Salt And Light
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Well tonight we're looking at a part of the Bible about us telling others about Jesus. And it encourages me as I read it to find that God understands us. Because he inspired the apostle Peter to tackle our fears about sharing our faith. And we're going to be learning from the great failure himself. Remember the night before Jesus died for us? He was betrayed and arrested and put on trial. And Peter, we're told, 'followed him at a distance' (Mark 14.54) - like he was trying to be an undercover Christian. And someone recognised him and started telling everyone that he'd been with Jesus. And Peter bottled out. He denied it three times. And ran. (Mark 14.53-72).
So if like me you feel a failure or fearful in this department, then join the club. And join me in looking for help in this part of God's word. And if you're still just weighing up Christianity, this is for you, too. Because to follow Jesus involves standing for him publicly. You can't be a secret Christian. So this is part of the new life you'd be starting if you do accept Jesus as your Lord. So as a warm-up, would you take a moment to answer to yourself the question below. You may find it helpful to write something down, because we'll come back to it at the end:
When we think about sharing our faith with people around us, what fears do we have? (or if you're still weighing this all up, what fears do you anticipate?)
Now let's have a moment's quiet to pray - and can I invite you individually to ask God to help you with your particular fears tonight? Last Saturday we had a training day for the students, to think about sharing our faith. We did a questionnaire. And one of the questions was, 'What are your weaknesses in evangelism?' Here's a first selection of the answers we got:
Scared of peoples' reactions Scared I might put people off Afraid of saying the wrong thing/making it sound weird Lack confidence Lack courage Lack faith
And Peter tackles those concerns in vv13-15:
First, FIND OUR SECURITY IN JESUS, NOT IN OTHER PEOPLE (vv13-15a)
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. (vv13-15a) Our basic fear is that we'll get a negative reaction to something we say or something we do as Christians. Eg, someone asks what you did over the weekend and you mention church. 'Oh,' they say, 'my parents used to drag me to church. What a bunch of hypocrites they all were.' Or I think of a friend who came to faith in Jesus and stopped getting drunk with his mates. And they didn't like his new behaviour at all - and told him so. That's the basic fear. Getting a negative reaction. And v13 says:
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
Which is a question expecting the answer, 'In general, no-one.' Ie, in general, if we're trying to live a good life for the Lord, we won't find that people are always negative. Because in general, goodness is attractive. I gave the talk at a thanksgiving service for one of the new babies in church. And I spoke to a guest afterwards who was an elderly neighbour of the parents. And I said, 'I'm glad you came along.' And she said, 'Well when they invited me, I wanted to come and find out about their beliefs, because they've been such good neighbours.' And when I asked the couple concerned, they could only think of simple things they'd done - like cutting the grass, or watching the house while the neighbours were away.
Never underestimate the power of simply living a Christ-like life. Like it says in 2.12: Live such good lives among the pagans [non-Christians] that, though they accuse you of doing wrong [ie, they may give us stick for our living for Jesus] they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2.12-13) So, back to chapter 3, v13:
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
In general, no-one. In general, goodness is attractive even if non-Christians give us stick for it. So v13 is saying don't be paranoid about getting negative reactions all the time. Verse 14: But [here's the other side of it] even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. (v14) Ie, there is always the possibility that we will get a negative reaction - sometimes from some people. So, v13: don't be paranoid and think it'll always be negative. But, v14, don't be unrealistic and think it'll always be positive.
