"13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong."
Fear is such a terrifying emotion. Many people's daily lives are torn apart by living in fear. Before I begin today's message, I would like to say, that as an American pastor, I have never been threatened with imprisonment, nor have I been tortured for my faith. I have never lived in fear of having my family torn away from me because of my commitment to my faith. I have never suffered terribly because of my faith, and to my knowledge, neither have any one of you.
Though we live in a changing world marked by terrorism, wars, and the constant
threat of nuclear, biological or chemical extinction. The world has always been highly dangerous, however, it has become even more dangerous in many ways than ever before in my lifetime. For the first time in my life, true Christians have become public enemy number one. The worlds system is coming after us with a vengeance!
In John 16:33, Jesus tells us "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
In my day, it used to be that the trouble you knew was the trouble you experienced or somebody told you about. Now, in this media-saturated age, of cellphones and computers, we have to carry all the troubles of the whole world and in great detail. It creates so much fear and anxiety for many people, it's more than one's heart can bear.
We are constantly inundated with scientists warning about earthquakes, hurricanes and global warming, asteroids and meteors floating around in space that threaten to collide with the earth. Disease and social threats coming at us all the time and against the very things that we hold precious and dear.
The threat of evil in the world, seems to be escalating at an alarming rate, immorality, crime and corruption have become so prevalent, every movie, television show and documentary, it makes you want to not even turn on the television anymore!
But praise God, He is in control. God not only is in control of the trouble, He is in the midst of the trouble, effecting His will. Though His specific purposes are unknown. So,
whatever fearful situation we may face; there are immutable biblical truths,
that are forever the same. We must fight fear by anchoring our lives in
these great truths: God never changes! God's Word never changes! And, our mission never changes! There are in this world those who are righteous and there are those who are evil. However, these foundational gospel truths, allows us to live fearless lives, in a world marked by fear.
I am reminded of Isaiah 14:24, which says "The Lord of hosts has sworn saying, "Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand."
We may not know what He wants from all the trouble, but we do know what He wants from the trouble that comes into our lives. Trials drive us to prayer. They drive us closer to God. They also enable us to comfort others who are suffering through our experiences.
James 1:2-4 gives us the answer, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Let us pray
Heavenly Father,
Father, we are so thankful for Your Word for us today. Thank You for gathering all of us together, being able to worship You and express our hearts to You in prayer and praise. We are grateful for the profound joy it brings to us.
Lord, bind these truths to our hearts, help us to make application to our lives, that through trials, persecution, and triumph, our live would be changed by these principals. Help us to remember that no matter how frightening the world becomes, You are over seeing everything and are in control and in Christ, we have nothing to fear. Thank You for granting us the assurance that if we are faithful an obedient to Your Word, our final destination will be with You in Your eternal Kingdom. Father, You have given us so much, help us that we might live to Your glory. For Christ's sake and Your increase in the kingdom.
In His name we pray
Amen
Today's Message: Fearless Hope
I believe, that in our world today, there is a mounting hostility toward Christianity among the general populous. You can see it all around us, in a number of ways. But beneath the underlying hostility, is the
charlatanism of Christianity.
In a society that has a flourishing materialism, a society that is drowning in pornography, a society that is hell bent on adultery, fornication, making every form of sexual immorality an alternative lifestyle, Christianity continues to discredit itself on a grand scale! It is in this society we are trying to survive the animosity and hatred of Satan and his and the world system, that he possesses.
We fight not only against the enemy, and those so called Christians who are pretending to have obedience to God. Who tell you that they love Jesus Christ, yet their lip service doesn't match their lifestyle. At the same time we're battling all of that, we are to be reaching them with the gospel of love and grace and mercy and forgiveness. It would be one thing if we could fight the enemy, but we have to convert the enemy to our side.
I believe that we can agree, that those of us who are true Christians, striving to be obedient to obey God's Word, we don’t like the world the way it is. We don’t like the attack on truth, honesty, morality and dignity. We dislike to attack on our families, the escalating crime and terrorism. We dislike the elevation of moral perversion. We dislike having it shoved in our faces not only in our society, but every movie, television show and magazine. And truth be told, we resent of it with a holy resentment.
