Presenting a Defense of Our Hope
Base Text: 1 Peter 3:15
Proposition: Every Christian must be prepared to defend their faith, sanctifying God in their heart and maintaining the correct spiritual attitude.
Introduction
The Apostle Peter gives a command that is often misunderstood as a task only for scholars or preachers. He exhorts all Christians to be "always ready to give a defense" to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is in them.
• A Universal Call: This isn't just for leadership; it is for every believer sitting in the pews.
• The Ultimate Goal: The primary purpose of defending our hope is not to "win" a debate, but to sanctify God in our hearts.
• Today’s Focus: We will explore the necessity of being prepared and, perhaps more importantly, the specific attitude required to do it effectively.
I. Sanctifying God Through Our Defense
Text: 1 Peter 3:15
When we prepare to explain our faith, we are essentially "setting God apart" (sanctifying Him) as the supreme authority in our lives.
A. What is an "Apologia"? The word "defense" comes from the Greek apologia, which means a reasoned, verbal response in favor of the truth. It is not an "apology" in the modern sense of saying sorry; it is a clear explanation of why we believe what we believe.
B. Scriptural Examples:
• The Apostle Paul: He was a master of this, defending his faith before angry crowds and high-ranking authorities (Acts 22:1; 26:2). He stated clearly that he was "appointed for the defense of the gospel" (Philippians 1:16).
• The Promise of Christ: Jesus told His disciples that they would be brought before rulers, but they shouldn't worry about how to speak, for the Holy Spirit would help them (Luke 12:11).
C. The Danger of Being Unprepared: Without a doctrinal foundation, we are easily "tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14). To be ready, we must:
1. Crave the Word: Like newborn babies (1 Peter 2:2).
2. Grow in Knowledge: It is a command to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus (2 Peter 3:18).
3. Focus on Heavenly Hope: We aren't defending a political party or a terrestrial kingdom, but an inheritance that is incorruptible (1 Peter 1:4).
Application: We sanctify God when we value the Truth enough to study it, live it, and share it.
II. The Correct Attitude for Defense
Text: 1 Peter 3:15–16
The content of your defense matters, but the spirit in which you give it can either open a heart or close a door. Truth without the right attitude can destroy rather than edify.
A. Defending with Meekness Meekness is often mistaken for weakness, but it is actually "strength under control." It is a humble disposition that accepts God’s dealings without pride. The servant of the Lord must be gentle and patient when correcting those in error (2 Timothy 2:24–26).
B. Avoiding the Pitfalls of Pride We must never present a defense for the wrong reasons:
• To show off how much we know.
• To humiliate or "crush" the other person.
• To use verbal violence or shouting.
• To exalt a specific man or preacher instead of God’s Word.
C. The Role of a Good Conscience Our conduct must back up our message. Peter warns that we need a "good conscience" so that those who revile our good behavior in Christ may be ashamed (1 Peter 3:16). If our lives are a mess, our "defense" of the Gospel will ring hollow.
D. Reverence Over Fear We defend with respect and awe for God, not with a spirit of arrogance. And we do it without fear of man, knowing that Christ is with us (1 Peter 3:14).
See Also
- Responding Like Jesus: The Master Teacher’s Method
- The Snakes in the Desert: From Murmuring to Mercy
- Rejecting the Purpose of God: Don't Nullify His Counsel
Conclusion
Every Christian is called to be an ambassador of hope. A lack of knowledge allows error to spread like a disease, but a defense given with the wrong attitude is just as dangerous.
God is truly sanctified when we defend the hope of the Gospel with three things: Truth, Love, and Humility.
• Are you growing in your knowledge of the Word so you are "ready"?
• Is your heart filled with "meekness" toward those who don't yet understand the truth?
Let us be a people always ready to give a reason for our hope, so that souls may be saved and God may be glorified.
