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Introduction:
Consider
the following verses of scripture: Fight
against them until idolatry is no more and God’s religion reigns
supreme. But if they desist, fight none except the evil-doers.
(2:192) Tell
the unbelievers that if they mend their ways their past shall be
forgiven; but if they persist in sin, let them reflect upon the
fate of their forefathers. Make war on them until idolatry shall
cease and God’s religion shall reign supreme. (8:38-39) When
the sacred months are over slay the idolaters wherever you find
them. Arrest them, besiege them, and lie in ambush everywhere for
them. If they repent and take to prayer and render the alms levy,
allow them to go their way. God is forgiving and merciful. (9:25) Fight
against such of those to whom the Scriptures were given as believe
neither in God nor the Last Day, who do not forbid what God and
His apostle have forbidden, and do not embrace the true Faith,
until they pay tribute out of hand and are utterly subdued. (9:29) Believers,
make war on the infidels who dwell around you. Deal firmly with
them. Know that God is with the righteous. (9:123) When
you meet the unbelievers in the battlefield strike off their heads
and, when you have laid them low, bind your captives firmly. Then
grant them their freedom or take ransom from them, until War shall
lay down her burdens. (47:4)
I’m sure you have gathered that these are not verses from
Christian scripture. Rather, they are from Islamic scripture—the
Koran. While there is a great deal of argument about what these
verses really mean and what they call Muslims to do regarding
non-Muslims, the point is quite clear. Make war on those who do
not believe.
This is the exact opposite of what we find in Christian
scripture. Paul explained that though we walk in the flesh, we do
not war according to the flesh (II
Corinthians 10:3-6). Ours is a warfare of the mind and
spirit, not of the flesh. We do not evangelize at the end of a
sword. Some try to point out that this battle cry of the Koran is
not quite so harsh but is only a response to those who will fight
them first. However, even with that interpretation we can’t help
but see the contrast of Jesus who said, “If anyone slaps you on
the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew
5:39). Sadly, many who have claimed to be Christians have
not followed Jesus’ message of peace. The Crusades and the
Inquisition are blights on the history of those who claim to be
Christian. But the problem here is not with Jesus’ word. It is
not even with those who twisted Jesus’ word or misinterpreted
Jesus’ word. It is with those who ignored Jesus’ word. Ours is
a ministry of peace. In fact, Jesus said, “Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew
5:9). Paul said, “If possible, so far as it depends on
you, live peaceably with all” (Romans
12:18).
While few of us would actually pull out a gun to
evangelize, sometimes we can approach spreading God’s gospel
with a warrior like spirit. We blast away with Bible verses,
dropping scripture grenades, firing our logic machine guns, and
taking no prisoners. We brag about how we blistered folks with our
logic or blew them away with the scriptures. When we were done
with them they were wasted. I’d like to share a different
approach, an approach that demonstrates the power of peace.
Instead of trying to twist someone’s arm into Christianity,
examine what Peter said to wives whose husbands were not believers
in I
Peter 3:1-6 and notice the power of peace.
Before we examine this passage, allow me to explain that I
know this passage is not primarily about evangelism, but it deals
with it. Further, I understand it doesn’t cover all aspects of
evangelism. Also, I recognize there are aspects to a marriage
relationship that provide more influence than any other
relationship. However, I simply cannot help but notice some
principles in this passage I believe we should see in all of our
evangelism. I want us to see the peace in this relationship, in
the believer, and in the evangelism. I want us to see the power of
peace in our lives and how it can be a big part of drawing folks
to Christ. Discussion: I.
See the power of peace in this woman’s story. A.
In an earlier lesson, “The Promise of Peace,” we
noticed there are three aspects to the peace God
promises—Connection, Contentment, Conviction. I want you to see
these aspects of peace in this woman and how it relates to
evangelism in general. B.
Connection:
1.
Peace is a connection with God as seen in Romans
8:31-39. It is knowing that God is with us and we are with
God. This sister in I
Peter 3:1-6 is definitely connected to God. She hopes in
God and her demeanor is precious in the sight of God. God is with
her and she is with God. 2.
In subtle ways, we can see how this peace impacts her
evangelism. Because this sister is connected to God, she doesn’t
have to manipulate her husband to gain her emotional well-being.
She can submit to him, accepting him where he is instead of
demanding that he be somewhere else for her happiness’s sake.
She can even call him, “Lord,” that is treat him with the
respect he should have because she doesn’t have to compete with
him. She’s got the connection she needs in God. 3.
How would that impact our evangelism? If we have our own
personal peace with God, connected to Him, knowing that He is ours
and we are His, would that change how we relate to lost people
around us? Would that remove our fear that they might disconnect
from us if we demonstrate the gospel to them? Would that remove
our anxiety that we might lose out on something important if they
get upset at us? C.
Contentment: 1.
