WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.040 Welcome to Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:05.660 My name is Matthew Gapone, and I'm the pastor here, 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:08.339 and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:09.179 --> 00:00:12.060 Special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. 00:00:12.120 --> 00:00:12.939 We're glad that you're here, 00:00:13.560 --> 00:00:14.660 and we're glad that you're here 00:00:14.660 --> 00:00:16.519 not because we are trying to fill seats, 00:00:16.780 --> 00:00:19.960 but because we're following Jesus together as one community, 00:00:19.960 --> 00:00:21.640 and as we follow Jesus together, 00:00:21.640 --> 00:00:24.379 we become convinced that there's no one so good 00:00:24.379 --> 00:00:25.740 that they don't need God's grace, 00:00:25.879 --> 00:00:28.140 and no one so bad that they can't have it, 00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:29.199 and that's why we come back. 00:00:29.199 --> 00:00:31.359 We come back week after week to look at God's word 00:00:31.359 --> 00:00:34.619 because we believe that he has something to say to everyone. 00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:37.159 If you've been with us, 00:00:37.179 --> 00:00:38.920 you know we're in the book of 1 Peter, 00:00:39.019 --> 00:00:40.820 and as I've been telling you, 1 Peter is a letter, 00:00:41.519 --> 00:00:43.640 and it's a letter written by a man named Peter, 00:00:43.719 --> 00:00:45.560 and he writes this letter to Christians 00:00:45.560 --> 00:00:47.060 in the first century A.D., 00:00:47.060 --> 00:00:48.379 and these Christians are living 00:00:48.379 --> 00:00:50.820 in what is now modern-day Turkey, 00:00:50.920 --> 00:00:52.539 then would have been referred to as Asia Minor. 00:00:53.539 --> 00:00:55.620 He writes to them around the 60s A.D., 00:00:55.620 --> 00:00:58.420 and he writes to them to both encourage them 00:00:58.420 --> 00:00:59.140 and instruct them. 00:00:59.219 --> 00:01:01.020 These Christians are going through a time 00:01:01.020 --> 00:01:03.380 where they are experiencing opposition 00:01:03.380 --> 00:01:05.680 from the world because of their faith in Christ, 00:01:06.340 --> 00:01:07.299 and they're, of course, 00:01:07.379 --> 00:01:09.219 because of that feeling out of place in the world. 00:01:09.320 --> 00:01:10.780 So Peter writes, as I've been telling you, 00:01:10.840 --> 00:01:13.620 to instruct them and to encourage them. 00:01:14.340 --> 00:01:17.120 He writes to encourage them that Jesus is worth it. 00:01:17.240 --> 00:01:19.700 He's worth living for and loving for, 00:01:19.760 --> 00:01:22.040 and he's also worth suffering and dying for. 00:01:22.540 --> 00:01:24.040 By the way, we're getting to the part of the book 00:01:24.040 --> 00:01:25.359 where we're going to talk more and more 00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:27.900 about the fact that Jesus is worth suffering for. 00:01:28.860 --> 00:01:30.420 And he also writes to instruct them 00:01:30.420 --> 00:01:32.800 how to live as Christians in that kind of world. 00:01:34.140 --> 00:01:35.219 If you were with us last week, 00:01:35.260 --> 00:01:37.180 you remember that we talked about 00:01:37.180 --> 00:01:39.620 what it means to be close to God, 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:41.420 and we asked this question of 00:01:41.420 --> 00:01:44.340 how do we not just bring honor to God, 00:01:44.380 --> 00:01:45.060 but be close to him. 00:01:45.080 --> 00:01:47.240 We're in this longer section of Peter 00:01:47.240 --> 00:01:48.920 where we've had two principles, essentially, 00:01:49.060 --> 00:01:50.380 that were introduced in chapter two. 00:01:50.379 --> 00:01:52.920 The principles were, one, speak well about God, 00:01:53.060 --> 00:01:55.079 proclaim his excellencies, our words, 00:01:55.679 --> 00:01:56.719 and then also our actions. 00:01:56.819 --> 00:01:58.079 We're acting in such a way 00:01:58.079 --> 00:02:00.879 that other people would see how good God is, 00:02:01.340 --> 00:02:02.739 both words and actions. 00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:04.719 And I told you at one point about a quote 00:02:04.719 --> 00:02:06.579 from a man named John Stott, 00:02:06.620 --> 00:02:08.680 who said that our words without our actions 00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:09.939 lack credibility, 00:02:10.460 --> 00:02:13.740 and our actions without our words lack intelligibility. 00:02:14.319 --> 00:02:15.840 And that's the principle that we've had 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:17.780 all through chapter two of 1 Peter. 00:02:17.780 --> 00:02:21.900 And now we're moving beyond 00:02:21.900 --> 00:02:26.159 just the question of how we're close to God, 00:02:26.479 --> 00:02:29.180 but also a transition here in our book. 00:02:29.259 --> 00:02:30.659 We're gonna be looking more and more 00:02:30.659 --> 00:02:31.580 at the issue of suffering. 00:02:33.259 --> 00:02:35.780 There's a real quick outline of 1 Peter, 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:36.620 and it goes like this. 00:02:36.680 --> 00:02:39.199 1 Peter 1 and 2, we talk about God's salvation. 00:02:39.360 --> 00:02:40.340 That's a lot of the encouragement 00:02:40.340 --> 00:02:41.719 that Peter's giving to his audience. 00:02:42.840 --> 00:02:44.020 1 Peter 2 and 3, 00:02:44.199 --> 00:02:45.599 there was a lot of talk of submission, 00:02:46.360 --> 00:02:47.560 submission to the government. 00:02:48.120 --> 00:02:49.300 Submission to Authorities. 00:02:49.879 --> 00:02:51.740 And now we're heading into the final section, 00:02:51.860 --> 00:02:52.539 three through five, 00:02:52.580 --> 00:02:53.780 which is gonna be about suffering. 00:02:54.580 --> 00:02:55.879 And so I'll warn you just a little bit 00:02:55.879 --> 00:02:57.639 that these sections are gonna be slightly heavier 00:02:57.639 --> 00:02:59.180 than ones that have come before 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:00.580 because of the topic matter. 00:03:01.319 --> 00:03:03.180 We talk about suffering as a Christian. 00:03:03.340 --> 00:03:05.580 It's not a light thing to discuss. 00:03:07.680 --> 00:03:09.020 We're gonna ask this question 00:03:09.020 --> 00:03:10.780 as we come to this passage. 00:03:10.900 --> 00:03:12.080 We're in 1 Peter 3, 00:03:12.659 --> 00:03:14.219 starting at verse 13, 00:03:14.219 --> 00:03:14.780 and it's this. 00:03:14.840 --> 00:03:17.580 What do we do when we're afraid? 00:03:20.860 --> 00:03:22.460 What do we do when we're afraid? 00:03:23.259 --> 00:03:24.900 And not just fear in general, 00:03:25.000 --> 00:03:28.099 but specifically fear of what we have to lose 00:03:28.099 --> 00:03:29.139 for following Jesus. 00:03:29.139 --> 00:03:34.479 What do we do when we're afraid? 00:03:34.479 --> 00:03:35.539 We're gonna lose something 00:03:35.539 --> 00:03:36.759 because we follow Jesus. 00:03:38.059 --> 00:03:40.019 It's that question that Peter has in mind, 00:03:40.079 --> 00:03:41.159 and so we're gonna turn now. 00:03:41.279 --> 00:03:43.219 You can read with me along in your worship guide. 00:03:43.279 --> 00:03:44.239 Our passage is near the end. 00:03:44.240 --> 00:03:45.800 You can open it on your phone or your Bible, 00:03:45.900 --> 00:03:47.700 but we are in chapter three, 00:03:47.780 --> 00:03:48.879 starting at verse 13. 00:03:49.219 --> 00:03:50.460 And remember as we come to this, 00:03:50.520 --> 00:03:51.480 that this is God's word. 00:03:53.260 --> 00:03:54.700 And God tells us that his word 00:03:54.700 --> 00:03:56.020 is more precious than gold, 00:03:56.080 --> 00:03:57.000 even the finest gold. 00:03:58.020 --> 00:03:59.280 And it's sweeter than honey, 00:03:59.379 --> 00:04:01.360 even honey that comes straight from a honeycomb. 00:04:01.420 --> 00:04:03.520 And that's why we read it together now. 00:04:05.020 --> 00:04:06.340 Now, who is there to harm you 00:04:06.340 --> 00:04:08.280 if you are zealous for what is good? 00:04:09.219 --> 00:04:11.860 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, 00:04:11.900 --> 00:04:12.700 you will be blessed. 00:04:12.699 --> 00:04:15.819 Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. 00:04:16.719 --> 00:04:17.639 But in your hearts, 00:04:17.800 --> 00:04:19.699 honor Christ the Lord as holy, 00:04:20.459 --> 00:04:23.180 always being prepared to make a defense to anyone 00:04:23.180 --> 00:04:24.939 who asks you for a reason 00:04:24.939 --> 00:04:26.139 for the hope that is in you. 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:28.879 Yet do it with gentleness and respect, 00:04:29.620 --> 00:04:30.599 having a good conscience, 00:04:31.039 --> 00:04:32.360 so that when you are slandered, 00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:34.800 those who revile your good behavior in Christ 00:04:34.800 --> 00:04:35.800 may be put to shame. 00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:37.539 Verse 17. 00:04:38.459 --> 00:04:40.719 For it is better to suffer for doing good, 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:42.399 if that should be God's will, 00:04:42.699 --> 00:04:43.899 than for doing evil. 00:04:45.300 --> 00:04:46.639 I invite you to pray with me 00:04:46.639 --> 00:04:48.779 as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:04:53.139 --> 00:04:54.159 Our Father in heaven, 00:04:54.279 --> 00:04:56.219 we come as we often do, 00:04:56.360 --> 00:04:57.579 simply asking for your help. 00:05:00.099 --> 00:05:02.379 We know living in this world as Christians 00:05:02.379 --> 00:05:04.980 is something of great joy, 00:05:05.219 --> 00:05:07.879 and also something that brings great hardship. 00:05:07.879 --> 00:05:11.360 And so we confess that we need you to help us with that. 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:14.319 And so we simply ask that you would send your help 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:15.019 by your spirit, 00:05:15.159 --> 00:05:16.980 and you'd speak to us through your word. 00:05:18.019 --> 00:05:20.899 That you would open our eyes and unstop our ears 00:05:20.899 --> 00:05:22.180 and clear our minds, 00:05:22.439 --> 00:05:23.680 and that you'd soften our hearts. 00:05:24.740 --> 00:05:26.779 That we'd be able to see and hear 00:05:26.779 --> 00:05:29.740 and know and understand and believe 00:05:29.740 --> 00:05:32.379 everything that you've written in your word. 00:05:32.379 --> 00:05:35.779 And we ask these things in Jesus' name. 00:05:36.680 --> 00:05:36.980 Amen. 00:05:40.579 --> 00:05:42.279 Peter begins here in verse 13 00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:44.180 with a rhetorical question. 00:05:45.019 --> 00:05:46.120 Of course, if you're an English major, 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:47.319 you know the rhetorical question 00:05:47.319 --> 00:05:48.540 is something that they're not actually 00:05:48.540 --> 00:05:49.620 looking for an answer for. 00:05:49.680 --> 00:05:51.300 They're simply asking it to make a point. 00:05:51.819 --> 00:05:52.740 And the question is this, 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:53.759 who is there to harm you 00:05:53.759 --> 00:05:55.480 if you are zealous for what is good? 00:05:55.480 --> 00:05:58.280 The answer, of course, is what? 00:05:59.580 --> 00:06:00.259 No one. 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:03.460 No one should be interested in harming you 00:06:03.460 --> 00:06:04.720 if you're zealous for what is good. 00:06:04.759 --> 00:06:06.140 Now we could preach an entire sermon 00:06:06.140 --> 00:06:08.340 about the importance of being zealous 00:06:08.340 --> 00:06:09.340 for what is good. 00:06:09.740 --> 00:06:11.500 Peter asks us this to make a point. 