Author Archives: campspringscommunitychurch_mfry1e

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video link to this message.. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

JEROBOAM, A FOOL’S KING. DAD’S DAY 2024. I Kings 11-13

I Kings 11:29-33

²⁹ Now it happened at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met him on the way; and he had clothed himself with a new garment, and the two were alone in the field. ³⁰ Then Ahijah took hold of the new garment that was on him, and tore it into twelve pieces. ³¹ And he said to Jeroboam, “Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give ten tribes to you ³² (but he shall have one tribe for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel), ³³ because they have forsaken Me, and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the people of Ammon, and have not walked in My ways to do what is right in My eyes and keep My statutes and My judgments, as did his father David.

I Kings 12:25-31

²⁵ Then Jeroboam built[a] Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim, and dwelt there. Also he went out from there and built Penuel. ²⁶ And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom may return to the house of David: ²⁷ If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah.” ²⁸ Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!” ²⁹ And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. ³⁰ Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. ³¹ He made [b]shrines on the high places, and made priests from every class of people, who were not of the sons of Levi.

I Kings 13:1-3

¹ And behold, a man of God went from Judah to Bethel by the word of the Lord, and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. ² Then he cried out against the altar by the word of the Lord, and said, “O altar, altar! Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men’s bones shall be burned on you.’ ” ³ And he gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign which the Lord has spoken: Surely the altar shall split apart, and the ashes on it shall be poured out.”

1. A golden opportunity

                a. Solomon had been given every advantage possible                   

                             a1. He was chosen by God to rule Israel, though there were many sons of David older than he

                                a2. He had been given wisdom, wealth, power, glory, honor, peace, and servants

                b. Solomon misused his gifts for his own selfish desires

                                a1. He married 700 women and had 300 concubines

                                a2. He gathered for himself gold, artwork, animals, jewels, servants, silver, bronze, and things

                                a3. He built for himself elaborate houses and collected many chariots contrary to the will of God

                                a4. Levied heavy taxes to pay for his extravagance

                c. In the end, all of Solomon’s foreign wives turned his heart away from God

                                a1. Solomon built idols so his wives could worship

                                a2. Solomon even placed idols in the temple

                d. Due to Solomon’s sins, God raised up Jeroboam to oppose Solomon through rebellion

                e. The prophet Ahijah came to Jeroboam to inform him that God was giving him 10 tribes to rule over

                                a1. Due to Sol.’s idol worship and Israel turning away from God, the kingdom would be split in two

                                a2. Jeroboam was to rule the northern kingdom of Israel

                f. Jeroboam was not of royal blood or even highly prominent

                                a1. Like Saul, God gave Jeroboam a great opportunity

                                a2. Jeroboam knew why Solomon was being punished

2. Tone deaf

                a. After seeing what God did to Rehoboam, Jeroboam Engages in the same sins

                                a1. He builds 2 Golden Calves as idols

                                a2. The same sin of Israel in the wilderness

                                a3. This mimics Baal worship (Baal = a bull)

                b. Jeroboam did not learn from the prophet’s words or from the judgment upon Solomon’s household

                c. Dads are the heads of their household

                                a1. Their leadership is not to be self-oriented, arbitrary, or hypocritical

                                a2. They are to learn from their mistakes

                                a3. Humility, grace, and modeling are part of being a godly dad (EPH. 6:1-4)

                d. If dads fail, then so do their families and the churches they attend, as well as the nation itself

3. Sowing and reaping

                a. The prophet pronounced judgment on the altar, but Jeroboam tried to arrest him

                b. Even when Jeroboam’s hand withered, he didn’t repent

                c. Things that prevent being a godly man: pride, selfishness, stubbornness, lack of discernment, and habits

                d. God gives warnings, but we must choose to change

Key passage: Ephesians 6:1-4

¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: ³ “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” ⁴ And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message.

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video link to this message.

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message.

HOLDING ONTO ETERNAL TRUTH. Hebrews 13:7-9. 6/9/2024. #48.

