Dr. Jack Graham's mission is to glorify God by introducing Jesus Christ as Lord to all people.
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Power Point with Jack Graham | Jack Graham - The Reason For Our Hope | January 18, 2026
- ♪♪♪
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- There is no person that god cannot save!
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- There is no promise that god will not keep!
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- There is nothing that our god cannot do!
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- Did you know that it costs... it will cost you to be a
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- Christian? because when you follow jesus, he says "take up
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- The cross and follow me." bear the cross; don't just wear the
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- Cross, that's fine, but bear the cross by taking it up and
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- Denying self. because we will... if we follow jesus, if
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- We bear his cross... we will face opposition and resistance,
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- And sometimes cancellation and even persecution. paul said,
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- "all who live godly in jesus christ will suffer
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- Persecution." so if you're living a godly life in christ
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- Then you will face the flack. you will suffer for doing what
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- Is right, not what is doing wrong.
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- And that's okay, because jesus said, "blessed are they..."
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- This is in sermon on the mount... at the top of the
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- Sermon on the mount... matthew 5... he said, "blessed are you
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- When men shall revile you and say all manner of evil against
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- You falsely for my sake." he said, "blessed are you... happy
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- Are you." now we don't go looking for trouble but be sure
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- That if you follow christ, trouble will find you. and
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- That's why you're looking at a passage today that talks about
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- Our reason for hope in the midst of whatever we face.
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- So in verse 13, 1 peter, chapter 3:
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- 13) now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what
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- Is good?
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- Are you zealous for the gospel of christ? are you a zealot?
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- [you] say, “well, i don't want to be a fanatic. i don't want
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- People to think i'm weird.” no, we should be passionate,
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- Zealots for god and for good! are you?
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- 14) but even if you should suffer for righteousness... for
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- Righteousness' sake, you will be blessed (that is, you will
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- Be rewarded... you will be honored) have no fear of them
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- (don't be intimidated by the christless crowd, the godless
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- Gang) nor be troubled,
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- And here's verse 15.
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- 15) but in your hearts honor christ the lord as holy, always
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- Being prepared (circle that word always) always being
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- Prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a
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- Reason for the hope that is in you; and yet do it with
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- Gentleness and respect, 16) having a good conscience, so
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- That, when you are slandered, those who revile your good
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- Behavior in christ may be put to shame. 17) for it is better
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- To suffer for doing good, if that should be god's will, than
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- For doing evil.
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- How are we going to share this reasonable faith... this
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- Hope-filled confidence that we have in christ? how are we
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- Going to share this? this message, if you want to know
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- What it's about, it's all about evangelism and missions and you
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- Personally... we, together sharing our faith in jesus
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- Christ; telling the good news of jesus christ. that is what
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- This is all about today.
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- I've got some words right out of the text that i believe we
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- Should identify, and the first word is what i'm going to call
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- Consecration... consecration. for as we read just a moment
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- Ago, the scripture says that we are to sanctify or honor christ
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- In our hearts. what that means is that we are to worship jesus
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- Christ as the lord of life. it's a word there to sanctify
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- Or to honor in esv. it's a word that in the nlt it says
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- "worship christ as lord of your life, as someone as hope... and
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- If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready
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- To explain it." so that begins in the heart... it starts in
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- The heart, when jesus is given his rightful place of
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- Preeminence.
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- Did you know christ does not want a place in your life; he
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- Doesn't want even prominence in your life; he demands
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- Preeminence, because jesus christ is lord! and when we
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- Realize this and revere him and worship him and honor him, then
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- It will naturally flow out of us the reason for the hope that
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- Is in us. the very first move you are to make if you want to
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- Be an effective evangelist... witness for christ is to exalt
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- Jesus in your life; to never be ashamed of him, to never be
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- Afraid to speak the gospel.