00:06:12.420 --> 00:06:15.120 In general, most of what he's been instructing them 00:06:15.120 --> 00:06:16.180 in chapters two and three 00:06:16.180 --> 00:06:18.520 is to be zealous for what is good. 00:06:19.060 --> 00:06:20.259 Part of the reason for that 00:06:20.259 --> 00:06:22.819 is to protect them from unnecessary suffering. 00:06:25.480 --> 00:06:27.100 But after making that point, 00:06:27.180 --> 00:06:29.180 he has a sub-point. 00:06:29.680 --> 00:06:31.759 In general, as a principle in this world, 00:06:31.860 --> 00:06:34.520 if you do good, you will probably suffer less. 00:06:36.280 --> 00:06:39.540 However, there are some times 00:06:39.540 --> 00:06:40.480 when that's not true. 00:06:41.620 --> 00:06:42.720 And it's that sometimes 00:06:42.720 --> 00:06:45.140 that Peter is going to instruct these folks about. 00:06:45.640 --> 00:06:47.340 And you'll recall when we talked about suffering, 00:06:47.500 --> 00:06:48.700 earlier in 1 Peter, 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:51.160 I told you that there are three categories for suffering. 00:06:51.240 --> 00:06:52.980 And these are very important for Christians 00:06:52.980 --> 00:06:54.160 to keep clear in their minds. 00:06:54.160 --> 00:06:55.780 Now I'm going to give them numbers. 00:06:55.900 --> 00:06:56.920 Whatever order you give to them 00:06:56.920 --> 00:06:58.040 is not necessarily important. 00:06:58.140 --> 00:06:59.500 But suffering, number one, 00:07:00.340 --> 00:07:01.580 suffering because you're stupid 00:07:01.580 --> 00:07:04.360 or what the Bible would call foolishness. 00:07:05.600 --> 00:07:07.480 If you end up getting a DUI 00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:08.560 and you end up in jail 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:09.820 and that costs you $10,000, 00:07:10.340 --> 00:07:12.400 that is a form of suffering. 00:07:13.940 --> 00:07:15.300 And it's a form of suffering 00:07:15.300 --> 00:07:16.440 because of foolishness. 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:19.879 Type of suffering, number two, 00:07:19.980 --> 00:07:20.620 you could suffer 00:07:20.620 --> 00:07:22.720 because the general presence of sin in the world. 00:07:22.720 --> 00:07:24.920 So type one, your personal sin. 00:07:25.660 --> 00:07:27.940 Type two, the general presence of sin in the world. 00:07:28.380 --> 00:07:29.800 You come down with an illness. 00:07:30.700 --> 00:07:32.580 It's from no fault of your own, 00:07:32.720 --> 00:07:34.140 but you live in a broken world. 00:07:35.600 --> 00:07:36.940 That is a kind of suffering. 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:39.020 You're not personally responsible for that illness, 00:07:39.440 --> 00:07:40.580 but it's suffering that comes 00:07:40.580 --> 00:07:42.780 from living in a broken world 00:07:42.780 --> 00:07:43.580 that's filled with sin. 00:07:44.460 --> 00:07:45.640 Suffering, type three, 00:07:46.660 --> 00:07:47.640 what I've called before, 00:07:47.840 --> 00:07:49.640 suffering for the name of Jesus Christ, 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:51.219 where in this passage is suffering 00:07:51.219 --> 00:07:53.019 for righteousness' sake 00:07:53.019 --> 00:07:55.500 is the third and final type of suffering. 00:07:55.599 --> 00:07:56.740 And that's the kind of suffering 00:07:56.740 --> 00:07:58.139 that Peter is writing about. 00:07:58.219 --> 00:08:00.000 He's not writing about type one suffering. 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:03.419 Clearly, he's trying to have them avoid that, right? 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:04.819 If you're zealous for what's good, 00:08:04.899 --> 00:08:06.240 you'll avoid type one suffering. 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:07.560 You will not have to experience 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:09.000 the consequences of foolishness. 00:08:10.099 --> 00:08:12.399 But instead, he's hitting suffering type three. 00:08:12.620 --> 00:08:13.639 There are times when, 00:08:14.539 --> 00:08:15.639 even if you do good, 00:08:15.699 --> 00:08:16.479 you're going to suffer. 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:19.500 So we're doing a little math here today. 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:21.680 Three kinds of suffering, 00:08:22.460 --> 00:08:25.560 and there's going to be two kinds of doing good. 00:08:26.860 --> 00:08:27.860 There's doing good 00:08:27.860 --> 00:08:29.920 that leads the world to praise you, 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:31.520 and there's doing good 00:08:31.520 --> 00:08:33.060 that leads the world to persecute you. 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:35.800 There's doing good 00:08:35.800 --> 00:08:37.200 that leads the world to praise you, 00:08:37.259 --> 00:08:37.800 and doing good 00:08:37.800 --> 00:08:39.340 that leads the world to persecute you. 00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:41.879 We see this in verses 13 and 17. 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:43.360 Excuse me, verse 14 and 17. 00:08:43.940 --> 00:08:45.200 Verse 14, he acknowledges 00:08:45.200 --> 00:08:46.379 there's an exception to the rule. 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:47.899 Generally, if you're zealous for what's good, 00:08:47.940 --> 00:08:48.700 you'll avoid suffering, 00:08:48.820 --> 00:08:50.940 except there might be a time 00:08:50.940 --> 00:08:52.379 you suffer for righteousness' sake. 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:54.080 And then in verse 17, 00:08:54.180 --> 00:08:56.139 it is better to suffer for doing good. 00:08:56.700 --> 00:08:57.879 Okay, there's a type of doing good 00:08:57.879 --> 00:08:58.700 that leads to suffering 00:08:58.700 --> 00:09:00.259 than for doing evil. 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:02.279 Three types of suffering. 00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:03.820 Two types of doing good. 00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:05.879 Doing good that will lead to others' praise, right? 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:07.080 If we as a church decided 00:09:07.080 --> 00:09:10.519 we were going to be very specific in our mission, 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:12.720 and we, after a time of prayer and discernment, 00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:14.120 decided that God was calling us 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:15.679 to start a soup kitchen 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:17.139 in southwest Colorado Springs, 00:09:18.039 --> 00:09:19.759 we would almost certainly face 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:21.139 no opposition from the world. 00:09:21.960 --> 00:09:24.000 We would be zealous for what is good, 00:09:24.299 --> 00:09:26.700 and people would potentially praise us for that, right? 00:09:27.039 --> 00:09:28.220 There's types of doing good 00:09:28.220 --> 00:09:29.139 that God calls us to 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:30.779 as it's going to lead other people 00:09:30.779 --> 00:09:32.379 to applaud us. 00:09:34.460 --> 00:09:35.779 However, there's also good 00:09:35.779 --> 00:09:36.879 that the world condemns. 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:38.460 There's good things that Christians do 00:09:38.460 --> 00:09:39.539 that God has called us to 00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:40.679 that will lead to suffering 00:09:40.679 --> 00:09:41.599 for righteousness' sake. 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:42.120 Perhaps, 00:09:43.259 --> 00:09:45.079 and these are less serious and more serious, 00:09:45.740 --> 00:09:46.899 on the less serious side, 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:49.480 perhaps there's family members 00:09:49.480 --> 00:09:51.339 who don't follow after Jesus Christ, 00:09:51.419 --> 00:09:52.519 and they don't understand 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:54.120 some of your parenting choices. 00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:57.399 And so they criticize you. 00:09:57.959 --> 00:09:59.459 And they don't just criticize you, 00:09:59.459 --> 00:10:00.759 they criticize you openly 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:03.019 to other members of the family. 00:10:03.679 --> 00:10:05.120 That is a type of suffering 00:10:05.120 --> 00:10:06.079 for righteousness' sake. 00:10:06.839 --> 00:10:08.360 Maybe you're excluded socially 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:09.960 because you have to excuse yourself 00:10:09.960 --> 00:10:10.960 from certain events. 00:10:11.680 --> 00:10:13.080 You can't participate fully 00:10:13.080 --> 00:10:13.720 because there are things 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:14.820 that are happening at those events 00:10:14.820 --> 00:10:15.919 that you can't be a part of. 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:20.000 And this is true for some people. 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:21.039 Maybe you're single, 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:23.100 and as someone who is single, 00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:24.480 you've decided you're going to live 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:25.659 with sexual integrity. 00:10:25.779 --> 00:10:26.820 You're going to remain celibate 00:10:26.820 --> 00:10:27.639 until you're married. 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:30.120 And in certain parts of this culture, 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:31.100 you'll be mocked for that. 00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:34.560 People will tell you 00:10:34.560 --> 00:10:36.399 that you are an idiot. 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:38.279 Maybe you're a prude. 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:40.080 Maybe you're stuck up. 00:10:40.800 --> 00:10:42.019 That is a type of suffering 00:10:42.019 --> 00:10:42.899 for righteousness' sake. 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:45.180 Maybe you're mocked 00:10:45.180 --> 00:10:46.080 by someone else for that. 00:10:47.500 --> 00:10:48.779 All Christians experience 00:10:48.779 --> 00:10:49.899 some level of suffering 00:10:49.899 --> 00:10:50.500 for righteousness. 00:10:51.220 --> 00:10:52.340 And then there's more serious. 00:10:52.820 --> 00:10:53.980 You could lose your job. 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:57.300 You could lose educational opportunities. 00:10:57.419 --> 00:10:59.120 That's less true in this country, 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:00.919 but remember we talked about examples 00:11:00.919 --> 00:11:02.159 last week under communism. 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:03.420 This was very common. 00:11:04.560 --> 00:11:05.700 Christians would lose their jobs. 00:11:05.800 --> 00:11:06.379 They'd be prevented 00:11:06.379 --> 00:11:08.059 from educational opportunities. 00:11:08.220 --> 00:11:09.539 Sometimes they wouldn't lose their jobs, 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:10.720 but they'd have their pay frozen. 00:11:11.139 --> 00:11:12.460 That was common under communism. 00:11:12.600 --> 00:11:13.740 You'd be working the same job 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:14.299 as someone else, 00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:15.080 but you were a Christian. 00:11:15.939 --> 00:11:16.820 Magically, your paycheck 00:11:16.820 --> 00:11:17.639 was much smaller. 