notes

Main point summary

Fear, Honour, Treasure Christ in the midst of rejection

Discourse

editing

NT

1 Peter 3:14-16

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esv

ἀλλʼ εἰ καὶ πάσχοιτε διὰ δικαιοσύνην,

d But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake,

μακάριοι.

you will be blessed.

concessive

τὸν δὲ φόβον αὐτῶν μὴ φοβηθῆτε

e Have no fear of them,

μηδὲ ταραχθῆτε,

f nor be troubled,

series

κύριον δὲ τὸν Χριστὸν ἁγιάσατε

. . . but honor Christ the Lord as holy,

ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν,

in your hearts

locative

ἕτοιμοι ἀεὶ πρὸς ἀπολογίαν παντὶ τῷ αἰτοῦντι ὑμᾶς λόγον

. . . always being prepared to make a defense to anyone

περὶ τῆς ἐν ὑμῖν ἐλπίδος,

who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;

situationresponse

ἀλλὰ

yet do it

μετὰ πραΰτητος

with gentleness

καὶ φόβου,

and i respect,

συνείδησιν ἔχοντες ἀγαθήν,

j having a good conscience,

actionmanner

negativepositive

ἵνα ἐν ᾧ καταλαλεῖσθε καταισχυνθῶσιν

so that, k when you are slandered,

οἱ ἐπηρεάζοντες ὑμῶν τὴν ἀγαθὴν ἐν Χριστῷ

those who revile your good behavior in Christ

ἀναστροφήν.

may be put to shame.

progression

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discourse

Notes

Study Questions: 1. Compare Isaiah 8:12-14 and 1 Peter 3:14–15 . What can we learn about Christ from how Peter modifies his citation of these verses in Isaiah? Peter sees that a. "Christ stands where Yahweh stood b. Christ is honoured as holy by our treasuring Him above safety and life c. Christ becomes our sanctuary when we fear and dread Him. " 2. What comes to mind when you think of honoring God? What might it mean to honor Christ as holy in 1 Peter 3:15 ? To honour Christ as holy is to fear Him above all else, including safety and life (Isaiah 8:12-14) to dread Christ more than anything that may happen to us in this world e.g. rejection (Isaiah 8:14) To treasure Christ above all else such that He becomes our sanctuary 3. What is something that you are prone to fear more than Christ? If our fears expose our deepest treasures, what is the competing treasure beneath that fear? I do fear rejection more than Christ The competing treasure is to want the approval of man more than of God 4. What does it mean to make a defense in 1 Peter 3:15 ? Does one need to be an apologist or have a Bible degree to do this well? There is no need to be an apologist or to have a degree Given the context, when people see our hope, they will ask about the hope in our lives specifically 5. What might you say to a co-worker, family member, or friend asked you what your reason for the hope that is in you? We point them to Christ From 1 Peter there are seven things about Christ that we can share 1) 1 Peter 1:20-21 Christ came -- was revealed and made known to us 2) 1 Peter 2:24 Christ died -- bore our sins that we might be righteous 3) 1 Peter 1:3 Christ rose -- Because of Christ's resurrection, there is hope 4) 1 Peter 3:22 Christ reigns -- Christ has risen and received glory and authority over heaven and earth 5) 1 Peter 1:13 Christ returns -- Christ is coming back 6) 1 Peter 3:18 Christ will complete us -- When He returns, our union with God will be made perfect and complete 7) 1 Peter 1:7 All things are for our good -- Our present sufferings and trials are being used by God to refine us so that we will receive praise and honour when Christ is revealed. 6. What can it look like this week for you to better prepare yourself for when someone asks you about your hope? Or, how can you expose your hope in such a way as to warrant questions from unbelievers? I need to think through and ground myself in the above 7 reasons for hoping in Christ I must remember that I can be asked anytime about my hope, and to constantly be alert for these opportunities To arouse curiosity by knowing and living out the truth of hoping in Christ even in the midst of difficult circumstances 7. 1 Peter 3:15–16 gives instruction not only for what we are to say while giving a defense (see previous lab), but how we are to give it. Which ways can you identify from the text? with gentleness ie, to bless see 1 Peter 3:9 with fear keeping a clear conscience 8. What are we called to fear at the end of verse 15? How do you know it’s not the fear of man? We are not to fear men because of 1 Peter 3:14. Have no fear of them, i.e. men. Fear God, dishonouring Him Honour Christ by fearlessness toward men 1 Peter 1:17-18 9. What guilt over personal sin has weakened your boldness for Christ? Is there anything currently? Reflecting on 1 Peter 3:15–16 , how can you begin cleansing your conscience? keep a good conscience by being gentle 1 Peter 3:21 , Hebrews 9:14 good conscience comes by appealing to God by the blood of Christ the conscience that comes from gospel faith, which leads to gentleness and humbly fearful of God and of dishonouring Him. 10. What are possible reasons that Peter would want despisers of the church to be put to shame? Can you think of a personal example of this happening to you or to someone you know? 1 Peter 2:15 the goal of the good behaviour in order to put to silence foolish talk (the shame is not the goal) 1 Peter 2:12 if God is willing, these people who slander may glorify God I sadly know a personal example where someone I know is being falsely accused and badly slandered. We are in the midst of trusting Christ, gospel faith, to do good, to be gentle with others, fearful towards God.Entrusting that God will put to silence foolish talk someday, and they may glorify God truly. 11. How does 1 Peter 2:12 clarify the reason for why we desire that those who despise or slander would be put to shame? see above. 12. Think of someone in your life who might despise or slander you because of your faith. Imagine an actual scenario in which they say something mean or demeaning to you. What might a patient and gentle response actually look like? Someone has said I spoke falsely in a matter because I was biased towards a friend. My response is to continue in quietness, and as best as possible, answer gently withholding some of the more damning evidence. And to explain some of the situation. I continue in prayer, desiring and working and asking to continue in hope in Christ/God, and in fear of God. Takeaway I like the process Dr Piper brought to the surface of treasuring Jesus in the midst of rejection Honour Christ Have hope Be fearless Arouse questions about my hope Give reasons for hope May get slandered and reviled Respond, maintain gentleness False accusers may be shamed They may then be silenced God willing, they may glorify God