I’m watching Christians become more anxious, more fearful, more afraid, and increasingly angry, irritated, and hostile. Allow me to say, we must not cross the line where our resentment becomes a resentment of the people who are captive to Satan and his kingdom of
darkness, who are propagating that behavior, because our purpose for being here is proselytizing.
Open with me your Bibles with me to I Peter chapter 3, verses 13 through 17. In this section, Peter gives us some very practical instruction. Hope of our peace in the midst of hostility and persecution and to keep on extending the gospel to the lost. I believe this comes at a very relevant time, when there are plenty of things to alarm us at a pace which we’ve never before seen.
I invite you to follow along with me as I read, to set the text in our minds, while we prepare our hearts for what the Spirit of God has to say to each of us. Listen carefully for the voice of our Lord. I Peter 3:13-17.
"Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and
keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered,
those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong."
In verse 13, he says "Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?" This is not some profound heavenly doctrine, this is just an axiomatic truth. It is the first line of defense against persecution, and evil aggression. It's much more difficult for who are hostile to mistreat people who are passionate about doing good. Those who are kind, caring, compassionate, and merciful, who are a benefit to society. It's more difficult for them to hurt those kinds of people. So, Peter says start there. Just keep doing good.
The word "harm" here is the Greek verb "kakoó," which is from the root word "kakós," which means evil. In other words, don't let the overwhelming hostility, overpowering corruption that’s happening in our world direct you toward vengeance. Don't repay evil for evil. Instead, direct your passion for what is good. Commit your life to what is good to all people and fall in love with goodness. It's hard to condemn you when your demonstrating the opposite of what would be scandalous behavior, self-centered, self-aggrandizing, manipulative behavior. That's why Peter uses the word zealous. The word zealous is the Greek noun "zēlōtḗs," which literally means to be boiling over with passion.
Then, in verse 14, Peter says "But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled." In other words, you not only need a passion for goodness, but a willingness to suffer. That's the second thing Peter says.
I'd like you to notice that he begins with "But even if," in the Greek, it's what’s called an optative possibility without a definite time. It means there’s a chance you could get persecuted anyway, even while you’re doing what is righteousness, doing what is good, even though you’re a
benevolent person, you’re kind, you’re generous, you’re totally
unselfish. It can still happen. By the way, the old English word for that is "perchance."
The people to whom Peter wrote, were in fact suffering for righteousness, upright, godly behavior, it was happening to them. While it’s much harder to harm someone who does good, it can happen. May I tell you that suffering for righteousness is really a great privilege. If you accept the suffering and the persecution when it comes, and you rejoice to be able to suffer for Christ, you will be rewarded in heaven. So, you need to have a willingness to suffer. That's the point.
You will remember, back in chapter 2, Peter said "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously."
Christ demonstrated to us how to suffer unjustly. He not only died in our place, bearing the punishment of God for our sins, it was redemptive, it was also exemplary. Don't become angry, don't become vengeful, don't utter threats, because you're blessed. What an honor to be bearing in our bodies the marks of Christ. I want to remind that when they are coming after us, when they are attacking us, it's Christ that they hate. It's a privilege to take the blows that are intended for Him. After all, isn't that what He did for us? Standing in our place, taking upon Himself our punishment.
You are blessed because you have been privileged to suffer for the sake of Christ who suffered for you redemptively. And, you’re going to be blessed in eternity by receiving a reward. Consider yourself added of a very elite group of people, those who suffered before you.
In verse 15, Peter gives us third perspective, the necessity to have a focus on Christ "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."
Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, we know that sanctify means to set apart. So rather than being afraid of the persecutors, honor and adore Christ. Instead of fearing Satan, who is behind the persecution, turn your focus on Christ as being the object of your love and loyalty. It will secure you in safety in the midst of trouble.Give to Christ the awe, recognition and the reverence He deserves. Recognize His greatness. He is sovereign, He is glorious. He is Lord of all. Christ gives us great courage in the face of this kind of hostility. We are secured by focusing on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Also in verse 15, we have the promise of glory. "always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."
Whenever you have to defend what you believe, when you have to
defend why you live the way you live, when you have to defend why
you follow the Word of God, why you submit to the lordship of Christ, make a defense.
