1. 1 PETER 3:15

2. 1 PETER 3:15-17 v. 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

3. “BUT SANCTIFY THE LORD GOD IN YOUR HEARTS”  Admonition to Christians facing a fiery trial; 1 Peter 1:3-8, 13, 3:13-14 Psalm 56:3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

4. “BUT SANCTIFY THE LORD GOD IN YOUR HEARTS” Psalm 27:1 The L ORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The L ORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

5. “AND ALWAYS BE READY”  Readiness is an important trait for Christians to have:  1 Timothy 6:18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,  Titus 3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,  2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

6. “AND ALWAYS BE READY”  Readiness is an important trait for Christians to have:  2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (KJV)  Luke 12:40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

7. “TO GIVE A DEFENSE TO EVERYONE WHO ASKS YOU A REASON”  “to give an answer” (KJV)  Strong's G612 - apokrisis  Where we get the word apology  A reasoned defense of a position  Acts 22:1 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.”  Philippians 1:7, 17; 2 Timothy 4:16

8. “TO GIVE A DEFENSE TO EVERYONE WHO ASKS YOU A REASON”  Jude 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.  2 Corinthians 10:3-5

9. “FOR THE HOPE THAT IS IN YOU”  1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  Romans 8:23-25; Acts 26:6-8; Acts 24:15  1 John 3:1-3

10. “WITH MEEKNESS AND FEAR;” Strong's G4240 - praÿtēs mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness  Meek - humbly patient or docile, as under provocation from others. Dictionary.com  Strength under control Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

11. “WITH MEEKNESS AND FEAR;” Strong's G5401 - phobos Thayer’s Greek Lexicon Reverence, respect (for authority, rank, dignity) Used also in 1 Peter 1:17, 2:18, 3:2, 3:14 Proverbs 1:7; Ecclesiastes 12:13, Matthew 10:28

12. 1 PETER 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

13. BE SAVED TONIGHT!  Believe – John 3:16  Confess – Romans 10:10  Repent – Acts 17:30  Be Baptized – Acts 22:16  Be Faithful – Revelation 2:10