“Living Hope in a Hopeless World” 1 Pet 3:13-18
(1 Pet 3:13-18 NLT) Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? {14} But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't be afraid and don't worry. {15} Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. {16} But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak evil against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. {17} Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! {18} Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.
(1 Pet 3:13-18 NASB) And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? {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, {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; {16} and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. {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. {18} For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
1.God has called you to do good in all situations (v.13) 2.Sometimes doing good will bring about suffering (v. 14) 3.Every situation will provide you an opportunity for sharing your faith (v. 15) 4.Let accusations about your faith put to shame the logic of your enemies (v. 16) 5.Suffering for doing the God-thing is right (v. 17) 6.Jesus is our example and mentor for how to bring the Good News to a fallen world (v. 18)