“Effectively Giving Hope”

  1. Introduction
    1. We need to hold open the Door of Hope for others!
  2. Effectively Holding Open The Door of Hope
    1 Peter 3:13–16

    13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear[a]; do not be frightened."[b] 15But in your hearts set apart 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, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

    Footnotes:
    a Or not fear their threats
    b Isaiah 8:12

    1. The Rule: Give Hope = Receive Blessings (vs. 13–14)
    2. Make Jesus Lord in Our Lives (vs. 15)
      1. It is a call to holiness.
        1. It means to be ____________________.
      2. It will mean that we are different.
        1. Different ________________________
        2. Different ________________________
      3. What will it look like?
        Isaiah 58:6–7

        6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
        to loose the chains of injustice
        and untie the cords of the yoke,
        to set the oppressed free
        and break every yoke?

        7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
        and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
        when you see the naked, to clothe him,
        and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

        Isaiah 58:9–10

        9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
        you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
        “If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
        with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

        10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
        and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
        then your light will rise in the darkness,
        and your night will become like the noonday.

        1. ________________________________
        2. ________________________________
        3. ________________________________
      4. Obedience results in promise.
        Isaiah 58:8–11

        8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear;
        then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
        and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

        9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
        you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
        “If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
        with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

        10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
        and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
        then your light will rise in the darkness,
        and your night will become like the noonday.

        Footnote: a Or your righteous One

        1. ________________________________
        2. ________________________________
        3. ________________________________
    3. Make Your Life A Witness
      1 Peter 3:15

      But in your hearts set apart 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. Your life is a witness!
    4. Finally, Give Hope Properly
      1 Peter 3:15–16

      15But in your hearts set apart 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,

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

      1. Paul says we are to share it with:
        1. Gentleness - __________________________
        2. Respect - ________________________________
        3. Clear Conscience - _________________________
  3. Conclusion
    1. Jesus is the door of hope!
    2. Let's be a people and church that gives hope to all!