Every Christian, An Apologist
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Intro
Intro
Text -
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
Title - Every Christian, An Apologist
Background
Background
Apologetics - The discipline of offering a reasoned defense of a belief or particular point of view. It is often used in the context of defending a faith-based position against secular attacks.
Apologist - a person who makes a defense either speech or in writing
Defense (key word) - or apology, an answer to question or statement against one’s faith
Grk. Apologia -
(a) a verbal (or sometimes, written) defense as a reply to an accusation
(b) a legal defense in which a person appears in a court of law to give an answer to an accusation
Paul, Defender of the Gospel
- Paul verbally defends the gospel
- Paul recalls his defense in
- Paul puts his defense in writing
The Main Point
The Main Point
God does appoint men to be the defenders of the Gospel
But every true Christian, and follower of Christ is equally a defender of the faith.
the apostle Peter was writing to the pilgrim believers
Whether
Jude was writing the saints -
contend earnestly - Grk. epagonizomai, to fight for
Becoming an apologist does not require formal training or education
the most basic idea is to be able and willing to give a reply to those who speak against the God, Christ and the faith.
Sermon Points
Sermon Points
Apologetics comes with the ministry
Apologetics comes with the ministry
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;
20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
as
Apologetics is required of all disciples
Apologetics is required of all disciples
What makes Christian run away from this work?
Christ’s warnings
34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Mark 8.34-38
ashamed of me and my words
33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;
20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
Matthew 10.16-
31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10.31-33
as
Apologetics needs preparation
Apologetics needs preparation
What makes Christian run away from this work?
some are not fully converted to true discipleship
some are afraid of the persecution - discrimination, rejection, etc.
some are not prepared intellectually - they have no answer
Peter tells us to “be ready to give a defense”
Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts
Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts
Other translations
Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts
Set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts
Honor Christ the Lord as holy
It means - to honor Christ in your hearts as your Lord/Master
It means - to honor Christ by giving Him pre-emminence (Lordship) in your life
to honor Christ by giving Him pre-emminence (Lordship) in your life
to honor Christ by giving Him pre-emminence in your life
Be ready…
Be ready…
Grk. HETOIMOS - be prepared or in condition for immediate action or use
Examples
the wise virgins were ready
the wedding feast is ready
be ready for the Son of Man comes…
It means - be prepared such that you can answer immediately the accusation
How do we become ready?
regular reading and meditation
paying attention to current needs and situations
With meekness and fear
With meekness and fear
other translations
courtesy and respect
gentleness and reverence
gentleness and respect
Gentleness -
- not quarrelsome
With a good conscience
With a good conscience
good conscience means - free from guilt or offense
Conclusion
Conclusion
If you are a true follower of Christ, you are required to be a “defender of the gospel” - an apologist.
start preparing your heart and mind - be ready!