The Hope that is in you 1 Peter 3:13-17 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. Personal Evangelism, Our personal approach to it. This passage interested me “ ready to give an answer of my Hope. A defence of it . 21-25 Christ our example suffering

Introduction In the midst of a passage about enduring persecution in a Godly manner verse 15 says “but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. Nero at this time, Domitian & Trajan brought severe official persecutions later. (Many died for being a Christian). Scattered Christians suffering in Asia Minor (Turkey) What is it to sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts? What is the Hope in us? Ready or prepared to make a defense? Love for lost souls How can I be more evangelistic personally? Frustration can play can a Christians heart when we don’t the opportunities to share our faith in Christ (at work-social life – family) but it can also because we may lack confidence, fear of saying the wrong thing, embarrassment or the fear of a bad reaction to our beliefs.

but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy. ESV Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts NKJV. KJ. NASV. ASV. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. NIV. but honour the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Holman. In the heart of Christians to show awe and reverence to Christ who is Holy and perfect, when we rely upon his power, trust to his faithfulness, submit to his wisdom, imitate his holiness, and give him the glory. He will rule us completely as Master and His will should be our desire. If Christ is Lord and Master, then Christians will not fear man with his persecution. In relation to a Holy Lord, to fear Him only in awe & reverence, and not fear man and his threats. He is Lord, put Him first.

Fear God and not man. Isaiah 8:13. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honour as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. Luke 12:4-5. “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!

Fear affected Godly men of the bible 2 Tiimothy. 1:6-9. Not a spirit of fear or Timidity. Matthew 26:69-75. Peter’s denials of knowing Jesus. Acts 18:9-10. Paul told by a vision “Do not be afraid”. Exodus Chapters 2-4. Moses self doubt, lack of confidence, may’be motivation and probably fear. Fear affected these Godly men, and fear will affect us. That is why we need to always put Christ first because He is control of all things. We are all fearful at times in this body

What is our Hope? 1 Peter 1:3-4. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4. to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, Christ’s Death/Burial/Resurrection 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. A living Hope, Not a dead one ( the gods the pagan worshipped) A reason for our Hope in Christ can be answered in many ways depending on who and what is asked. Ready to make a defence against accusations/Magistrate/Enemies/anyone who asks. Always answered with gentleness and respect.

Ready or Prepared. To be ready or prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in us. 1. Confidence. 2. Knowledge. 3. Motivation. (The love for Christ and lost souls). Col 4:5-6. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Or to proclaim the gospel to the lost.

Confidence Confidence comes with our Christian growth and with that our faith in God, 2 Corinthians 3:4-5. Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, Any confidence we are going to get in sharing our hope or speaking the message of salvation comes from God, it is not in ourselves that we obtain such confidence. The power of any Godly message is not within ourselves. . Our confidence rests in Christ working in us. The Spirit of God at work in us. Our confidence is important in people we can trust, but ultimate confidence is in Christ

Confidence Christians tend to disqualify themselves from proclaiming the gospel because they feel that they are not competent enough. 2 Cor 4:5-7. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. This is what happens when Christians look in the mirror and see their image staring back at them. We see the flaws. We see the inadequacies. But God tells us that our competence to proclaim the gospel is a direct result of the power of Christ through us. Christ died FOR us. The image of the cross replaces the image of our self.

Confidence comes through Knowing and trusting Christ and His word. 2 Timothy 2:15. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Peter 3:18. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As believers, we may be asked to explain not only what we believe, but why we believe it. Andy’s Study program will bring knowledge & Confidence.

Living for before God our Father 1 Peter 1:13-16. Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” To speak rationally and not with fanciful answers. Preparing ourselves for action, growing in Godly knowledge and living our lives for him.

A Love for the lost souls John 3:15-17. that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Conclusion We will at times in our Christian lives suffer for our hope in Christ, may’be not like the early 1st & 2nd century Christians , but if we stand and live our lives for Jesus there will be times of persecution. Christ is our Living Hope. (not a Dead one). A rational answer of our hope, and not a fanciful one, to all who ask, to be ready to give an answer. Letting Christ be our Lord, gain the knowledge & wisdom from him. , to gain the confidence that is in Him, and not ourselves. With a love for the lost souls. Pray about God’s purpose in our life, how we can best serve Him.