Empowering Passionate Disciples Equipping people to passionately Live like Jesus lived, Do what Jesus did, and Advance His kingdom together.

1 Peter 3:8-17

Love One Another Fear God Be Holy Set Your Hope Salvation God’s Life & Government

Giving Witness to your Hope Peter’s Directive live a distinct life…be prepared with an answer to your Hope…1 Peter 3:15

Giving Witness to your Hope Peter’s Directive the distinct life is counter-cultural…it stands out from the crowd

Distinct Life & Ready Witness Make Disciples Matt 28:19 Seek (Luke 19:10) …Go (Matt 28:19) …As you go (Acts 8:4)

Challenges Issues of the Church Historically

Challenges Issues of the Church Historically error that has totally compromised the gospel’s power crusades, coercions, and wars in the name of Jesus arrogance and religious pride that misrepresents Jesus hypocrisy irrelevance indifference selfishness spiritual warfare fear, unbelief, lack of biblical knowledge, lack of Holy Spirit grace and power

Challenges From the World

Challenges World Philosophies World Philosophies Religious Diversity Religious Diversity Ignorance Ignorance Confusion Confusion Cynicism Cynicism Assault Assault Superficial belief Superficial belief

Giving Witness to your Hope Peter’s Directive live a distinct life…be prepared with an answer to your Hope

Giving Witness to your Hope Distinct Kingdom Living for Us

Giving Witness to your Hope Distinct Kingdom Living…the Early Church

Giving Witness to your Hope Distinct Kingdom Living…the Early Church They were Spirit-filled and empowered, They were Spirit-filled and empowered, They were holy, set apart from the world, They were holy, set apart from the world, They were generous & selfless, They were generous & selfless, They were love-filled, They were love-filled, They were hope-filled, They were hope-filled, They were joy-filled, They were joy-filled, They suffered with grace, They suffered with grace, They blessed when reviled. They blessed when reviled.

Giving Witness to your Hope Be Prepared to give an Answer Testimony Testimony Truth Truth

Understanding God’s Heart God’s Heart for the Lost & Broken

Understanding God’s Heart Matthew 9:36 (ESV) When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 14:14 (ESV) When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Mark 1:41 (ESV) Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” Luke 7:13 (ESV) And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”

Understanding God’s Heart Matthew 9:10–13 (ESV) And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Understanding God’s Heart Our Heart for the Lost & Broken

Understanding God’s Heart distinct life + God’s heart + truth = powerful witness

Context in Acts 2:42-47 Abiding In Christ Acts 2:41–43 (ESV) So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

Context in Acts 2:42-47 Loving One Another Acts 2:44–47a (ESV) And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.

Context in Acts 2:42-47 Witness to the World Acts 2:47 (ESV)... And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

The Power of Life Testimony Titus 2:10..., but showing all good faith so that they will adorn (kosmeo) the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

The Power of Life Testimony "They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners.... They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time, they surpass the laws by their lives. They love all men but are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned. They are poor, yet they make many rich. They possess few things; yet, they abound in all. They are dishonored, but yet are honored.... And those who hate them are unable to give any reason for their hatred."

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Empowering Passionate Disciples Equipping people to passionately Live like Jesus lived, Do what Jesus did, and Advance His kingdom together.