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- ♪♪♪
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- There are some great heroes in the bible. heroes like moses
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- And abraham. david. apostles like peter and paul. these are
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- Surely heroes of the faith. they were not perfect people,
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- But they were greatly used by god. and because they trusted
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- Him, god used each one of these in a great, great way. because
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- Of their faith.
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- Now faith is like a muscle. you either use it or lose it. and
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- Becoming a follower of jesus and developing a muscular faith
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- Is god's comman and god's call for each one of us. so i want
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- To encourage you to build this muscular faith in your life by
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- Devoting yourself and disciplining yourself in god's
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- Word. get into your bible every single day and discover the
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- Powerful life that is waiting for you there
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- [announcer] to help you go deep into god's word. jack graham
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- Wants to send you his 365-day devotional, “i am - a year of
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- Devotionals to ignite your faith.” when you give your best
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- Gift to powerpoint today, the gospel goes forth to all
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- Nations. to get your copy of “i am”
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- Text jan, that's j-a-n to 59789. or visit jackgraham.org.
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- [jack graham] when you partner with us at powerpoint you are
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- Helping us share the good news of jesus christ to a world that
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- Desperately needs to hear a message of hope. i want to send
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- You “i am” my gift to ignite your faith and draw you closer
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- To the great i am, our god,
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- Who has an incredible purpose for your life.
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- ♪♪♪
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- You're never a better witness for christ than when through
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- Tears you testify of his love and his grace and his mercy in
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- Your life. our faith in trials demonstrates truly what we
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- Believe. and if you're grieving, if you're suffering,
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- If you're struggling, take this as an opportunity to show the
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- Love of god whose grace is peace and the promise of
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- Christ. your testimony is so very strong, especially when
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- You struggle and you hurt and there's pain, and you still
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- Believe.
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- Jesus doesn't need people who follow him when it's
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- Convenient... when it's culturally or socially
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- Acceptable. god is not looking for people who follow him when
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- It's easy or expedient. he's looking for people who will
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- Serve him and share his love and grace no matter what. so
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- Consecrate your life to christ and count the cost... what it
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- Means to truly follow him.
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- Let me ask you a series of questions right now. let's ask
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- Ourselves as we consider our consecration: is jesus first in
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- Your life?
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- Secondly, do you him above all things? heart, mind, soul and
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- Strength, and are you willing to obey him in all things? do
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- You desire to obey him? is this your heart, to love jesus and
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- To love people that he loves? and then thirdly, are you
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- Willing... this is a big one... are you willing to accept
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- Ridicule and resistance and make sacrifices to advance the
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- Kingdom of our lord jesus christ? and number four, will
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- You follow jesus even when it is hard and not poplar and not
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- Easy and not expedient?
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- Because god is not looking for spectators, but players, on the
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- Field to do what he's called us to do. he is looking for
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- Witnesses. and you know, the very word witness is the word
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- Martyr in the greek new testament? and so the very idea
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- Of witness is to make a sacrifice... whatever sacrifice
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- Is necessary. if christ is first, we don't live to please
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- The world; we live to please god and obey him no matter what!
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- Second word is preparation. we talked about consecration...
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- Honor, sanctifying, worship jesus christ as lord of your
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- Life. and then there's the word preparation. it says,
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- "always..." look at it again in our text. "but always be
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- Prepared..." this is the middle of verse 15: "...always being
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- Prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a
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- Reason for the hope that is in you." always being prepared;
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- Always ready. always ready. that's what he's talking about.
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- That we should never miss an opportunity to share our hope
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- In jesus.
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- How many opportunities walk by us, live near us, work by us...
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- Do we pass every single day? why? because we're not praying
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- And we're not paying attention. because opportunity... people
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- Who need jesus, they are all around us. never miss an
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- Opportunity to witness. aren't you glad someone witnessed to
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- You? aren't you glad there are people in your life who weren't
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- Too busy or too preoccupied with something else to share
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- The hope that is in christ? we're so often unfocused and
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- Distracted! the word ready here means at all times be ready to
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- Face anything. prepare always. christians should pray for and
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- Look for opportunities to tell this good news.
