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Harbor Light Church
UNSHAKEABLE - Pastor Christina Williams
Sunday Morning Service
Locations & Times
1734 Orange Ave, Costa Mesa, CA
1734 Orange Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627, USA
Sunday 9:32 AM
UNSHAKEABLE
Pastor Christina Williams
:
"But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope 1 Peter 3:15
When things are shaking in the world around us,1 Peter 3:15 reminds us that we can fully stay grounded in Christ.
I. But In Your Hearts Set Christ Apart: Making Jesus Truly Lord
Each day setting apart Christ as Lord in our hearts. This means surrendering to Him completely and allowing Him to shape our thoughts, actions, and priorities.
Matthew 6:32-34 Good News Translation Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. 33 Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and He will provide you with all these other things.
Colossians 3:16-18 GOD’S WORD Translation
Let Christ’s word with all its wisdom and richness live in you. Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach and instruct yourselves about God’s kindness. Sing to God in your hearts. 17 Everything you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
When Christ is at the center, our faith becomes authentic and undeniable. People will notice the difference in how we live, and that opens the door for conversations about our faith.
II. Always Be Ready: Readiness to Share the Gospel
Peter calls us to always be ready to give a defense for the hope we have. The Greek word used here for “defense” is apologia, meaning a reasoned argument or explanation. It just means that we can honestly speak to someone about what is genuine about our relationship with God.
2 Timothy 2:15 New American Standard Bible
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
Romans 1:16 The Voice
For I am not the least bit embarrassed about the gospel. I won’t shy away from it, because it is God’s power to save every person who believes: first the Jew, and then the non-Jew. 17 You see, in the good news, God’s restorative justice is revealed. And as we will see, it begins with and ends in faith. As the Scripture declares, “By faith the just will obtain life.”
III. Practical ways to be ready:
Know the Word – Spend time in Scripture daily.
John 8:31-32 New Living Translation
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Know Your Story– Be able to share your testimony of how Christ is changing your life.
Know Your World – Understand common objections to Christianity and respond with grace and wisdom.
IV. Conduct: Defending with Gentleness and Respect
Peter instructs us to share our faith with gentleness and respect. Our attitude matters just as much as our words. We are not called to win arguments but to win souls through Christlike love.
Proverbs 15:1-2 New Century Version
A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger, but an unkind answer will cause more anger.
Colossians 4:6 New International Version
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
People are more likely to listen when we engage in respectful, thoughtful, and compassionate conversation. Let our tone reflect Christ’s heart. We don’t argue someone into faith in Christ.
1 Peter 3:15 calls us to live with Christ as Lord, be ready to share our faith, and do so with gentleness and respect.
V. Hope and Confident Assurance: Anchored in Christ
Our hope in Christ is not wishful thinking; it is a firm foundation built on His promises. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. The confidence we have in Him gives us strength through trials and uncertainties.
Hebrews 6:18-20 New Living Translation
These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us.
Romans 15:13 New Living Translation
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
When others see the unshakable hope in our lives, they will be drawn to the source—Jesus Christ. Our steadfast faith becomes a testimony that speaks louder than words.
“Let us continue to hold firmly to the hope that we confess without wavering, for the one who made the promise is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23 International Standard Version
Pastor Christina Williams
:
"But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope 1 Peter 3:15
When things are shaking in the world around us,1 Peter 3:15 reminds us that we can fully stay grounded in Christ.
I. But In Your Hearts Set Christ Apart: Making Jesus Truly Lord
Each day setting apart Christ as Lord in our hearts. This means surrendering to Him completely and allowing Him to shape our thoughts, actions, and priorities.
Matthew 6:32-34 Good News Translation Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. 33 Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and He will provide you with all these other things.
Colossians 3:16-18 GOD’S WORD Translation
Let Christ’s word with all its wisdom and richness live in you. Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach and instruct yourselves about God’s kindness. Sing to God in your hearts. 17 Everything you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
When Christ is at the center, our faith becomes authentic and undeniable. People will notice the difference in how we live, and that opens the door for conversations about our faith.
II. Always Be Ready: Readiness to Share the Gospel
Peter calls us to always be ready to give a defense for the hope we have. The Greek word used here for “defense” is apologia, meaning a reasoned argument or explanation. It just means that we can honestly speak to someone about what is genuine about our relationship with God.
2 Timothy 2:15 New American Standard Bible
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
Romans 1:16 The Voice
For I am not the least bit embarrassed about the gospel. I won’t shy away from it, because it is God’s power to save every person who believes: first the Jew, and then the non-Jew. 17 You see, in the good news, God’s restorative justice is revealed. And as we will see, it begins with and ends in faith. As the Scripture declares, “By faith the just will obtain life.”
III. Practical ways to be ready:
Know the Word – Spend time in Scripture daily.
John 8:31-32 New Living Translation
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Know Your Story– Be able to share your testimony of how Christ is changing your life.
Know Your World – Understand common objections to Christianity and respond with grace and wisdom.
IV. Conduct: Defending with Gentleness and Respect
Peter instructs us to share our faith with gentleness and respect. Our attitude matters just as much as our words. We are not called to win arguments but to win souls through Christlike love.
Proverbs 15:1-2 New Century Version
A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger, but an unkind answer will cause more anger.
Colossians 4:6 New International Version
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
People are more likely to listen when we engage in respectful, thoughtful, and compassionate conversation. Let our tone reflect Christ’s heart. We don’t argue someone into faith in Christ.
1 Peter 3:15 calls us to live with Christ as Lord, be ready to share our faith, and do so with gentleness and respect.
V. Hope and Confident Assurance: Anchored in Christ
Our hope in Christ is not wishful thinking; it is a firm foundation built on His promises. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. The confidence we have in Him gives us strength through trials and uncertainties.
Hebrews 6:18-20 New Living Translation
These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us.
Romans 15:13 New Living Translation
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
When others see the unshakable hope in our lives, they will be drawn to the source—Jesus Christ. Our steadfast faith becomes a testimony that speaks louder than words.
“Let us continue to hold firmly to the hope that we confess without wavering, for the one who made the promise is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23 International Standard Version