1 Peter 3:8-22
Intro Questions
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Other Resources:
Series: Be Different “Making Transformative Moves” Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Title: Different Answer
Bookmark: Click Here
Opening Thoughts: In a time of increasing hopelessness, where do you find hope? We cling to the enduring hope we have in Christ, and we actively share that hope with a world in need.
USA Today survey about the perspective of 2021
Only 14% had something positive to say.
In 2022 more positive, more “hopeful”
There is a difference in being “hopeful” and being “filled with hope”
Where is the reason for your hope?
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Text: 1 Peter 3:13-22
Do good, even if you suffer for it.
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 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, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
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Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the story in your own words.
Review and retell the story.
Reflections for applications:
Revere = set apart, consecrate, make holy
Hope = Hebrews 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
Answer = Are you prepared to give an answer?
Answer: CHRIST IS LORD!
Jesus lived (1 Peter 1:20)
Jesus died (1 Peter 2:24)
Jesus rose (1 Peter 1:3)
Jesus reigns (1 Peter 3:22)
Jesus will return (1 Peter 1:13)
Jesus will bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18)
Our hope is in Christ, and Christ alone!
Example of Paul Cowdrey
Either way, I will be blessed. I will try to be the best example for others I that I don’t fear death. It may even help start a discussion about the Gospel. -- Paul Cowdrey
Our Missionaries
Digging Questions:
How will you respond in being different? What transformative move needs to be made?
What do these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?
What is God calling us to do?
Take Away Challenges
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?
Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts or actions need to be addressed or changed?
Hash tags #Answer #Hope #Good News
Sunday sermon link https://youtu.be/gGREXtErJI8
Kevin’s Blog Link to more resources: Click here for Kevin’s Blog Notes
Comments and resources with some more resources:
3 Things To Say To An
Atheist
What are 3 things that you can say to or ask an atheist? What things could you
think to add?
What do you do with
your Guilt?
The atheist might say
that they don’t believe in God but the Bible says that they actually suppress
this knowledge. Paul writes in Romans 1:18 that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their
unrighteousness suppress the truth.”The Greek word for suppress is “katechō” which means “to hold
back, to detain” or “to restrain” so it is an intentional act of suppressing
what they know to be true but what does the atheist do with his or her guilt?
Good question.
Where did the Universe
Come From?
I read about an
astrophysicist who said that anywhere from 10 to 15 billion years ago the
universe exploded into being but if it didn’t exist before the explosion, then
what was it that exploded? Can something that does not exist begin to exist and
if it didn’t exist at one time and then did, how can that be so? If would have
had to exist prior to exploding into being, right? Then where did the material
universe come from? What in the universe had not beginning? The law of
causality is so fundamental to science and logic that if I said that the chair
you are sitting in, which must have had a beginning, just popped into existence
without any cause, you might justifiably think I need a psychiatric assessment
and you‘d be right! If at one time there
was absolutely nothing that existed, then nothing would exist today. The
psalmist knew that “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the
sky above proclaims his handiwork”(Psalm 19:1) and God’s “eternal power and divine nature–have been
clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are
without excuse” (Rom 1:20).
Can you prove there is
no God?
Of course the answer
to this must be no. The atheist, technically doesn’t exist because it is
impossible for them to prove that God doesn’t exist. That takes a great deal of
faith. What scientific evidence can they provide that God doesn’t exist? How
can they be 100% sure that there is no God? If there is no God, then is it fair
that Hitler and Stalin have no justice served for all their crimes against
humanity? Are there moral absolutes? If not, then aren’t they making an
absolute statement that there are no absolutes?
Conclusion
No one was ever argued
into heaven. Pray for them, try to reason with them but leave their conversion
up to God and “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”for (I Peter 3:15). I emphasize doing so in gentleness and
respect. Don’t debate, don’t argue. You can win an argument and lose a soul. I
would rather lose an argument and win a soul for Christ any day.
May God richly bless
you,
Pastor Jack Wellman
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