There is that 'if' in v14: if your friends react negatively to your not getting drunk, or refusing drugs, or your absolute honesty with expenses at work, or your invitation to a Christian event, or what you do and don't let your children watch - well, v14, that's always a possibility. And since we all instinctively avoid suffering, our temptation is not to do or say the things that might get the negative reaction. Our temptation is to be sober among Christians but drink too much with non-Christians; to be honest at home but like everyone else at work; not to invite people because that's the sure way of avoiding the disappointment and discouragement of a 'No'. 'But,', v14:
even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. (v14)
Just turn over to 4.14:
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Ie, if we get a negative reaction for something we do or say as a Christian, we're to count ourselves blessed - ie, fortunate, well-off from God's point of view. From a human point of view, it's uncomfortable. But from God's point of view, it shows that the Holy Spirit is actually doing something in us which people notice. It shows that Jesus really is in our lives. Because we're experiencing something of the reaction he got when he was here in the flesh. And in fact, people are reacting to him - to what he's doing in us and what he's saying through us. So as and when we get a negative reaction, we need to learn not to take it personally (easier said than done); and to be encouraged. 'You are blessed.' Then Peter goes on - half way through v14:
"Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. (vv14b-15a)
You'll notice a little letter 'c' at the end of v14 (in the New International Version, NIV). And at the bottom of the page a little 'c' and Isaiah 8.12. Which means Peter is quoting from the OT book of Isaiah. It's a bit where God's people were surrounded by a foreign army and scared. And instead of trusting God, they were trying to do all sorts of deals and compromises to secure their future. And God said to Isaiah:
Do not fear what they fear,and do not dread it.The LORD Almighty is the One you are to regard as holy,he is the One you are to fear. (Isaiah 8.12-13)
Ie, Don't fear mere human beings. God is the One you should regard as completely in control - and the only person it really matters to have on our side. So, trust him. And Peter says we need exactly that attitude for sharing our faith. Verse 14:
"Do not fear what they fear [ie, don't fear what people will think of us, or might say back to us, or do to us]; do not be frightened." But in your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. [Ie, remember that Jesus is Lord - he's completely in control - and the only person it really matters to have on our side.]
So, eg, we may be afraid of being asked certain questions. Eg, 'How can you trust the Bible?' We may feel we'd rather not get into conversation than get it wrong, or run out of things to say. Well, Peter says to us: in your heart, remember that Jesus is Lord. He's in complete control. If he thinks we can't handle a question, he won't let us be asked. On the other hand, if we are asked, he thinks we can handle it - at least say something useful - even if we think we're inadequate. (Which is a good time to fire up a quick prayer for help.) Either way, let's trust him. He is Lord.
Or imagine you're afraid of inviting someone to a Christian event. You fear they won't come; or they won't take kindly to being asked. Well, Peter says to us: in your heart, remember that Jesus is Lord. He's in complete control. If he wants them to come, they'll say 'Yes' and come. And it'll be his doing, so we mustn't feel smug. On the other hand, if now is not the Lord's timing, they'll say 'No'. Or 'Yes' but then not show up. And it's not our fault, and we mustn't feel a failure. Either way, let's trust him. He is Lord.
Or imagine the worst case scenario. By standing for Jesus in some way, we lose the acceptance of a certain group, or a job or even a friendship. Well, Peter says to us: in your heart, remember that Jesus is Lord. He's not only in complete control. He's also the only person it really matters to have on our side. Losing anyone's approval isn't enjoyable. But it's infinitely better to have Jesus' approval and lose a bit of other peoples', than to have other peoples' approval at the cost of not following Jesus. That's the first thing Peter says. Let's find our security in Jesus, not in other people.
Secondly, BE PREPARED TO ANSWER PEOPLES' QUESTIONS (vv15b-16)
Here's another selection of answers to the question, 'What are your weaknesses in evangelism?'
Worried I won't know how to answer questions Lack knowledge of the Bible Not understanding it properly myself Getting the opportunity to talk without sounding cheesy Thinking someone else would do this better!
And Peter tackles those things in vv15b-16. Half-way through v15:
Always be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
There are two ways to get talking with someone about our faith.
One way is for us to take the initiative. Eg, we invite them to a Christian event where someone will speak about Jesus. Or, we ask them a question like, 'What do you make of Christianity?' (which I asked the gas man the other day). And the worry we have when we take the initiative is whether we're being sensitive. Do they really want to come? Do they really want to talk about this? And it's right to be sensitive - we don't want to be like a bull in a china shop. But at the other end of the scale, nor do we want to be cowardly.
