Seven Secrets of Lasting Love

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: 1 Peter 3:1Marriage is one of God’s greatest gifts to us; however, because we are imperfect people, we will face plenty of problems. 1 Peter 3 shares seven secrets of lasting love.Fortify Faith“For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves...” (1 Peter 3:5).A threefold cord is not easily broken; likewise, a marriage made up of a man, a woman, and God is difficult to break.Remember Roles“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands...” (1 Peter 3:1).Man and woman are equal in worth before God, but they do not serve the same function. Each has God-given roles that must be adhered to in marriage.Adrian Rogers says, “When you look at marriage as a contract, you think about your rights. When you look at marriage as a covenant, you think about your responsibilities.”Cultivate Contentment“Do not let your adornment be merely outward… rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit...” (1 Peter 3:3-4).Like true character and beauty, contentment is inward; both husband and wife must find contentment within the home, but even more so, within themselves.Banish Bitterness“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous...” (1 Peter 3:8).We must learn to forgive one another, releasing the grudges and the burden of bitterness.Continue Communication“He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit” (1 Peter 3:10).Marriages function on the basis of communication. We must learn how to communicate because communication breeds intimacy.Refresh Romance“Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife…” (1 Peter 3:7a).The physical part of our marriages cannot grow cold; we must show consistent honor to one another.Practice Prayer“...and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7b).Finally, when we pray together and for each other, it grants us great confidence and comfort in one another. In doing so, we acknowledge that Jesus is the key to a blessed home.Apply it to your lifeWe are not perfect people, and we will not have perfect marriages. But if we build our homes upon these seven secrets, our love will last.