By the way, the word defense is the word "apología," its an apologetic. In can refer to both a formal or an informal defense. Throughout history, Christians have had occasion to make a formal defense. In fact, in Arab countries they’re standing before judges and
magistrates, having to defend themselves and why they will not recant the gospel, and embrace
Islam. In fact, they're in prison because they will not deny Christ.
So, if anybody who asks you, give them a defense. I'd like you to notice where the defense focuses.
"Give an account for the hope that is in you." Everything we believe as Christians, everything we do, is because of the reality of our hope. Whatever the sacrifices we make now are made in the light of what God has prepared for those that love Him. Whatever suffering we accept now is in light of the full riches and blessings of glory to come.
When people ask me "Why do you live the way you live?" I can assure you I do not say it's because "I want to live my best life now." or "Because God wants to bless me with a large house, a new car and a huge bank account." Neither one of those are a defense at all! The defense for what I believe is that I know Jesus Christ, Who died for my sin and through Him, there is life after death and God has prepared in the glory of heaven. Because my hope includes an undefiled inheritance.And I live in the hope of that glory!" That's my defense.
Verse 16, "And keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame." You know, people in this life often try to make you feel bad about yourself, they try to make you feel guilty. But, if your conscience is clear, they cannot succeed.
Paul says in Romans 2:15, "..their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them." Your conscience will either excuse you or accuse you. It either validates your behavior or it condemns for living a life inconsistent with the truth. And when it doesn’t condemn you, you can take whatever comes and you can beat peace. You can rejoice and experience joy. Because your conscience is clear. Then, when your enemies see that in you, when they come slandering you
and revile your good behavior in Christ, they end up feeling shameful.
In Romans 12:20, the Apostle Paul says "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Heap burning coals on your enemies head.
Let me tell you this, if there’s unresolved sin in your life, you’re not going to have a clear conscience,
and you’re not going to be at ease before God when trouble comes and
persecution comes.But, if your conscience is clear, if your conscience examines your life and finds nothing to condemn you, then when persecution comes, and you respond with trust, and faith, and peace, and joy, and hope, it's your enemies who will be put to shame.
Our conscience is not an infallible guide, but when it has been shaped by the Word of God, it will begin to put in check the things that never bothered you before. A good conscience is essential for effective witness. I'd like to take it a bit further, if you know that you’re covering sin in your own life instead of
confessing and forsaking it, then just keep quiet about your claim to
be a Christian. But if you are living obediently to Christ, you're good conscience makes for very powerful witness.
In verse 17, Peter says " For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong."
Suffering is inevitable, circled on the calendar of your life, we may not know when it will come or what will come but we know it’s going to come and it’s going to escalate. If you’re an outspoken Christian, standing firm for the Word, persecution will come. And, if it’s going to come, let it be for doing what is right.
However, the objective is not just to survive, it's not to defeat the enemy. The objective is to win the enemy over to our side. And, you do that by exhibiting exemplary behavior, by proclaiming the gospel, by doing good, by being willing to suffer, by focusing on Christ, glorifying your Father in heaven and by loving and forgiving your persecutors and showing kindness to them.
In Closing..
The world is watching our behavior, even when we don’t realize it. If we are zealous
for what is good, especially when we’re mistreated, that's a powerful
witness. I’m not talking about being sinless, God often uses our failures in witnessing to show us our need to be prepared, but when you sin,
confessing it and making it right with those you sinned against.
The gospel is good news, but you need to tell a person what sin is and what it has done in terms of your own life. They need to know who Christ is and how He bore our sin through His
death and resurrection. And they need to know how to accept God’s gift
of eternal life and forgiveness through faith. Generally speaking, a person’s resistance isn’t due to intellectual reasons, it's due to moral reasons. They don't want to acknowledge and turn from their sin
We don't need to defend the Bible, that's like defending a hunger a tiger. Just turn it loose and it will take care of itself. Every unsaved person on this earth needs the same thing. Forgiveness of their sin and new life in Jesus Christ. We are called to bear witness, even in the face of hostility. While living in fearless hope.
May it be so..
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
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