- 00:12:10.319 --> 00:12:17.726
- What did jesus say about that? he said, "look..." the fields
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- Are white in the harvest; they are ripe' they are ready.'" and
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- I'm telling you in my lifetime i've never seen a better time
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- Than right now to share the gospel of christ. people are
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- More and more open. i know there's a lot of resistance,
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- And i know there are people who will put you off and put you
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- Down, but i've also discovered that people are ready to have a
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- Conversation about what is important.
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- And the next word is declaration. and i use the word
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- Declaration because he says, “to make a defense; to
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- Explain.” this is the greek word apologia. we get our word
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- Apology, but it doesn't mean to apologize for christ or god. it
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- Means to make a sure defense. we use the word theologically
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- Apologetics.
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- You say, “well, i'm not a scholar. i mean, i'm not quote
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- An apologist.” but i want you to notice what this verse says.
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- I doesn't say let all the scholars do it. it says let
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- Everyone of you do this. “if anyone who asks you for a
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- Reason for the hope that is in you, do it with gentleness and
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- Respect.” so does that include you and me? you say, “well, i'm
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- Not a bible scholar.” you don't have to be a bible scholar to
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- Be a witness for christ.
- 00:13:48.717 --> 00:13:51.253
- Clearly, this is to give the evidence... to give the
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- Evidence! so it's a verbal explanation of the gospel. and
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- Every christian should be prepared to do this. are you
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- Listening? no exceptions, no exemptions, no excuses. if
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- Christ is the lord of your life... remember, that's where
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- We started... if he is first and foremost in your life, then
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- You cannot help but speak of what you've seen and heard.
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- Could it be that some never speak of jesus because they
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- Haven't heard much or seen much? but if you meet the risen
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- Christ... if you know him, you will tell of his love and his
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- Grace in your life.
- 00:14:58.287 --> 00:15:00.789
- So what i want you to really hear today, once again, this is
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- Something i know we share again and again and again through the
- 00:15:03.592 --> 00:15:07.296
- Years... but evangelism, missions, sharing your faith,
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- Being a soul winner... it's not just for religious
- 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:14.303
- Professionals or preachers or evangelists or missionaries
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- So-called, because we're all missionaries. we're all to
- 00:15:21.977 --> 00:15:24.980
- Declare the gospel!
- 00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:29.084
- You say, “well, i don't know what to say.” you know that
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- Blind man that came to jesus and he was healed? and they
- 00:15:32.021 --> 00:15:36.492
- Questioned him and asked him some things he couldn't answer,
- 00:15:36.492 --> 00:15:42.231
- And he ended up saying, “i don't know about all of that; i
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- Can't answer all your questions, but once i was blind
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- And now, i see!” share your story; share your testimony of
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- What christ has done for you! say with the apostle paul in
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- Philippians 1:16: “i am appointed for the defense of
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- The gospel.” and don't be afraid to tell the truth!
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- Some in your own family don't believe it; they may reject it,
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- May reject you because of it. you may be rejected in your
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- Business or your career. i saw a note... a quote from the
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- Late, great adrian rogers, one of my heroes. he was talking
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- About being willing to stand for truth no matter what. and
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- As only adrian could say it, he said, "it is better to be
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- Divided by truth than be united in error. it is better to speak
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- The truth that hurts, then heals, than falsehood that
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- Comforts and then kills! it is better to be hated for telling
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- The truth than to be loved for telling a lie!" so always be
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- Ready! don't be ashamed. don't be afraid. don't be
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- Intimidated. always be ready to share your faith. always keep
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- Looking for the opportunity and the open door. pray and ask god
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- To show you to give us souls for christ.
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- One final truth... thought. we've talked about consecration
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- And preparation and declaration. but finally,
- 00:17:44.353 --> 00:17:51.493
- Motivation. what motivates us to do this? what would move us?
