1. A Thought Provoking Hope
Sermon
1 Peter 3:15
A Thought Provoking Hope
Introduction

2. “We must learn to find the back door to people’s hearts because the front door is heavily guarded.”
Ravi Zacharias

3. 14] “You are the light of the world
14] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)

4. [14] Do all things without grumbling or disputing, [15] that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (Philippians 2:14-15 ESV)

5. [15] but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense 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. (1 Peter 3:15-16)

6. Point #1: Your life sparks the interest of your network of relationships - oikos.
Your growth leads to a deeper hope, which leads to their interest, which leads to their questions, which lead to your answers.

7. Before hope is a doctrine, it is a person – Jesus.
Before “hope in the Lord” is something we do, it is someone we meet – Jesus.
Before hope is a doctrine, it is a person – Jesus.

8. Point #2: Your life silences the criticism of your oikos.

9. Point #3: Your life establishes the validity of your message.
“Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example!” – Mark Twain

10. The ethic of hope can be summed up in five words: – J.I. Packer
Pilgrimage- 1 Pet 2:11
Purity – 1 Pet 1: Jn 3:3
Preparedness - Phil 1:21
Patience- Rom 8:25ff
Power- 2 Tim 4:17

11. Conversation Killers
Killer 1: An Unbelieving Heart
Do you really believe the people in your Monday through Saturday world want to talk about spiritual things?

12. Killer 2 – Pre-conversion History
“Only God knows how many of us might be two confessions away from the most significant spiritual conversations of our lives.”

13. Killer 3: OUR LANGUAGE, NOT THEIRS

14. Killer 4: DISRESPECT
Killer 5: CONTROL
Killer 6: JUDGMENT
Killer 7: COMBATIVENESS

15. As Dallas Willard says, “It’s very difficult to be right about something without hurting someone with it.”
We need to remember that not-yet Christians are not the enemy; they’re victims of the enemy.

16. The ABC’s of coming to faith –
A - Admit that you’re thirsty and need living water – That means there is GOOD NEWS FOR YOU
B- Believe that Jesus is the only savior who can satisfy your thirst.
C- Confess to God that you want to trust Jesus as your savior and Lord