Go! And Always Be Ready to Share Your Hope - 1 Peter 3:15
1 Peter 3:15 (NLT): “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”
Introduction
What would you say if tomorrow, at work, at school, or in your neighbourhood, someone looked you in the eye and asked: “Why are you a Christian?”
Would you stumble for words? Would you feel unprepared? Or would you be ready to boldly and gently share the reason for the hope you have in Jesus Christ?
Church, in this Go! And… series, we are reminded that Christianity is not passive—it’s active. God calls us not just to gather, but to go. And here, in 1 Peter 3:15, we are commanded to go and always be ready to explain our hope.
Peter, writing to believers scattered and suffering in the Roman Empire, gives a clear instruction:
“Worship Christ as Lord of your life.” The Greek word used for Lord is ?????? (kyrios)—a title of absolute authority. To confess Jesus as Kyrios was dangerous in Peter’s day, because Caesar demanded to be called lord. To say “Jesus is Lord” was not merely spiritual—it was a declaration of allegiance, even if it cost your life.
“Always be ready to explain it.” The word translated “explain” in Greek is ?p?????a (apologia)—from which we get apologetics. It means a reasoned defence, not an argument filled with anger, but a thoughtful testimony.
Peter isn’t calling us to win debates. He’s calling us to be witnesses of Jesus.
Point 1: Our Hope Is Rooted in Christ
Peter says: “your hope as a believer”. Hope is not vague optimism. It’s not “I hope tomorrow is sunny.” Biblical hope is confident expectation rooted in the promises of God.
Hebrews 6:19 (NLT): “This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”
In the storms of life, hope in Christ anchors us.
Colossians 1:27 (NLT): “For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”
Our hope isn’t built on what we do, but on what Christ has done.
John Piper once said: “Hope is not just a wish. It’s a confident expectation in God’s future faithfulness.”
Church, Piper’s words remind us: our hope is living because our Saviour is living.
Imagine a man clinging to a piece of driftwood in the ocean. Every wave threatens to drown him. But then a lifeboat comes near, throws him a rope, and pulls him aboard. That rope is Jesus. That lifeboat is salvation. Our hope isn’t in our grip—it’s in the One who rescues us.
Point 2: Our Witness Must Be Prepared
Peter commands: “Always be ready.” That means readiness is not optional—it’s essential.
2 Timothy 4:2 (NLT): “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not.”
Readiness means seizing opportunities when they come—expected or unexpected.
Colossians 4:6 (NLT): “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
Readiness isn’t just knowledge, it’s also tone—gentleness, humility, love.
Charles Stanley said: “God assumes full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.”
If you yield to Christ, He will give you the words, courage, and wisdom to be ready when the moment comes.
Think of a firefighter. They don’t wait until the alarm sounds to learn how to use their equipment. They train daily so they are ready when the call comes. Likewise, we must train ourselves in Scripture and prayer so that when God gives us the chance, we are ready to testify.
Point 3: Our Message Must Be Christ-Centred
Our explanation isn’t about philosophy or personal opinions—it’s about Jesus.
Acts 4:12 (NLT): “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Salvation is exclusive—Christ alone.
Romans 10:9 (NLT): “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Our message is simple: confess, believe, be saved.
Tim Keller wrote: “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
That’s the message we must share—truth about sin, but greater truth about grace.
The Gospel Presentation:
Friends, the good news is not about making bad people good. It’s about making dead people alive.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to this world.
He lived a perfect life, without sin.
He went to the cross, taking upon Himself the punishment for our sins.
He died, was buried, and three days later rose from the grave—victorious over sin, death, and hell.
And now He offers forgiveness, freedom, and eternal life to all who repent and trust in Him as Lord and Saviour.
This is our hope. This is our message. This is what we must always be ready to share.
Application for Today:
So, how do we live out 1 Peter 3:15 in 2025?
Worship Christ daily. Make Him Lord in every area—work, relationships, money, time.
Know the Word. Spend time in Scripture, so you can explain your faith clearly.
Pray for opportunities. Ask God to bring people across your path who need to hear.
Speak with gentleness. The world has enough shouting voices. We are called to speak truth in love.
Max Lucado said: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Our apologetics must always be soaked in compassion.
Call to Action:
Beloved, you are not called to be silent. You are not called to hide your light under a basket. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14–16 that you are the light of the world. So shine. Be ready. Live in such a way that when people ask, “Why do you have hope?” you can point them to Jesus.
Invitation to Salvation:
Perhaps you’re here today and you don’t yet have this hope. You’ve tried to find meaning in success, money, or relationships, but none of it has satisfied.
Today, Jesus is inviting you to place your trust in Him. To repent—to turn from sin and turn to Him. To confess Him as Lord and receive Him as Saviour.
Friend, this could be the day your eternity changes. Will you receive Him?
Benediction:
Brothers and sisters, go from this place with Christ as Lord in your hearts. Be ready to share your hope with gentleness and respect. And may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