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- What would make us leave our comfort zone and comfortable
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- Pew and actually leave this place and go tell the gospel of
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- Christ?
- 00:18:14.249 --> 00:18:17.619
- Well, what motivates us is the resurrection. it's the hope
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- That is within us. we have a living hope and that hope is
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- The sure confidence and expectation that we're going to
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- Heaven.
- 00:18:31.300 --> 00:18:33.101
- First peter 1:21 says “through him you believe in god who
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- Raised him from the dead and gave him glory so that your
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- Faith and hope are in god.” faith and hope are like two
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- Wings of an airplane. when you have faith, you have hope in
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- God, and yet the world is without hope. we are motivated
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- By the fact that we have hope. and our loved ones and friends
- 00:18:52.020 --> 00:18:57.459
- And family members and co-workers are not living in
- 00:18:57.459 --> 00:19:04.566
- This hope. we've been given eternal life. we've been
- 00:19:04.566 --> 00:19:10.672
- Forgiven. christ went to the cross; he died; he rose again;
- 00:19:10.672 --> 00:19:14.509
- He crushed sin, death and hell and he now reigns. jesus christ
- 00:19:14.509 --> 00:19:19.715
- Is lord!
- 00:19:19.715 --> 00:19:23.418
- And he has given us a clear commandment. it's called the
- 00:19:23.418 --> 00:19:29.758
- Great commission to "go into all the world make disciples."
- 00:19:29.758 --> 00:19:37.299
- And that great commission is often the great omission in
- 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:42.638
- Churches today and among christians today. there are
- 00:19:42.638 --> 00:19:48.410
- Churches meeting all over the world, all over this city, but
- 00:19:48.410 --> 00:19:53.615
- The priority of witnessing and evangelism is often barely
- 00:19:53.615 --> 00:19:57.653
- Mentioned. and so everybody just winks and says "amen" and
- 00:19:57.653 --> 00:20:04.226
- Goes home! but if you believe this... if you believe the
- 00:20:04.226 --> 00:20:10.165
- Resurrection... if you believe by his cross you are saved, how
- 00:20:10.165 --> 00:20:13.802
- Can you not share it?
- 00:20:13.802 --> 00:20:16.605
- Peter says we are to do this with
- 00:20:16.605 --> 00:20:19.408
- Gentleness and respect and with humility. not arrogance, not in
- 00:20:19.408 --> 00:20:27.182
- Anger, not being argumentative. remember, we're not
- 00:20:27.182 --> 00:20:32.421
- Prosecutors, we're witnesses. and what does a witness do? as
- 00:20:32.421 --> 00:20:38.660
- A witness we tell what we've seen and heard. that's what a
- 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:43.598
- Witness does. we have freedom in america to speak openly of
- 00:20:43.598 --> 00:20:49.471
- Our faith in christ. are we doing it? i think we've been
- 00:20:49.471 --> 00:20:54.943
- Given a wider open door right now in america to share our
- 00:20:54.943 --> 00:20:58.580
- Faith. god is moving. we've seen sparks of revival on
- 00:20:58.580 --> 00:21:02.050
- College campuses and in some churches.
- 00:21:02.050 --> 00:21:06.521
- But we're to share our faith in readiness, in responsiveness to
- 00:21:06.521 --> 00:21:16.732
- The needs around us. we're to be ready, we're to be real,
- 00:21:16.732 --> 00:21:21.236
- We're to be responsive, we're to be respectful of people
- 00:21:21.236 --> 00:21:26.742
- Around us. and it all begins when we say, “lord, here am i.”
- 00:21:26.742 --> 00:21:31.980
- Like isaiah. “here am i; send me.” because we're zealots,
- 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:41.690
- We're passionate about what we believe. we have a passionate,
- 00:21:41.690 --> 00:21:45.127
- Burning love for jesus and a desire to know him, and as the
- 00:21:45.127 --> 00:21:48.363
- Scripture says, “make him known.”
