God's Ambassadors in the Devil's Domain

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

C.I.: The Conduct of Christ's Ambassadors

I Peter was written for Xns facing trials from the world. – So far… “The Life of Christ's Ambassadors,” “The Privileges & Responsibilities of Christ's Ambassadors.” -

•  The Conduct of Three Groups of Believers, (I Peter 3)

A. The Conduct of Wives, (vs. 1-6)

1. The conduct of a Christian wife who is married to an unbelieving husband.
a. ( vs. 1-2 ), “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, as they observe your
chaste and respectful behavior.”

1) ( v. 2 ), “In the same way….” = Just as all believers submit to government, ( 2:13f ), “Submit
yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether kings….” – and masters/employers,
( 2:18 ), “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only those who are good and
gentle, but also those who are unreasonable.”
2) Submission does not depend upon who your husband is – but rather upon who you are!

b. Remember, our role as ambassadors is reconciliation, ( II Cor. 5:20 ), “We are Christ's ambassadors, as
though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
1) So if a wife wants to reconcile her husband to God – the #1 thing he needs from her is respect .
2) Repeated principle - ( Eph. 5:33 ), “…let each wife see to it that she respect her husband”
3) So a wife's conduct towards her husband – is to show respect to him out of obedience to God.
a) “But my husband doesn't deserve respect!” – Find just one area and laud him for it.”
b) Men love it! – “She likes the way I wash the car. Hmmm, maybe I'll do the dishes!?”

2. Reconciling her non-believing husband to God - has more to do with her life than her lips.
a. ( vs. 3-4 ), “And let not your adornment be merely external – braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or
putting on dresses; - 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.”
1) Peter is not saying, “Don't braid hair or wear jewelry” – or “Don't wear dresses!!!”
2) A godly Xn woman must not seek to adorn herself by calling attention to her external features
3) But rather to spend her time & energies - becoming on the inside the woman God desires!!
4) ( Pro. 31:10 ), “An excellent wife, who can find? – Her worth is far above jewels.”
5) Does it work?! – Just ask Donna Johnson…!!!

B. The Conduct of Husbands, (v. 7)

1. What we are called to do, ( v. 7a ), “You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a
weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life….”
a. “Likewise” = Just as the wives needed to submit to God's will in re: husbands, so too must we now.
1) “Live” = Physically ; spend time talking & doing together – (take care of her physical needs).
2) “Understanding” = Intellectually ; husbands should strive to learn the needs of his wife.
3) “Weaker” = Not “weaker” emotionally or intellectually – but in most cases physically .
4) “Honor” = Emotionally ; God gave her the same grace He's given us – so honor her as He has!
5) Christian husbands should therefore be the best husbands in the world!

2. Why we are called to do it, ( v. 7b ), “…so that your prayers may not be hindered.”
a. Spiritually! – The husband who fails to submit himself to God's will in all these areas… lose blessings!
1) Are we partners or competitors?
2) Are we helping each other become more spiritual?
3) Are we sensitive to each other's feelings and ideas, or taking each other for granted?
4) Are we seeing God answer our prayers?
5) Are we enriching each other's lives, or robbing each other of God's blessing?

C. The Conduct of All, (vs. 8-15) – These qualities should describe all of Christ's ambassadors…

1. Live in loving harmony, ( v. 8 )
a. “To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kind-hearted, and humble in spirit,” ( v. 8 ).
1) Harmonious doesn't mean all alike (unison). – Harmony = allow godly differences which complement.
2) ( Eph. 4:15-16 ), “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects to Him who is the head, Christ,
from whom the whole body , being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the
proper working of each individual part , causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”
3) Thus, all of us are to conduct ourselves – in a loving harmony with each other - and with God.

2. Reward Both Good & Evil… with Good, (vs. 9-14) Some people don't make it easy to “live at peace” with them!
a. ( vs. 9 ), “…not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for this very
purpose that you might inherit a blessing.” – Therefore, us receiving a blessing depends upon us giving one to others.
1) I personally believe that 90% of people merely react to whatever life gives them.
2) Yet God's people are always called to act – and this is a way that is consistent with the nature of God!
3) So, we strive to bless the lives of others in spite of how they treat us! – ILLUST: Peter, Malchus, Jesus.
4) ILLUST.: Stacy Sikes on campaign… “Did you know there is a very mean man who lives…!!!”

b. ( vs. 13-14 ), “And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? – But even if you should suffer for the
sake of righteousness, you are blessed. – Do not fear their intimidation & do not be troubled.”
1) No matter what – there will always be those who will seek to harm us!
2) Remember the theme of I Peter. – But we should always seek to do what is right!!!

3. Worship Christ – Share Him with Others, ( v. 15 )
a. ( v. 15a ), “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts…”
1) “Sanctify” = Set Apart; believers must have a special place for Jesus & to turn everything over to Him.
2) Indeed, Jesus must not be just one part of an ambassador's life; - He is our life!!

b. ( v. 15b ), “…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 respect.”
1) Living Christ's way will cause us to be seen as different – when asked – tell them about Jesus.
2) “Hope” = Worldly people's hope is only here ! – Ours is in hereafter , ( I Cor. 15:19; Col. 1:5 ), “If we
have hoped in this life alone, we are of all men most to be pitied.” – “Because of the hope laid up for you in
heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel,”
3) But our purpose must always be with the thought of converting them – so w/gentleness & respect.

CONCLUSIONS:

•  Ultimately, the sin in the world will be judged, ( cf. v. 20 ), “…the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is eight persons, were brought safely through the water.”

•  If one of our guests, you want to be certain of your salvation – then listen to what Peter says next… ( v. 21; Mk. 16:16 )!!!!