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:20.100 This is one of the ways 00:11:20.100 --> 00:11:20.919 that the Communist Party 00:11:20.919 --> 00:11:21.879 would coerce Christians 00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:23.419 to try to have loyalty 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:24.039 to the party, 00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:25.059 is using their paycheck 00:11:25.059 --> 00:11:26.019 as bargaining chips. 00:11:27.019 --> 00:11:28.279 Maybe you lose your business. 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:30.600 This is something that people 00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:32.080 are facing in the U.S. right now, 00:11:32.080 --> 00:11:33.520 because you refuse to participate 00:11:33.520 --> 00:11:34.300 in certain things 00:11:34.300 --> 00:11:36.000 that go against your conscience. 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:38.220 And then finally, 00:11:38.400 --> 00:11:38.900 worst of all, 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:39.960 perhaps you go to prison 00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:40.840 or the most extreme, 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:41.680 you face death. 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:45.420 There is real suffering 00:11:45.420 --> 00:11:47.680 for the name of Jesus Christ. 00:11:47.780 --> 00:11:48.759 There is real suffering 00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:49.940 for righteousness' sake. 00:11:50.680 --> 00:11:52.280 And at risk of stating the obvious, 00:11:53.280 --> 00:11:55.120 if you choose to be a Christian 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:56.540 and follow Jesus Christ, 00:11:56.680 --> 00:11:58.480 you will suffer for that decision 00:11:58.480 --> 00:11:59.280 at some level. 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:02.600 God has a wonderful plan 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:03.279 for your life, 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:06.120 and it involves suffering 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:07.120 for the name of His Son. 00:12:09.079 --> 00:12:11.779 That is part of God's wonderful plan. 00:12:13.319 --> 00:12:14.059 And so that continues 00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:15.159 to take us back to our question, 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:16.000 how do we respond 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:17.199 when we face suffering 00:12:17.199 --> 00:12:17.779 for righteousness? 00:12:17.939 --> 00:12:18.579 What do we do 00:12:18.579 --> 00:12:19.679 when we're afraid? 00:12:21.059 --> 00:12:22.679 And that's what Peter addresses here 00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:23.539 in verse 14. 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:24.959 First of all, 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:25.360 he tells them, 00:12:25.480 --> 00:12:25.879 if they suffer, 00:12:25.959 --> 00:12:26.600 they'll be blessed. 00:12:26.699 --> 00:12:27.419 And then he tells them, 00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:28.500 have no fear of them, 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:29.840 nor be troubled. 00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:31.620 Of course, 00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:32.259 he's acknowledging 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:33.480 what would be normal, right? 00:12:33.559 --> 00:12:34.340 Facing these things, 00:12:34.460 --> 00:12:35.000 of course, 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:36.679 of course it would make you afraid. 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:39.419 Peter understands that. 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.299 God knows that. 00:12:41.659 --> 00:12:42.440 God's not unaware. 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:44.179 He knows that we are just dust. 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:47.480 And so that's the natural response 00:12:47.480 --> 00:12:48.240 as we face these things. 00:12:48.299 --> 00:12:49.700 It's a natural response of fear. 00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:50.559 And so he gives us 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:51.519 not just a command 00:12:51.519 --> 00:12:52.600 to do away with fear. 00:12:54.179 --> 00:12:55.080 Simply a command 00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:56.059 would be moralism, right? 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:56.879 Just do this. 00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:58.879 But we have to have something 00:12:58.879 --> 00:13:00.419 that's able to expel that fear, 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:01.620 something that's even greater. 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:02.960 And so he gives them the solution. 00:13:03.159 --> 00:13:03.799 Instead of fearing 00:13:03.799 --> 00:13:05.120 or being troubled, 00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:07.240 choose the opposite. 00:13:07.419 --> 00:13:08.039 In your hearts, 00:13:08.200 --> 00:13:09.439 honor Christ the Lord 00:13:09.439 --> 00:13:10.220 as holy. 00:13:12.439 --> 00:13:13.439 Don't fear man. 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:15.279 Fear God. 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:18.700 Now, he doesn't use the phrase here, 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:19.259 fear God, 00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:20.460 but if you were paying attention 00:13:20.460 --> 00:13:21.620 earlier in the service, 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:22.179 you know we read 00:13:22.179 --> 00:13:23.399 from Isaiah chapter 8. 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:25.100 This passage quotes 00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:25.720 that section 00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:26.819 from Isaiah chapter 8. 00:13:27.559 --> 00:13:28.779 In Isaiah chapter 8, 00:13:29.019 --> 00:13:30.159 God is telling Isaiah, 00:13:30.379 --> 00:13:30.980 don't be afraid. 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:31.899 Don't fear man. 00:13:32.299 --> 00:13:33.699 Instead, fear me. 00:13:34.759 --> 00:13:36.600 And this is in a very serious situation 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:37.959 because Isaiah is facing 00:13:37.959 --> 00:13:39.799 hostile forces 00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:40.860 that are coming in 00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:41.939 to Israel. 00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:44.679 It would be very tempting 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:46.279 for him to remain silent 00:13:46.279 --> 00:13:47.419 and give in to that fear. 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.159 And God tells him, 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:49.100 in that situation, 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:50.379 don't be afraid 00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:51.639 of men. 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:52.620 Instead, fear me. 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:53.440 The same thing 00:13:53.440 --> 00:13:54.259 is true here. 00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:57.539 Replace the fear of men 00:13:57.539 --> 00:13:58.600 with a fear of God. 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.700 Be more afraid 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:03.019 of God's judgment 00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:03.899 than man's judgment. 00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:06.279 Be more eager 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:07.419 for God's approval 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:08.899 than for man's approval. 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:14.500 Replace one with the other. 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.120 It's not just 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:16.240 that you do away with fear, 00:14:16.299 --> 00:14:17.659 but you have a new kind of fear. 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:19.019 You have a replacement. 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:20.659 You have something better 00:14:20.659 --> 00:14:21.980 to honor Christ the Lord 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:22.899 as holy. 00:14:24.899 --> 00:14:25.939 It's not just remembering 00:14:25.939 --> 00:14:26.639 the fear of God, 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:27.980 but also remembering his power. 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:29.600 That's a lot of what we're going 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:30.799 to talk about next week. 00:14:31.439 --> 00:14:32.899 Peter follows up this section 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:33.959 with another section 00:14:33.959 --> 00:14:36.159 talking about how powerful 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:37.079 Jesus is. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:40.819 Caesar is not the ultimate Lord. 00:14:41.819 --> 00:14:42.399 Jesus is. 00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:44.620 And so remember, 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.799 not just our fear of God, 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:46.620 but the authority 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:48.159 and the power of God 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:50.639 is greater than the authority 00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:51.679 and power of men. 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:53.879 God's judgment 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:55.240 is greater than man's judgment. 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:56.879 God's power 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.720 and God's authority 00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:59.360 is greater than man's power 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.639 and man's authority. 00:15:01.939 --> 00:15:03.139 Give you a little preview 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:03.799 for next week. 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:04.659 At the very end 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:05.859 of next week's passage, 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:07.199 Peter tells them 00:15:07.199 --> 00:15:08.000 in verse 22 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:09.779 that Jesus has gone 00:15:09.779 --> 00:15:10.379 into heaven 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:11.479 and is at the right hand 00:15:11.479 --> 00:15:11.959 of God 00:15:11.959 --> 00:15:12.899 with angels, 00:15:13.079 --> 00:15:13.419 authorities, 00:15:13.579 --> 00:15:14.139 and powers 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:15.419 having been subjected 00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:15.859 to him. 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.359 In other words, 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:18.979 Jesus' death 00:15:18.979 --> 00:15:19.539 and resurrection 00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:20.839 is certainly for our sins 00:15:20.839 --> 00:15:21.639 and it demonstrates 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:22.659 God's power in that. 00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:23.559 It also demonstrates 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:24.679 God's power in the world 00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:26.000 over death and evil. 00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:28.919 And so these people 00:15:28.919 --> 00:15:30.319 afraid of what's around them 00:15:30.319 --> 00:15:30.919 can look 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:32.379 both to the fear of God 00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:33.659 and to God's power 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:35.519 as their hope. 