When I was
in high school, I remember lots of talk about peer pressure. Anyone else?
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Drinking,
drugs, pre-marital sex, drunk driving (Mothers Against Drunk Driving – red
ribbon on antenna of car)
Thankfully,
when you graduate from high school, there is never peer pressure again … right?
Wrong.
Some of
those temptations continue to be there – part of growing up is learning to say
no to those things that are not good. But many of the desires that make peer
pressure so powerful are still there
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Desire
to fit in, want to be liked,
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Also
desire to avoid conflict
In our
reading today, Peter asks, “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for
doing good?”
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Who
indeed!
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There
are those who will mock you for trying to do good.
o
Addam
Ant – “Goody Two-Shoes” – “Don’t drink, don’t smoke, what do you do?”
Accusations of hypocrisy.
o
Politic
Realm – Cancel for the wrong idea, punished for not towing the approved party
line, name-calling, smearing reputations
o
Unethical
employers – Talked with a young man recently afraid of this
o
Bullies
– not just for kids!
Peter wants
to shift our fear away from suffering those indignations – some of which can be
really uncomfortable! – and he wants to help us focus on the amazing hope we
have because we are saved in Jesus death and resurrection.
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Remember,
he was there at the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus said, “Blessed are those who
are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and
persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my
account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is
great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
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He
was also there when Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot
kill the soul.” (Matthew 10:28)
o
And
remember that God has given you everlasting life for your soul … and body!
Peter wrote
– “… in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared
to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in
you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having
a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your
good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it
is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for
doing evil.”
“In your
hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy …” At the core of who you are keep Jesus
as the author and perfector of your faith. This truth, this hope, this promise
is central to who you are and He guides you, forms you, gives you courage, gives
you life, and gives you purpose. He is your reason for being as the Lord and
holy one.
Honoring
Jesus in your heart doesn’t mean that this faith is private. It means that He
is the foundation your life operates from. What is on the inside – this faith,
hope and love for Jesus – guides and empowers your outward life and your drive
to do good.
And while
we’re speaking of doing good, notice that Peter urges us to defend the faith –
that’s good. He says to be ready to give a reason for the hope you have in
Jesus. How do you do that?
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Worship
– where God works, delivers His gifts, forgiveness, baptism, Lord’s Supper
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Bible
Study – things to know! (Next week – new study on Worship)
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Devotion
– God’s Word and prayer
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Also,
just years of living by faith
o
Mark
13:11 - And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be
anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in
that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
o
That
experience helps you learn that it’s not your job to convert – Holy Spirit’s
job!
§ He converts
§ He also keeps – that is your
confidence
o
Your
job is simply to testify – to talk about your hope.
o
You
might give a defense – but God is the one doing the actual defending.
§ Lion does not need defense – set it
free!
§ God works through His Word – changes
hearts
So, who is
there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
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Peter
says, “What does it matter?”
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Even
if there is someone, that becomes an opportunity to
o
Confess
your hope in Jesus
o
Point
them to Jesus as their Lord and savior
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You
have nothing to fear – the victory is won and your salvation is sure!
Be at peace –
set your heart on Christ. Amen.
So, prepared
to do good and prepared to give a reason for the hope that you have in Jesus,
Peter urges us to do it with gentleness
and respect. Gentleness and respect – not cringing and fear. This is a posture
of confidence guided by kindness, love, and the desire to share the hope of
Jesus’ salvation.
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