A Ready Defense

I. 1 Peter 3:15 – Give a Defense

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Acts 4:7-13

II. Context

A. 1 Peter was written to Christians throughout Asia

B. They were part of the Diaspora, or dispersion. The term, diaspora, usually referred the spread of the Jews throughout the world due to persecution. Peter appears to use this word to refer to Christians, Jews and Gentiles, who were spread throughout Asia.

C. His readers may have been dispersed through persecution since Peter addresses persecution and suffering several times in this letter.

D. 1 Peter 1:6 – “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,”1 Peter 2:11-12 – Summarize: Live holy before your Gentile opponents1 Peter 2:21-24 – Summarize: Christ is our example in suffering1 Peter 4:12-16 – If anyone suffers as a Christian

E. 1 Peter 3:15 contains part of our defense against opposition

F. God will punish the evil, 1 Peter 3:12 God is watching his children, 1 Peter 3:12 Therefore, who can harm you, though you may suffer? God is watching over you.

III. The Text

A. “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts”

B. We tend to define sanctify as set apart .

C. However, the Biblical use of the word is a little more specific.

D. Exodus 28:41 – Sanctifying Aaron and sons as priests to serve Exodus 29:36-37 – Sanctifying the altar for sacrifices Ephesians 5:26 – The church is sanctified by washing It indicates setting something apart for a sacred use; to hallow or to consider holy.

E. We must consider God holy and special in our hearts

F. The tabernacle and temple were holy places built for God’s presence to be manifested in Israel.

G. We are the temple of God and we must give Him the highest place in our hearts.

H. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – We are the temple John 14:23-24 – Jesus makes His home with us

I. His rule must be manifested in our lives

J. 1 Peter 1:15-16 – Be holy1 Peter 4:19 – Be committed to God

K. “and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”

L. Always be ready to answer your opponents

M. Jesus answered with scriptures

N. The Devil in Matthew 3 The Pharisees and Sadducees in Matthew 22 He told the Sadducees that they erred in not knowing the scriptures or the power of God.

O. The apostles boldly took their stand

P. Acts 4:7-13 – They had been with Jesus Acts 5:29 – Ought to obey God rather than men Acts 22, 24, 26 – Paul defends his belief

Q. Must be ready with a scriptural defense

R. Example of Jesus in Matthew 3: “It is written” Proverbs 15:28: “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.”2 Corinthians 10:3-6 – Strong arguments are our weapons We must prepare for the encounter

S. Defend your hope

T. 2 Peter 1:16 – “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” It is a reasonable faith, Acts 26:24-29

U. Defend, like in a court

V. Logical arguments Sound reasoning Evidence

W. Always defend

X. 1 Timothy 6:12: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”2 Timothy 4:2-5 – Fight even when it is unpopular to do so

Y. With meekness and fear

Z. Must not be arrogant even though we think we are right.

A. 2 Timothy 2:23-26

B. Realize the ignorant state of the lost. Realize that you might be the ignorant one. Desire their soul’s salvation, not a victory in an argument. A quarrelsome attitude usually means that we have forgotten one or both of these things. Titus 3:1-3 – We were in this condition without Christ

C. Sometimes we must cease to argue and have nothing to do with the person

D. Matthew 7:6: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” Titus 3:9-11 Matthew 18 – Jesus said to consider the unrepentant brother as a heathen1 Timothy 2:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:16-18 – Hymaneus and Alexander

IV. “having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.”

A. Not only must we give the right answers, we must live the right lives.

B. Begins with remission of sins

C. 1 Peter 3:21 – the answer of a good conscience Hebrews 10:19-23 – conscience cleansed

D. We continue it through sincere love of the truth and obedience

E. 1 Peter 1:22-23 Acts 24:16: “I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” It is frustrating to hear someone boldly proclaim their innocence to find that they were lying. We must not be hypocritical in our defense – boldly defending the truth but living contrary to it. Our lives must be such that our most ardent enemies will be ashamed for their opposition.