Gentle and Respectful | The Reason for Our Hope
1 Peter 1:3,21, 3:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:14
One of the things that’s a little odd about being a follower of Jesus: When someone asks you a question about your FAITH, and your mind suddenly goes BLANK and you don’t know what to say.
1 Peter 3:13-18 (pg. 1,890)
v.13: “Who is going to harm you if you are EAGER to do good?”
Peter knows you can’t SHARE what you don’t OWN.
v.15: “In your hearts REVERE Christ as Lord.”
A heart that REVERES Jesus will lead to a life that REFLECTS Jesus.
v.15: “Always be prepared to give an ANSWER to everyone who asks you to give the REASON for the HOPE that YOU have.”
Why am I a follower of Jesus?
“In His great mercy He has given to us new birth, into a living HOPE through the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ from the dead.” – 1 Peter 1:3
“Through Him you believe in God, who RAISED Him from the dead and glorified Him and so your faith and your HOPE are in God.” – 1 Peter 1:21
v.15: “But do this with GENTLENESS and RESPECT, keeping a CLEAR conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
v.18 “For Christ also SUFFERED once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteousness, to bring you to God.”
Why is YOUR HOPE in Jesus?
“If Christ has not been raised our preaching is USELESS and so is your FAITH.” – 1 Corinthians 15:14
My example: ‘I believe Jesus DIED to pay for my sins, and to prove that He did, God RAISED Him from the dead.’