⁷ Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ⁹ Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

1. Leaders indeed

                a. One of the great issues in the Bible is good leaders versus bad (a King Josiah versus King Ahab)

                b. Godly leaders are worthy to honor and follow

                                a1. Not followed for own sake, but for the sake of the spiritual wellbeing of the body

                                a2. Choosing godly leaders in a church is of paramount importance

                c. Leadership in the church

                                a1. Established by God (pastors, elders, deacons)

                                a2. The selection process of leadership, along with the qualifications are of God (Titus 1,

                                        I Timothy 3)

                                a3. Leaders govern (lit., have hegemony or authority) over the church

                d. Remember the outcome (ekbasis) of these leaders

                                a1. Usually refers to ones who have passed away

                                a2. Remember what was taught by faithful leaders who have gone before you

                e. There is a tendency for new leaders to change church

                                a1. Faithful leaders set a pattern to follow and any deviation from sound doctrine and practice must be resisted and overcome (vs. 17 and 24)

                                a2. The consistent link from one generation of leaders to the next is important in spiritual truth

2. The ever-consistent Jesus

                a. This may seem to be a random thought, but it is not

                b. The basis of truth in the church is Jesus

                                a1. He does not change ever

                                a2. We depend on the Lord being unchanging as a foundation on which we can stand

                c. Deteriorating churches have drifted away from the standard set by the Lord (Rev. 2-3)

                                a1. Many have selected love as their theme to embrace loving evil (perversion, lawlessness…)

                                a2. Others have denied the inerrancy of the Word

                                a3. Many churches compromise biblical standards

                                a4. Some churches add their own rules to doctrine

3. Avoiding error

                a. Warning against being carried away by errant doctrine

                                a1. Many cults and clever false teachings exist that promise secret exclusive knowledge and power

                                a2. Only be knowing and staying with the Word and sound teaching stops error (II Timothy 2:14-19)

                b. 2 types of error to guard against

                                a1. VARIOUS (diverse, lit., multi-colored) = many different ways to fall into error (nature of the Word, Christ, the church; practice, spiritual gifts, prophecy, salvation, leadership…)

                                a2. STRANGE (alien, foreign) – those things not taught in scripture (adding to or contradicting what is taught by the Word)

                c. The Jews were holding onto the Old Testament dietary laws

                                a1. These laws were part of the restrictions placed on the Jews under the Mosaic Law

                                a2. The food laws did not grant holiness, but were a mark of obedience (as was circumcision, offerings, the feasts, and the Sabbath)

                                a3. To add the dietary laws or any other regulations to grace is to cheapen and deny grace

                                a4. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone

                d. Heb. notes that no one ever profited spiritually by keeping dietary laws (or any other manmade rules)

                e. Guarding one’s beliefs is challenging

                                a1. II Corinthians 11:14-15 false teachers present themselves as spiritual godly servants of the Lord

                                a2. Often, errors are subtle and mixed with truth

                                a3. Any teaching that calls sin good, a work grace, an ordinance power, or a believer mystical is evil and not of the Lord

                f. Today there are no prophets, apostles, miracle workers

                g. Today the Word of God is still in effect and Jesus is Lord

Key Passage:  II Timothy 2:14-19

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. ¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶ But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. ¹⁷ And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, ¹⁸ who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Please click here for the notes from Jun 2; and click here for the notes to this message.

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video link to this message.

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video portion of this message.

EXEMPLARY CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR. Hebrews 13:1-6. 5/26/2024. #47.