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:37.240 Instead of being troubled 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:37.779 or afraid 00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:38.500 in their hearts, 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:39.679 they honor Christ the Lord 00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:40.279 as holy. 00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:44.179 Last fall, 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:44.679 when we were going 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:45.340 through 1 Peter 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:46.120 in an earlier section, 00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:46.840 I mentioned the book 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:48.299 Evangelism as Exiles 00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:49.539 by a man named Elliot Clark 00:15:49.539 --> 00:15:50.120 and in that book 00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:51.080 he tells the story. 00:15:51.179 --> 00:15:52.480 He was a missionary 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:54.019 in Central Asia. 00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:55.039 So this is recent. 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.100 That book came out last year. 00:15:56.179 --> 00:15:56.700 This is a story 00:15:56.700 --> 00:15:57.919 from probably the last decade. 00:15:58.580 --> 00:15:59.840 And he attended this church 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:00.980 and there was a pastor there 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:01.620 and the man's name 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:02.259 was Yusuf. 00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:04.019 And Yusuf at one point 00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:05.159 showed him a Bible 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:05.580 that he had 00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:06.659 that had a bullet hole in it 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:08.759 just to demonstrate 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:09.960 kind of the suffering 00:16:09.960 --> 00:16:10.759 that he was going through. 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.279 At one point, 00:16:11.340 --> 00:16:12.519 people came to Yusuf's house 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.340 and they roughed him up 00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:13.799 a little bit 00:16:13.799 --> 00:16:14.659 because he was a pastor. 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.120 And finally, 00:16:16.279 --> 00:16:17.539 Easter Sunday came 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:20.059 and this man was preparing 00:16:20.059 --> 00:16:20.679 his preaching 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:21.679 and as he was preaching 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:22.500 on Easter Sunday, 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:24.080 there were some visitors 00:16:24.080 --> 00:16:24.759 who came in. 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:27.340 Now, as Clark describes 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:27.980 in his book, 00:16:28.299 --> 00:16:28.759 visitors 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:31.019 in that context 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:31.960 means something different 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:33.079 than visitors means for us. 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:33.740 In the American church, 00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:34.919 we think visitors are wonderful. 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:35.679 We're glad they're here. 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.360 We welcome you. 00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:38.980 In other parts of the world, 00:16:39.019 --> 00:16:39.759 there's a lot of questions. 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:40.559 Who are these visitors? 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:41.279 Are they here 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:42.299 as government informants? 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.799 Are they terrorists? 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:45.459 Are they seeking 00:16:45.459 --> 00:16:46.219 to do us harm? 00:16:47.319 --> 00:16:48.159 And so he describes 00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:48.819 that in this church, 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:50.120 there is a palpable sense 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:51.779 of fear and dread. 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.639 The kind of fear 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:56.319 that Peter is telling 00:16:56.319 --> 00:16:57.059 these people about. 00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:59.240 And the pastor doesn't notice 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:00.459 anything about these visitors 00:17:00.459 --> 00:17:01.519 until he gets up to preach 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.159 and they watch him. 00:17:02.199 --> 00:17:02.759 As he gets up, 00:17:02.819 --> 00:17:04.059 he recognizes the visitors 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:04.599 in the room 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:06.159 and they can suddenly see 00:17:06.159 --> 00:17:07.000 that he is filled 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.859 with fear as well. 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:11.259 He waits for an uncomfortably 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:12.420 long amount of time 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:16.000 and then begins his sermon. 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:19.220 And as he begins his sermon, 00:17:19.379 --> 00:17:21.539 he chooses not the fear of man, 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:23.140 but the fear of God. 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:25.579 This man is trembling 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:26.379 in his voice 00:17:26.379 --> 00:17:27.379 and as he trembles 00:17:27.379 --> 00:17:27.839 in his voice, 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:28.720 he's very clear 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.519 about the reality 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.059 of the gospel, 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:30.740 that God's come 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.720 to save us from our sins, 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:33.460 that judgment is a real thing 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.619 and that he calls everyone 00:17:34.619 --> 00:17:35.339 to repentance 00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:37.039 and faith and belief. 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:40.500 Elliot says this, 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:42.740 Yusuf, that's the pastor, 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:43.819 had taken the inventory 00:17:43.819 --> 00:17:45.440 of the fear in the room 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:46.940 and he decided 00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:48.119 to stock the shelves 00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:49.539 with an even greater fear, 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:51.960 the coming judgment of God. 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:54.779 His spirit-filled boldness 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:55.940 was amazing. 00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:59.740 It's natural and normal 00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:01.000 for us to be afraid. 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:04.339 But God gives his people 00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:05.640 an even greater power 00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:07.400 and an even greater fear. 00:18:07.400 --> 00:18:11.259 Elliot goes on 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:12.340 to share this, 00:18:13.340 --> 00:18:14.680 Yes, Christians in America 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:16.160 are increasingly isolated 00:18:16.160 --> 00:18:16.900 and denigrated. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:18.759 Yes, our cultural 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.700 and social capital 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:21.259 is vanishing before our eyes. 00:18:22.340 --> 00:18:23.060 Yes, in the span 00:18:23.060 --> 00:18:23.880 of one short week, 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.640 the Supreme Court 00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:25.700 could easily rewrite 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:26.259 our futures 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:27.460 and remove many freedoms. 00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:30.000 Yes, public school curricula 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.920 are being weaponized 00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:32.000 to indoctrinate children 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:33.040 in secular dogma 00:18:33.040 --> 00:18:34.320 and a new sexual ethic. 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:36.319 It doesn't even take 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:37.079 much imagination 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:37.919 to envision 00:18:37.919 --> 00:18:39.460 how well-intentioned laws 00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:40.700 could one day be used 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.359 to justify 00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:42.220 the imprisonment 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.019 of Christians. 00:18:43.859 --> 00:18:44.980 And it doesn't end there. 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.480 On a personal level, 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.480 we have plenty more room 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:48.960 for fear. 00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:50.899 By standing up for Christ, 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.839 we run the risk 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:52.980 of forfeiting promotions 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:53.679 or positions, 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.159 of missing out 00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:55.659 on a tenure 00:18:55.659 --> 00:18:56.599 or a contract. 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.119 We might even 00:18:58.119 --> 00:18:58.899 lose our families. 