The other way is that they take the initiative. Verse 15 - they ask us a question. Eg, 'Why do you go to church?' 'Why don't you get drunk?' 'Do you think the other religions are all wrong?' The great thing about being asked a question is that you don't have to worry about whether it's sensitive to say something right now. It is, because you've been asked to say something. Notice, by the way, that v15 is to all of us. It's tempting to think that sharing the gospel is just for an elite few. Now it's true that some people have a special gift for evangelism - eg, Billy Graham. But all of us who say Jesus is our Lord are to be involved in evangelism in some way. So, all of us, v15:
Always be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
So, do we just wait to be asked? I think the answer is 'No'. It's like saying 'Does a fisherman just wait for a fish to attach itself to his line?' No. He does do quite a bit of waiting. But there are important things he can do - like casting his line - to prompt the fish to bite. And if we want to be asked questions - as I hope we do - there are important things we can do to prompt them.
Sometimes, of course, questions just come. Christian parents (and godparents and baby sitters and youth leaders, etc), for example, find that children fire out the most brilliant leading questions about the Lord. And it's so important to make time to answer them when they come.
When I was interviewed for this job, I stayed with Jonathan Pryke and family. And one of the tests I was set was to read the twins, then 5 years old, their bedtime story. It was July and they were allowed to choose whatever story they liked. So after much discussion, they chose The Christmas Story. And I'd just got to the bit about Mary expecting Jesus when Katie stopped me and said, 'How did Jesus get into Mary's tummy?' So there I was - stranded, not knowing how much they did or didn't know about how these things happen normally, wondering how to explain the Holy Spirit, the virgin birth, the two natures of Jesus - and still leave time for brushing teeth. Parents (and godparents and baby sitters and youth leaders, etc): always be prepared. Children are a unique source leading of questions.
But elsewhere, how can we prompt questions? Well, the most obvious way is like 2.12 says: 'live such good lives among the pagans [ie non-Christians].' A Christian friend of mine was in the army for 5 years and towards the end of it he felt his witness for the Lord had made no impact. And a few days before he left, another officer said to him, 'I've not heard you swear in 5 years, and I want to ask you what makes you live differently.'
Another way to prompt questions is to fish for them in conversation. Eg, at work tomorrow, someone asks you what you've been up to over the weekend. Well, drop some bait. Say, among other things, 'And I went to church.' They might ask, 'What do you actually do there?' Well, drop some more bait: 'Well, this time they were talking about all the special events we've got coming up for people who are just thinking about Christianity.' It might lead somewhere - even to an invitation. It might not. That's God's business. Just pray as you fish: 'Lord, if you want this to go anywhere, open the way and give me the words.'
One thing that's vital in all this is to let others know we're Christians. If they know we are, then if they've got a question about Christian faith, they know they can ask us. But if people don't know we're Christians, it's bad for everyone. It's bad for us because we'll be more tempted to compromise and be one of the crowd. And it's bad for them because they may be really interested, but they don't realise that we could help them. So, in each new situation, we need to find a way of 'labelling' ourselves as Christian - in a way that's not 'naff'. Mentioning we've been to church is one way. Another friend I know reads a bit of the Bible in his lunch break in an open plan office. We need to think of a way.
So much for fishing for questions. What about answering them? Peter mentions three ingredients.
