than he'd gotten his entire career; seven live television and approximately twenty radio interviews. "We've got this pitcher, Melido Perex, who earlier this month pitched a no-hitter," Lyons stated, "and I'll guarantee you he didn't do two live television shots afterwards. I pull my pants down, and I do seven. Something's pretty skewed toward the zany in this game." Fortunately, for Steve, he was wearing sliding pants under his baseball pants. Otherwise the game would be rated "R" instead of "PG-13." Now, I don't know Steve Lyons. I'm not a White Sox fan. Nor am I normally appreciative of men who drop their pants in public. But I think Steve Lyons deserves a salute. I think anybody who dives into first base deserves a salute. How many guys do you see roaring down the baseline of life more concerned about getting a job done than they are about saving their necks? How often do you see people diving headfirst into anything? Too seldom, right? But when we do ... when we see a gutsy human throwing caution to the wind and taking a few risks ... ah, now that's a person worthy of a pat on the ... back. So here's to all the Steve Lyons in the world. Max Lucado, In the Eye of the Storm, Word Publishing, 1991 pp. 247-248. steve lyons identity was drastically altered by one action in his life. One action in our life should alter our identity.. 1 Peter 2: 4 - 12 (NAS) 4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being build up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture:  "Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed."  7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, "The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone," 8 and, "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense"; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.  9 But you a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.  11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.  12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deed, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. I.    God chooses you to your race   a. God chose us BUT we get to choose what type of life to live. b. We are chosen to be living stones of a spiritual house, but we have the option to rebel and live in the house of fleshy desire. i. The Spiritual house (v. 5) vs. the house of Fleshy desires (v. 11) 1.What are the products of each? a. Fleshy desires (v. 11) i. Wage war against the soul. (Literally in Greek says - which war against the soul - there is a definite intentionality that wars here) 1. There is not an inner peace with this person. 2. There is not a satisfaction about who they are. 3. They are constantly downing others (critical of others) to make themselves feel better and look good. 4. see (Romans 7:23) (James 4:1-4:1 From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in your members?    ) (Song of Solomon 6:13) , these are enemies to the spiritual peace, comfort, and welfare of the soul; and being of a man's household, and in his heart, are the worst enemies he has; and are to be treated as such, to be shunned and avoided, watched and guarded against; for though they cannot destroy the souls of true believers, they may bring much leanness upon them, and greatly distress them, and spoil them of their inward joy, and spiritual pleasure. b. Spiritual House (v. 5) i. A holy priesthood ii. We are living stones that are all used to build one spiritual house. iii. There is a collective thought here. 1. offering spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus a. What are spiritual sacrifices? i. Ourselves - For never can we offer anything to God until we have offered ourselves (2 Corinthians 8:5) in sacrifice to Him. ii. Our sacrifices are those of prayer, praise, and self-denying services in the cause of Christ - reference for this thought - the New Testament II.  God bestows royalty for your faithfulness c. a body of priest-kings g. Peter calls you a royal priesthood i. This is in reference to Exodus 19: 6 where God is calling the house of Jacob and the children of Israel a kingdom of priests. h. Wesley's Commentary notes the reference in Revelation 1: 6 i. John states that Christ set us free from sin so that we can be kingdoms and priests to serve God. ii. As princes, we have power with God and we have a victory over sin, the world and the devil. iii. As priests we are consecrated to God to offer us spiritual sacrifices. i. We can also note that the adjective modifies the noun. i. You cannot have any type of royalty with having the priestliness first. ii. Galatians 5: 1 1. it was for freedom that Christ has set us free. iii. Christ set us free is the salvation process and the freedom mentioned here is the freedoms, the royalties if you will, that a believer has a right to obtain. j. We first must be set free from our sin and transgressions before we can ever experience the freedoms, royalties, and fruits of the Spirit. k. In the writing Sanctity of Life, Chuck Swindoll reports about a famous football player.  He writes that the "quarterback ESPN commentator Joe Theismann, allegedly explaining to his soon-to-be-ex second wife why he had an affair: "God wants Joe Theismann to be happy." i. People want the freedoms that God has to give us without surrendering their complete existence to God. ii. The Bible declares that God wants us to be holy not happy (Leviticus 19). We have got to understand that the adjective in this verse in Peter modifies the noun.  You cannot have the royalties of happiness and joy without having the commitment of being a priest, a Christian. III. god sanctifies you for the church This thought goes against the thought that you don't need church to be a christian .. Hebrews 10: 25 - 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Someone said that a rule of the vietnam war was "to get singled out was to get picked off." The emerging generation is about community.  This is why we have Connect Groups. d. You are one living stone i. You are part of a spiritual house e. You are aliens and strangers i. Life Application Bible states 1.  As believers, we are "aliens and strangers" in this world, because our real home is with God.  Heaven is not he pink - cloud and - harp existence popular in cartoons.  Heaven is where God lives.  Life in heaven operates according to God's principles and values, and it is eternal and unshakable. IV. A People of God's own possession I have realized in marriage that everything belongs to us, there is no independant ownership, b/c we are of one flesh.  If you truly are one of God's children, then that implies that everything in your life is not just yours, but God's as well. During WWII six Navy pilots left their aircraft carrier on a mission. After searching the seas for enemy submarines, they tried to return to their ship shortly after dark. But the captain had ordered a blackout of all lights on the ship. Over and over the frantic pilots radioed, asking for just one light so they could see to land. But the pilots were told that the blackout could not be lifted. After several appeals and denials of their request, the ship's operator turned the switch to break radio contact--and the pilots were forced to ditch in the ocean.   Today in the Word, MBI, October, 1991, p. 12. f. Sometimes in life, we go out from our own home, to fly our own mission. g. When we need to get back and find stability at home, we find ourselves begging for just one light. i. Some stay focused and may see the light, some do not and end up ditching their life into life's ocean. ii. God's has turned a light on today. 1. For all to see, b/c He wants you as His faithful child to understand that you have been called out of the darkness to proclaim His wonderful light.