Peace is contentment with what God has given us, where God
has placed us, and how God has blessed us as seen in Philippians
4:11-13. This sister in I
Peter 3:1-6 is definitely content with her place. She
submits to her husband. She does not search for another one, a
better one, a more spiritual one. She is content with her
situation. She does not scratch and claw for a better situation.
She does not parade how awful her situation is to her husband or
even to God. She is content. 2.
In subtle ways, we can see how this peace impacts her
evangelism. Because this sister is content with where God has her
she is not trying to take from her husband. Her husband is not her
overriding source of money, joy, pleasure, happiness. No, her
relationship with God provides all her desires. She is now free to
support and submit to her husband. She is free to demonstrate the
gospel to him because she is not worried about trying to get
anything from him. 3.
How would this impact our evangelism? If we have our own
personal peace, content with God’s place for us, would that
change how we relate to the lost people around us? Would that
change how we view the purpose for our relationships? When we are
discontent and have no peace, our relationships lose their focus.
We normally work on relationships that will give us something. We
steer clear of relationships with weird people, odd people, poor
people, different people because we can’t get anything out of
that relationship. How would contentment impact our evangelism as
we see people as God’s creation and not as a source for
something for us? D.
Conviction: 1.
Peace is conviction that God is in control. He is God and
we are not. We don’t have to try to do His job. We can simply do
what is right and let Him be God and work everything out for our
good as seen in Romans
8:28. This sister in I
Peter 3:1-6 is definitely convicted that God is in control
and therefore she did not need to be afraid of anything
frightening. God would take care of her. 2.
In subtle ways, we can see how this peace impacts her
evangelism. Because this sister was convicted that God was working
and in control, she did not have to try to manipulate how her
husband was going to get converted. She didn’t have lie awake at
night trying to figure out what amazing thing she was going to do
or what was the perfect lesson she had to teach to get her husband
to finally listen and obey. She would simply surrender to God and
let God do the work. 3.
How would this impact our evangelism? If we have our own
personal peace, convicted that God is God and we’re not, would
that change how we strive to present the gospel to others? Would
that stop us from thinking we must be the power behind the
conversion coming up with just the right approach, waiting until
just the right perfect moment? Would that remove our fear that
somehow we might mess it all up because we don’t know what
we’re doing? E.
Yes, I think we can see that peace will impact how we
relate to others as we strive to pass on the gospel. But why will
it cause others to be impacted by us? II.
The Power of Peace A.
There are four keys I see from this story that demonstrates
how peace will cause others to be impacted by our lives. B.
Key
#1: We will stand out from the world. 1.
The world does not have peace. John
16:33 demonstrates that this kind of peace only comes from
Jesus. If we were in the world, we would have tribulation. Those
who are in the world have tribulation. When they look at us going
through all the same kinds of stuff they go through but doing so
with peace, with contentment, connection, and conviction, we’ll
stand out. Look at this woman in I
Peter 3:1-6. She stands out among women. She is not
concerned with braided hair, gold jewelry, or fashionable
clothing. Rather, she demonstrates respect, pure conduct,
gentleness, and a quiet spirit. A made up woman trying to attract
the eye of a man is a dime a dozen. But a woman like this is
unique. She stands out. Her beauty is deeper than the surface and
she refuses to go unnoticed. 2.
I can’t help but consider the place of peace in the fruit
of the Spirit in Galatians
5:22-23. When we conduct ourselves with this fruit,
including peace, we will stand out. We will be different. Others
won’t be able to help but notice. Think about Paul and Silas
while in prison, praising God in prayer and song in Acts
16:25-33. They did not fight. They did not bask in bitterness.
They did not repudiate the jailer. They conducted themselves in
peace. When the earthquake struck and the jailer was brought face
to face with his own mortality, he couldn’t help but notice Paul
and Silas. 3.
Here is the point. We may be able to argue all the finer
points of doctrine, we may be able to expound the plan of
salvation with great fervor, but if people look at us and see that
it hasn’t helped us connect to God and face life, why would they
ever listen to us. Sadly, too often we get it backwards trying to
convince people to ignore our lives because our doctrine is so
pure. Instead, if we can stand out because the gospel has changed
our lives and given us peace, we’ll stand out and people will
want to listen to what we have to say. C.
Key
#2: We have what they want. 1.
Why would this husband be remotely impacted by his wife’s
life? Was it because she so impressed him with how amazing she was
that he had to try to live up to it to? I doubt it. That would
probably have caused him to think he could never make it. Was it
because he wanted to earn heaven just like her? No. Neither could
do that. It was because he saw something in her that he wanted.
When you’ve live for years with a person who has taken
everything thrown at them and walked through it with connection,
contentment, and conviction, you can’t help but be moved. You
can’t help but be a bit jealous. You can’t help but want what
they have. 2.
