FBC Morning Light – October 22, 2022

Good Saturday morning, people of faith. This morning we're going to be in 1 Peter chapter 3, and eventually we're going to share a very famous verse from 1

Peter chapter 3, but we're going to start in verse 13. Let me read.

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?

This somewhat rhetorical question reminds us that we are to fear him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.

We're not to fear men. Verse 14 says, but even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed.

This ought to remind us of the apostles when they were beaten after preaching in the book of Acts, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to share in the sufferings of Christ.

And I will say that the verse upcoming here, I think

I had the wrong idea about the main point of it for a lot of years.

And so let me go on. It says, at the end of verse 14, it says, and do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.

And then verse 15, but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

And that verse has rightfully been used to tell all of us as Christians to be prepared to give a defense.

But I think it misses out on a significant point when we use it as that primary emphasis.

The idea here is that you are to sanctify the Lord God in your hearts or to set apart

Christ as Lord. How is it that we do that? Well, let me read to you

Matthew and chapter 28. Here we have the

Great Commission, but right before the Great Commission, it says in verse 18, it says, then

Jesus came to them and said, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

So all authority has been given to Christ. All authority, both in heaven and on earth.

So authority over what? Well, authority over our lives, authority over whether we're persecuted for sharing the gospel, authority over whether or not that person responds to the gospel.

A couple of weeks ago, I had opportunity to share the gospel with a neighbor. And I remember this verse being in my mind and being able to say, as I shared the gospel, to say in my mind that whatever happens here is now of the

Lord. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation for sure. And yet, whether or not that person responds to the gospel and repents and believes is based upon whether or not the

Lord regenerates them and gives them mercy and grace and regeneration.

And that is beyond my control. It is not up to me and how well

I present the gospel. It is up to me to present the gospel. And that takes all the pressure off.

And so we sanctify Christ as Lord in everything we do and in everything we share and in how we present the gospel and when we present the gospel.

These things are in the Lord's hands. And maybe today, as the

Lord provides, he may give you opportunity to share that gospel. And you do not need to worry how people will respond to that because that's in the

Lord's hands. If they choose to persecute you because you share the gospel, then you should rejoice that you are counted worthy to share in the sufferings of Christ.

If they choose to believe, you should rejoice in what Christ has done in their lives.

These things are all in the Lord's hands. Let us share that gospel with faithfulness, trusting in who

God is as the one who has all authority both in heaven and on earth.

Let's pray. Heavenly Father, today we are reminded that you have given your son, the

Lord Jesus, all authority both in heaven and on earth. Let us share your word, your gospel, that people might have opportunity to respond based on what you do in their lives.

It's in your son's name, Jesus, we pray, amen. Have an excellent day, people of faith.