A Ready Witness Series

This is a great passage - Peter says that even though we suffer through all types of trials in life, we have a living hope! What is hope? It is not just “wishing” that things turn out well. No, the biblical idea of “hope” is confident expectation - we can count on what the future holds because of who God is and what He has promised. So Peter says that even when we are struggling in life, we hold on to hope. Why? Because of the resurrection of of Jesus Christ - in the words of the song, Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone, because I know He hold the future, and life is worth the living, just because He lives.

Peter says we also have hope because we have an inheritance waiting for us in heaven.

We have hope because God is shielding us by His great power.

In verse 13, we see we have hope because Jesus Christ is coming back for us. Jesus said in John 14 - I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

And in light of this hope we have in the midst of trials, Peter says it should affect how we live. In 1:22 we see we need to love one another deeply, from the heart. In chapter 2, Peter says because we have this living hope, we need to grow spiritually. In 2:12, Peter says we SHOW our faith by how we live. He says, Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us. We are called to LIVE our lives daily in such a way that others are pointed to the truth of God. And that is one of the key ideas about our witness. Being a witness for Jesus does not mean that once a week for an hour or two we pick up our bible and start going door to door telling people about God’s salvation. Rather it is the idea that every day, wherever we are, we LIVE in such a way that when we DO speak about Jesus, people will want to listen to us because they have been watching our lives and they see that we live out what we are telling them. The only way we will be effective witnesses is by living a consistent testimony before those we are around.

This morning, you could stand up in church and say “Oh How I love Jesus” - but if I asked your family, you co-workers, your teammates, your neighbors if you love Jesus - what would those who watch your life say about your faith?

Peter tells us that we need to live our faith out before others. But then in chapter 3, Peter reminds us that even if we live a godly life, things may not always go well for us. Some Christians get the idea that if we just love Jesus we’ll have a good job, plenty of money, friends galore, and a family like Leave it to Beaver. But the truth is just the opposite: sometimes we can do everything right in following God, and yet we suffer in life. So Peter goes in to give us some help when we face those difficult times. He writes in verse 14, But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” 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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.