00:18:59.939 --> 00:19:00.939 But this shouldn't 00:19:00.939 --> 00:19:01.639 surprise us. 00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:02.859 Jesus said 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:03.480 he didn't come 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.240 to bring peace. 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:05.099 But a sword. 00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:07.339 We have much to lose. 00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:09.679 Yet none of that 00:19:09.679 --> 00:19:10.879 justifies Christians 00:19:10.879 --> 00:19:11.679 being terrified. 00:19:12.939 --> 00:19:13.700 We must not, 00:19:13.819 --> 00:19:14.619 according to Peter, 00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:15.720 tremble in fear 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:16.220 at the thought 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:16.879 of surrendering 00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:18.099 a job or business 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:19.259 at a failed 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:20.159 school board initiative 00:19:20.159 --> 00:19:21.079 or a particular 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:22.139 Supreme Court decision. 00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:24.039 Because if we do, 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:24.639 we're preaching 00:19:24.639 --> 00:19:25.899 the completely wrong 00:19:25.899 --> 00:19:27.039 gospel to the world. 00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:29.119 We're telling them 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:30.119 our greatest fear 00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:30.839 is the loss 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:31.379 of money 00:19:31.379 --> 00:19:32.119 and power 00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:32.939 and influence. 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:34.519 the loss 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.220 of our beloved 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:35.640 comfort. 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.920 But as long 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:38.920 as that is the case, 00:19:39.320 --> 00:19:39.940 we show that 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.600 our fear 00:19:40.600 --> 00:19:42.180 and our gospel 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:43.640 is no different 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:44.180 from theirs. 00:19:47.360 --> 00:19:48.320 Peter encourages 00:19:48.320 --> 00:19:48.900 these people 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:49.580 as they are tempted 00:19:49.580 --> 00:19:50.240 to fear. 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:53.400 Not to fear man, 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.259 but to fear God. 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:58.180 because he is the one 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:59.519 who is powerful. 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:02.259 And he is the one 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.879 that has 00:20:02.879 --> 00:20:03.920 all authority 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:04.680 under his feet. 00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:12.539 Peter then shares 00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:12.980 with us 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:14.079 in a sense 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:14.660 a test 00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:15.619 of our fear. 00:20:16.339 --> 00:20:17.160 If you want there 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:17.759 to be points 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:18.319 in this sermon, 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.379 point one would be fear. 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:21.420 Point two would be 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:22.379 something like sharing. 00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:25.440 Now verse 15 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:26.080 here has been 00:20:26.080 --> 00:20:27.100 often isolated 00:20:27.100 --> 00:20:28.160 by itself as a verse, 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:28.900 but it would be foolish 00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:29.420 to take it out 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:30.260 of the context here. 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:31.840 Peter tells people 00:20:31.840 --> 00:20:32.760 to have a reason 00:20:32.760 --> 00:20:33.480 for their faith, 00:20:33.560 --> 00:20:34.700 a defense for their faith 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.860 in the context 00:20:35.860 --> 00:20:37.240 of talking about fear 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:37.780 of suffering 00:20:37.780 --> 00:20:38.720 for Jesus Christ. 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:41.680 Verse 14 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:42.460 or verse 15, 00:20:42.560 --> 00:20:42.800 it says, 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:44.300 always be prepared 00:20:44.300 --> 00:20:44.880 to anyone 00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:45.640 who asks you 00:20:45.640 --> 00:20:46.300 for a reason 00:20:46.300 --> 00:20:47.020 for the hope 00:20:47.020 --> 00:20:48.140 that is within you. 00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:50.360 In other words, 00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:50.939 the temptation 00:20:50.939 --> 00:20:51.639 to fear 00:20:51.639 --> 00:20:52.979 and the temptation 00:20:52.979 --> 00:20:53.799 to be silent 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:54.459 are combined. 00:20:56.899 --> 00:20:57.740 How do we know 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.639 that we're not afraid? 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.539 How do we know 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.479 that we have taken 00:21:02.479 --> 00:21:03.839 God's command seriously? 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.059 Well, we have it 00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:05.599 with the example 00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:06.159 from Yusuf, 00:21:06.219 --> 00:21:06.740 we're not afraid 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.219 to speak. 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:10.240 And so there's 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.079 two things going on. 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:11.639 On the one hand, 00:21:11.679 --> 00:21:12.399 there's this connection 00:21:12.399 --> 00:21:13.379 between a lack of fear 00:21:13.379 --> 00:21:13.979 and a willingness 00:21:13.979 --> 00:21:15.399 to speak about 00:21:15.399 --> 00:21:16.619 and for Jesus Christ. 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.059 And there's also 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:19.139 a reason that they need 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:20.280 to speak about Jesus Christ. 00:21:20.400 --> 00:21:20.900 They're actually 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:22.000 not taking the initiative 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:22.800 in this verse. 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:24.320 They're always being prepared 00:21:24.320 --> 00:21:25.220 to make a defense 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:26.120 for this hope, 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:28.060 not in general, 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:28.740 but specifically 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.480 to anyone 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.280 who asks you 00:21:30.280 --> 00:21:31.280 for a reason for it. 00:21:33.520 --> 00:21:34.380 In other words, 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:35.200 if you're living 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:36.880 in a 1 Peter 2 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:38.540 and 3 sort of way, 00:21:40.020 --> 00:21:41.259 it should cause you 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.100 to look different 00:21:42.100 --> 00:21:42.740 from the world. 00:21:44.780 --> 00:21:45.780 And that difference 00:21:45.780 --> 00:21:46.200 from the world 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:47.340 inevitably will cause 00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:47.880 other people 00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:48.660 to ask you 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:50.400 why that difference exists. 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:53.940 Not just that you're 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:54.820 living in a different way, 00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:56.460 but also this lack of fear. 00:21:57.780 --> 00:21:58.860 As you live in the world 00:21:58.860 --> 00:21:59.760 living differently 00:21:59.760 --> 00:22:00.940 and it's clear 00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:02.040 that you're not afraid 00:22:02.040 --> 00:22:02.860 of the threats 00:22:02.860 --> 00:22:03.640 that other people 00:22:03.640 --> 00:22:04.720 are afraid of, 00:22:05.080 --> 00:22:05.780 when it's clear 00:22:05.780 --> 00:22:06.520 that you can't be 00:22:06.520 --> 00:22:07.020 intimidated 00:22:07.020 --> 00:22:07.860 by the loss 00:22:07.860 --> 00:22:08.380 of employment 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:08.820 in the way 00:22:08.820 --> 00:22:09.440 that someone else 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.000 might be, 00:22:10.860 --> 00:22:11.580 there is something 00:22:11.580 --> 00:22:12.380 different that may 00:22:12.380 --> 00:22:13.120 cause other people 00:22:13.120 --> 00:22:13.740 to ask you 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.280 for the reason 00:22:14.280 --> 00:22:14.680 of the hope 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.340 that's within you. 00:22:16.260 --> 00:22:16.800 In other words, 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.480 be prepared 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.619 to explain to people 00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:19.240 why it is 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:19.859 that you're different 00:22:19.859 --> 00:22:21.440 and be prepared 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:22.099 to explain 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:22.680 that it's because 00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:23.339 of your hope. 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:24.200 It's a hope 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:25.279 that as we discussed 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:27.279 before in 1 Peter 1-2, 00:22:27.419 --> 00:22:28.779 God is coming back 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:30.359 to make everything 00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:31.180 right in this world. 00:22:32.659 --> 00:22:33.919 He is the most 00:22:33.919 --> 00:22:34.839 powerful one. 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:36.779 And so if 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:38.599 we want to know 00:22:38.599 --> 00:22:39.940 whether we reverence 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:41.059 God as holy, 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:44.880 we know 00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:45.940 if we're willing 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:46.820 to speak about him 00:22:46.820 --> 00:22:47.400 when it's risky. 