1. What can we do…
1 Peter 3:13-18

2. Ever had a bad day before?
Survey – how many of you have had a bad day?
Or bad week? Or a bad month? Year?

4. How many have suffered? How many of us have truly suffered for Christ?
Have you ever been persecuted?
Have you ever been intimidated?
Have you ever been ridiculed?
All for the Gospel of Jesus Christ…

5. 1 Peter 3:13-18 (NRSV)
13 Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;

6. 1 Peter 3:13-18 (NRSV)
16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered[c] for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.

7. So what can we do… We can sanctify Christ is Lord in your heart (v.15)
Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord.
Sanctify is “to set apart, to make holy”
Know who you are in Christ or more importantly “whose” you are

8. So what can we do…
We can testify to God’s assurance and hope over your life (v.15)
Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you

9. So what can we do… We can justify the faith you have in Christ (v.16)
Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.
Justify is “to align, to line up with”

10. We are to…
Sanctify
Testify
Justify
Our walk of faith in Christ Jesus