This is the last message about worldviews. We have established that only a Biblical worldview can satisfactory answer the many questions of this life and the Biblical worldview is the only one that see the world as it truly is. But what about those without a godly and Biblical worldview? Those who are lost and destined for eternity in hell? Jesus commands us to be His witnesses to the world.
Acts 1:8b … and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
We are call to be witnesses here at home as well as the remotest part of the world. A question was asked to Ellen and I as we were interviewing to be missionaries. We were asked about our call to foreign missions, but we also asked about our witness to our neighbors and co-workers. To be a missionary on the foreign mission field, we must first be a missionary at home. Being a witness, being a missionary, begins in your home. So how do we connect with the Gospel to those who do not know the gospel, with those who do not have the view of the world that we have?
We are to build bridges. We are to find common ground and build upon that. We are to never compromise on the truth.
1 Peter 3:13–17
When Henry Ford purchased a large insurance policy, the Detroit newspapers blazoned the fact, since the amount was so large and he was so prominent. The story was read by one of Ford’s old friends, who happened to be in the insurance business. The old friend went to confront Ford to see if the story was true. When Ford assured him that it was, the friend asked him why the policy was not purchased from him, since he was a personal friend and had been in insurance for many years. Ford’s reply was, “You never asked me.” How many of our friends can say to us, “You never asked me,” as to our sharing Christ with them? [1]
An extensive study released in May 2002 depicts religious life in America as both hopeful and cautionary. The Lilly Endowment sponsored the survey and involved interviews with 300,000 worshippers in 2,200 churches, representing 8 denominations found that three-fourths of churchgoers report they came the first time because someone invited them. Yet 54 percent of those surveyed said they had not invited anyone to church in the past year.[2]
Our biblical worldview would confirm to us that we have a world that is lost and going to hell. How concern are we about that? Not much judging by the how much we evangelizing we do.
1 Peter 3:13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
Peter asks a rhetorical question here with the implied answer of “no one.” There is two ways to take this question he asks. In context with what came previously, Peter could be inferring to divine judgment. In that case, if we are eager to do God’s good work, then we will not be judged for that eagerness (or zealousness). But looking at what comes next where Peter says “even if we should suffer” implies that we might suffer harm.
We look around this world gone upside down, where good is called bad, and bad and evil is called good (Isaiah 5:20), we can and do see many suffering for being zealous for doing good. The history of Christian martyrs clearly show this.
1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,
The call for believers is clear. We are to be righteous and do good, even if we suffer for doing so and regardless of the world’s take on our conduct. Peter says “you are blessed.” God blesses and we will experience happiness for doing right. That is the meaning of blessed. We are happy for doing right not from the suffering that may result. But Peter quotes for Isaiah 8:12ff when he says “AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED.” This is an interesting quote Peter chose to use. Let's look briefly at the background to this OT quote.
Ahaz, King of Judah, faced a crisis because of an impending invasion by the Assyrian army. The kings of Israel and Syria wanted Ahaz to join them in an alliance, but Ahaz refused; so Israel and Syria threatened to invade Judah! Behind the scenes, Ahaz confederated himself with Assyria! The Prophet Isaiah warned him against ungodly alliances and urged him to trust God for deliverance. “Sanctify the Lord of hosts [armies] Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread” (Isa. 8:13). As Christians, we are faced with crises, and we are tempted to give in to our fears and make the wrong decisions. But if we “sanctify Christ as Lord” in our hearts, we need never fear men or circumstances. Our enemies might hurt us, but they cannot harm us. Only we can harm ourselves if we fail to trust God. [3]
Jesus tells us as much.
Matthew 10:28 Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
God almighty is the only one we need to fear. Not what the world can do to us. Jesus also said:
John 16:33b … In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
With us understanding all this, we may suffer for doing rightly, but that our victory is in Jesus, and every crisis is an opportunity. Peter tells us:
1 Peter 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
There is a lot packed into this verse, so let's break it down to aid in our full understanding of it. First, we are to “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.” We are to be certain Jesus is in fact, Lord of our lives and that we are utterly dependent on Him. We can do nothing unless we fully abide in Him (John 15:5).
We must remember when talking to others with ungodly worldviews, that we are ever in a spiritual battle. We must have on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Our job is to proclaim the truth, the truth that is Jesus Christ. God’s job is to make the change, not us.