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:50.440 That's the test. 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.080 That's our test 00:22:52.080 --> 00:22:52.799 of whether we have 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:54.019 truly been able 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:54.680 to replace 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:55.620 the fear of man 00:22:55.620 --> 00:22:56.980 with the fear of God. 00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:59.600 A lack of fear 00:22:59.600 --> 00:23:00.860 means a willingness 00:23:00.860 --> 00:23:01.920 to speak about God. 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:07.680 And then he goes 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:08.259 on to tell us 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:08.779 if people are going 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.380 to be offended, 00:23:09.840 --> 00:23:10.460 verse 16, 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.600 the only thing 00:23:12.600 --> 00:23:13.060 that should be 00:23:13.060 --> 00:23:13.840 offensive to them 00:23:13.840 --> 00:23:14.660 is the content 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.539 of your message. 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:17.480 If you tell them 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:19.480 that our sins 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.220 are so great 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:20.840 that they require 00:23:20.840 --> 00:23:21.500 God's judgment 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.539 and our only hope 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.180 is to accept 00:23:23.180 --> 00:23:23.759 the sacrifice 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.519 of his son, 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.519 that alone 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.220 will be offensive. 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:28.660 There should be 00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:29.279 nothing else 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:29.840 that's offensive 00:23:29.840 --> 00:23:30.500 to them. 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.720 Not our tone, 00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:32.500 not our manner. 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:33.400 And this good conscience 00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:33.700 here, 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.519 part of what it's 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:34.900 getting at 00:23:34.900 --> 00:23:35.259 is that 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:37.359 our lifestyle 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.039 should also 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:38.579 back up 00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:39.119 what we say. 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:41.900 They shouldn't 00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:42.339 be able to say, 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:42.460 well, 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:42.900 these Christians 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:43.740 say they have hope, 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.200 but clearly 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:45.019 they act differently. 00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:45.359 Instead, 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.880 there's an integrity, 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.740 there's a continuity 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.839 between our lives 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.519 and what we say. 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:53.460 And so really, 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.279 Peter's just taking 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:54.799 the principles 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:55.359 from earlier 00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:55.839 in the letter 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:56.480 and he's applying 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:57.539 them to a new situation. 00:23:57.539 --> 00:24:00.759 We're living at peace 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.579 with those around us 00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:02.399 as much as possible. 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:05.619 We're showing grace 00:24:05.619 --> 00:24:06.159 and kindness 00:24:06.159 --> 00:24:06.659 to others 00:24:06.659 --> 00:24:07.700 as much as possible 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.500 and that extends 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.279 to our witness. 00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:14.599 Of course, 00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:15.079 we saw that 00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:15.720 in the story 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.759 about Pastor Yusuf 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:18.240 that he talked 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.399 even when he was afraid. 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.639 We also see it 00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.159 in the story 00:24:22.159 --> 00:24:23.059 of Corrie Ten Boom. 00:24:23.139 --> 00:24:23.659 If you're familiar 00:24:23.659 --> 00:24:25.079 with her story, 00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:26.579 she lived during 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:28.399 the 20th century 00:24:28.399 --> 00:24:29.099 and she was someone 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:30.059 who risked her life 00:24:30.059 --> 00:24:30.740 in Holland 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:32.179 to protect Jews 00:24:32.179 --> 00:24:33.399 from the Holocaust. 00:24:34.699 --> 00:24:35.000 Eventually, 00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:36.139 she was caught for that 00:24:36.139 --> 00:24:37.119 and she herself 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:37.919 was sent to 00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:38.720 the very same 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:40.960 camps in Germany 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:41.879 that she was trying 00:24:41.879 --> 00:24:42.899 to rescue people from. 00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:44.539 And in her book, 00:24:44.659 --> 00:24:45.379 The Hiding Place, 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.619 she tells the story 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:47.699 of her interactions 00:24:47.699 --> 00:24:48.679 with one of the guards, 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.220 a man named 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:50.339 Lieutenant Roms. 00:24:50.399 --> 00:24:51.079 And as she interacts 00:24:51.079 --> 00:24:51.539 with this man, 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:53.059 his job is to interrogate her. 00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:55.740 And so he interrogates her 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.659 as much as he can. 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.559 She's already prepared 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.579 for this for years, 00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:59.779 so she's able to evade 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.659 a lot of his tactics. 00:25:01.399 --> 00:25:02.139 But near the end, 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.440 she begins to speak to him 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:05.220 about the ways 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:06.099 that she has worked 00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:06.519 with people 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.599 who face handicaps. 00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:09.859 And this man, 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:11.099 having been indoctrinated 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:12.000 in Nazi doctrine, 00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:13.059 immediately tells her, 00:25:13.179 --> 00:25:14.240 well, that's kind of 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:14.960 a worthless thing 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.819 for you to do, right? 00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:16.980 It would be much better 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:18.519 for you to convert 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:19.259 one person 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:20.440 who has no handicaps 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.720 than thousands 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.599 of people who do. 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.339 Coming at her 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:25.359 with the Nazi worldview, 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:25.639 right? 00:25:25.659 --> 00:25:26.500 That there are some people 00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:27.119 who are worth 00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:27.919 more than others. 00:25:29.179 --> 00:25:30.039 And so Corrie Ten Boom 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:30.879 begins to share, 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:32.079 and she's in this camp, 00:25:32.139 --> 00:25:32.259 right? 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:32.740 She could face 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.940 incredible suffering for it. 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:34.940 She begins to share 00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:36.299 her belief 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:37.139 in something different. 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.159 She says, 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:39.839 the truth, sir, 00:25:39.899 --> 00:25:40.839 is that God's viewpoint 00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:41.899 is something different 00:25:41.899 --> 00:25:42.519 from ours. 00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:43.679 So different 00:25:43.679 --> 00:25:44.359 that we could not 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.139 even guess it 00:25:45.139 --> 00:25:46.539 unless he had given us 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:47.119 a book 00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:48.440 which tells us 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:49.019 such things. 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.159 She's telling us 00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:50.839 to a Nazi guard 00:25:50.839 --> 00:25:51.879 in a prison camp, 00:25:52.179 --> 00:25:52.980 in an determined camp. 00:25:53.859 --> 00:25:54.339 In the Bible, 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.619 I learned that God 00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:57.220 values us not for our strength 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:58.119 or our brains, 00:25:58.599 --> 00:25:59.419 but simply because 00:25:59.419 --> 00:26:00.220 he has made us. 