Staying the Course sermon series Week 4 – The Rebellious Runaway 1 peter 2: 13 - 25 This illustrations is well known but here it is for the record: In U.S. Navel Institute Proceedings, the magazine of the Naval Institute, Frank Koch illustrates the importance of obeying the Laws of the Lighthouse. Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days. I was serving on the lead battleship and was on watch on the bridge as night fell. The visibility was poor with patchy fog, so the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities. Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing reported, "Light, bearing on the starboard bow." "Is it steady or moving astern?" the captain called out. The lookout replied, "Steady, Captain," which meant we were on a dangerous collision course with that ship. The captain then called to the signalman, "Signal that ship: 'We are on a collision course, advise you change course twenty degrees.'" Back came the signal, "Advisable for you to change course twenty degrees." The captain said, "Send: "I'm a captain, change course twenty degrees.'" "I'm a seaman second-class," came the reply. "You had better change course twenty degrees." By that time the captain was furious. He spat out, "Send: 'I'm a battleship. Change course twenty degrees.'" Back came the flashing light, "I'm a lighthouse." We changed course. ** Obedience must be preceded by humbleness. Max Lucado, In the Eye of the Storm, Word Publishing, 1991, p. 153. I. Honor God through your humility (v. 13 – 16) SAY Be humble or you'll stumble. D.L. Moody. a. What is Peter telling us is the Godly way to view authority? i. V. 13 – submit to every human institution. 1. king, governor. 2. In Peter’s day, the Roman emperor was Nero. a. Notoriously cruel tyrant also described as:  artistic, sporting, brutal, weak, sensual, erratic, extravagant, sadistic, bisexual - and later in life almost certainly deranged ii. We are not to compromise our conscience, because Peter has told high priests years before “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5: 29) 1. There are those that live in a land that is repressive, what do we do? a. We are commanded to cooperate with the rulers as far as conscience will allow. iii. Three possibilities that the Life Application highlight (Romans 13) 1. Some Christians believe that the government is so corrupt that Christians should have as little as possible to do with it. a. Although they should still be good citizens 2. Some believe that God has given the government authority in certain areas and the church in others. a. Christians can be loyal to both and can work for either, but should not confuse the two. 3. Other Christians believe that they have a responsibility to make the state better. a. They feel the necessity to vote. iv. NONE of these views advocate rebelling against or refusing to obey the government. 1. Why? a. For the Lord’s sake b. V. 15 – will of God c. V. 15 – your submission silences ignorance of foolish men. v. In light of authority, we must act as free men (v. 16) 1. Do not use freedom to cover your evil, but as slavery to God (v. 16) b. V. 17 - Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. i. No where is there anything about holding self higher than people, brotherhood, God, king. ii. Fear God . . . the king--The king is to be honored; but God alone, in the highest sense, feared. – JFB iii. 3. The reasons to enforce this duty are, (1.) For the Lord’s sake, who had ordained magistracy for the good of mankind, who has required obedience and submission (Rom. 13), and whose honour is concerned in the dutiful behavior of subjects to their sovereigns. (2.) From the end and use of the magistrate’s office, which are, to punish evil-doers, and to praise and encourage all those that do well. They were appointed for the good of societies; and, where this end is not pursued, the fault is not in their institution but their practice. [1.] True religion is the best support of civil government; it requires submission for the Lord’s sake, and for conscience’ sake. [2.] All the punishments, and all the magistrates in the world, cannot hinder but there will be evil-doers in it. [3.] The best way the magistrate can take to discharge his own duty, and to amend the world, is to punish well and reward well. (3.) Another reason why Christians should submit to the evil magistrate is because it is the will of God, and consequently their duty; and because it is the way to put to silence the malicious slanders of ignorant and foolish men, v. 15. When Christian Herter was governor of Massachusetts, he was running hard for a second term in office. One day, after a busy morning chasing votes (and no lunch) he arrived at a church barbecue. It was late afternoon and Herter was famished. As Herter moved down the serving line, he held out his plate to the woman serving chicken. She put a piece on his plate and turned to the next person in line. "Excuse me," Governor Herter said, "do you mind if I have another piece of chicken?" "Sorry," the woman told him. "I'm supposed to give one piece of chicken to each person." "But I'm starved," the governor said. "Sorry," the woman said again. "Only one to a customer." Governor Herter was a modest and unassuming man, but he decided that this time he would throw a little weight around. "Do you know who I am?" he said. "I am the governor of this state." "Do you know who I am?" the woman said. "I'm the lady in charge of the chicken. Move along, mister." Bits & Pieces, May 28, 1992, pp. 5-6. II. Find Divine Favor through humility (v. 18 – 20) a. Have you ever wished that someone was on your side? SAY Be humble or you'll stumble. b. Exposition i. Peter goes even more specific with his conduct of submission. 1. Not just should we honor the government, but our personal employers. ii. In your current employment, you are to submit to your employer. 1. If your employer is  good and gentle OR unreasonable, it doesn’t matter. iii. For you to find favor in God’s eyes, you are to submit yourself to your employer. iv. How do we find favor in the midst of an unreasonable employer 1. Do what is right at all times 2. Patiently endure the job. 3. OR get out of there. c. God-ordained authorities: i. Government: Rom 13, 1 Pt 2:17 Employer: Eph 6, 1 Pt 2:18 Husband: 1 Pt 3:1, Col 3:18, Eph 5:22 Parent: Eph 6 Elders: Heb 13:17 I am the least of the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:9 I am the very least of all the saints. Ephesians 3:8 I am the foremost of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15 ii. iii. It’s not your place to buck up against authority or to rebel against them. d. Illustration Elisabeth Elliot, at Urbana 76, told of her brother Thomas Howard. Their mother let him play with paper bags she'd saved if he put them away afterwards. One day she walked into the kitchen to find them strewn all over the floor. Tom was out at the piano with his father singing hymns. When confronted, he protested, "But Mom, I want to sing." His father stated, "It's no good singing God's praise if you're disobedient." Elisabeth Elliot. i. Play clip of Emperor’s New Groove – Disobedience to Employer e. Application i. We are to be obedient to those that are over us. III. Return to the right position of humility (v. 21 – 25) a. Exposition i. The humility of Christ is our example 1. he suffered a. an example for us to follow 2. committed no sin 3. he was reviled a. he did not return the revile Walter Cronkite recalls the following incident: Sailing back down the Mystic River in Connecticut and following the channel's tricky turns through an expanse of shallow water, I am reminded of the time a boatload of young people sped past us here, its occupants shouting and waving their arms. I waved back a cheery greeting and my wife said, "Do you know what they were shouting?" "Why, it was 'Hello, Walter,'" I replied. "No," she said. "They were shouting, "Low water, Low water.'" Such are the pitfalls of fame's egotism. Ray Ellis and Walter