Summary: To show that we need to sanctify the LORD JESUS as Holy for He will be the One to give us the right words whenever we are defending our faith.

I. EXORDIUM:

Are you a good speaker?

No. All the words that I speak are entrusted to me by GOD'S SPIRIT.

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers/unbelievers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that we need to sanctify the LORD JESUS as Holy for He will be the One to give us the right words whenever we are defending our faith.

IV. TEXT:

1 Peter 3:15 (Amplified Bible)

But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.

V. THESIS:

Praise, worship, glorify, adore, bless, honor, acknowledge and thank You very much LORD JESUS for You are set apart in my heart as Holy and You've given me a mouth, utterance and wisdom that all of my foes combined are unable to stand against or refute.

Luke 21:14-15 (Amplified Bible)

Resolve and settle it in your minds not to meditate and prepare beforehand how you are to make your defense and how you will answer.

For I [Myself] will give you a mouth and such utterance and wisdom that all of your foes combined will be unable to stand against or refute.

VI. TITLE:

Set CHRIST apart as Holy and acknowledge Him

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Apostle Peter

B. Date written: uncertain

C. Purpose: Peter obeyed 2 commands of JESUS

1. To encourage and strengthen the brethren

Luke 22:32 (Amplified Bible)

22:32 But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren.

2. To feed the flock of GOD

John 21:15-17 (Amplified Bible)

21:15 When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do—with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs.

21:16 Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep.

21:17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.

D. To whom written: To CHRISTians in Asia Minor

E. Main Theme: Victory over suffering as exemplified in the life of Christ—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

F. Key word: suffering

G. Key verse:

1 Peter 1:1-2 (Amplified Bible)

1:1 PETER, AN apostle (a special messenger) of Jesus Christ, [writing] to the elect exiles of the dispersion scattered (sowed) abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1:2 Who were chosen and foreknown by God the Father and consecrated (sanctified, made holy) by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and to be sprinkled with [His] blood: May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be realized in and through Christ, reedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts].

VIII. MAIN BODY:

1 Peter 3:15 (Amplified Bible)

But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.

1 Peter 3:15 (New King James Version)

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;

A. Sanctify the LORD JESUS in my heart and always acknowledge Him.

"But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord."

Isaiah 5:16 (Amplified Bible)

But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and God, the Holy One, shows Himself holy in righteousness and through righteous judgments.

Isaiah 29:23 (Amplified Bible)

For when he sees his children [walking in the way of piety and virtue], the work of My hands in his midst, they will revere My name; they will revere the Holy One of Jacob and reverently fear the God of Israel.

The LORD JESUS CHRIST needed to be exalted and magnified in our hearts, and through our lips we always need to acknowledge Him out of our hearts that is already sanctifying Him. This is our life here on earth. This is the start of our relationship with the LORD JESUS CHRIST, if we could remember the time we accepted the LORD JESUS CHRIST as LORD and SAVIOR of our soul, the heart and the lips are brought together again, a tie-up, once again whatever the heart thinks the lips will say. No more hypocrisy. No more two identities. Now every moment we sanctify the LORD JESUS CHRIST and every moment there's an opportunity for us, we acknowledge Him before people.

ILLUSTRATION: I had the opportunity of being interviewed by an operation manager yesterday and you know what, I've acknowledged the LORD JESUS CHRIST before her saying that it is the LORD JESUS CHRIST that I fear, not men, that's why I worked excellence especially when people, OM and TL are not around, because I know the LORD JESUS CHRIST is watching me, and I'm accountable to Him. What testimony!! I know she will be affected by that answer, because I'm affected at first and even today! It is lifestyle for me.

B. Always be ready to give a defense for the hope that is in me and do it with meekness and fear.

"Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully."

1 Peter 3:2 (Amplified Bible)

When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him—to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband].

1 Peter 3:4 (Amplified Bible)

But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.

Psalms 119:46 (Amplified Bible)

I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings and will not be put to shame.

Jeremiah 26:12-16 (Amplified Bible)

Then Jeremiah said to all the princes and to all the people: The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard.

