March 8 2015 Responding To Intimidation

RESPONDING TO INTIMIDATION

1 Peter 3:13-22

TWO WAYS TO RESPOND

1. Keep your mind on the will of God.

Verse 17 – It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

HOW TO DEVELOP THIS LIFESTYLE

• Be zealous for what is good.

Verse 13 – Who is going to harm you if you are eager (or zealous) to do good?

• Don’t be intimidated or troubled.

Verse 14 – Do not fear what they fear, do not be frightened.

• Keep a life style of Holiness.

Verse 15 – But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.

FOUR DESCRIPTIVE WORDS

• Admit that you are in control.
• Submit your all to God.
• Commit your will to His way.
• Transmit God’s love to others.

Verse 15 – Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Verse 16 – Respond with gentleness and respect.

A MODEL FOR COPING

Acts 4:23-31

Verse 29 – Consider their threats.

Verse 29 – Enable your servants to speak with boldness.

Verse 30 – Stretch out your hand to heal.

Verse 31 – They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

• Keep a clear conscience.

Verse 16 – Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

2. Keep your faith in the risen Christ.

Verses 18 & 22 – Christ also suffered.  He died once for the sins of all as guilty sinners, although He Himself was innocent of any sin at any time, that He might bring us safely home to God.  But through His body died, His Spirit lived on, and now Christ is in heaven sitting in the place of honor next to God the Father.

IDENTIFY WITH CHRIST MEANS:

• Our sins are forgiven.
• We will suffer as He did.
• He will take us home to heaven.

February 22 2015 How Can I Display Christianity Under Pressure

How Can I Display Christianity Under Pressure

1 Peter 1:13-16

I. The setting of our scripture

Verse 16 – Be Holy, because I am Holy.

Therefore:

II. Four helps to Holy living

1. You need a well ordered mind.

Verse 13 – Prepare you mind for action.

Exodus 12:11 – And thus shall you eat, with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, your staff on your hand, and ye shall eat it in haste.  It is the Lord’s Passover.

Three Hebrew children:

2. Have a well disciplined life.

Verse 13 – Be self-controlled.

Two things this means:

1. Be alert to potential dangers.
2. Be aware of who you are.

3. Have a well defined goal.

Verse 13 – Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Definition of “set”.

I John 3:2 – When He appears we shall be like Him.

1 John 3:3 – Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure.

4. Have a well established conversion.

Verse 14 – As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

Obedience is the process of walking in the Light.

Verse 16 – Be Holy because I am Holy.

Five factors that motivate us to Holiness:

1. The character of God.

2. He’s called us.

3. It’s God’s command.

4. The consistency of God.

5. It’s the choice of God.

Romans 12:1 – In view of God’s mercy, offer yourselves as living sacrifices to God.