00:03no matter what we're hopeful question for you based on whatever knowledge you have of jesus if you could choose
00:11only one word to describe him what would you choose
00:14dallas willard a very wise extraordinarily learned man whom i keep quoting picked a word that still has me thinking
00:22of all the words at his disposal he picked this relaxed i'm still mulling over that one but i like
00:30it jesus really doesn't seem anxious does he he's certainly not hurried he's in the moment he's not stressing about
00:39getting everything done
00:40he's not bothered by deadly storms we know that he brings cushions for those relax so if i believe the
00:49things jesus believes i will also be relaxed and you know what one fun thing about living in a highly
00:56anxious highly hurried society when you're relaxed when you don't freak out
01:01it freaks people out they don't quite know what to do with it i think they're drawn to it too
01:08in a world of insecurity security draws people in a secure person whose mind isn't cluttered with hurry and worry
01:17can intently listen and listeners are in short supply we can see that with the overwhelming demand for counseling
01:25if you can focus on someone else and ask genuinely curious questions people will wonder what's right with you there's
01:34this scripture that's been misused to smack people over the head with theological argument
01:39it's where peter said to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone and i've had people tell me
01:46that's why i should study stuff to argue with people and win
01:50but that misses the entire point of the scripture because it goes on and i'll italicize something here
01:56always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that
02:02you have
02:03it's like peter even anticipated people getting the wrong impression because he continued by telling people to do this with
02:11gentleness and respect
02:12think about that peter expected us to be so different that other people actually notice how hopeful we are even
02:21in the midst of
02:22anything and everything no matter what we're hopeful
02:26not complaining
02:27not griping
02:29not going on about how the country is going to hell in a handbasket
02:34in case we want to say
02:36yeah but we are living in special times
02:38christians are losing their rights and there's rampant injustice and
02:43it's worth reading the whole letter from peter
02:46the people he was writing to
02:48they were suffering for their faith
02:51he continually referenced this
02:53knowing what they were going through
02:55he was saying yes people are going to try to hurt you
02:59but don't be afraid
03:00they'll ask why you're so hopeful
03:02so be ready with a gentle answer
03:05very matter
03:05you
03:05so
03:06so
03:06so
03:09you
03:09so
03:09you