Cronkite, North by Northeast. ii. Philipppians 2: 7 – Jesus of no reputation iii. We need to return to the Father, so that He can guard and shepherd over our weary souls. b. Illustration A truly humble man is hard to find, yet God delights to honor such selfless people. Booker T. Washington, the renowned black educator, was an outstanding example of this truth. Shortly after he took over the presidency of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, he was walking in an exclusive section of town when he was stopped by a wealthy white woman. Not knowing the famous Mr. Washington by sight, she asked if he would like to earn a few dollars by chopping wood for her. Because he had no pressing business at the moment, Professor Washington smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and proceeded to do the humble chore she had requested. When he was finished, he carried the logs into the house and stacked them by the fireplace. A little girl recognized him and later revealed his identity to the lady. The next morning the embarrassed woman went to see Mr. Washington in his office at the Institute and apologized profusely. "It's perfectly all right, Madam," he replied. "Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor. Besides, it's always a delight to do something for a friend." She shook his hand warmly and assured him that his meek and gracious attitude had endeared him and his work to her heart. Not long afterward she showed her admiration by persuading some wealthy acquaintances to join her in donating thousands of dollars to the Tuskegee Institute. Our Daily Bread. c. i. Cling to the Father. d. Application i. If you cling to the Father, then He will guard your life. IV. Invitation a. For centuries people believed that Aristotle was right when he said that the heavier an object, the faster it would fall to earth. Aristotle was regarded as the greatest thinker of all time, and surely he would not be wrong. Anyone, of course, could have taken two objects, one heavy and one light, and dropped them from a great height to see whether or not the heavier object landed first. But no one did until nearly 2,000 years after Aristotle's death. In 1589 Galileo summoned learned professors to the base of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then he went to the top and pushed off a ten- pound and a one-pound weight. Both landed at the same instant. The power of belief was so strong, however, that the professors denied their eyesight. They continued to say Aristotle was right. i. Bits & Pieces, January 9, 1992, pp. 22-23. b. Although having proof that Galileo was right, the professors disregarded their own sight in order to hold up their previously held traditional beliefs.

Staying on Course sermon series With this video in mind, it is no wonder, that marriages are in such bliss today. - humans are very interesting creatures. - We can say that we love someone one minute and then go head over heals for something like a car. o Our concept of love is misconstrued. o Many Americans are willing to die for their dog or cat, but will not speak one word to their neighbor because they looked at them wrong. o It is no wonder that the position of marriage is in such disarray today. o Look at these stats: The latest US Census Bureau and National Center for Health Statistics contain updates through June, 2003.  The Census 2000 data has not yet been fully incorporated, however.  Selected charts have been updated (and some reproduced here) based upon the new data.  Since collection of records of total divorces ended in 1998, some charts are no longer being updated. • The ratio of marriages to divorces is 2 to 1 (Marriages and Divorces). •  •  • Total Marriages showed a sharp drop in 1998. •  • Marital Status for Females 15 and over (1950 - 2003) shows that the population of unmarried women will soon surpass the number of married women.  This indicates a rejection of the Divine Institution of Marriage by the population. •  • The number of Unmarried Couple Households (liveins) is increasing steadily. •  • Where are the children living (with one or two parents) due to divorce?  Children living with only one parent has increased from 9% in 1960 to 28% in 2002.  Of those 84% of the children live with the mother. •  • Due to the misunderstanding of roles in marriage, the status of marriage is in a state of bankruptcy o There are feminist groups and homosexual groups all across this nation that are distorting the proper view of marital positions and responsibilities. o The 1st step in fighting these perverse views and win marriages back over to success is to learn our loving roles in marriage o SAY:  Learn our role and shut our hole! • Peter has a proper perspective for us: 1 Peter 3: 1 – 7 1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. 3 You adornment must not be merely external – braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.  5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.  7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. I. Ladies, you need to submit for his salvation a. V. 1 – You submission to your man is a way to win him to the Lord. b. Submit as Christ submitted himself to the bettering of the human race. i. You may say, but my husband is not godly. 1. I say, WHY did you marry him? 2. This is a forewarning to those that are considering marriage. 3. If you are not evenly yoked as the Bible tells us that we ought to be, then you are doing yourselves, your God, your children and your community a great disservice. a. Because all you’ll be is a mess. ii. You can submit without compromising your biblical mandates. 1. 1 Corinthians 7: 10 – 15 a. 10 But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband 11 (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. 15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. c. A test for women that are interested in dating someone. i. If you are unwilling to completely submit to this man, then you are not ready for marriage. 1. 1 Timothy 2: 9 – 15 (NAS) a. 11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint. ii. Don’t get puffed up – the Bible only asks you to submit, the Bible asks the man to die to self and give to God and family. d. Illustration: The speaker at our woman's club was lecturing on marriage and asked the audience how many of us wanted to "mother" our husbands. One member in the back row raised her hand. "You do want to mother your husband?" the speaker asked. "Mother?" the woman echoed. "I thought you said smother." Reader's Digest, October, 1993. e. If you are a single woman, how can you today begin to submit to your future husband (if you know him or not) i. By keeping yourself pure ii. By keeping His word iii. By learning from experienced women, how to respect a man. iv. By submitting your dress attire to God. 1. It’s time that we had some women of this community stand up, be an example to others and put some clothes on. 2. Button up that shirt, get some bagginess in those pants. 3. Transition:  Quit dressing like a floozy, trying to draw men’s eyes your way. II. Ladies you have to dress for success a. External (v. 3 – 4) i. Hair, accessories, clothing ii. Illustration: Soon after our last child left home for college, my wife was resting next to me on the couch with her head on my shoulder. I carefully removed his glasses. "You know, honey," I said sweetly, "without your glasses you look like the same gorgeous young woman I married." "Honey," she replied with a grin, "without my glasses, you still look pretty good too!" iii. Paul acknowledges the need of a woman to shop. 1. Paul is saying that the external should not compromise the internal beauty. a. Because the internal beauty is where it is at. 2. It might be time that you shopped for some new clothing. 3. Just because it is the style, it does not mean that you have to do it. iv. JOKING -- There used to be styles:  LOOFA and tight roll pants 1. NOWADAYS – it is sagging the pants and skin tight pants v. There are some things make the woman attractive, not necessarily an evil thing, unless it is used to entice lust. vi. 1 Timothy 2: 9 – 10 (NAS) 1. 