A Heavenly Help
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
For the past few weeks, we have been in these verses and looked at verses 1-7 on the thought of “An Honorable Home” then last week, we looked at verses 8-11 on the thought of “A Harmonious Humanity” and tonight, we are going to finish up this section with verse 12 on the thought of “A Heavenly Help”...
Now I’ve mentioned repeatedly about how the commands we aregiven are a tall order, and impossible outside of knowing Christ, because it’s only when the Holy Spirit is dwelling within us that we have the power to do what we ought to do.
Now I’ve mentioned repeatedly about how the commands we are given are a tall order, and impossible outside of knowing Christ, because it’s only when the Holy Spirit is dwelling within us that we have the power to do what we ought to do. But as we have already made the connection, how can you submit to God if you can’t submit to your spouse, or to your boss, or to those in authority around you...
If we are not careful, the more we learn about the Christian life the more frustrated we can become with our inability and inadequacy in living as God desires. But remember—we can’t do this on our own or in our own strength. We must rely on Him to do His good will through us.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
If we are willing, God is able to do what we cannot do. He just needs us to place ourselves under His control—He will do the rest.
I’m glad there’s help; we have a heavenly help to live like we ought to as God’s children.
Notice this verse, verse 12 with me...
I-God is aware of our righteousness
I-God is aware of our righteousness
1 Peter 3:12 (KJV 1900)
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous,...
I’ve already mentioned this a little in the introduction, but, who are the righteous?
It’s those who are right with God.
That means two things: it means that we must have been born again, through repentance and faith in the crucified, risen, living Son of God - and secondly, it means that, as believers, we must be endeavoring day by day to give him first priority in our lives.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Often we get discouraged because we think that we are alone in this battle and that no one else cares or notices our effort to do right. Our faithfulness to God may go unnoticed by man, but it never gets past the eyes of God.
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
God is watching everything we do! He’s got His eyes on us and He knows what we are going through! This tells me that God is not detached from the lives of His people. The Lord cares about us and He cares for us like no one else can.
2 Chronicles 16:9 (KJV 1900)
9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him...
So, we know that God is aware of our righteousness, but we also see that...
II-God is attentive to our requests
II-God is attentive to our requests
1 Peter 3:12 (KJV 1900)
12 ...his ears are open unto their prayers: ...
The ears of the Lord are open to our prayers. Thank God there are no busy signals when we call upon Him. You think about this…God is never farther than a prayer away!
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him:
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him, and honour him.
Isaiah 58:9 (KJV 1900)
9 Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer;
Thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am...
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
We don’t have to drive to a church or make a pilgrimage to Mecca or the Wailing Wall in order for God to hear us. He knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts—He knows our prayers when even the words are difficult to voice.
Vance Havner said, “If you can’t pray like you want to, pray as you can. God knows what you mean. And you have good help - the Advocate who is God’s Son and the Paraclete who is God’s Spirit. They will take your feeblest prayer and make it perfect.”
We are never in a place where the Lord cannot see us and we are never in a place where the Lord cannot hear us. That comforts my heart to know that the Omniscient Lord loves me, cares for me, is watching over me, and His ears are open to my prayers.
Kenneth Wuest wrote, “What a picture of God bending down into the very prayers of His children, earnestly listening to their petitions, eager to answer them and come to the aid of those who pray. We do not have to plead with God to make Him willing to answer our prayers. He is more desirous of answering them than we are to have them answered.”
Peter is exhorting and encouraging the people of God to pray. Our heavenly Father loves us and wants to hear from us.
It’s been said, “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.”
The reason he trembles is because that weak saint won’t remain weak if he earnestly prays.
I heard Adrian Rogers say that one day when he was pastoring in Florida, the thought came to him that God answers prayer. He said, “I already knew that, of course, but that day the realization somehow hit me with new force, like a ton of bricks. God does, indeed, answer prayer!” Then Pastor Rogers said, “That being true, I would be an unmitigated fool not to pray!”
So, this one verse tells us that God is aware of our righteousness, God is attentive to our requests, and last of all, it tells us that...
III-God is angered by our rebellion
III-God is angered by our rebellion
1 Peter 3:12 (KJV 1900)
12 ...but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Peter declares a sobering statement in the last part of this verse. God’s face is against the evil. The face of the Lord being against something is a picture of judgment and disapproval.
29 The way of the Lord is strength to the upright:
But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
God is not pleased with those who live in sin. His face is set against those who reject Him and persecute His people. During the tribulation period on earth at the opening of sixth seal will be this scene.
15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
No one will be able to stand against the Lord Jesus!
While God is a loving God, we must recognize that He is also just and righteous. He rewards good but will judge evil.
It’s popular today to say “God is not mad at you no matter what,” but that’s not technically true. If you’re a child of God, then your sin is covered by the blood of Jesus and God’s wrath is not against you, you have been made a friend of God, but if you’re not a born again child of God, then...
11 God judgeth the righteous,
And God is angry with the wicked every day.
Those who do evil are separated from God and they are at enmity with God, that means they are enemies of God.
I’ve always thought it was ironic that the Church of Satan, and the Satanic Temple crowd always say, “We don’t worship Satan, we don’t even believe in Satan, we just hate Christians.” - What they don’t realize is that Satan believes in them, and by being against God, makes them for Satan!
Do you realize that everyone that rejects Jesus is a Satanist? Why do I say that, it’s because if you’re not a friend of God, you’re an enemy of God.
His eyes are either over you, or His face is against you.
The only way that the Lord’s face can be turned to a sinner is for that sinner to be cleansed from all of their sin by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
God’s only begotten Son died in my place and your place so that sinners could be reconciled to God. God does not want any people to perish, but for all people to come to repentance. If you are lost and in sin God’s face is against you. If you have never trusted the Lord Jesus Christ to save you and forgive you of your sins then you are separated from God.
Conclusion
Conclusion
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
May the Lord help us to put into practice the principles that Peter has laid out for us in this portion of this epistle.