Be
Ready Always
(1
Peter 3:15)
By:
Shawn Daniels
I.
Introduction: But
sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to
every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and
fear.
a. Christianity is a taught religion it comes from hearing the Gospel of
Christ
i.
(Rom 1:16) For I am not
ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to
every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
ii.
The Gospel brings salvation to those who
believe How do we get faith?
1. (Rom 10:17)
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of
God.
2. Hearing the word of God gives faith
iii.
We must be able to teach others the
Gospel or else we fail in our work for God
1. (Mark 16:15,16)
(Matt 28:19)
2. (2 Tim 2:2)
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many
witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach
others also.
a. Our job is to teach others and they teach also
iv.
Not just the work of a preacher to teach
II.
How can we accomplish the work of
teaching?
a. Peter said,
sanctify the Lord God in you
hearts
i.
First of all we need the right attitude
ii.
Sanctify Revere
iii.
Heart Mind the part of man that feels
and thinks
1. Revere God in our mind
2. Keep God and his ways holy to ourselves
iv.
If we do sanctify the Lord God in our
hearts, we:
1. Will want to spread the word because we care for the souls of others
a. (Jer 20:9)
Then I said, I will not make
mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart
as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I
could not stay.
i.
Jeremiah was weary of speaking, but the
Word of God burned in him that couldnt endure it Had to speak
ii.
We should feel the same way
2. Will be bold because of Love
a. (1 Thess 2:2-4)
But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully
entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we
were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God
with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of
uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we
were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not
as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
i.
Why did they speak because they were
put in trust with the gospel the word was in there hands
ii.
They spoke with much contention but no
guile nor deceit or uncleanness
iii.
They did it the same reason we should
1. Please God not Man
3. Will not argue over things that are not revealed by God
a. (Deut 29:29)
The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but
those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever,
that we may do all the words of this law.
i.
They are some things that we do not have
revealed, and must let God judge
ii.
What if - rhetorical questions can
cause strife and even divisions
4. Will not argue over foolish or unlearned things
a. (2 Tim 2:23-25)
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing
that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive;
but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In
meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.
i.
Foolish and unlearned questions are for
one thing and that is to start fights
v.
If you sanctify the Lord in your hearts
then you will live by his word and live his way
1. (John 14:15)
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
2. (John 14:23)
If a man loves me, he will keep my words: and my
Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
b. Peter said,
be ready always
i.
If we want to accomplish our goal of
teaching we must be ready always How?
ii.
(2 Tim 2:15) Study to shew
thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth.
1. How can we expect to teach others if we dont know the gospel
ourselves?
2. How can we teach those that we teach to teach
iii.
(2 Peter 3:18) But grow in
grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be
glory both now and for ever. Amen.
iv.
If we grow in knowledge well grow in
confidence in the Word.
1. We should be like Paul (Acts 28:30-31) And Paul dwelt two whole
years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching
the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus
Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
2. The more we study the more we know the more we know the more
faith we have (Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God)
3. The more faith the more confidence
c. Peter says,
give an answer
i.
answer from Greek word (apologia)
meaning verbal defense, a plea clearing of oneself
ii.
Defending the Gospel even in the midst
of persecution
iii.
(Jude 3) It was needful
for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for
the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
1. Contend Struggle for
2. Defend the truth
iv.
(Phil 1:16)
Knowing that
I am set for the defense of the gospel of Christ.
1. We need to have this mindset if we want to accomplish the work of
teaching
d. Peter says,
to every man that asketh you a
reason of the hope that is in you
i.
Nobody will ask what they do not see
1. Must live as a child of God in a special way
ii.
(1 Peter 3:16) Having a
good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you as of evildoers, they may
be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
1. Conversation conduct
2. If you live as a Christian and walk in good conduct how can they
accuse you of anything evil
a. If they accuse you of evil, and its true it puts Christ and the
church to shame
b. (Heb 6:6) If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance;
seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open
shame.
iii.
The key to teach others is not to be a
hypocrite!
e. Peter says,
In meekness and fear
i.
We need to understand when we teach that
we must remember our own soul.
ii.
Meekness mildness, humility
iii.
Fear Fear in God
1. (Eccl 12:13)
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear
God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
2. Remember we all have an appointed time
a. (Heb 9:27)
it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this
the judgment.
b. Need to remember our place as servants of God
III.
Conclusion
a. Are we teaching others as we should?
i.
Are we giving God reverence?
ii.
Are we ready by studying?
1. If someone asked could we give the answer
iii.
Are we set for the defense?
iv.
Are we living right so that someone would
ask?
1. Or are we luke warm
a. (Rev 3:16)
So then because thou are
luke-warm and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
v.
Do we have meekness and fear while we
teach?
1. Do we forget that we are the servants of God
b. Lets do the Work that is before us!