9 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, 10 but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness b. Internal (v. 4 – 6) i. Your true adornment must be a hidden adornment. 1. The adornment that you are to focus is the adornment of the heart, which are hidden qualities. ii. This clothing is not of hair, accessories, or clothing iii. This clothing is of imperishable qualities like gentleness and a quiet spirit. 1. Do you have this?  Or do you have a beast that lives inside? 2. BLAH!!! Like a pterodactyl iv. Illustration Do you and your spouse feed each other a steady diet of put-downs? If you do, your marriage could be headed for divorce court. When psychologists Cliff Nortarius and Howard Markman studied newlyweds over the first decade of marriage, they discovered that couples who stayed together uttered 5 or fewer put-downs in every 100 comments to each other. But couples who inflicted twice as many verbal wounds -- 10 or more putdowns out of every 100 comments -- later split up. Watch what you say! Little, nit-picking comments are like a cancer in marriage, slowly draining the life out of a committed relationship. Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family Bulletin, May, 1994. Transition:  The third portion of this text is the crutch of success … III. Men, it is time to step up and die a. Illustration: In order to be a leader a man must have followers. And to have followers, a man must have their confidence. Hence the supreme quality of a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, on a football field, in an army, or in an office. If a man's associates find him guilty of phoniness, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bits & Pieces, September 15, 1994, p. 4. b. If a man is to be a leader in the househould, then he must be a man of integrity! i. He must not be a phony and those closest to him must be able to believe in him. Once when Mark Twain was lecturing in Utah, a Mormon acquaintance argued with him on the subject of polygamy. After a long and rather heated debate, the Mormon finally said, "Can you find for me a single passage of Scripture which forbids polygamy?" "Certainly," replied Twain. "'No man can serve two masters.'" Louis Utermeyer, A Treasury of Laughter (Simon & Schuster). c. There are more commands in Scripture about how a man is restricted to be a man of God for his family than there are references for wives and children. d. Ephesians 5: 22 – 33 (NAS) i. 22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband. ii. If you are not understanding this, then the problem is not with the teaching it is with you. 1. Maybe you do not know Chris the way you need to (v. 32) e. What woman out there would not submit to a man that has died to his God and family. (v. 23 – Christ gave himself to the church through His death) (Matthew 20: 245 – 28 – Christ came to serve not to be served, this same attitude is for the husband as well.) f. If you are a single man, how is it that you can start stepping it up for your future wife (if you know her or not) i. You must today die to pornography, lusting and become and gentleman. g. Illustration – How can a man step up Here are 21 great inexpensive ways to tell the love of your life just how much you care. 1. Make a homemade card with a picture of the two of you on the cover. Get ideas for a verse by spending a few minutes browsing through a card shop. 2. Write a poem. It doesn't have to rhyme. 3. Send a love letter listing the reasons "Why I love you so much." 4. Pledge your love for a lifetime. Write it on calligraphy or design it on a desktop computer and print it out on parchment paper and have it framed. 5. Plan a surprise lunch, complete with picnic basket, sparkling grape juice and goblets. 6. Bake a giant cookie and write "I love you" with heart shaped redhots or frosting. (Don't worry about the calories, it's not for eating!) 7. Make a coupon book and include coupons for a back rub, a compromise when about to lose an argument, a listening ear when needed, and doing the dishes when the other cooks. 8. Kidnap the car for a thorough washing and detailing. 9. Design your personal crest combining symbols that are meaningful to both of you. 10. Compose a love song. 11. Arrange for someone to sing a favorite love song to you and your love when you're together. 12. Call a radio station and have them announce a love message from you and make sure your love is listening at the right time. 13. Make a big sign such as: "I Love You, Kristi. Love, Joe" and put it in front of your house or her apartment complex for the world to see. 14. Buy favorite fruits that aren't in season, like a basket of strawberries or blueberries. 15. Hide little love notes in the car, a coat pocket, or desk. 16. Place a love message in the "personal" section of the classified ads in your local paper. 17. Florist flowers aren't the only way to say "I love you." Pluck a single flower and write a message about how its beauty reminds you of your love. For greater impact, have it delivered at work. 18. Prepare a surprise candle light gourmet low-calorie dinner for two. 19. Write the story of the growth of your relationship from your perspective, sharing your emotions and your joys. What a treasure! 20. Make a paperweight from a smooth stone, paint it, and write a special love message on it. 21. Promise to change a habit that your love has been wanting you to change. Family Matters. IV. Invitation a. 1 Corinthians 7: 1 – 4 (NAS) b. 1 Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good R241 for a man not to touch a woman. 2 But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband. 3 The husband must fulfill F66 his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. c. If you are having difficulties understanding this, then maybe it is because of your relationship with Christ. i. It is not where it needs to be ii. If you did understand how Christ came and submitted himself to humankind, then you would understand what submission is all about. 1. You’d understand what it means to die to yourself for a greater cause. Wesley 3:5  The adorning of those holy women, who trusted in God, and therefore did not act thus from servile fear, was, 1. Their meek subjection to their husbands: 2. Their quiet spirit, "not afraid," or amazed: and 3. Their unblamable behaviour, "doing" all things "well." 3:6  Whose children ye are - In a spiritual as well as natural sense, and entitled to the same inheritance, while ye discharge your conjugal duties, not out of fear, but for conscience' sake. Genesis 18:12.  Gill’s Commentary Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands… This is an instance, explaining the above general rule; which subjection lies in honour and reverence, (Ephesians 5:33) , and in obedience; they should think well of their husbands, speak becomingly to them, and respectfully of them; the wife should take care of the family, and family affairs, according to the husband's will; should imitate him in what is good, and bear with that which is not so agreeable; she should not curiously inquire into his business, but leave the management of it to him; she should help and assist in caring and providing for the family; and should abide with him in prosperity and adversity, and do nothing without his will and consent: and this subjection is only to her husband; not to any other man, nor to her children, nor to her servants, or any brought into her house; and this consideration should render the subjection more easy, voluntary, and cheerful: and which is but reasonable that it should be; as may be gathered from the time, matter, and end of the woman's creation, she was made after him, out of him, and for him; and from her fall, and being first in the transgression; and from her being the weaker and inferior sex; and from the profitableness and comeliness of it; and the credit of religion requires