{"id":8267,"date":"2020-03-17T20:00:48","date_gmt":"2020-03-18T03:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/?p=8267"},"modified":"2020-03-15T18:16:52","modified_gmt":"2020-03-16T01:16:52","slug":"1peter3_13-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/1peter3_13-22\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Always Be Ready To Share Jesus With Others"},"content":{"rendered":"

1 Peter 3:13-22\u00a0\u00a0Click here for Bible Verses<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hi GAMErs,<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s passage is 1 Peter 3:13-22.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n

1 Peter 3:13-15 (NIV)\u00a0<\/strong>
\n13\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
\n14\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.”
\n15\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 13-15a:\u00a0 Don\u2019t misunderstand Peter in verse 13.\u00a0 Peter is not naively saying that no one will want to harm you if you are eager to do good.\u00a0 Peter himself witnessed the greatest doer of good in history, Jesus Christ, being repeatedly criticized and ultimately crucified by people intent on harming him. But what Peter is saying to his Christian readers is: remember that the Greatest One is on your side.\u00a0 He will be there to protect you and to keep you from any ultimate harm.\u00a0\u00a0So<\/strong>\u00a0do not be afraid of those who want to harm you while you live out your faith and calling.\u00a0 For even if you suffer because of it, you will be more blessed in the end.<\/strong>\u00a0 When you remember that the Greatest One is on your side, or in Peter\u2019s words, when you \u201cset apart Christ as Lord\u201d, you will not give in to fear.<\/p>\n

1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)\u00a0<\/strong>
\n15\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0\u2026Always 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,
\n16\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 15b-16:\u00a0 When Peter writes \u201calways be prepared to give an answer\u201d, the Greek word Peter uses for \u201canswer\u201d is the same Greek word used to describe someone giving their statement of defense in a courtroom.\u00a0 Here are three practical ways you can \u201calways be prepared to give an answer\u201d for the hope that you have:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Always be ready to share your testimony.<\/strong>\u00a0 It could be your salvation testimony (how you came to know Christ personally) or another story of how God has worked in your life.\u00a0 You want to be able to share your testimony in a succinct way, ideally in 3-5 minutes.\u00a0 Divide your testimony into 3 parts: (1) what is a problem you have faced in life which others can relate to; (2) describe how you invited Jesus to take control of that problem (e.g. did you pray a prayer in church, in your room, etc.?); and (3) since inviting Jesus in, what difference Jesus has made in helping you overcome that problem.<\/li>\n
  2. Read a book on apologetics<\/strong>\u00a0(defending your faith) that covers common objections to Christianity, like \u201cHow could a loving God send people to hell?\u201d or \u201cHow do you know God exists?\u201d\u00a0 Some of my favourite books on apologetics include William Lane Craig\u2019s\u00a0On Guard<\/em>, Tim Keller\u2019s\u00a0Reason for God<\/em>\u00a0and Lee Strobel\u2019s\u00a0Case for Christ<\/em>\u00a0series.\u00a0 Books on apologetics can reinforce your faith and equip you to answer people\u2019s questions when they arise.<\/li>\n
  3. Keep practicing intimacy with Jesus.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0When you vigilantly guard your time with God alone and your time in church, I believe God will use your time with Him to equip you to speak an encouraging word to others and give relevant answers to the questions they are asking.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Peter\u2019s reminder to share your answer with gentleness and respect is a good one, for\u00a0it\u2019s not just what you say but how you say it that matters when sharing with those who don\u2019t yet believe.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    1 Peter 3:17-18 (NIV)\u00a0<\/strong>
    \n17\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
    \n18\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.<\/em><\/p>\n

    On verses 17-18a:\u00a0\u00a0Sometimes it is God\u2019s will for us to suffer for doing, not because God enjoys seeing His children suffer, but because it is part of God\u2019s plan to bring about an even greater good.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0The death of God\u2019s own Son Jesus is the greatest and clearest example of how God allowed His child to suffer much in order to accomplish a greater purpose: the forgiveness of our sins and the salvation of all God\u2019s children.<\/p>\n

    1 Peter 3:18-20 (NIV)\u00a0<\/strong>
    \n18 \u00a0<\/sup>\u2026He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
    \n19\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison
    \n20\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.<\/em><\/p>\n

    On verses 18-20a:\u00a0 What does Peter mean by verses 19-20?\u00a0 Is Peter saying that after Jesus rose from the dead he went back in time to preach to people in prison during Noah\u2019s time?\u00a0 Not exactly.\u00a0 What Peter appears to be saying is that just as the Spirit of Christ was working in the Old Testament prophets (see 1 Peter\u00a01:11) to predict Jesus\u2019 future sufferings and subsequent glory, so the Spirit of Christ was working in Noah to preach to the people in Noah\u2019s day about turning back to God.\u00a0 It was through the Spirit of Christ that Noah became \u201ca preacher of righteousness\u201d (see 2 Peter 2:5).<\/p>\n

