Defending Your Faith With Holy Character

Attention: What does it mean take to be a good defender?

Luke Keuchly- Preparation and knew his role

For us when we think about defense we think about sports or soldiers.

You think of physical or mental characteristics that make some one capable of defending.

The Bible, while not diminishing mental ability, focuses more on a person’s character.

Text Idea: In our passage, Peter encourages the church to not fear suffering, but instead to be prepared to defend their faith while pursuing holy character.

Sermon Idea: Christians must be ready to defend their faith while pursuing the same godly character demonstrated by our Savior.

Interrogative: How should Christians go about defending their faith?

Transition: Our text provides for us six components of the character we should adopt.

1 Peter 3:13-17

V. 13-14: Defend with Confidence

In v. 13 Peter starts with a question, and the answer is generally going to be no one.

There is some truth to the fact that normally if I conduct myself with Godly character I will be a peacemaker.

However, if I do face persecution for doing the right thing, I am told not to worry.

Peter is pointing back to the truth in Matt. 5:10 where Jesus says we are blessed if we suffer for righteousness sake.

So why shouldn’t I worry? Because there is nothing that this nonbelieving world can do to me that overshadows the good that God has done.

Illustration: Our lives in many ways reflect that of a homeless person waiting for an inheritance.

Application: Hold on to the things that this world promises loosely. Don’t fear the threats of man.

Transition: So we see the confidence we can have due to the ineffectiveness of worldly attacks, there is a second component that can give us confidence as well.

V. 15a: Defend with a high view of Jesus

Peter encourages them to honor Christ the Lord as holy in their hearts.

What this means is for them to essentially see Jesus for who He really is and to love Him.

It is the love that we have for Christ that ought to be the primary motivator for our defense.

Illustration: Just as a man’s love for his wife should move him to protect her, our love for Christ is what drives us.

Application: Be careful to keep this at the root of your faith. Your doctrine may be good, but if you lose sight of your first love your useless.

Transition: So motivated by love we now transition to the mind.

V. 15b: Defend with Preparation

Christians have a hope that sets us apart from every other faith.

What we are encouraged to do is to be ready to defend (provide an apologia) for our hope.

This is where we get our term apologetics.

Apologetics in many ways is pre-evangelism, and is meant to silence the nonbeliever while instilling hope in the believer.

It is a discipline of biblical knowledge, reason, and scientific fact.

With all this being said it is one that requires preparation.

You and I have the duty to know the faith we claim to belong to and be willing to defend it.

Illustration: Secret Service- foods, threats, location, liesure, private, and film.

Application: The first greatest preparation to defend is to know your God, and then know the attacks of the enemy.

Transition: So we have to be prepared, but is defense just a mental practice, or is there more?

V. 15c: Defend with Gentleness

There is a way we have to approach the nonbeliever. Winning a mental contest while coming across as a jerk does nobody any good.

Instead, we are to come with gentleness and respect, seeing the lost in way that admits that we used to be that way to and that the only reason we aren’t now is because of the mercy of God.

Illustration: Late Night debate

Application: You are attempting to win a person to Jesus, not for them to recognize your own brilliance. Have humility when defending your faith.

Transition: Peter after establishing how we approach others, turns it back on us.

V. 16: Defend with a Good Conscience

We are told to defend our faith with a good conscience.

When we are saved we are forgiven of our sins, and set free from slavery to sin.

Essentially I don’t have to continue in the same sinful lifestyle that I was previously living.

I am told to repent and follow Jesus.

I will continue to struggle with sin and be seeking to leave it behind.

So what Peter is saying here is don’t be a hypocrite. Pursue a good conscience, meaning don’t hold onto a secret sin while trying to condemn others. You are saved by grace, so confess your sin, live in the light, recognizing what Jesus has done and who He says your are.

Illustration: Steve Lawson

Application: Don’t act like an encyclopedia of knowledge, pretending you love God, and then live in complete rebellion of Him. Let people’s attacks on you not be due to your own sin.

V. 17: Defend with Trust in God’s Will

Finally, recognize that while defending your faith and living for Jesus you’re going to face hardships.

The truth is that often it is God’s will for His people to go through hardships.

Just as Jesus suffered not because of His own sin, but out of love for God and His people, God calls us as His children to face hardships.

Peter’s encouragement here is for us to strive that the suffering not be our own fault, but instead suffer for doing the right thing, trusting that God has a plan, and that what He has ins tore for us is so much better.

Conclusion: As we have seen, God cares about how we defend our faith. There is study that is required, but first and foremost we must hold to our savior, loving Him for what He has done, and striving to follow His example of holiness and humility.

Discussion Questions:

What do you find most difficult about defending/ sharing your faith?

Which one of the main points stood out to you?

How will learning how to defend your faith give you more confidence in what you believe?