Ingredient number one, we need to know what we believe and why. That's v15, 'Always be prepared.' Some questions you can have a stab at even if you've never thought about them before. Eg, 'How did you become a Christian?' But other questions need real preparation. Eg, 'How can God allow suffering?' And the more we read the Bible, and hear the Bible taught, and hear evangelistic talks, and read Christian books on the questions that get asked, the better prepared we'll be. Having said that, we'll never know all the answers, and the thing to do is always to say what you can. Even if you fall at the hurdle of the next question - don't worry. And if you can't think of anything to say, just say, 'I'll think about that.' Then you can re-start the conversation later: 'You know that question you asked me about… Well, I've thought about it and…'
Ingredient number two, we need to say it with the right manner. End of v15:
but do this with gentleness and respect…
The word translated 'gentleness' means not pushy, not aggressive or just trying to win the argument. It means respecting the other person and treating them properly. Eg, disagreeing, but without getting heated. Letting the subject drop if the other person wants to drop it. Never making the other person feel small. 'Do this with gentleness and respect.' The word translated respect is actually the same word translated 'fear' in v14. So I assume the NIV thinks it means 'fear' (= respect) of the other person. I doubt that. 1 Peter consistently tells us to fear God (1.17, 2.17 - but not men, 3.6, 3.14). So I think it probably means fear of God. Not fear of his punishment. But for believers, there's a right sense in which we should fear God's opinion. Ie, it should matter to us far more what God thinks of our answers than what other people think of them. And that perspective will help us be faithful to the gospel and actually say the things that are unpopular and difficult to say. Eg, someone asks, 'Do you really think all the other religions are wrong?!' (in a tone of incredulity). You know they'll think you're narrow and bigoted if you say 'Yes, I do. Because Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.' So yes, I think all other religions are wrong - they won't lead anyone to God.' Only being more concerned for God's opinion ('fearing' God) will help us get the answer out. (See also Luke 12.4-10.)
And ingredient number three: living the good life. Verse 16:
but do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander [remember v14 - goodness is generally attractive, but doesn't always go down well]. (vv15b-16)
We need to be living lives which back up what we say. If we just live the life but don't speak about the reason for it, people will just think we're nice or weird or both. Cutting the grass for someone will tell them about us ('nice') - but it won't tell them about Jesus - that Jesus died for the sins of the world; that Jesus rose from the dead; that one day they'll meet Jesus as their Judge. It won't point them to Jesus. We must speak in order to do that. But on the other hand, if we speak but don't live the life, they'll just think we're hypocrites. And rightly.
Thirdly, we're to SHARE JESUS' ATTITUDE TO PEOPLE WITHOUT GOD (vv17-18)
Here's one last - and very honest - answer to our question, 'What are your weaknesses in evangelism?'
I don't like rejection/confrontation
Well who does? No-one. So, why risk it? Why not guarantee our own comfort by just letting other people 'be', in their own beliefs and lifestyles? The answer is: because Jesus didn't. Verse 17-18:
It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good [eg, for our public stand/witness for Christ] than for doing evil. For Christ died for sins, once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
Jesus could have guaranteed his own comfort by just staying put in heaven. Not becoming a man. Not dying for us on the cross so we could be forgiven. God could have let us arrive at the judgement unforgiven and turned us away. But his Son did become a man. And did die on the cross. And if you're still weighing Christianity up, v18 is it in a nutshell. [See the transcript for Sunday 22 October, 6.30pm, 'Who goes to heaven?' on this verse.]
Jesus came into this world to take on himself the judgement for all the wrong behaviour God should hold against us. So we could be forgiven and come back into relationship with him - like it says in v15, accepting him in our hearts as our Lord (even if the majority around us keep ignoring him). Verse 18 is the Christian message in a nutshell. And if you'd say you were not yet a Christian, then can I apologise for how poorly we Christians live for Jesus and speak for Jesus. And can I say please don't let our failings hold you back from investigating and responding to Jesus himself. And if we are Christians let's remember v18. Remember the attitude of Jesus. He suffered so there could be good news. And when we suffer negative reactions in trying to deliver that good news to others, we need to say to ourselves, 'This is nothing compared to what he went through.' We began with the question, 'When we think about sharing our faith with people around us, what fears do we have?' Let me leave you with this final question: How does this part of God's Word address our fears? Is there one thing you'll take away from it?