Living with Hope: Unity, Courage, and Christlike Behavior

Living with a living hope means that our lives should look different from the world around us. Because of what Christ has done, we are called to a new kind of behavior—one that reflects the holiness of God in our words, actions, and attitudes. This isn’t just about following rules, but about living in such a way that we can look back on our lives with a clear conscience, knowing we honored God and did not live in fear or regret.

Unity in the church is essential. While we may have differences on secondary issues, we must be unified in our mission to glorify God and disciple the world for Christ. This unity, along with sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and humility, helps us avoid deceitful speech and keeps our relationships healthy. When we are unified and loving, our words and actions become a testimony to the world.

We are also called to turn away from evil and do good, even when wronged. Instead of repaying evil for evil, we are to bless others, trusting that God sees and rewards our faithfulness. Pursuing peace, rather than conflict, is a mark of those who trust in God’s sovereignty and justice.

A clear conscience comes from living courageously for Christ, not allowing fear to dictate our actions. Even if we suffer for doing what is right, we are blessed and privileged to share in Christ’s sufferings. We are to honor Christ as holy in our hearts, always ready to give a reason for the hope we have—not with clever arguments, but with the power of God’s Word and a gentle, respectful spirit.

The work of Christ—His suffering, death, and resurrection—secures our salvation once for all. Baptism is a picture of this reality, not a means of salvation. Because Christ is risen and reigns at the right hand of God, we have every reason to live boldly, without regret, and to stand for truth in a world that often opposes it. Let us live with no reserve, no return, and no regrets, confident that Christlike behavior brings a clear conscience and lasting hope.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Unity and Christlike Character Guard Our Speech True unity in the essentials of faith, combined with sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and humility, forms the foundation for honest and gracious speech. When these qualities are present, we are less likely to fall into deceit or divisiveness, and our words become a reflection of Christ to the world. This unity is not about uniformity in every opinion, but about a shared mission and love that transcends differences. Our speech, shaped by these virtues, becomes a powerful testimony of the gospel. [40:03]
• 2. Blessing Others Instead of Retaliating The call to not repay evil for evil, but to bless those who wrong us, is a radical departure from the world’s way of handling conflict. This posture is not weakness, but strength rooted in trust that God is the ultimate judge and rewarder. When we choose to bless rather than retaliate, we participate in God’s redemptive work and open ourselves to His blessing, even in the midst of suffering. This is a practical outworking of our living hope. [43:29]
• 3. Living Without Fear Leads to a Clear Conscience Fear often keeps us from doing what is right or speaking the truth, especially in a culture that may oppose biblical convictions. Yet, Scripture calls us to act not out of fear, but out of faith in God’s sovereignty and care. Even if obedience leads to suffering or loss, nothing can take away our salvation or the privilege of standing for Christ. A clear conscience is the reward of courageously doing what is right, regardless of the cost. [49:46]
• 4. The Power of Our Testimony Is in God’s Word We are not required to be expert apologists or debaters, but we are called to be ready to share the reason for our hope. The power to change hearts lies not in our eloquence, but in the Word of God itself. By knowing and sharing Scripture, we offer the world the only message that can truly save and transform. Our defense of the faith should be marked by gentleness and respect, trusting God to use His Word as He wills. [55:12]
• 5. Christ’s Finished Work Frees Us to Live Boldly Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice and resurrection mean that our salvation is secure and complete. Baptism is a symbol of this reality, reminding us that we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection. Because He reigns and intercedes for us, we can live with no reserve, no return, and no regrets—confident that our lives, when lived for Him, will not be wasted. Our hope is anchored in what Christ has done, not in our own efforts or the approval of others. [69:25]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Missions Weekend Invitation
• [02:10] - Thank You to Volunteers
• [03:30] - Living Hope and Christian Behavior
• [06:00] - Behaving with Words, Actions, and Attitude
• [08:20] - Reflecting God’s Holiness
• [10:15] - Unity and Five Aspects of Godly Speech
• [14:00] - Avoiding Deceit and Fostering Unity
• [18:00] - Turning from Evil and Doing Good
• [21:00] - Blessing Instead of Retaliating
• [24:00] - Pursuing Peace and God’s Watchful Care
• [28:00] - Living with a Clear Conscience
• [32:00] - Principles for a Clear Conscience
• [40:00] - Christ’s Suffering and Our Hope
• [48:00] - Baptism and the Work of Christ
• [54:00] - Living Without Regret
• [72:56] - No Reserve, No Return, No Regrets
• [73:42] - Invitation to Respond and Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

1 Peter 3:8–22 (ESV) —
> 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but 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. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Observation Questions

1. What five qualities does Peter list in verse 8 that should characterize the way Christians relate to one another?
2. According to the passage, what are we called to do instead of repaying evil for evil?
3. What does Peter say is the result of keeping our tongue from evil and seeking peace?
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between Christ’s suffering, our salvation, and baptism? [[01:07:59]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Peter emphasize unity, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and humility as essential for Christian community? How might these qualities help prevent deceitful or divisive speech? [[40:03]]
2. The sermon says that blessing others instead of retaliating is a “radical departure from the world’s way.” Why is this so difficult, and what does it reveal about our trust in God’s justice? [[43:29]]
3. The pastor mentioned that living without fear leads to a clear conscience. What are some fears that might keep Christians from doing what is right or speaking the truth? [[49:46]]
4. According to the sermon, what is the real power behind our testimony when we share the reason for our hope? How does this affect the way we approach conversations about faith? [[55:12]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon highlights the importance of unity in the church, even when we disagree on secondary issues. Is there a disagreement or tension you’ve experienced in church that challenged your unity? How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time? [[40:03]]
2. Think of a recent situation where someone wronged you. Did you feel the urge to “get even,” or were you able to respond with blessing? What would it look like to bless someone who has hurt you this week? [[43:29]]
3. The pastor said, “Don’t live in fear about doing the right thing.” Is there an area in your life where fear is holding you back from obeying God or speaking truth? What specific step could you take to act in faith instead of fear? [[49:46]]
4. When was the last time someone asked you about your faith or your hope in Christ? Were you ready to give an answer? What could you do to be better prepared to share your hope, even if you don’t have all the answers? [[55:12]]
5. The sermon explained that baptism is a picture of Christ’s finished work, not a means of salvation. If you have been baptized, how does remembering your baptism encourage you to live boldly for Christ? If you haven’t been baptized, what questions or hesitations do you have? [[01:07:59]]
6. The phrase “no reserve, no return, no regrets” was shared as a challenge for how to live for Christ. What would it look like for you to live with “no regrets” in your walk with God? Is there a decision or area of obedience you’ve been putting off? [[01:12:56]]
7. The pastor encouraged men to “step it up and teach your family.” For those with families, what is one practical way you can lead or encourage your family spiritually this week? For those without families, how can you encourage someone else in their faith? [[01:09:25]]