¹ Let brotherly love continue. ² Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. ³ Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also. 4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. ⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ⁶ So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

1. They will know you are in Christ by these things

                a. Several epistles end with a list of holy traits & habits that should be exhibited by believers (Romans 12, 1 Thessalonians 5, Galatians 5, Ephesians 5, etc.)

                b. Not only is Christian doctrine important, but moral behavior that demonstrates our faith is as well

                c. Hebrews lists five traits of a believer: brotherly love, hospitality, concern for those imprisoned for their faith, sanctified marriages, & contentment 

                d. All five traits are proactive & require genuine trust

                e. Hebrews spent 12 chapters persuading his readers to let go of the Old Testament Law to embrace Christ completely

                                a1. Now, he assumes they are true believers

                                a2. By demonstrating Christian behavior, they give evidence that they are truly in the faith

2. An active love

                a. The first three traits indicate an expanding circle of love: to brethren; to strangers; to prisoners

                b. Love within the body of Christ is essential

                                a1. John 13:34 Christ used it as the #1 evidence of being a disciple (love one another)

                                a2. 1 Corinthians 13:13 Paul called love the first virtue

                                a3. James 2: James stated love must be shown

                                a4. I John 4:7-16 John states that those who do not love others do not know God at all

                c. Even though love begins within the body of Christ, it spreads out from there

                                a1. Entertaining strangers is more than being polite or courtesy to them

                                a2. In Bible times, Christians took in traveling strangers, particularly poor Christians

                                a3. Hospitality rather than hostility toward strangers allows Christ to work through us

                                a4. God often sends people our way (divine appointments) to give us a message from Him (Genesis 18 even a disguised angel)

                d. Remember the prisoner (Matthew 25 especially, believers imprisoned for faith)

                                a1. Remember in thoughts, prayers, & visits

                                a2. Voice of the Martyrs started to focus on those in foreign lands imprisoned for their faith

                                a3. Treat them as if you are a fellow prisoner

3. Honorable marriage

                a. Genesis 2:24 God sanctified marriage

                                a1. The only legitimate intimacy is through a bond of marriage (designed for life)

                                a2. Fornication, homosexuality, adultery, polygamy, or any other sexual relationship is sinful & will be judged

                b. What happens in the marriage bed is honorable & God had designed marital intimacy to be pure, pleasing, &  productive

4. Be content

                a. Several places in scripture urge us not to covet

                                a1. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 godliness with contentment is great gain

                                a2. Matthew 6 having food & raiment, be content

                b. No matter what situation we are in, the Lord is always with us, so we have nothing to fear

                c. Romans 8:28 the Lord is always here to help

                d. What can man do to me?

                                a1. Romans 8:31-39 if Christ is for me, who can be against me?

                                a2. The Lord has our backs & allows nothing in our lives that He will not use for His glory

Key passage:  1 John 4:7-16⁷ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ⁸ He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. ⁹ In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. ¹³ By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. ¹⁵ Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. ¹⁶ And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message.

HE WHO SPEAKS FROM HEAVEN. Hebrews 12:25-29. 5/26/2024. #47.

²⁵ See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, ²⁶ whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” ²⁷ Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. ²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. ²⁹ For our God is a consuming fire.

1. The command voice

                a. When God manifested Himself in the OT, there was fear and trembling

                                a1. Fire consuming the rebellious Levites

                                a2. Mt. Sinai quaking in giving of the Law

                                a3. Nebuchadnezzar struck with madness

                                a4. A plague at Baal Peor

                                a5. Fire descending at Mt. Carmel

                b. At each manifestation of God, there were consequences for disobedience

                                a1. Vipers among the disobedient Israelites

                                a2. A generation was not allowed to enter the land

                                a3. Moses was not allowed to enter the land

                                a4. Jonah was swallowed by a fish

                                a5. David experienced turmoil and death in his family

                                a6. Uzziah was struck down with leprosy

                c. The voice of God spoke of His holiness

                                a1. The love of God is emphasized by believers

                                a2. We must not forget the holiness of God

                                a3. When God spoke it moved men to act, however, men returned to evil when fear wore off

                d. The earth is a shakable thing (i.e., the Flood)

                                a1. God’s demonstration of power showed His holiness and willingness to punish disobedience

                                a2. A warning should have been sufficient, but most often, it was not (Genesis 2-3)

                e. Voice of God elicited fear, but often on obedience

2. From shakable to unshakable

                a. God, who shook earth, will shake both heaven and earth (Revelation. 12:7-12), before His unshakable kingdom comes

                b. Haggai 2:6 God’s great power seen in His Incarnate Son

                                a1. He did not come to threaten man, but to save him

                                a2. Jesus’s call to salvation is a call to peace with God through His sacrifice

                c. Through Christ we can move from what was shaken to what can never be shaken

                                a1. To hold onto the fear of the Law was to hold on to the terror of its provisions