it, that so the word of God be not blasphemed: wherefore it follows, JFB 1. Likewise--Greek, "In like manner," as "servants" in their sphere; compare the reason of the woman's subjection, 1 Corinthians 11:8-10, 1 Timothy 2:11-14. your own--enforcing the obligation: it is not strangers ye are required to be subject to. Every time that obedience is enjoined upon women to their husbands, the Greek, "idios," "one's own peculiarly," is used, while the wives of men are designated only by heauton, "of themselves." Feeling the need of leaning on one stronger than herself, the wife (especially if joined to an unbeliever) might be tempted, though only spiritually, to enter into that relation with another in which she ought to stand to "her own spouse (1 Corinthians 14:34,35, "Let them ask their own [idious] husbands at home"); an attachment to the person of the teacher might thus spring up, which, without being in the common sense spiritual adultery, would still weaken in its spiritual basis the married relation [STEIGER]. that, if--Greek, "that even if." Even if you have a husband that obeys not the word (that is, is an unbeliever). without the word--independently of hearing the word preached, the usual way of faith coming. But BENGEL, "without word," that is, without direct Gospel discourse of the wives, "they may (literally, in oldest manuscripts, 'shall,' which marks the almost objective certainty of the result) be won" indirectly. "Unspoken acting is more powerful than unperformed speaking" [ÆCUMENIUS]. "A soul converted is gained to itself, to the pastor, wife, or husband, who sought it, and to Jesus Christ; added to His treasury who thought not His own precious blood too dear to lay out for this gain" [LEIGHTON]. "The discreet wife would choose first of all to persuade her husband to share with her in the things which lead to blessedness; but if this be impossible, let her then alone diligently press after virtue, in all things obeying him so as to do nothing at any time against his will, except in such things as are essential to virtue and salvation" [CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA]. 2. behold--on narrowly looking into it, literally, "having closely observed." chaste--pure, spotless, free from all impurity. fear--reverential, towards your husbands. Scrupulously pure, as opposed to the noisy, ambitious character of worldly women. 3. Literally, "To whom let there belong (namely, as their peculiar ornament) not the outward adornment (usual in the sex which first, by the fall, brought in the need of covering, plaiting--artificial braiding, in order to attract admiration. wearing--literally, "putting round," namely, the head, as a diadem--the arm, as a bracelet--the finger, as rings. apparel--showy and costly. "Have the blush of modesty on thy face instead of paint, and moral worth and discretion instead of gold and emeralds" [MELISSA]. 4. But--"Rather." The "outward adornment" of jewelry, &c., is forbidden, in so far as woman loves such things, not in so far as she uses them from a sense of propriety, and does not abuse them. Singularity mostly comes from pride and throws needless hindrances to religion in the way of others. Under costly attire there may be a humble mind. "Great is he who uses his earthenware as if it were plate; not less great is he who uses his silver as if it were earthenware" [SENECA in ALFORD]. hidden--inner man, which the Christian instinctively hides from public view. of the heart--consisting in the heart regenerated and adorned by the Spirit. This "inner man of the heart" is the subject of the verb "be," 1 Peter 3:3, Greek: "Of whom let the inner man be," namely, the distinction or adornment. in that--consisting or standing in that as its element. not corruptible--not transitory, nor tainted with corruption, as all earthly adornments. meek and quiet--meek, not creating disturbances: quiet, bearing with tranquillity the disturbances caused by others. Meek in affections and feelings; quiet in words, countenance, and actions [BENGEL]. in the sight of God--who looks to inward, not merely outward things. of great price--The results of redemption should correspond to its costly price (1 Peter 1:19). 5. after this manner--with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit (compare the portrait of the godly wife, Proverbs 31:10-31). trusted--Greek, "hoped." "Holy" is explained by "hoped in (so as to be 'united to,' Greek) God." Hope in God is the spring of true holiness [BENGEL]. in subjection--Their ornament consisted in their subordination. Vanity was forbidden (1 Peter 3:3) as being contrary to female subjection. 6. Sara--an example of faith. calling him lord--(Genesis 18:12). ye are--Greek, "ye have become": "children" of Abraham and Sara by faith, whereas ye were Gentile aliens from the covenant. afraid with any amazement--Greek, "fluttering alarm," "consternation." Act well, and be not thrown into sudden panic, as weak females are apt to be, by any opposition from without. BENGEL translates, "Not afraid OF any fluttering terror coming from without" (1 Peter 3:13-16). So the Septuagint, Proverbs 3:25 uses the same Greek word, which Peter probably refers to. Anger assails men; fear, women. You need fear no man in doing what is right: not thrown into fluttering agitation by any sudden outbreak of temper on the part of your unbelieving husbands, while you do well. 7. dwell--Greek, "dwelling": connected with the verb, 1 Peter 2:17, "Honor all." knowledge--Christian knowledge: appreciating the due relation of the sexes in the design of God, and acting with tenderness and forbearance accordingly: wisely: with wise consideration. them . . . giving honour to the wife--translate and punctuate the Greek rather, "dwelling according to knowledge with the female (Greek adjective, qualifying 'vessel'; not as English Version, a noun) as with the weaker vessel husband and wife are vessels in God's hand, and of God's making, to fulfil His gracious purposes. Both weak, the woman the weaker. The sense of his own weakness, and that she, like himself, is God's vessel and fabric, ought to lead him to act with tender and wise consideration towards her who is the weaker fabric), giving (literally, 'assigning,' 'apportioning') honor as being also (besides being man and wife) heirs together," &c.; or, as the Vatican manuscript reads, as to those who are also (besides being your wives) fellow heirs." (The reason why the man should give honor to the woman is, because God gives honor to both as fellow heirs; compare the same argument, 1 Peter 3:9). He does not take into account the case of an unbelieving wife, as she might yet believe. grace of life--God's gracious gift of life (1 Peter 1:4,13). that your prayers be not hindered--by dissensions, which prevent united prayer, on which depends the blessing. What if God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make us Happy? by Gary Thomas One of the first challenges my wife and I faced in our marriage: ice cube trays. Lisa rarely filled them back up, so when I pulled out a tray it might have just two or three ice cubes left. This frustrated me to no end, so one time when my wife was talking romantically, telling me she would love me forever, I replied, “I don’t need you to love me forever. I need you to love me for seven seconds.” “What are you talking about?” she asked. “Well, I timed how long it takes to fill the ice cube trays and put them in the freezer, and that’s about seven seconds…” The next morning, however, as I prayed, the Holy Spirit set a question on my heart: If it takes my wife just seven seconds to fill the ice cube trays, how long does it take me? Seven seconds, naturally. And the question was piercing: Is my love really so shallow that I would seriously resent my wife putting me out for seven seconds’ worth of work? After all she has done for me and committed to me, am I so spiritually immature that I grow angry with seven extra seconds of labor? The sad answer was, “Yes, I am that immature.”

