1. Faith in the Crosshairs 1 Peter Big God (1 Peter 3:13-22)

2. Review Submission to human authority for the Lord's sake Do not repay evil for evil…on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called that you may obtain a blessing

3. Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed Nothing escapes God's attention

4. Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed Nothing escapes God's attention Do I believe that?

5. …zealous for what is good Zealous= zelotes- fanatical patriots who were willing to take their lives in their own hands, sacrificing comfort, home and security to rescue their nation

6. "No heart is pure that is not passionate; no virtue safe that is not enthusiastic"- Sir John Seeley "It is only when a man falls in love with goodness that the wrong things lose their fascination and power"- Barclay

7. "I followed you, God! I lived for your glory. I've lived my life as a believer. Why am I suffering?" …even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed

8. Paul- “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered… …in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who love us"- Romans 8:36-37

9. 2 types of suffering as a result of our actions: − Suffering for doing what's wrong I earned it- I need to honest with myself about itI earned it- I need to honest with myself about it

10. If I refuse to be honest about it, I set myself up to keep repeating the pattern of action and consequence − Blame-shifting − Justifying − Comparison as a standard of righteousness

11. 2 types of suffering as a result of our actions: − Suffering for doing what's right It's unearned and not fair- I get to find out if I really do trust GodIt's unearned and not fair- I get to find out if I really do trust God

12. Nothing escapes God's attention …even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed Responses: − Why me? − It's not fair! − Bitterness and comparison to others − I trust God…I'll suffer for his sake

13. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy Christology- Jesus is God, the Lord of all heaven's armies (Isaiah 8) − All-powerful − Sovereign

14. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy Those who would hurt me I will face with fear or faith. I can't do both − Fear gives them power − Faith recognizes Christ's absolute dominion and power

15. Buddy Jesus

16. Is God in charge? − If not, there's no reason to trust him

17. Is God in charge? − If not, there's no reason to trust him − If so, there's no reason not to trust him

18. Is God in charge? − If not, there's no reason to trust him − If so, there's no reason not to trust him One leads to a life of fear and self- reliance The other leads to a faith that overcomes fear

19. …in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy Sanctify- set apart…nothing intrudes on that truth The fear of man is an indication that I've forgotten who my God is

20. How do I remember?

21. …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, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame

22. …always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you God uses our trials and hardships to reach people Christ died for with the message of his love and salvation

23. Our hardships aren't wasted, but redeemed for God's purposes and God's glory

24. …always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you A Christian who trusts God and lives by faith will be questioned- that's part of the blessing Our part- be ready to answer

25. Apologia- reasoned response, logical defense "Our faith must be a first-hand discovery and not a second-hand story"- Barclay

26. …always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you An answer: "Here's what Jesus has done and is doing in my life…"

27. …always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you − Grace: God's Gift − Faith: God's Medium − Hope: Our Focus − Love: The Result

28. yet do it with gentleness and respect − Gentleness- It's my calling to be faithful. Results are God's job − Respect- Fear and awe of God. This moment is ordained by him. I need to respect the opportunity and pray through it as I give the message

29. having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame Slander= false accusations The worst thing I can do when slandered is fight back. Why?

30. having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame Good behavior leads to: − A good conscience − Shame for those who would slander me

31. Assumes I will be slandered and reviled if I seek to be faithful to Christ

32. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you - 1 Peter 4:13

33. "Our light can swallow up your darkness: but your darkness cannot not infect our light. No, no, no. Come to us. We will not go to you. Can you really have thought that love and joy would always be at the mercy of frowns and sighs? Did you not know they were stronger than their opposites?"- C.S. Lewis

34. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil I don't get to have a "God of my understanding." If there's a problem, it's not God. It's my understanding

35. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil Suffering for doing good is always blessed and redemptive

36. Possible reasons − Sanctification- God is growing me KEY- How I handle itKEY- How I handle it

37. Possible reasons − Glorification- God is drawing people to himself through me KEY- Faithfulness to share out of loveKEY- Faithfulness to share out of love

38. Possible reasons − Identification- God is allowing me to identify with what Christ did for me on the cross KEY- Focus on JesusKEY- Focus on Jesus

39. Takeaways: − Hardship and trial will reveal what I really believe about God

40. Takeaways: − Do I honestly believe that nothing escapes his attention? − That he will bless me and redeem my hardships for his purposes as I remain faithful to him?

41. Takeaways: − When I face trials and hardships, am I honest with myself and others about my part in them? − Have I identified with Christ through faith and received Jesus as my King and God?