Therefore now amend your ways and your doings and obey the voice of the Lord your God; then the Lord will relent and reverse the decision concerning the evil which He has pronounced against you.

As for me, behold, I am in your hands; do with me as seems good and suitable to you.

But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and upon its inhabitants, for in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.

Then said the princes and all the people to the priests and to the prophets: This man is not deserving of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.

Examples in the bible:

1. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Daniel 3:16-18 (Amplified Bible)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, it is not necessary for us to answer you on this point.

If our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up!

2. Amos

Amos 7:14-17 (Amplified Bible)

Then Amos said to Amaziah, I was no prophet [by profession]! Neither was I a prophet’s son; [but I had my occupation] I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore trees and a gatherer of sycamore figs.

And the Lord took me as I followed the flock and the Lord said to me, Go, prophesy to My people Israel.

Now therefore listen to the word of the Lord: You say, Do not prophesy against Israel and drop no statements not complimentary to the house of Isaac.

Therefore thus says the Lord: Your wife shall be a harlot in the city and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword, and your land shall be divided up by line; you yourself shall die in an unclean and defiled land, and Israel shall surely go forth out of his land into exile.

3. The LORD JESUS CHRIST - a testimony of Himself as GOD

Matthew 10:18-20 (Amplified Bible)

And you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a witness to bear testimony before them and to the Gentiles (the nations).

But when they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how or what you are to speak; for what you are to say will be given you in that very hour and moment,

For it is not you who are speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Luke 21:14-15 (Amplified Bible)

Resolve and settle it in your minds not to meditate and prepare beforehand how you are to make your defense and how you will answer.

For I [Myself] will give you a mouth and such utterance and wisdom that all of your foes combined will be unable to stand against or refute.

4. Simon Peter

Acts 4:8-12 (Amplified Bible)

Then Peter, [because he was] filled with [and controlled by] the Holy Spirit, said to them, Rulers of the people and members of the council (the Sanhedrin),

If we are being put on trial [here] today and examined concerning a good deed done to benefit a feeble (helpless) cripple, by what means this man has been restored to health,

Let it be known and understood by all of you, and by the whole house of Israel, that in the name and through the power and authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, [but] Whom God raised from the dead, in Him and by means of Him this man is standing here before you well and sound in body.

This [Jesus] is the Stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone].

And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.

5. Peter and the apostles

Acts 5:29-31 (Amplified Bible)

Then Peter and the apostles replied, We must obey God rather than men.

The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus, Whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree (cross).

God exalted Him to His right hand to be Prince and Leader and Savior and Deliverer and Preserver, in order to grant repentance to Israel and to bestow forgiveness and release from sins.

6. Paul

Acts 21:39-40 (Amplified Bible)

Paul answered, I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant or undistinguished city. I beg you, allow me to address the people.

And when the man had granted him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, gestured with his hand to the people; and there was a great hush. Then he spoke to them in the Hebrew dialect, saying:

Acts 22:2-5 (Amplified Bible)

And when they heard that he addressed them in the Hebrew tongue, they were all the more quiet. And he continued,

I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but reared in this city. At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated according to the strictest care in the Law of our fathers, being ardent [even a zealot] for God, as all of you are today.

[Yes] I harassed (troubled, molested, and persecuted) this Way [of the Lord] to the death, putting in chains and committing to prison both men and women,

As the high priest and whole council of elders (Sanhedrin) can testify; for from them indeed I received letters with which I was on my way to the brethren in Damascus in order to take also those [believers] who were there, and bring them in chains to Jerusalem that they might be punished.

7. Timothy

Colossians 4:6 (Amplified Bible)

Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].

Colossians 4:6 (Contemporary English Version)

Be pleasant and hold their interest when you speak the message. Choose your words carefully and be ready to give answers to anyone who asks questions.

IX. CONCLUSION:

Praise, worship, glorify, adore, bless, honor, acknowledge and thank You very much LORD JESUS for You are set apart in my heart as Holy and You've given me a mouth, utterance and wisdom that all of my foes combined are unable to stand against or refute.