1 Peter 3:15 - Sharing Jesus.
1 Peter 3:15: Sharing Jesus.
1 Peter 3:15 (KJV) 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:
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) 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,
1 Peter 3:15 (EAV) But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy
[and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical
defense to any one who asks you to account for the hope that is in you,
but do it courteously and respectfully.
1 Peter 3:15 (CWR) Continue to give the Lord Jesus Christ the
most honored place in your life. Then you'll be ready to give an
answer to people when they ask about this hope bubbling up inside of
you. Don't be afraid to tell them who gives you this hope, but do so
with gentleness and respect.
COMMENTARY PEARL
We Christians shouldn't smirk at the misery of our
contemporary culture or the frantic grabbing for diversions, attention, or
pleasure. This is no time for smug self-righteousness. This is no time to
get cranky that our country has been hijacked by this or that
political movement. This is a season, perhaps like none other, to truly
influence our nation, to showcase the love of Jesus through specific,
practical acts of kindness. Others may whine and gripe about the world
"going to hell in a handbasket," but, honestly; we know better. We know
that good will ultimately triumph. So let's show what this ultimate
good will look like by rolling up our sleeves and helping neighbors,
feeding the hungry, and surprising people with courtesy and care in
Jesus' name. If you find yourself overly discouraged or pessimistic
about today's culture, then find a way to start serving that culture
in ways that point to the love of Christ.
Lord, I admit it. I can get caught up in politics and
negative talk about this culture and generation. Help me to remember You
have put me in this place and time for a reason - and it isn't to
complain or despair. Please open doors for me today to direct Your love
to those who cross my path. [A Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eareckson
Tada and Larry Libby]
COMMENTARY
Some Christians believe that faith is a personal matter that
should be kept to oneself. It is true that we shouldn't be boisterous
or obnoxious in sharing our faith, but we should always be ready to
give an answer, gently and respectfully, when asked about our faith,
our life-style, or our Christian perspective. Can others see your
hope in Christ? Are you prepared to tell them what Christ has done in
your life? [Life Application SB]
For the New Testament Christians, witness was not a sales
pitch.
They simply shared, each in his own way, what they had
received. Theirs was not a formally prepared, carefully worked-out
presentation with a gimmick to manipulate conversation, and a "closer" for an
on-the-spot-decision ... but the spontaneous, irrepressible, effervescent enthusiasm
of those who had met the most fascinating Person who ever lived.
The gospel is not theology. It's a Person. Theology doesn't
save. Jesus Christ saves. The first-century disciples were totally
involved with a Person. They were followers of Jesus. They were
learners of Jesus. They were committed to Jesus. They were filled with
Jesus.
They had encountered Jesus Christ and it simply could not be
concealed. They witnessed not because they had to, but because they could
not help it.
Their school of witnessing was the school of the Spirit where
they learned continuously. Authentic Christian witness is born of
the Spirit. Richard Halverson [Time with God SB]
It is vital to share Christ with others: experience and
expression are the alternate beats of the Christian heart. And if these two
things are not in operation, the Christian heart ceases to beat. Then
what happens? We settle down to dead forms, dead attitudes, and dead
prayers.
This matter of sharing, however, must not be limited only to
evangelism. It applies also to sharing with other Christians the things God
has shared with us.
If God has shown you something today from His Word, then it
is imperative that you share it with another Christian. As we have
been saying, nothing is really ours until we share it" the
expression will deepen the impression. So in seeking to stay spiritually
fresh, discipline yourself to share appropriate issues with your
Christian and non-Christian friends. Many do not do this. They are
disciplined in their quiet time or their study of the Scriptures, but they
have never disciplined themselves to share. Someone has defined a
Christian as one who says by word or deed: "Let me commend my Savior to
you." There is no better definition.
I saw a cartoon in a newspaper which showed a woman putting a
garment around the shivering body of a little girl. Behind the woman
stood Christ throwing a cloak around her shoulders. The title of the
cartoon was this: "A proven assembly line." It is indeed. Give out to
others, and it will be given to you"pressed down and running over.
Especially running over.
Father, I reach up to You with one hand and reach out to
those in need with the other. Give me some word or message to pass on
to a non-Christian or one of my Christian brothers or sisters this
day. In Jesus' name. Amen. [Every Day With Jesus Bible with Selwyn
Hughes devotional re Mal. 3:16]
The aspects of experience and expression are extremely
important in the Christian life: if experience gets low, then expression
gets low; if expression gets low, then experience gets low.
