Imperishable Beauty
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Spiritual Vitality
1 Peter 3:1-7 (ESV)
1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
Sermon Outline
Subjection, when freely embraced to honor someone (v1, 6) expresses inner beauty that is a witness to what is truly beautiful.
1. Corrupted Beauty
vv3-4 “Do not let your adorning be external…”
2. Hidden Beauty
v4 “but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart”
3. Imperishable Beauty
v4 “the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit”
v4 “which in God’s sight is very precious”
v5 “this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves”
Prayer of Confession
Our gracious and kind Father, we join with the psalm writer who asked to dwell in your house, to gaze upon your beauty, and to inquire of you. We add to that the request for forgiveness. We have not sought to cultivate an imperishable beauty within us but we have worked to project an image of who we want people to think we are, or who we assume they want us to be. We have not sought after those who have deep, beautiful character, but we have been drawn to those who appealed to our corrupted desires or conformed to the standards of society. We confess we have not been gentle, but in weakness and pride we have not honored you or others. Forgive us our many sins. Plant the seed of imperishable life deep within us and cause it to grow and spring up so that our lives are a witness to the truth of your beautiful gospel. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What do you find beautiful? Brainstorm a list of things.
Why do people so easily fall for superficiality? Why are they drawn to people who are superficial? How are they tempted to be superficial?
Is gentleness an attractive quality? Why or why not?
Is beauty only visual? What other factors can lead you to look at something and appreciate it as beautiful?
What makes it hard to for your inner, hidden person, to be beautiful?
Jesus invites burdened people to himself, stating he is “gentle” (Matt 11). Why is that an important attribute for Jesus to present?
How does hope in God change our priorities and values? What becomes less important, what becomes more important?
How can an understanding of God’s love for you, and the cultivation of a spirit that is precious in God’s sight, give you freedom from the burdensome demands we feel from what others (people we know, or cultural values) want us to be?
In a marriage, how does a gentle spirit honor a spouse? What are the marks of healthy, willing submission? What are concerning signs that submission has become problematic?
What conduct do you need to develop in order to serve God in your context? Is there a challenging relationship where you need to humbly honor God and persevere in doing good? How does following Jesus shape what you can or should do?