How To Give A Reason For The Hope

Written by Randy Richardson
Sunday, 26 November 2006 07:41

How To Use The Holidays

Sermon Notes

Bible Passages for Today's Sermon

Philemon 4-7

 ⁴I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, ⁵because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. ⁶I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. ⁷Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

1 Thessalonians 2:8

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.

1 Peter 3:8-16

Suffering for Doing Good

 ⁸Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. ⁹Do 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. ¹⁰For,
   "Whoever would love life
      and see good days
   must keep his tongue from evil
      and his lips from deceitful speech.
 ¹¹He must turn from evil and do good;
      he must seek peace and pursue it.
 ¹²For 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."

 ¹³Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."¹⁵But 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, ¹⁶keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Outline

1. One of people's greatest hesitations for sharing Christ is often fear.
   • v.14 "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
2. Christ needs to rule your life and His rule in your life should be evident
   • v.15a: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord"
3. Always be attentive to what God is doing around you
   • v.15b: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."
4. Share your faith and life with gentleness and respect
   • v.15c: "But do this with gentleness and respect..."

Do vs. Done

How To Share

God is:

• Real (Hebrews 11:6)
• The Creator (Genesis 1:1, Romans 1:25)
• Loving (John 3:16, 1 John 4:16)

Sin is:

• In all of us (Romans 3:23)
• Separating you from God (Isaiah 59:2)
• Punishable by death (Romans 6:23)

Jesus has:

• Paid the penalty for your sins (Colossians 2:13)
• Invited you into a personal relationship (Revelations 3:20)

You can:

• Receive Him
• Reject Him
• Look more

Acts 17:32-34

³²When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." ³³At that, Paul left the Council. ³⁴A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.