                                a2. Heb. invites all to reject the certain terror of judgment to the grace found in Christ

                                a3. The New Heaven and Earth can never be shaken

                                                b1. They are not subject to sin and death

                                                b2. Under the Law, uncertain efforts led to insecure results (only faith in Lord made the sacrifices meaningful)

                d. Once the unshakable is established, there will never be again that which can be shaken or threatened

3. Serving in peace

                a. Since keeping the Law doesn’t guarantee salvation, Hebrews invites his readers to receive the Kingdom that can’t be shaken through His grace via faith in Jesus Christ (John 3)

                b. Instead of rebelling against God, we serve Him in reverence and godly fear (a pleasure to worship and serve)

                                a1. Man’s rebellion = search for independence

                                                b1. Isaiah 14 first, Lucifer in heaven rebelled

                                                b2. Genesis 3, man sought independence in Eden

                                a2. Romans 12:1-3, man was created to worship and serve God

                                                b1. As we serve Him, He puts us in charge of many things (as David as king, or faithful servants given rule over cities)

                                                b2. Ironically, those who rebel will end up alone in torment, while those who submit will rule with Christ (II Timothy 2:12, Revelation 20:4, 20:6, 3:21, Matthew 25:14-30)

                c. We were created to serve God and are only at peace doing it

                d. Those who rebel find God to be a consuming fire

                                a1. Judgment and salvation are the only 2 options

                                a2. To reject God is to reject peace, joy, and fulfillment

Key passage: Revelation 12:7-12⁷ And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, ⁸ but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. ⁹ So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. ¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. ¹¹ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. ¹² Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message.

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message.

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN. Hebrews 12:18-24. 5/19/2024. #46

¹⁸ For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, ¹⁹ and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. ²⁰ (For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.” ²¹ And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”) ²² But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, ²³ to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, ²⁴ to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

1. A tale of two mountains

                a. Heb. brings his argument to a conclusion

                                a1. He has demonstrated that Jesus was superior to angels and men

                                a2. The New Covenant was far better than Old

                                a3. Holding onto the Old Covenant was both futile and a hindrance to faith in Christ

                b. Now Hebrews contrasts the manifestation of the Old Covenant with the New (Exodus 19-21)

                                a1. The Old came with terrifying images and stern rules, regulations, and retribution

                                a2. The New comes with hope, promise, and harmony

                c. The image of the giving of the Law was frightening

                                a1. Moses went on Mt. Sinai, which darkened

                                a2. Lightning, quakes, thunder, smoke, and terror shrouded the mountain (Dt. 4)

                                a3. If anyone or any animal touched the mount he, she, or it would be put to death

                d. Mt. Zion is different

                                a1. Mt. Sinai was physical and could be touched

                                a2. Mt. Zion of Jesus’s rule is future and spiritual

2. Mt. Zion speaks

                a. When God spoke from Mt. Sinai, the people shook

                                a1. They begged God to speak anymore

                                a2. Even Moses trembled on the mountain

                b. The terror of God displayed His awe and holiness

                                a1. A God who must be obeyed or faced

                                a2. An emphasis on submission and obedience

                c. Jesus’s future rule from Mt. Zion speaks of grace

                                a1. Grace sought through compliance with laws and sacrifices replaced by grace obtained by faith in Jesus Christ

                                a2. Warnings concerning disobedience yields to promises obtained through Christ

                d. Instead of a picture of thunder and terror, Mt. Zion is a picture of peace, joy, and fulfillment

                e. Through Christ, the church becomes the chief born of God via the chief born of all of creation

                f. Saints made complete by the sacrifice of Christ where sin in judged forever and he mediates for us

                g. Genesis 4 as Abel’s blood cried out in vain for justice, Jesus’s blood made justice a reality

