The Unshakable God of the Christian
1 Peter 3:13-18
1. The Expected Outcome for the Christian is Blessed. (Vs. 13-14, Matt 5:3-5)
a. Matthew 5:3-5, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth.”
2. The Expected Heart of the Christian is Focused. (Vs. 14b-15, Isaiah 8:13, Matt 10:28)
a. Isaiah 8:13, “You are to regard only the LORD of Armies as holy. Only he should be feared; only he should be held in awe.”
b. Matthew 10:28, “Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
3. The Expected Stance of the Christian is Bold, Powerful, Meek, and Reverent. (Vs. 15-16; Psa 112:6-8a; Acts 23:1, 24:15-16)
a. Psalm 112:6-8a, “He will never be shaken. The righteous one will be remembered forever. He will not fear bad news; his heart is confident, trusting in the Lord. His heart is assured; he will not fear.”
b. Acts 23:1, “Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience to this day.””
c. Acts 24:15-16, “I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous. I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men.”