- 00:21:48.363 --> 00:21:51.099
- You say, "well, i don't think i can do this. i mean, i don't
- 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:55.170
- Know how i can possibly do this." listen to acts 1:8: "but
- 00:21:55.170 --> 00:21:58.573
- You shall receive power after the holy spirit has come upon
- 00:21:58.573 --> 00:22:01.810
- You and you shall be my witnesses." judea, samaria...
- 00:22:01.810 --> 00:22:06.815
- That is right where you are, to the uttermost part of the
- 00:22:06.815 --> 00:22:10.118
- Earth. god's spirit will empower you. the holy spirit
- 00:22:10.118 --> 00:22:17.626
- Will enable you. you know why the holy spirit lives in you?
- 00:22:17.626 --> 00:22:23.799
- Not just to make you feel good. the holy spirit is given to us
- 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:28.670
- Not to feel something, but to do something! and that
- 00:22:28.670 --> 00:22:35.310
- Something is to be a witness for christ!
- 00:22:35.310 --> 00:22:40.382
- Are you tentative; are you timid? paul said to timothy,
- 00:22:40.382 --> 00:22:44.486
- "god has not given us a spirit of fear." peter talks about
- 00:22:44.486 --> 00:22:48.356
- That. but power, love and a sound mind." not a spirit of
- 00:22:48.356 --> 00:22:51.026
- Fear but love, power and a sound mind. and he said, when
- 00:22:51.026 --> 00:22:54.329
- You face the opposition... again, that's the whole frame
- 00:22:54.329 --> 00:22:58.500
- Upon which the scripture is given. when you face
- 00:22:58.500 --> 00:23:01.236
- Opposition, even suffering, don't fear man. because if you
- 00:23:01.236 --> 00:23:04.139
- Fear god, you don't need to fear anybody else! don't fear
- 00:23:04.139 --> 00:23:08.343
- What someone might say to you if you're respectful,
- 00:23:08.343 --> 00:23:11.913
- Responsive witness. when people ask you, "what is it about
- 00:23:11.913 --> 00:23:16.151
- You... what is that in you... what is that something?" has
- 00:23:16.151 --> 00:23:21.690
- Anybody ever asked you that?
- 00:23:21.690 --> 00:23:27.195
- Every christian should be prepared to say what we believe
- 00:23:27.195 --> 00:23:34.936
- And at some point, why we believe it. and it's up to us
- 00:23:34.936 --> 00:23:41.510
- To be disciples and followers of jesus so that we'll not only
- 00:23:41.510 --> 00:23:44.346
- Know what we believe but why we believe it. is it hard for you
- 00:23:44.346 --> 00:23:49.918
- To speak up? stand up for christ and the gospel?
- 00:23:49.918 --> 00:23:56.224
- Remember, as bill bright, the great founder of campus crusade
- 00:23:56.224 --> 00:23:59.027
- For christ said, "witnessing..." ... here's a
- 00:23:59.027 --> 00:24:01.029
- Good definition. my favorite definition of witnessing.
- 00:24:01.029 --> 00:24:05.166
- "witnessing is sharing jesus christ in the power of the holy
- 00:24:05.166 --> 00:24:08.503
- Spirit and leaving the results to god." that's it! we're not
- 00:24:08.503 --> 00:24:16.845
- Out there to win arguments, jeremiah. we are witnesses of
- 00:24:16.845 --> 00:24:23.118
- The gospel of christ. as the spirit of god lives in you, ask
- 00:24:23.118 --> 00:24:29.691
- Him each day... this would be a good daily prayer.
