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Good morning, Church. My name is Sam Wolf.

I serve on our staff as the director of finance. This morning we're going to read

1st Peter chapter 3, verses 13 through 22.

Now who is there to harm you if you were zealous for what is good?

But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed.

Have no fear of them nor be troubled, 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, having a good conscience,

so that when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

For it's better to suffer for doing good if that should be God's will than for doing evil.

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,

in which he went and proclaimed to the Spirit in prison,

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 the water.

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,

...