3. Mt. Sinai must yield to Mt. Zion

                a. Hebrews urges the reader to give up Mt. Sinai, where nothing but terror awaits, to gain Mt. Zion’s hope

                b. We can’t hold onto anything else (pride, traditions, good works, others…) and Christ at the same time

                                a1. Our hope is in Christ alone (Galatians 3:10-14)

                                a2. Faith in anything but Christ is futile

                c. The promises of glory in a realm full of angels, peace, and joy is only for those of Christ

                d. Those holding onto other things rather than Christ alone may not be saved at all (Heb. 6)

                                a1. This is the fear of Heb.

                                a2. The believing Jew wanted the comfort of tradition, as other faiths hold onto icons, church teachings, and rituals

                e. Mt. Zion looks forward to faith, while Mt. Sinai looks back to Law, which can’t save or give hope

                f. Full examination: what are you holding onto?

Key Passage: Galatians 3:10-14¹⁰ For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” ¹¹ But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” ¹² Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” ¹³ Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), ¹⁴ that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Please click here to view the sermon notes for this message.

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message.

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video link to this message..

WIFE OF WISDOM OR WOE? Proverbs 11-19. MOTHER’S DAY 2024

Proverbs 11:16 A gracious woman retains honor, but ruthless men retain riches. ²² As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.

Proverbs 12:4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.

Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.

Proverbs 19:13 A foolish son is the ruin of his father, and the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping. ¹⁴ Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

1. Sweet and swine

                a. The Word is full of contrasts and comparisons: good vs. evil; wisdom vs. folly; humility vs. pride; honorable vs. disgraceful; diligence vs. sloth; charity vs. greed; helpfulness vs. apathy; truth vs. lying…

                b. Proverbs is full of contrasts, including about men and women (a choice of behavior – Genesis 4:7)

                c. These proverbs contrasts the gracious woman vs. the indiscrete woman

                                a1. A gracious woman bestows goodwill on others, particularly, those in need

                                a2. A gracious woman I worthy of praise and recognition

                d. The indiscrete woman, even though she is attractive, is like decorating a pig

                                a1. Discretion = reasoning or judgment

                                a2. An indiscrete woman lacks judgment

                e. I Peter 3:1-3 a woman who emphasizes outward appearance over holiness lacks wisdom and opens herself to folly, deception, and sin

                f. No matter her personality, she has a choice

2. Crown or caustic

                a. Unfortunately, many marry for physical attraction, security, or just the desire to be married

                b. Few people end up being spiritual spouses

                c. A virtuous godly wife is a rare treasure

                                a1. She brings honor to her husband and he is joyful to have such a wife

                                a2. He honors her and seeks to please her

                d. By contrast, a shameful wife is an embarrassment, causing grief, sorrow, and even physical stress

                                a1. The wife who gossips, nags, fusses, embarrasses, rails, and rants burdens him

                                a2. By choosing her own selfish desires and ungracious demands, she ruins her house

                e. A wife can be a crown or a canker to her husband

3. Busy Hands

                a. A wife has a choice to either build her house or destroy it; to enhance her family or hinder it

                b. A wife can honor and be a support to her husband or tear him down and provoke him

                                a1. She can set an example to her children and train them in the ways of the Lord

                                a2. She can choose to be selfish and ungodly

                c. The wife has a choice to focus on honoring God or pursuing her own selfish desires

                d. A wise woman focuses or serving God by serving her husband and family (anything else is evil)

4. A gift from God

                a. He who finds a true wife finds a good thing

                                a1. A wife as defined by Genesis 2:24 is a helper, companion, lover, and mother

                                a2. Titus 2:3-5 she has affection for her husband and children and is a chaste keeper of the home

                b. A prudent wife is from the Lord (a precious gift)

                                a1. Wisdom is knowing what is right and prudence is doing what is right despite all temptations

                                a2. A wife who honors the Lord is a rare find

Key passage: 1 Peter 3:1-3¹ Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, ² when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. ³ Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—