When Godliness Meets Opposition

Surviving Times of Suffering
1 Peter 3:13-17

These verses introduce a section of 1 Peter that talks about God’s grace in suffering.  The main principle is that the fear of the Lord conquers every other fear. If we “sanctify Christ as Lord” in our hearts, we never need to fear any person or any circumstance.  The only real harm that can come to us is when we fail to trust God.  It’s better to suffer for righteousness’ sake than to compromise our testimony.

Matthew 5:16

John 15

The Christian message is that no matter who you are, or what you’ve done, or where you live, you can be set free from your sin and you can spend forever in heaven with God,

“Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father, except through Me.’”                                                                            John 14:6

How to respond as Christians who have centered our hope on Jesus

1.        Consider yourself (v. 14a, 17)

James 1:2

Unfair treatment for righteousness sake actually indicates that we .

Matthew 5:10

2.        Refrain from (v. 14b)

John 14:1

1 John 4:4

“It is the most natural thing in the world to be scared, and the clearest evidence that God’s grace is at work in our hearts is when we do not get into panics. The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else.”                              -Oswald Chambers

3.        Christ as Lord (v. 15a)

Live by these two passages: Matthew 6:33 and Romans 12:1, 2

Isaiah 8:13

Before you go out and face the world, make sure that you affirm your commitment to him, that .

Daniel 1:8

4.        Be ready to (v. 15b)

Apologetics is a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of Christianity.

Mark 12:30

The purpose of apologetics is not to win an argument but to .

“I don’t mind being asked a question I don’t know the answer to, but I don’t ever want to be asked the same question a second time and not know the answer.”
-Dawson Trotman (founder of the Navigators)

5.        Keep a (vv. 16, 17)

The only way for your conscience to be purified is .

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner, was you.”
-Lewis Smedes

Daily Meditations

Memory verse:  “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15

Monday
Read 1 Peter 3:13-17.  How did Peter use a rhetorical question to explain his point in verse 13?

In verse 14, what did Peter write about suffering for what is right ?

Tuesday
Read 1 Peter 3:13-17.  What did Peter instruct his readers to be prepared for in verse 15?

How should we set Christ apart as Lord in our hearts?

Wednesday
Read 1 Peter 3:13-17.  How prepared are you to explain your hope in Christ?

What can you do to be better prepared for discussions about Christ with non-Christian friends?

Thursday
Read 1 Peter 3:13-17.  How were these readers to give the reason for their hope in Christ?  See verse 15.

Why is it better to suffer for doing good rather than evil?

Friday
Read 1 Peter 3:13-17.  According to verse 16, why are believers to keep a clear conscience?

When is it all right to suffer, and when is it a waste?  See verse 17.

Saturday
Read 1 Peter 3:13-17.  What response could you use when you are mistreated or insulted?

What step can you take this week to become more prepared to answer questions about your hope and faith in Christ?

Check out this apologetics website: www.thepoachedegg.net