Sermon 1 Peter 3 15 A Thought Provoking

Sermon 1 Peter 3: 15 A Thought Provoking Hope Introduction

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

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)

[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)

[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)

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.

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.

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

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

The ethic of hope can be summed up in five words: – J. I. Packer Pilgrimage- 1 Pet 2: 11 Purity – 1 Pet 1: 13 -1 Jn 3: 3 Preparedness - Phil 1: 21 Patience- Rom 8: 25 ff Power- 2 Tim 4: 17

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?

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. ”

Killer 3: OUR LANGUAGE, NOT THEIRS

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

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.

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