Part 5 Hope in the Authority of Jesus

“Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.” -1 Peter 3:13-14 NLT

• Replace Worry With Worship “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life.” -1 Peter 3:15 NLT

• Replace Fear With Hope 

“And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear.” -1 Peter 3:15-16 NLT

“Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath.” 1 Peter 3:15-16 MSG

• The Results of Proclaimed Hope

“Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.” 1 Peter 3:16 NLT

“Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!” -1 Peter 3:17 NLT

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” -James 1:2 NLT

• Resurrection: The “Why” of Hope 

“Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.” -1 Peter 3:18 NLT

“God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” –Philippians 2:9-10 NLT

“So, he went and preached to the spirits in prison—those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat.” -1 Peter 3:19-20 NLT

“Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” -1 Peter 3:20-21 NLT

“Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.” -1 Peter 3:22 NLT