- 00:24:29.691 --> 00:24:35.230
- I was reading a daily prayer this week of the great pastor
- 00:24:35.230 --> 00:24:39.834
- In england, john stott, who would throw his knees outside
- 00:24:39.834 --> 00:24:44.706
- His bed every day and pray the same prayer to start his day,
- 00:24:44.706 --> 00:24:49.744
- And it was a prayer to the father, the son and the holy
- 00:24:49.744 --> 00:24:52.314
- Spirit. he would say: "i pray to you, father, my sovereign
- 00:24:52.314 --> 00:24:56.851
- God and creator; i pray to you, jesus, redeemer, master, savior
- 00:24:56.851 --> 00:25:02.624
- And friend, forgiver of all my sins; and i pray to you, holy
- 00:25:02.624 --> 00:25:05.961
- Spirit that you would fill me and use me, that the fruit of
- 00:25:05.961 --> 00:25:10.999
- The spirit... your spirit, lord... love, joy, peace and
- 00:25:10.999 --> 00:25:14.903
- Patience and kindness and goodness and gentleness, and
- 00:25:14.903 --> 00:25:17.305
- Meekness and self-control... that you would fill me, lord
- 00:25:17.305 --> 00:25:21.443
- And use me."
- 00:25:21.443 --> 00:25:22.644
- What if we prayed a prayer, just a simple triune gospel
- 00:25:22.644 --> 00:25:25.447
- Prayer like that? father, son, holy spirit... and say, "lord,
- 00:25:25.447 --> 00:25:30.952
- Here am i. send me, use me, give me." god will give you
- 00:25:30.952 --> 00:25:34.956
- Courage and god will give you boldness and god will give you
- 00:25:34.956 --> 00:25:38.827
- The ability and the persuasiveness. jesus said,
- 00:25:38.827 --> 00:25:45.266
- When you go before the trials... to his disciples...
- 00:25:45.266 --> 00:25:48.069
- The holy spirit will give you the words to speak. and if you
- 00:25:48.069 --> 00:25:55.610
- Will just be available and usable, you will be able to
- 00:25:55.610 --> 00:26:02.684
- Share with your family, your friends, your loved ones, your
- 00:26:02.684 --> 00:26:05.186
- Neighbors, your co-workers, perfect strangers, the reason
- 00:26:05.186 --> 00:26:11.459
- For the hope that is in us. are you ready for that?
- 00:26:11.459 --> 00:26:18.633
- ♪♪♪
- 00:26:18.633 --> 00:26:28.943
- Hello, everyone. pastor jack graham here, and i want to
- 00:26:30.045 --> 00:26:32.547
- Personally invite you to join me for something very special.
- 00:26:32.547 --> 00:26:35.583
- It's the patriot tour to washington, dc, april 22nd
- 00:26:35.583 --> 00:26:40.255
- Through 27th, 2026. as we celebrate the 250th birthday of
- 00:26:40.255 --> 00:26:46.361
- The united states, we're going to visit some of the most
- 00:26:46.361 --> 00:26:49.264
- Powerful and historic places in our nation's capital, like the
- 00:26:49.264 --> 00:26:53.234
- U.s. capitol, arlington national cemetery, the national
- 00:26:53.234 --> 00:26:56.337
- Monuments, mount vernon, and the museum of the bible.
- 00:26:56.337 --> 00:27:00.075
- This won't be just a tour. it will be a spiritual journey,
- 00:27:00.075 --> 00:27:02.744
- Really. i'll be opening god's word along the way, teaching us
- 00:27:02.744 --> 00:27:06.781
- About the spiritual foundations, the biblical
- 00:27:06.781 --> 00:27:08.883
- Foundations of our nation, and the hope that we have for the
- 00:27:08.883 --> 00:27:13.121
- Future. so registration is now open, and i'd love for you to
- 00:27:13.121 --> 00:27:16.191
- Be a part of this unforgettable experience.
- 00:27:16.191 --> 00:27:18.827
- For more information and to reserve your spot today,
- 00:27:18.827 --> 00:27:21.896
- Text patriot to 59789. can't wait to see you there!
- 00:27:21.896 --> 00:27:21.896