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:01.839 Who knows? 00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:02.759 In his eyes, 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.919 someone who faces handicaps 00:26:04.919 --> 00:26:05.759 may be worth more 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.599 than a watchmaker. 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.619 That was her profession. 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:10.179 Or a lieutenant. 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.859 That was his profession. 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.919 After taking this risk, 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:16.879 not knowing what's going to happen, 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:18.440 he ends up coming back to her, 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:19.920 and he comes up 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.880 and asks her 00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:21.340 for the hope 00:26:21.340 --> 00:26:21.960 that's within her. 00:26:23.120 --> 00:26:23.700 The next day, 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:23.980 he says, 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:25.259 I could not sleep last night 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.380 thinking about that book 00:26:26.380 --> 00:26:27.460 where you have read 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:28.480 such different ideas. 00:26:29.140 --> 00:26:30.539 What else does it say in there? 00:26:32.100 --> 00:26:32.759 Corey tells him, 00:26:32.820 --> 00:26:33.940 it says that a light 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:35.160 has come into this world 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:36.340 so that we need 00:26:36.340 --> 00:26:37.640 no longer walk in the dark. 00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:39.340 Is there darkness 00:26:39.340 --> 00:26:40.259 in your life, 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:40.740 lieutenant? 00:26:42.840 --> 00:26:44.039 There is great darkness, 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.920 he said at last. 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:46.420 I cannot bear 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:48.000 the work I do here. 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.340 She goes on to share 00:26:52.340 --> 00:26:53.340 the gospel with him, 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:56.060 and it's unclear 00:26:56.060 --> 00:26:57.400 what happens. 00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:57.960 We don't know 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.779 if Lieutenant Rahm's 00:26:58.779 --> 00:27:00.220 ever had faith in Christ, 00:27:00.300 --> 00:27:00.920 but it's clear 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:02.300 that he was someone 00:27:02.300 --> 00:27:03.060 who was asking her 00:27:03.060 --> 00:27:03.620 about the hope 00:27:03.620 --> 00:27:04.360 that was within her. 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:04.759 In fact, 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:06.460 so explicitly so 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:08.000 that he had one major objection 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.700 to Christianity, 00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:10.820 which is that he could not 00:27:10.820 --> 00:27:11.920 understand how the people 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.440 in this camp, 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:12.880 like Corey, 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:14.240 still had faith in God 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.319 even though they were suffering. 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:19.480 Corey was not characterized 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.380 by fear, 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:23.400 and that was something 00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:24.440 that caused someone else 00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:25.460 to ask her questions 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:26.160 about her faith. 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:29.240 Even in a risky situation, 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:30.099 it would have been easier 00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:31.220 for her not to share 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:31.819 about the book, 00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:32.400 but instead, 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.859 what was most important 00:27:33.859 --> 00:27:35.200 to her was that this man 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:35.799 would know 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.779 about the truth 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.339 of the gospel 00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:38.240 and that as he lived 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:38.900 in his darkness, 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:39.880 there was the opportunity 00:27:39.880 --> 00:27:40.440 for light. 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:44.019 I also share that story 00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:44.360 with you 00:27:44.360 --> 00:27:44.900 because 00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:46.059 Corrie ten Boom 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:47.380 was a very simple woman. 00:27:48.820 --> 00:27:50.180 She's described by some 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:51.340 as childlike. 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.340 It's tempting 00:27:53.340 --> 00:27:54.220 to take verses 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.740 like 1 Peter 3.15 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:57.019 and believe 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:57.519 that there is 00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.380 some heavy weight 00:27:58.380 --> 00:27:58.880 on us 00:27:58.880 --> 00:27:59.759 that we must 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.600 be people 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.140 who know 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:01.700 multiple 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.480 and various 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.180 complicated 00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:04.299 philosophical defenses 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:05.220 of the Christian faith, 00:28:05.580 --> 00:28:06.940 and that is a good thing, 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.120 right? 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:07.820 We need people 00:28:07.820 --> 00:28:08.680 who know those things. 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:10.380 We also need 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:10.779 normal, 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.860 everyday Christians 00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:13.360 who are willing 00:28:13.360 --> 00:28:13.840 to share 00:28:13.840 --> 00:28:14.779 the basic truth 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.480 about their faith 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.019 in Jesus. 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:18.279 The requirement 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.700 here in 1 Peter 3 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.480 is not 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.380 that we be 00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:22.299 the smartest person 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:22.759 in the room. 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:25.700 The requirement 00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:26.539 is that we fear 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.519 God more than man. 00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:30.480 The requirement 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:30.960 is not 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.380 that we be 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:32.299 the smartest person 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:32.820 in the room. 00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.740 It is that we fear 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.700 God more than man, 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.519 and because of that, 00:28:35.600 --> 00:28:36.160 we are willing 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:37.279 to share the basics 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:38.320 of our hope 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:38.939 in Christ. 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:39.960 There is nothing 00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:40.619 complicated 00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:41.460 that Corrie Ten Boom 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:42.279 shared with this man. 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.319 She shared with him 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:44.899 the basics 00:28:44.899 --> 00:28:46.399 that God values 00:28:46.399 --> 00:28:47.200 all people equally, 00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:48.419 challenging his worldview. 00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:50.299 And then she shared 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:50.720 the basics 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.559 that this is a world 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:52.240 of darkness, 00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.919 but God sent his son 00:28:53.919 --> 00:28:54.419 into the world 00:28:54.419 --> 00:28:55.159 to give us light. 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:57.500 And so Corrie 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.299 was able to share 00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:59.079 the reason 00:28:59.079 --> 00:28:59.700 for the hope 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.879 that was within her. 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.240 She wasn't 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:05.119 a seminary professor. 00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:07.579 She wasn't 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.839 studying flashcards. 