Staying the Course sermon series Making Peace with an Unpeaceful World 1 Peter 3: 8 - 22 (NAS) V.15 (NAS) 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; I. Make Christ an honored part of your life (but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts,) a. Show me the man you honor and I will know what kind of man you are. - Thomas Carlyle. i. You will become that which you hold dear. b. v. 18 - when we give him place in life, then the work that he worked becomes apart of us. i. 18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; ii. He gave his life, so that He could be part of ours. 1. Still referring to (Isaiah 8:13 -13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and [let] him [be] your fear, and [let] him [be] your dread.) not by making him holy, which need not, nor cannot be, he being essentially, infinitely, and perfectly holy; but by declaring and proclaiming his holiness, as the seraphim in Isaiah's prophecy, and the four living creatures in the Revelation did; and by glorifying of him, praising and applauding all his perfections, and among the rest, this of his holiness, and giving thanks at the remembrance of it; c. Illustration:  The way in which we honor, and what we honor will come to haunt us … good or bad. i. Once there was a little old man. His eyes blinked and his hands trembled; when he ate he clattered the silverware distressingly, missed his mouth with the spoon as often as not, and dribbled a bit of his food on the tablecloth. Now he lived with his married son, having nowhere else to live, and his son's wife didn't like the arrangement. ii. "I can't have this," she said. "It interferes with my right to happiness." So she and her husband took the old man gently but firmly by the arm and led him to the corner of the kitchen. There they set him on a stool and gave him his food in an earthenware bowl. From then on he always ate in the corner, blinking at the table with wistful eyes. iii. One day his hands trembled rather more than usual, and the earthenware bowl fell and broke. iv. "If you are a pig," said the daughter-in-law, "you must eat out of a trough." So they made him a little wooden trough and he got his meals in that. v. These people had a four-year-old son of whom they were very fond. One evening the young man noticed his boy playing intently with some bits of wood and asked what he was doing. vi. "I'm making a trough," he said, smiling up for approval, "to feed you and Mamma out of when I get big." d. How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets real thing, it is irresistible.  C.S. Lewis, Letters to an American Lady, New Bible Commentary, p. 28. e. A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine.  D.L. Moody. II. Be ready to give answer (always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you,) a. Illustration : when i proposed, i asked and she was already crying. I didn't get an answer, she swallowed me with a hug. b. Exposition: i. Defense literally means argument or explanation. 1. If we don’t know what we believe, then how do we expect a world to believe. a. How are they going to hear about the hope that we have unless we tell them. 2. You may say, I am weary about their reaction. 3. Read v. 13, 14 13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION , AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, 4. Why should we not fear or be intimidated a. Because Matthew 28 (Great Commission) - He will be with us even until the end of the age. 5. Servant Evangelism should tear down barriers of hate, skepticism, fear, etc. 6. v. 15 - Have understanding about your time so that you can intellectually share it with others. ii. There's a story about a proud young man who came to Socrates asking for knowledge. He walked up to the muscular philosopher and said, "O great Socrates, I come to you for knowledge." Socrates recognized a pompous numbskull when he saw one. He led the young man through the streets, to the sea, and chest deep into water. Then he asked, "What do you want?" "Knowledge, O wise Socrates," said the young man with a smile.  iii. Socrates put his strong hands on the man's shoulders and pushed him under. Thirty seconds later Socrates let him up. "What do you want?" he asked again. "Wisdom," the young man sputtered, "O great and wise Socrates."  iv. Socrates crunched him under again. Thirty seconds passed, thirty-five. Forty. Socrates let him up. The man was gasping. "What do you want, young man?" Between heavy, heaving breaths the fellow wheezed, "Knowledge, O wise and wonderful..."  v. Socrates jammed him under again Forty seconds passed. Fifty. "What do you want?" "Air!" he screeched. "I need air!"  vi. "When you want knowledge as you have just wanted air, then you will have knowledge."  M. Littleton in Moody Monthly, June, 1989, p. 29. vii. the young man said to Socrates that he wanted knowledge. 1. Socrates knew how to tell him to get to that point, because he himself had to struggle with the same quest. c. Application: i. In all that we do, we need to understand why that we do it. ii. A person with no purpose iii. A rhyme without reason is a sad state in life. iv. A Christian without understanding of his/her God is not a Christian. v. The reason for Luke writing his gospel:  1: 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. vi. The Bible speaks many times of knowing the Father and doing his will are the people that are truly his people. III. Be gentle and reverent with the ungentle and the irreverent (yet with gentleness and reverence;) a. If you live in a graveyard too long you stop crying when someone dies. i. How can you be gentle or reverent, if you are always critical or irreverent? ii. If you are dead to these things or are a stranger, then how will you know them when they are needed most? iii. How can you be gentle and reverent to others? iv. Peter tells us in v. 8,9,11 1. 8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 11 "HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT. v. He says be unified! i. v. 10, 12 - why should you be unified, why should you do the previous b. 10 For, "THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. 12 "FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL." c. Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together. Vesta Kelly. d. At their school carnival, our kids won four free goldfish (lucky us!), so out I went Saturday morning to find an aquarium. The first few I priced ranged from $40 to $70. Then I spotted it--right in the aisle: a discarded 10-gallon display tank, complete with gravel and filter--for a mere five bucks. Sold! Of course, it was nasty dirty, but the savings made the two hours of clean-up a breeze. e. Those four new fish looked great in their new home, at least for the first day. But by Sunday one had died. Too bad, but three remained. Monday morning revealed a second casualty, and by Monday night a third goldfish had gone belly up. We called in an expert, a member of our church who has a 30-gallon tank. It didn't take him long to discover the problem: I had washed the tank with soap, an absolute no-no. My uninformed efforts had destroyed the very lives I was trying to protect. Sometimes in our zeal to clean up our own lives or the lives of others, we unfortunately use "killer soaps"--condemnation, criticism, nagging, fits of temper. We think we're doing right, but our harsh, self-righteous treatment is more than they can bear. f. Richard L. Dunagin.