We focus now on expression. If this side of the Christian
life is not transformed from a bottled-up, non-contagious type of
outflowing, then spiritual staleness is the inevitable result.
Two young men, both fairly new converts, had been listening
to a sermon on evangelism. Afterwards, they approached their pastor
and said: "We have never shared with anyone the experience we have
had in Christ. How do we do it?" He suggested that they could go
out, knock on a few doors, and just begin to share their experience
of Christ. The next night, in fear and trembling, they knocked on
the first door of the street that they had decided to evangelize and
found it to be the home of a well-known lawyer. They were a little
nonplussed when they discovered this and blurted out: "We have come to
invite you to join our church." The lawyer said: "A lot of people have
asked me to join the church over the years. Haven't you anything
better than that to say to me?" They said: "Well, how about committing
your life to Jesus Christ?"
The lawyer invited them in, and within an hour had
surrendered to Christ. "Now, where are you going next," he said, "because I
want to go with you." Before the end of the evening, the lawyer had
the joy of witnessing another conversion like his own. Things happen
when people share.
O Father, help me to come to such a place in my Christian
life that in every situation where You want someone to pass on a
special word from You, You will hear me say, "Here am I, Lord"send
me." Amen. [Every Day With Jesus Bible with Selwyn Hughes devotional
re 2Co. 5:20]
ILLUSTRATIONS
When we purchased our new home, I was given a handful of
keys. Some were to the house, and others were to a couple of sheds
located on the property. I went to check them out and found that one of
the sheds was locked with a padlock that had obviously been around
for a long time. I looked through the keys and found one that was
pretty old looking, thinking that one best matched the lock. But it
wouldn't open. I then tried the other keys with no success. I began to
think that nothing would open that old lock. Finally, there was just
one key left - a bright, shiny new key that I was sure wouldn't open
that ancient lock. But I tried it anyway, and that old, beat-up lock
popped right open.
After I'd had a chance to think about it, I realized that the
old lock is a lot like me. Nobody thought I would amount to
anything, but all I needed was the right key to unlock my heart - and that
key was Jesus. We didn't look like much of a match, me with all my
sin and him so pure and holy. But when he came into my life, I
opened right up.
All that business about never amounting to anything is just a
pack of lies. God is saying to each of us, "You're worth everything
to me. Let me unlock your heart."
You gave everything for me, Father. I can't comprehend that,
but I'm so glad you sent Jesus to unlock my rusty old heart. In
Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily Devotional by John &
Johnny Baker]
One Sunday morning, our Sunday school teacher asked who would
like to quote a favorite Bible verse. My hand shot up immediately,
and I said, "Hebrews 8:12 - God forgives my wickedness and remembers
my sins no more."
I was new to the class, but I was so excited that God had
chosen to forgive and forget my past that I couldn't contain myself.
When the teacher called on me, I quickly replied, "I just have to say
it. I can't hold it in!"
Sometime later, one of the men who had been in the class that
Sunday told me he had made the following remark to the person sitting
next to him: "Wow, he sounds pretty fired up. But I bet that will be
gone in a few years." Then he said, "But I can see I was wrong.
You're still fired up!" And now, more than twenty-five years later, I'm
fired up even more because I now know God has not only rescued me from
my old destructive path, but he has also been faithful throughout
the years to keep me on the right path, one that leads to hope and
joy. I can't possibly keep it to myself.
No matter how good or bad we are, we are never good enough.
God has to rescue every one of us. We should never keep that to
ourselves.
Father, thank you for rescuing me and giving me a new start.
I will be grateful for as long as I live and also for eternity. In
Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily Devotional by John &
Johnny Baker]
CLOSING THOUGHT
If the love of God flows through us, we will find ourselves
sharing that love with those around us, for God is love, and that love
is bigger than its container, the Christian, so it must overflow.
Al Bryant [Time with God SB]
EXCELLENT VIDEO SERMON ON THIS TOPIC
Turning Your Story into Hisstory by Dwight Nelson:
http://www.pmchurch.tv/service/2008/10/04/turning-your-story-his-story
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES AND SEMINARS
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded Sermon Series:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