00:29:11.159 --> 00:29:11.939 She was just 00:29:11.939 --> 00:29:12.500 someone who 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.819 followed after Jesus 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:14.539 and was willing 00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:15.539 to be bold enough 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.539 to share it 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.319 with someone else. 00:29:19.739 --> 00:29:20.959 And so for us, 00:29:21.179 --> 00:29:22.359 the hope is that 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:23.399 as we live our lives, 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:24.099 people would come 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:25.099 and also ask us 00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:25.639 for the hope 00:29:25.639 --> 00:29:26.479 that is within us. 00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:29.779 As we see, 00:29:29.899 --> 00:29:30.459 people see that 00:29:30.459 --> 00:29:31.679 our family is a mess 00:29:31.679 --> 00:29:32.559 and we are struggling, 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:34.200 and they ask us 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.960 how we keep going, 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:35.819 we can share with them 00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:37.139 our hope in Jesus. 00:29:39.119 --> 00:29:40.079 When our family 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:41.240 is going really well 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:42.059 and they notice 00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:43.019 something is different 00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:43.779 about our children, 00:29:44.639 --> 00:29:45.700 we can share with them 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.399 that our hope 00:29:46.399 --> 00:29:47.419 is in Jesus. 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.240 When you have 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:51.500 an incredible work ethic 00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:52.839 and they ask you 00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.279 about that, 00:29:53.339 --> 00:29:54.099 you can share with them 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:54.819 that your hope 00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:55.859 is in Jesus. 00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.460 You can give them 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:57.460 a reason for the hope 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:58.159 that is within you. 00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.539 You could pull 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.279 a Corrie ten Boom. 00:30:00.359 --> 00:30:00.779 They could share 00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:01.659 a situation with you 00:30:01.660 --> 00:30:02.200 and you could give them 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.080 some biblical teaching. 00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:04.380 Maybe they'd share with you 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:05.060 that they're struggling 00:30:05.060 --> 00:30:05.779 with unemployment. 00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:08.180 You could share with them 00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:08.820 that makes sense. 00:30:08.900 --> 00:30:09.600 I can understand 00:30:09.600 --> 00:30:10.160 how that would be 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:11.200 so challenging for you. 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:11.800 And part of the reason 00:30:11.800 --> 00:30:12.980 I know that that's challenging 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:14.259 is because God made 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:15.320 the heavens and the earth. 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.380 And when he made 00:30:17.380 --> 00:30:18.220 the heavens and the earth, 00:30:18.300 --> 00:30:19.519 he also instituted work. 00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:21.380 And you as a human being 00:30:21.380 --> 00:30:22.220 made in his image 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:23.080 were made to work. 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.759 Sharing our hope 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:28.620 is not something 00:30:28.620 --> 00:30:29.420 that's complicated. 00:30:30.360 --> 00:30:31.120 It's just something 00:30:31.120 --> 00:30:31.560 that's hard. 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:34.300 It's not something 00:30:34.300 --> 00:30:34.940 that's complicated. 00:30:35.120 --> 00:30:35.680 It's just something 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:36.480 that is hard. 00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:38.880 And yet we have 00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:39.420 the hope 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:40.740 that God gives us. 00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:42.540 What empowers us 00:30:42.540 --> 00:30:43.920 to live in this way 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.600 is the hope 00:30:44.600 --> 00:30:45.560 that we give 00:30:45.560 --> 00:30:46.019 is the hope 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:46.580 that we're holding. 00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:48.680 We're telling people 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:49.220 about a hope 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:49.920 that we have. 00:30:50.040 --> 00:30:50.580 That's the hope 00:30:50.580 --> 00:30:51.360 that empowers us 00:30:51.360 --> 00:30:52.019 and it's the hope 00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:53.360 that Jesus is enough. 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:55.540 That he's worth 00:30:55.540 --> 00:30:56.800 living and loving for. 00:30:56.880 --> 00:30:57.660 He's worth suffering 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.840 and dying for 00:30:58.840 --> 00:31:00.080 because he suffered 00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:00.779 for us. 00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:03.599 Tells us in the end 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.220 of this passage 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:04.740 that it's better 00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:06.000 to suffer for doing good 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:06.919 than for doing evil. 00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:09.460 And who suffered 00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:11.379 more than Jesus? 00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:14.240 And who did more good 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:15.359 than Jesus? 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:19.319 He is our hope 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:20.279 and he's the reason 00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:21.319 we share our hope 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:22.740 because he's the one 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.299 who suffered 00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:24.720 and died for our sins 00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:25.360 for anyone 00:31:25.360 --> 00:31:26.420 and everyone 00:31:26.420 --> 00:31:27.480 who's willing to repent 00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:28.600 and have faith in him. 00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:31.960 And so what do we do 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:32.720 when we're afraid? 00:31:35.319 --> 00:31:36.140 What do we do 00:31:36.140 --> 00:31:36.880 when we have a lot 00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:37.460 to lose 00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:38.220 for following 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:38.920 after Jesus? 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:41.799 First, 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:43.200 we let the fear 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:43.759 of God 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:45.579 replace the fear 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:45.940 of man. 00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:48.880 And second, 00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:50.680 we hold out 00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:51.380 the hope 00:31:51.380 --> 00:31:52.120 that allows us 00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:52.620 to do it 00:31:52.620 --> 00:31:53.400 to anyone 00:31:53.400 --> 00:31:53.940 who asks. 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:56.320 And we have 00:31:56.320 --> 00:31:56.759 that hope 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:57.620 because of Jesus 00:31:57.620 --> 00:31:58.759 and what he has done 00:31:58.759 --> 00:31:59.700 for us. 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:00.860 And so we can continue 00:32:00.860 --> 00:32:02.420 living and loving 00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:02.940 for Jesus 00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:03.960 and suffering 00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:04.480 and dying 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:05.220 for him as well 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:05.780 because he 00:32:05.780 --> 00:32:06.880 is worth it. 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.660 Please pray with me. 00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:14.140 Dear Father in heaven, 00:32:14.300 --> 00:32:15.720 we thank you 00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:18.519 that you sustain us 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:19.120 in our suffering. 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:21.040 And we thank you 00:32:21.040 --> 00:32:21.660 that you've given us 00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:22.340 a greater fear 00:32:22.340 --> 00:32:23.060 and a greater hope. 00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:25.300 We ask that you 00:32:25.300 --> 00:32:26.000 would work that 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:26.920 deep into our hearts 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:27.519 that we would 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:28.940 be able to persevere 00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:29.940 not out of a sense 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.480 of duty 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:32.140 or moralism, 00:32:32.779 --> 00:32:33.980 but we persevere 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.580 because we know 00:32:34.580 --> 00:32:35.580 the truth about you 00:32:35.580 --> 00:32:37.200 and your love for us. 00:32:38.080 --> 00:32:38.960 And we ask that you 00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:39.640 give us boldness 00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:40.420 to share the truth 00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:41.200 about you 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:43.259 because we love you 00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:44.019 and we fear you 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:45.140 more than anything else. 00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:47.400 And we ask all these things 00:32:47.400 --> 00:32:48.360 not because we have 00:32:48.360 --> 00:32:48.759 earned them 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:49.400 or deserve them, 00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:50.259 but because Jesus 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:51.300 has earned them for us 00:32:51.300 --> 00:32:52.100 and so we ask them 00:32:52.100 --> 00:32:52.660 in his name. 00:32:53.160 --> 00:32:53.380 Amen. 00:32:55.320 --> 00:32:56.360 I invite you to stand.