1 Peter 4: 1 – 11 (NAS) I. Disciplining ourselves is God’s will A would be Dr. Suesser describes what a modern day suffering may look like: What If Dr. Seuss Wrote Techincal Manuals? If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port, and the bus is interrupted as a very last resort, and the address of the memory makes your floppy disk abort, then the socket packet pocket has an error to report! If your cursor finds a menu item followed by a dash, and the double-clicking icons put your window in the trash, and your data is corrupted 'cause the index doesn't hash, then your situation's hopeless, and your system's gonna crash! If the label on your cable on the gable at your house, says the network is connected to the button on your mouse, but your packets want to tunnel to another protocol, that's repeatedly rejected by the printer down the hall. And your screen is all distorted by the side effects of gauss, so your icons in the window are as wavy as a souse, then you may as well reboot and go out with a bang, 'cause as sure as I'm a poet, the sucker's gonna hang! When the copy of your floppy's getting sloppy on the disk, and the microcode instructions cause unnecessary RISC, then you have to flash your memory and you'll want to RAM your ROM, quickly turn off your computer and be sure to tell your mom! 1 Therefore, since Christ R194 has suffered F66 in the flesh, arm R195 yourselves also with the same purpose, because he R196 who has suffered F66 in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so R197 as to live the R198 rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will R199 of God.  6 For the R205 gospel has for this purpose been preached F69 even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God. a. suffering = no sin = will of God b. b/c of the suffering and no sin the gospel is preached (v. 6) – so people know how to live in the spirit according to God i. Luke 20: 38 1. 38 "Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him ii. Ephesians 2: 5 1. 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), iii. Gospel is preached, so that men of the flesh will escape condemnation by clinging to God. 1. When clinging to God they will literally be made like Christ in death and in life. Suffering discipline A man found a cocoon of the emperor moth and took it home to watch it emerge. One day a small opening appeared, and for several hours the moth struggled but couldn't seem to force its body past a certain point. Deciding something was wrong, the man took scissors and snipped the remaining bit of cocoon. The moth emerged easily, its body large and swollen, the wings small and shriveled. He expected that in a few hours the wings would spread out in their natural beauty, but they did not. Instead of developing into a creature free to fly, the moth spent its life dragging around a swollen body and shriveled wings. The constricting cocoon and the struggle necessary to pass through the tiny opening are God's way of forcing fluid from the body into the wings. The "merciful" snip was, in reality, cruel. Sometimes the struggle is exactly what we need. II. Let your past shock them 3 For the R200 time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having R201 F67 pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable F68 idolatries. a. 4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, R202 and they malign R203 you; 5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the R204 living and the dead. b. V. 3 – all that sin is in your past i. Illustration: past life ii. Rolling story – mom taught us how to roll iii. today’s law’s make it a thing of the past iv. v. 4 – Gentiles malign you for not running with them 1. v. 5 – but they’ll get theirs. a. Those that call you out falsely will give an account of themselves b. Jude 15 i. 15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." c. 2 Peter 3: 10 i. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 2. Do not allow peer pressure to affect your decisions in life Once a spider built a beautiful web in an old house. He kept it clean and shiny so that flies would patronize it. The minute he got a "customer" he would clean up on him so the other flies would not get suspicious. Then one day this fairly intelligent fly came buzzing by the clean spider web. Old man spider called out, "Come in and sit." But the fairly intelligent fly said, "No, sir. I don't see other flies in your house, and I am not going in alone!"  But presently he saw on the floor below a large crowd of flies dancing around on a piece of brown paper. He was delighted! He was not afraid if lots of flies were doing it. So he came in for a landing. Just before he landed, a bee zoomed by, saying, "Don't land there, stupid! That's flypaper!" But the fairly intelligent fly shouted back, "Don't be silly. Those flies are dancing. There's a big crowd there. Everybody's doing it. That many flies can't be wrong!"  Well, you know what happened. He died on the spot. Some of us want to be with the crowd too badly that we end up in a mess. What does it profit a fly (or a person) if he escapes the web only to end up in the glue?  Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, p. 223-4. III. Your chief end is Godly loving a. b. V.7 The R206 end of all things is F70 near; therefore, be R207 of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. c. V. 7 – the end is near d. The nearness here has a 2 fold meaning. i. We need to guard against “loose” living because God isn’t a procastionator.  “Loose” – the attitude that “I can do it tomorrow,” “wll God won’t mind a little sin.”  Because God’s judgement is quick.  We live in the last dispensation.  He is ready to gude the world in a moment.  He will come like a thief.  It is God’s long suffering and wil that the Gospel should be preached as a witness to all nations that lengthens out the time that He is to come. ii. Peter’s thought is that second coming is near 1. each generation does 2. Acts 1: 9 – 11 9 And after He had said these things, He R19 was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the F8 sky while He was going, behold, two R20 men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, "Men R21 of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the F9 sky? This Jesus, who has R22 been taken up from you into heaven, will come R23 in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven." a. Why are you lookin’ in the sky 3. Southern Gospel Songs focus on death and heaven 4. So many people focus on heaven and things to come instead of things around. a. Christians are good at having God on their side when they fuss among each other and typically dismiss the situation because heaven is near, instead of working and suffering for love i. V. 8 , 9 - 8 Above all, keep R208 fervent in your love for one another, because love R209 covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be R210 hospitable to one another without complaint. ii. Focus on love and peace We do not have the opportunity to trade people in for something else that we think that we would love better. Dear Tech Support: Last year I upgraded from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0. I soon noticed that the new program began unexpected child processing that took up a lot of space and valuable resources. In addition, Wife1.0 installed itself into all other programs and now monitors all other system activity. Applications such as VideoGameNight 10.3, Football 5.0, Hunting and Fishing 7.5, and Racing 3.6 no longer run, crashing the system whenever selected.  