    What can we learn from this?\u00a0\u00a0God\u2019s Spirit has been moving from the very beginning, working in and through His people to preach His Word and to call people to return to Him.<\/strong>\u00a0 So when you hear your pastor or others preaching, be open to the fact that God works in and through imperfect people to preach His life-changing Word and to lead people to Himself.<\/p>\n

    1 Peter\u00a03:21\u00a0(NIV)\u00a0<\/strong>
    \n20\u00a0<\/sup>\u2026In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,
    \n21\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also–not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,<\/em><\/p>\n

    On verses 20b-21:\u00a0 How are we to understand these verses?\u00a0 First off, how were Noah and his family \u201csaved through water\u201d (v20)?\u00a0 Weren\u2019t they saved through the ark?\u00a0 Here is how I understand verses 20-21.\u00a0 In the story of Noah\u2019s ark in Genesis 6, the water from the flood is the sign of God\u2019s promise, God\u2019s power, and God\u2019s plan.\u00a0 When Noah thinks about the flood waters, when he later sees the flood waters, and feels the flood waters on his body, he is reminded in a very tangible and powerful way of God\u2019s promise, God\u2019s power and God\u2019s plan to save humankind.\u00a0 It was through trusting in God\u2019s promise, God\u2019s power, and God\u2019s plan represented by the water that Noah and his family were saved.<\/p>\n

    Similarly, the water you enter when you get baptized is a physical expression of God\u2019s promise, God\u2019s power and God\u2019s plan to save you from your sins \u201cby the resurrection of Jesus Christ\u201d. \u00a0When we enter that water in baptism, we are reminded in a very tangible and powerful way of the salvation God made possible through Jesus.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    So baptism is incredibly important.\u00a0 Baptism is how we show that we really trust in God\u2019s promise, God\u2019s power and God\u2019s plan to save us.\u00a0 It is how we show that our consciences have been cleansed and made new by Jesus\u2019 blood.\u00a0\u00a0Believing in Jesus and getting baptized go hand in hand.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0If you say you believe in Jesus but you keep rejecting baptism, you need to question whether you really believe or possess the salvation Jesus made available through His death and resurrection.<\/strong>\u00a0 As Mark\u00a016:16\u00a0says, \u201cWhoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.\u201d<\/p>\n

    1 Peter\u00a03:22\u00a0(NIV)\u00a0<\/strong>
    \n22\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand–with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.<\/em><\/p>\n

    On verse 22:\u00a0\u00a0Jesus suffered more than anyone has ever suffered.\u00a0 Now Jesus is exalted higher than anyone who has ever been exalted.<\/strong>\u00a0 Sitting at God\u2019s right hand, He is the name above every name with authority over everything in heaven and earth.\u00a0 Once a suffering servant, Jesus is now the King of kings.\u00a0\u00a0In the kingdom of God, when you suffer as His servant, blessing and exaltation will follow.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    King Jesus, You are the Name above every name and the King above every king.\u00a0 May I always be ready to give the reason for why I hope in You.\u00a0 May Your Spirit work in me to preach Your Word to those around me with gentleness, respect, power and authority.\u00a0 And while at times some may ridicule or reject me for preaching about Jesus, thank You that there will also be those who receive You.\u00a0 In Jesus\u2019 name, AMEN!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Hi GAMErs,<\/p>\n

    Today\u2019s passage is 1 Peter 3:13-22.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n

    1 Peter 3:13-15 (NIV)\u00a0
    \n13\u00a0\u00a0Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
    \n14\u00a0\u00a0But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.”
    \n15\u00a0\u00a0But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.<\/p>\n

    On verses 13-15a:\u00a0 Don\u2019t misunderstand Peter in verse 13.\u00a0 Peter is not naively saying that no one will want to harm you if you are eager to do good.\u00a0 Peter himself witnessed the greatest doer of good in history, Jesus Christ, being repeatedly criticized and ultimately crucified by people intent on harming him. But what Peter is saying to his Christian readers is: remember that the Greatest One is on your side.\u00a0 He will be there to protect you and to keep you from any ultimate harm.\u00a0\u00a0So\u00a0do not be afraid of those who want to harm you while you live out your faith and calling.\u00a0 For even if you suffer because of it, you will be more blessed in the end.\u00a0 When you remember that the Greatest One is on your side, or in Peter\u2019s words, when you \u201cset apart Christ as Lord\u201d, you will not give in to fear.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8268,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8267","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gametime-sharing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8267","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8267"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8267\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8270,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8267\/revisions\/8270"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8268"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8267"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8267"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8267"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}