1. 1 Peter 3:13-17

3. 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. 1 Peter 3:15

4. God calls upon you to be ready to make a defense/give an answer: “Always” –You never know when you’ll be asked –Be in a state of constant readiness “To everyone who asks” –Your hope is to be observable to others –Not necessary to answer every insincere scoffer “With meekness and fear” –Attitude toward man:  Humble, not haughty, arrogant or bitter –Attitude toward God:  Reverent & respectful with fear and not flippant

5. How do you get ready? Sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart –Thru faith, Christ dwells in the heart and life of a Christian – Eph. 3:17; Gal. 2:20 –Yet, Christ will not accept just any space/ place in your heart and life –He must be set apart (given preeminence, Col. 1:18) as Lord/ruler of your heart & life  Having the mind of Christ – Phil. 2:5  Having every thought in captivity – 2 Cor. 10:5  Having crucified own desires for His – Gal. 5:24  Having His word dwelling in you – Col. 3:16

6. How do you get ready? Sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart Know what you believe –“hope within you”—How did it get there? –A Christian (who sanctifies Christ in his heart & allows Him to dwell in him) has:  “the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27)  “hope of eternal life” (Titus 1:2)  “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-5)

7. How do you get ready? Sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart Know what you believe –You are a Christian having hope within you of the promise of heaven because:  You believe there is a God!  You believe Jesus Christ is His Son!  You believe the Bible is His inspired Word!  You believe it reveals His will for your life!  You believe salvation is for all who obey!  You believe judgment is certain!  You believe heaven is real and hell is real!

8. How do you get ready? Sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart Know what you believe Be able to give reasonable basis for hope –Hope is one thing; reason for it another –One must know what he believes & be able to defend it by reasonable discussion –Requires sufficient knowledge of the Word  Study! Study! Study! — 2 Timothy 2:15  Answering Bible ?’s on Sunday nights in July  Use some helpful resources in your study

9. Get Ready with Helpful Resources (Written/Compiled by Men) Good Study Bible (Like Thompson Chain-Reference) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Vine’s Expository Dictionary E-Sword – Bible Software (www.e-sword.net) Good Bible Dictionary (Like Nelson’s) Anything from Apologetics Press & Christian Courier Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell Why I Am a Member of the Church of Christ by L. Brownlow Questions & Answers (Vols. 1 & 2) by Guy N. Woods Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible by John W. Haley Piloting the Strait by Dave Miller Subscription to & past issues of The Spiritual Sword

10. Get Ready with Helpful Resources (Written/Compiled by Men) Blue Card – “Check Out These Websites” –www.pblcoc.org –www.apologeticspress.org –www.discoverymagazine.com –www.christiancourier.com –www.digitalbiblestudy.com –www.housetohouse.com –www.thegospelofchrist.com –www.firstcenturychristian.com –www.thebible.net –www.focuspress.org Church library Mini-bookstore Tracts Materials today in lobby Order books from: Freed-Hardeman University (1-800- 342-1869) Apologetics Press (1-800-234-8558) Christian Courier (1-888-818-2463)

11. Get Ready with Helpful Resources (Written/Compiled by Men)

12. Get Ready to Go to Heaven Believe Jesus is God’s Son – John 8:24 Repent of your sins – Luke 13:3 Confess your faith in Jesus – Matthew 10:32 Be immersed in water – Mark 16:16 –Sins are forgiven – Acts 22:16 –Added to His church – Acts 2:47 –Registered in heaven – Hebrews 12:23 Faithfully serve Him with hope – 1 Peter 1:3-5