Second, we are to “always be ready.” We are to know the word, know the truth, and know how to use the truth. Paul tells young Timothy:
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
This is yet another reason to be in the Word and to know the Word, because we will be called upon to use the Word “to make a defense.” The defense is like in a court of law, we are defending ourselves. (idf we are ever on trial for being a Christian, is there enough evidence to convict us?) We need to keep the focus on Jesus. The opposition will try and sway us away on rabbit trails but we are to focus on Jesus. And who is making the charge?
“To everyone who asks you.” This is critical. People will ask. We must ready recognize the question. We won’t be asked directly to tell them about Jesus (though that has happened!). They may ask “Why are you doing this for me?” or “What is different about you?” We need to pray for these opportunities. You see when I stand here and preach, there is no guarantee that anyone is listening. But when someone ask you a question, they are waiting and listening for answer. That is your opportunity!
And what are they asking? What is the charge they are making against you that you must be ready to give a defense? “To give an account for the hope that is in you.” It is your personal relationship with the Living Lord which is the source of your power and strength. It is your testimony. Not my testimony nor someone else’s testimony, but yours. Have you thought out your testimony? Do you have a testimony?
It is interesting that Peter uses the word “hope” rather than the word “faith.” Our faith results in our hope of eternity with Jesus. From this we derive at our worldview. It is that hope of eternal salvation we have a proper perspective of the events of this world. Our hope will shine through the difficulties of life. As Christians, we experience many of the same things the rest of the world suffers from, but because of our hope, our faith in forever being with Jesus, our eternal perspective, we handle and work through these difficulties differently from the rest of the world. And because of that, people will ask us to give an account of the hope that is within us. But when we give that account, we do so with “yet with gentleness and reverence.”
As we relate to others, answering the question they pose to us, we respond with patience, respect, and love. Paul tells us to:
Ephesians 4:15a but speaking the truth in love ...
We look for common ground and relate our experiences to theirs speaking with confidence. Remember, people cannot dispute what you yourselves have experienced. Be ready with your defense, with your testimony. For most of us, we can keep it short and sweet: “I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.” We must never forget that we have truth, and our biblical worldview is the only one that provide consistent answers to the world’s questions. [4]
1 Peter 3:16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
Peter tells us to keep a good conscience. This means that we are to always be found doing right in the eyes of God. I do believe the most miserable people are those true believers, the saved. who are grieving the Holy Spirit within them. If you are caught up in sin and the Spirit is not troubling you over it, I would examine your salvation to see if you are truly in the faith.
But the believer who keeps a good conscience toward God will be found doing right in his eyes. Many with other worldviews, will not be happy in the righteousness displayed in a godly lifestyle. These will slander you. Why? Because you are exposing their sinfulness. By living a godly life, we bring light into dark world, exposing the evil around us. But we are called to live consistently in such way, that our reputations in the world is that of godly people. And as such, those who slander us will be put to shame. Our very lives present a witness to the world, and because of that we will be asked what is different about us. But, especially in the time we live in now, we will suffer from living a righteous life. Paul tells us:
2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Peter says much the same.
1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
But if we are to suffer, in the eyes of God, it is much better that we suffer for doing right than doing wrong. We will be asked to denounce our convictions, and when we do not do so, we will be penalized, and perhaps even persecuted and prosecuted. Peter later tells us:
1 Peter 4:19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
We bring glory to God if we suffer for Him. Look at what Jesus suffered for us.
The very word “martyr” is from the Greek and that word is translated as "witness" or "testimony" in our Bibles. And that will bring questions to the unbeliever. When asked, "Why will you endure suffering?” what will you answer?
The question this morning for the believer, are you ready to make a defense to anyone who asks for the reason of the hope that is in you? Are you ready with your testimony?
And for the those who have not yet taken that step of faith toward Jesus, do you want that same hope in you?
[1] Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 124–125.
[2] www.freshministry.net/illustrations/data/EVANGELISM.htm#END —Pentecostal Evangel, June 23, 2002, pg 11, Survey outlines strengths and weaknesses of churches. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell
[3] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 413.
[4] Much of the analysis of 1 Peter 3:15 was derived from James P. Eckman, The Truth about Worldviews: A Biblical Understanding of Worldview Alternatives (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2004), 13–14.