No doubt, some folks see women dressed up in gold and
designer clothes and they want that. But that never satisfies. Proverbs
23:4-5 points out that the desire for wealth never
satisfies. There is never enough. But seeing the contentment of
the righteous who is satisfied (Matthew
5:6) can’t help but impress. I don’t think everyone
will be moved and want what we have. But some will. 3.
Again, I call to mind the Philippian jailer in Acts
16:25-33. When face to face with his mortality, he wanted
what Paul and Barnabas had. He wanted the connection, contentment,
and conviction that allowed them to sing and pray instead of fret
and worry while in the Roman stocks. 4.
Once again, I call to mind how we get it backwards
sometimes. It is good to be right about God’s things. However, I
think sometimes we so try to impress people with how right we are
about so many things and yet fail to impress them with the idea
that when we are doing God’s right things it works. Matthew
7:15-20 says we can know a tree by its fruit. Sadly, we
too often expect people to ignore the fruit in our lives and just
listen to our teaching. However, if we show them the fruit of
Christ’s teaching by demonstrating love, joy, peace, etc. (Galatians
5:22-23), they are much more likely to listen to what
we’ll have to say about how to have those things. D.
Key
#3: We’ll be on their side. 1.
The main point Peter is making to sisters in I
Peter 3:1-6 is about submission to their husbands even if
he is an unbeliever. But notice what that says about her
relationship with her husband. She is on his side. She is his
supporter. She is not an antagonist. She is not the enemy. She did
not live in her relationship like she was the enemy of her
husband, so he didn’t see her as the enemy. 2.
I understand that in our relationships with other people we
are not in a role of wifely submission. However, when we are
governed by peace, our evangelism is not combative. We do not see
those to whom we are displaying the gospel as the enemy. We are on
their side. Satan is the enemy (Ephesians
6:11-12). Let’s face it. If we approach people with the
gospel as if they are our enemies, they will naturally respond by
treating us like we are their enemies. 3.
Because we are connected to God, content with where God has
us, and convicted that God is God and we’re not, we won’t have
to manipulate or fight with people. We can simply come alongside
them and help. We can recognize them as the prisoners of war that
they are and strive to free them (II
Timothy 2:24-26). What a difference it will make if we
share the gospel with them from a standpoint of friends helping
rather than adversaries beating them. E.
Key
#4: Since we are concerned with pleasing God, we’ll not be
intimidated by others. 1.
This sister was concerned about what was precious to God.
Her hope was in God, not her husband. When she lived according to
that hope, she didn’t have to fear anything from her husband (I
Peter 3:6). Don’t misunderstand, that didn’t mean that
there were never good women who surrendered to the Lord who
endured abuse from their husbands. They did. But they didn’t
have anything to fear by it. They knew the Lord would see them
through to eternity with him just as any other persecuted
Christian knew when they face abuse at the hands of unbelievers. 2.
When we are governed by peace, having connection,
contentment, and conviction, we need not fear anyone. What can man
do to us, God is on our side (Psalm
118:6)? The other points demonstrated how our peace will
impact others. This one shows how it will impact us. When we have
personal peace from God, then we have no fear of others. 3.
The point we need to understand here is that the power of
peace is not some namby-pamby watered down, don’t say anything
about the gospel to anyone but hope they just kind of pick up on
it. Rather, the power of peace means that when saying something is
the right thing to do, we have the confidence through God’s
grace and power to speak up. We can be like the apostles who stood
up to the Jewish council in Acts
4:19-20; 5:29 and speak
because we know God is with us. Conclusion:
God is the power. His is a power of peace. When we have His
peace in us, it will produce a power for evangelism that we cannot
imagine. Now please do not misunderstand. Peter was not telling
wives that their husbands would not have to hear the gospel if
they lived right. We know that faith comes by hearing and hearing
by Christ’s word (Romans
10:17). His point was that if these men saw the gospel in
their wives lives, they would not be won through verbal argument,
but would rather be won so that they would willingly listen to the
gospel their wives knew. The same is true for us. I’m not trying
to say that if you have peace in your life, folks will line up to
find salvation in Jesus by being baptized for the remission of
their sins. No. They will have to be taught the gospel. You need
to be ready to teach them the gospel. But, if they see the peace
of God in your life, before even uttering a word you will have won
them to heed whatever it is that you show them in God’s word.
Sadly, all too often we hope to get someone in a Bible study and
convince them of the truth of what we believe while ignoring what
they see in our lives. Evangelism is so much easier if we win them
by our lives and then teach them because they can tell we know
what we’re talking about because our lives are governed by
peace. If we really want to win people to Jesus, we don’t need to threaten them with swords, fly planes into buildings, or blow ourselves up as suicide bombers. We need simply show them the peace God offers through His gospel. When we do, I think we’ll be amazed at the power of God’s peace.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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