Our Holiness Before Others

INTRO:

Recap: 1 Peter, Being holy as He is holy

Football - What is the most important thing in football?

Balance - Good offense and defense

defense to stop the opposing team from scoring

offense to score your own points

Our holiness is revealed in the same way

apologetics

Overview of

reminder of our call to live differently

how we treat others and the church

focus on following God

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Old saying meaning if you do good something bad will happen to you

1 Peter 3:13–14 ESV

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

1 Peter 3:13-1

Two points from this verse

who can harm you if you do good?

If you do suffer for good you will be blessed

All tied to our holiness in Christ

Point 1 - If you do what is right who has a worthy charge against you?

John 18:

John 18:23 ESV

Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?”

Why was Jesus struck?

council asked for testimony from Him about His works

His response, ask those around they have seen what I have done

They send Him off after the question

Why is this important?

Because when you do what is right in the Lord, no one has an argument against you

What happens if I still suffer for doing right in God’s eyes?

Point 2 - If you suffer for righteousness it is a blessing

Bible is filled with accounts of God’s people doing what is right and still suffering for it

Joseph, David, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Jesus, the Apostles

Why is it a blessing to suffer?

Reveals your faith

Grows your faith

Promise of faith

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:

A Defense Forged in Meekness

What is meekness?

Mildness of disposition

Trusting God to handle injustices rather than yourself

Blue Letter Bible - Meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time.

1 Peter 3:15-

1 Peter 3:15–16 ESV

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Have a defense

forged in gentleness and respect - meekness

Gentleness, consider them as a person who doesn’t know the Gospel

Respect - see them as Imago Dei and Jesus died for them just as much as He did for you

God sees their response and you walked as an enemy of the Cross once

we should be the most gracious people

because it was afforded to us

Remember the Gospel

1 Peter 3:17–18 ESV

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

1 Peter 3:18-

No servant is greater than His master

Christ endured suffering that you might be brought to God

maybe that is you Christian