A HOLY PERSON’S WITNESS TO OTHERS

I Peter 3:8-10 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

I Peter 3:11-15 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 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.

I Peter 3:15-16 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.

I. It’s to Be a Reasonable Witness. 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... - v15

A. This is the explanation you present. I. It’s to Be a Reasonable Witness.

B. Give an answer ( ἀ πολογία ) = a speech in defense, a plea, a reasonable explanation. I. It’s to Be a Reasonable Witness.

B. Give an answer ( ἀ πολογία ) = a speech in defense, a plea, a reasonable explanation. 1. Word ( λόγος ) = an expression of an idea. ( John 1:1 & 14 ) I. It’s to Be a Reasonable Witness.

B. Give an answer ( ἀ πολογία ) = a speech in defense, a plea, a reasonable explanation. 1. Word ( λόγος ) = an expression of an idea. ( John 1:1 & 14 ) 2. Logical comes from this word. I. It’s to Be a Reasonable Witness.

B. Give an answer ( ἀ πολογία ) = a speech in defense, a plea, a reasonable explanation. 3. “Apologetics” = the facts & proofs of Christianity. I. It’s to Be a Reasonable Witness.

C. You need to know what you believe & why you believe it! How can the church help you? I. It’s to Be a Reasonable Witness.

How can the church help you? 1. Sermons each Lord’s Day. I. It’s to Be a Reasonable Witness.

How can the church help you? 1. Sermons each Lord’s Day. 2. Bible School. I. It’s to Be a Reasonable Witness.

How can the church help you? 1. Sermons each Lord’s Day. 2. Bible School. 3. Ask the elders about their faith. I. It’s to Be a Reasonable Witness.

How can the church help you? 1. Sermons each Lord’s Day. 2. Bible School. 3. Ask the elders about their faith. 4. Have a daily quiet time. I. It’s to Be a Reasonable Witness.

How can the church help you? 1. Sermons each Lord’s Day. 2. Bible School. 3. Ask the elders about their faith. 4. Have a daily quiet time. 5. Seek prayer support for your spiritual journey. I. It’s to Be a Reasonable Witness.

II. It’s to Be a Gentle Witness. 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... - v15

A. This is the way you present it. II. It’s to Be a Gentle Witness.

B. Gentleness ( πραύ ̈ της ) = meek, humble. II. It’s to Be a Gentle Witness.

B. Gentleness ( πραύ ̈ της ) = meek, humble. 1. Meek does not mean weak! II. It’s to Be a Gentle Witness.

B. Gentleness ( πραύ ̈ της ) = meek, humble. 1. Meek does not mean weak! 2. Meek means using restraint when appropriate. II. It’s to Be a Gentle Witness.

B. Gentleness ( πραύ ̈ της ) = meek, humble. 1. Meek does not mean weak! 2. Meek means using restraint when appropriate. Numbers 12:3 - Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. II. It’s to Be a Gentle Witness.

B. Gentleness ( πραύ ̈ της ) = meek, humble. 1. Meek does not mean weak! 2. Meek means using restraint when appropriate. Matthew 26:53 - Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? II. It’s to Be a Gentle Witness.

C. Meekness is a definite aid in teaching the truth! II Timothy 2:25 - Be humble when you are trying to teach those who are mixed up concerning the truth. For if you talk meekly and courteously to them, they are more likely, with God’s help, to turn away from their wrong ideas and believe what is true. II. It’s to Be a Gentle Witness.

I. It’s to Be a Reasonable Witness. II. It’s to Be a Gentle Witness. III. It’s to Be a Respectful Witness. 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... - v15

A. This is the attitude you have towards the people you present it to. III. It’s to Be a Respectful Witness.

B. Respect ( φόβος ) = “to fear”, probably means here a respect for people’s dignity. III. It’s to Be a Respectful Witness.

B. Respect ( φόβος ) = “to fear”, probably means here a respect for people’s dignity. 1. The opposite of the arrogant, haughty attitude some have. III. It’s to Be a Respectful Witness.

B. Respect ( φόβος ) = “to fear”, probably means here a respect for people’s dignity. 1. The opposite of the arrogant, haughty attitude some have. 2. Remember who you are! Isaiah 64:6 - All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags. III. It’s to Be a Respectful Witness.

C. It is possible to be steadfast & faithful with your witness & still be humble & respectful! III. It’s to Be a Respectful Witness.

C. It is possible to be steadfast & faithful with your witness & still be humble & respectful! 1. “We are beggars showing other beggars where to find food!” III. It’s to Be a Respectful Witness.

C. It is possible to be steadfast & faithful with your witness & still be humble & respectful! 1. “We are beggars showing other beggars where to find food!” 2. You have the responsibility to know God’s word & the Lord it reveals. III. It’s to Be a Respectful Witness.

C. It is possible to be steadfast & faithful with your witness & still be humble & respectful! 3. Constantly learn more. III. It’s to Be a Respectful Witness.

C. It is possible to be steadfast & faithful with your witness & still be humble & respectful! 3. Constantly learn more. 4. You are the expert on what the Lord has done in your life! III. It’s to Be a Respectful Witness.

I. It’s to Be a Reasonable Witness. II. It’s to Be a Gentle Witness. III. It’s to Be a Respectful Witness. IV. It’s to Be a Conscientious Witness.... keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. - v16

A. Your behavior is to be consistent with what you say so you can have a clear conscience. III. It’s to Be a Conscientious Witness.

B. Conscience ( συνείδησις ) = being aware of, having a moral consciousness, having a sen- sitivity. III. It’s to Be a Conscientious Witness.

B. Conscience ( συνείδησις ) = being aware of, having a moral consciousness, having a sen- sitivity. 1. Hypocrite = professing a Chris- tian life but not living it. III. It’s to Be a Conscientious Witness.

B. Conscience ( συνείδησις ) = being aware of, having a moral consciousness, having a sen- sitivity. 2. So try to at least live a semi consistent life with what you profess to make it difficult to use that excuse. III. It’s to Be a Conscientious Witness.

C. Principles for Living a Semi Consistent Holy Life: III. It’s to Be a Conscientious Witness.

C. Principles for Living a Semi Consistent Holy Life: 1. Live in harmony with your Christian brothers & sisters. Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another... - v8. III. It’s to Be a Conscientious Witness.

C. Principles for Living a Semi Consistent Holy Life: 2. Respond to evil treatment with good. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. - v9 III. It’s to Be a Conscientious Witness.

C. Principles for Living a Semi Consistent Holy Life: 3. Be serious about the Lordship of Jesus in your life. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. - v9 “Make the Lord Christ holy in your hearts!” “Make the Lord Christ holy in your hearts!” III. It’s to Be a Conscientious Witness.

So - make your witness reasonablegentlerespectfulconscientious. You will then have the kind of witness God really wants!