I can't seem to keep Wife 1.0 in the background while attempting to run my favorite applications. I'm thinking about going back to Girlfriend 7.0, but the uninstall doesn't work on Wife 1.0. Please help! Thanks, A TroubledUser                   (SEE REPLY BELOW) ______________________________________ REPLY: Dear Troubled User: This is a very common problem about which men are complaining. Many people upgrade from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0, thinking that it is   just a Utilities and Entertainment program.  Wife 1.0 is an OPERATING SYSTEM and is designed by its Creator to run EVERYTHING!!! It is also impossible to delete Wife 1.0 and to return to Girlfriend 7.0. It is impossible to uninstall, or purge the program files from the system once installed. You cannot go back to Girlfriend 7.0 because Wife 1.0 is designed to not allow this.  I recommend that you keep Wife1.0 and work on improving the situation. I suggest installing] the background application "Yes Dear" to alleviate software augmentation. The best course of action is to enter the command C:\APOLOGIZE because ultimately you will have to give the APOLOGIZE command before the system will return to normal anyway. Wife 1.0 is a great program, but it tends to be very high maintenance. Wife 1.0 comes with several support programs, such as Clean and Sweep 3.0, Cook It 1.5 and Do Bills 4.2. However, be very careful how you use these programs. Improper use will cause the system to launch the program NagNag Nag 9.5. Once this happens,  the only way to improve the performance of Wife 1.0 is to purchase additional software. I recommend Flowers 2.1 and Diamonds 5.0! Best of luck, Tech Support We can’t trade people in for things we would love better.  We have to love those around us at all times. IV. Invitation a. V. 10, 11 10 As R212 each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards R213 of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever R214 speaks, is to do so as F72 one who is speaking the utterances R215 of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by R216 F73 the strength which God supplies; so that in R217 all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to R218 whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. b. c. Our command, not choice among the brethren d. Speak as of speaking from God – no opinions e. Serve as serving God f. Why? i. So God is glorified ii. It’s not about you or them it is about glorifying God.

Temptation to sin As the Union Pacific Railroad was being constructed, an elaborate trestle bridge was built across a large canyon in the West.  Wanting to test the bridge, the builder loaded a train with enough extra cars and equipment to double its normal payload. The train was then driven to the middle of the bridge, where it stayed an entire day. One worker asked, "Are you trying to break this bridge?" "No," the builder replied, "I'm trying to prove that the bridge won't break." In the same way, the temptations Jesus faced weren't designed to see if He would sin, but to prove that He couldn't.  The temptations that we face are not designed to break us, but to strengthen us. Today in the Word, March 14, 1991. Staying the course 1 Peter 5: 6, 7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.  Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. John 11: 30 – 44 (NAS) 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him.  I. In the midst of our troubles, Jesus stays. a. 11: 6 – So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed tow days longer in the place where he was. b. Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus about Lazarus’ sickness. c. Jesus did not immediately come, but stays where He was at. i. Was His current job more important? 1. The Scripture is not clear on Jesus’ specific purpose at this place. ii. Did Jesus have a purpose in staying longer at the current place? 1. Let us examine. a. What happened in the time in which Jesus stayed. b. Lazarus’ sickness takes his life. d. Jesus knows the hurt that the family is going through, but does not give an immediate delivery. i. Why did God allow this to happen? ii. Why is Michael in the hospital iii. I don’t understand iv. It is during these difficult times that we must cling to the promises of God like never before. v. Romans 8: 28 1. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. II. In the midst of our troubles, Jesus is healing. a. 31Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” i. Mary’s faith believed that Jesus was a healer 1. In the midst of the troubles, Mary still believes that Jesus is a healer. 2. She doesn’t get made at Jesus for not being there, but professes that He is still the healer despite of her time table. b. 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, 34 and said, “Where have you laid him?  They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!”  37 But some of them said, “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man from dying?” c. Jesus has the experience of healing d. The Gospel of John points out in the first chapter i. God and Jesus are one. ii. The God of the OT is the same God of the NT e. Jehovah – Rophe – “God is my Healer” (Exodus 15: 26) i. 26 And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer.” ii. You can heal my body, emotions, and relationships! f. Healing is a process i. 43 When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.”  44 The man who had died come forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth.  Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” 1. All that is sick will to have to continue to heal as well. 2. Even at the moment of salvation there were things that had to be shed. III. Why did this happen? a. Why do bad things happen to good people (refer to the book of Habakkuk) i. God created the potential for evil by granting us freedom of choice. 1. Why did God give us a freedom of choice? a. Without choice love is meaningless 2. So this freedom will ultimately lead to the best of all possible worlds – a world in which “there will be not more death or mourning or crying or pain” ( Rev. 21: 4) 3. Those who choose Christ will be redeemed from evil by His goodness and will forever be free from sin. 4. Philemon 1: 14 But I didn't want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will. b. 2 Reasons i. 38 So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb.  Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.  39 Jesus said, “Remove the stone.”  Martha the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.”  40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” c. Believers will see the glory of God i. First part of the equation for healing. d. 41 So they removed the stone.  Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 “I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” e. Those that are around the situation will have their faith strengthened and know that Jesus Christ is Lord.