The sermon “Silent No More” from 1 Peter 3:13-17 addressed how believers should respond to various relationships and challenges in life, from interactions with family, colleagues, and fellow Christians to handling opposition and cultural issues with faith and conviction. The central message was a call to be courageous and to speak out for what is right, even in the face of suffering, as modeled by Christ.

In exploring 1 Peter 3:13, the sermon highlighted the power of doing good and remaining fearless in the face of opposition. We were reminded that while doing good might not shield us from suffering, it aligns us with God’s blessing and promises. When we choose righteousness over acceptance, we honor God, and even in persecution, our actions may bring others to shame for falsely accusing us. The congregation was encouraged not to let fear or social pressures, like the threats from “cancel culture,” silence their witness. Following God’s will sometimes mean suffering, yet this suffering is purposeful and rewarding.

The sermon then addressed how societal pressures challenge Christian values, specifically touching on controversial issues like recreational marijuana, transgenderism, and abortion. A story was shared about a request to sign a petition for recreational marijuana, along with the false justifications often used, such as the supposed benefits of tax revenue or crime reduction. Despite societal acceptance, we are called to consider the moral implications and to voice concerns rooted in faith. Similarly, regarding transgenderism, a story highlighted a university women’s volleyball team that forfeited rather than compete against a team with a transgender member, demonstrating the social costs of standing firm in biblical values. This act was seen as good, yet it resulted in ridicule and labels of “bigotry” and “hatred,” showcasing the challenge believers face when aligning with God’s design over societal redefinitions. On the topic of abortion, disturbing statistics were shared, including the 63 million abortions in the United States since 1973 and the common motivations for them. The sermon argued that the church should speak against abortion and advocate for the innocent, even if it’s unpopular.

The sermon referenced Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor during Hitler’s rise to power, as an example of moral courage. When he reached out to German pastors, only 200 supported him, while others either remained silent or rejected his stance against Nazi ideology. The silence of the church allowed the Holocaust to unfold unchecked. The sermon made a clear connection, encouraging today’s church not to repeat this history by staying silent on critical moral issues.

In 1 Peter 3:15-16, the message called on believers to “sanctify the Lord in their hearts” and be ready to give a defense for their hope. This passage introduced the concept of apologetics, encouraging Christians to answer challenging questions of faith with humility and confidence. Common questions that Christians face were discussed, such as reconciling a good God with the existence of suffering, trusting the Bible despite human authorship, and understanding God’s justice. For instance, the existence of suffering was explained not as a flaw in God’s plan but as an outcome of human free will, with God working through suffering to reveal His strength. The message encouraged using resources like apologetics books, websites, and lectures to deepen understanding and to offer answers with compassion and integrity.

The sermon emphasized that we must remove any obstacles in our behavior that might deter others from coming to Christ. Negative behaviors, such as judgmentalism or intolerance, often deter non-believers, and Christians are called to live in such a way that their conduct, even under defamation, reflects Christ’s love. The sermon concluded with 1 Peter 3:17, asserting that it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil, echoing the lives of martyrs throughout history. Examples from Foxe’s Book of Martyrs were shared, illustrating believers who remained steadfast in faith under persecution. The lives of Stephen, Polycarp, and others were presented as models of endurance and unwavering commitment to Christ.

This message at Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville, led by Pastor Allen Victor, was a call to courageously defend the faith and share the hope of Christ without compromise or fear of worldly repercussions.

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