1 / 40

For Further Reading…

For Further Reading…. 1 Peter 3:13-17.

maxime
Download Presentation

For Further Reading…

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. For Further Reading…

  2. 1 Peter 3:13-17 13 And who will harm you if you are deeply committed to what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, 15 but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will 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.

  3. 1 Peter 3:13-17 13 And who will harm you if you are deeply committed to what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, 15 but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will 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.

  4. 1 Peter 3:13-17 13 And who will harm you if you are deeply committed to what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, 15 but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will 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. • “give a defense” = apologia

  5. 1 Peter 3:13-17 13 And who will harm you if you are deeply committed to what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, 15 but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will 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. • Apology = a defense, excuse, or justification in speech or writing, as for a cause or doctrine; a verbal defense or reasoned argument.

  6. Apologetics strengthens faith BIBLICAL PROMISES STEPS OF FAITH OBJECTIVE EVIDENCE

  7. Apologetics strengthens faith BIBLICAL PROMISES STEPS OF FAITH OBJECTIVE EVIDENCE

  8. Apologetics strengthens faith Matt. 11:2-6 -- 2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent a message by his disciples 3 and asked Him, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news. 6 And if anyone is not offended because of Me, he is blessed.”

  9. Apologetics strengthens faith Luke 1:1-4 -- Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us,2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

  10. Apologetics strengthens faith 1 Peter 1:8-12 -- 8 You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that would come to you searched and carefully investigated. 11 They inquired into what time or

  11. Apologetics strengthens faith what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when He testified in advance to the messianic sufferings and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things.

  12. Apologetics help deal with obstacles in evangelism PositiveAtt. Emptiness Interest No God Awareness Gospel Pres. -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5

  13. Apologetics help deal with obstacles in evangelism Aware of Need Challenged FAITH Exp. Love Grasp Gospel -4 -3 -2 -1 0

  14. Apologetics help deal with obstacles in evangelism LeadLeaders Effective worker Learn Basics Member of Body Growth in life & svc. Eval. +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6

  15. The Process of Communication

  16. The Message 1 Corinthians 15:1-81 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day

  17. The Message according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

  18. The Message

  19. The Medium The context in and through which the message is communicated • The Believer’s Lifestyle • The Believing Community’s Life Together The medium can increase or decrease NOISE that inhibits the message from being communicated from the SENDER to the RECEIVER.

  20. NOISE Spiritual Forces of Darkness Eph. 6:11-12 -- 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. 12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

  21. NOISE Preconceptions • “There is no absolute truth.” • “Christians are intolerant bigots.” • “If I become a Christian I will have to become a dull prude.” • “If I become a Christian I will have to check my brain at the door.” • “The church is full of fake people.”

  22. NOISE Societal Expectations • Stuff, status, sensuality • Individualism, busyness, externals, image management

  23. NOISE Societal Expectations • Stuff, status, sensuality • Individualism, busyness, externals, image management • “Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you”

  24. NOISE Societal Expectations • Stuff, status, sensuality • Individualism, busyness, externals, image management The medium can increase or decreaseNOISE that inhibits the message from being communicated from the SENDER to the RECEIVER.

  25. Developing a “non-noisy” lifestyle Recognize the proper relationship of lifestyle & message • Our lifestyle does not & cannot replace the message • Our lifestyle can make the message look beautiful

  26. Developing a “non-noisy” lifestyle Recognize the proper relationship of lifestyle & message • Our lifestyle does not & cannot replace the message • Our lifestyle can make the message look beautiful Matt. 5:14-16 -- 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

  27. Developing a “non-noisy” lifestyle Recognize the proper relationship of lifestyle & message • Our lifestyle does not & cannot replace the message • Our lifestyle can make the message look beautiful Titus 2:9-10 -- 9 Slaves are to be submissive to their masters in everything, and to be well-pleasing, not talking back 10 or stealing, but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything. “adorn” = kosmeo(to put in order, arrange, make ready, prepare to ornament, adore; metaphorically to embellish with honor, gain honor)

  28. Developing a “non-noisy” lifestyle 2 Cor 4:7-11 -- 7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. 8 We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 9 we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 10 We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who live are always given over to death because of Jesus, so that Jesus’ life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. Recognize the proper relationship of lifestyle & message • Our lifestyle does not & cannot replace the message • Our lifestyle can make the message look beautiful

  29. How do we live in such a way that the beauty of the message is released? Our attitudes & perspectives • Phil. 2:14-16a -- 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.16 Holding forth the message of life.

  30. How do we live in such a way that the beauty of the message is released? Our approach to suffering & failure • 2 Cor. 4:16-17 -- 16 Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.

  31. How do we live in such a way that the beauty of the message is released? Our real hope in Jesus’ return • 2 Cor. 4:18 -- 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

  32. Developing “non-noisy” communities SYNERGY = the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts

  33. Developing “non-noisy” communities • “The church that convinces people that there is a God is a church that manifests what only a God can do, that is, to unite human beings in love . . . There is nothing that convinces people that God exists or that awakens their craving for him like the discovery of Christian brothers and sisters who love one another . . . The sight of loving unity among Christians arrests the non-Christian. It crashes through his intellect, stirs up his conscience and creates a tumult of longing in his heart because he was created to enjoy the very thing that you are demonstrating.” • -John White, The Fight SYNERGY = the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts

  34. Developing “non-noisy” communities • “We cannot expect the world to believe that . . . Christianity is true, unless the world sees some reality of the oneness of true Christians . . . Of course, as Christians we must not minimize the need to give honest answers to honest questions. We should have an intellectual apologetic. The Bible commands it, and Christ and Paul exemplify it . . . Yet, unless true Christians show observable love to each other, Christ says the world cannot be expected to listen, even when we give proper answers. Let us be careful, indeed, to spend a lifetime studying to give honest answers. For years the orthodox, evangelical church has done this very poorly . . . SYNERGY = the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts

  35. Developing “non-noisy” communities • But after we have done our best to communicate to a lost world, still we must never forget that the final apologeticwhich Jesus gives is the observable love of true Christians for true Christians . . . If the world does not see this down-to-earth practical love, it will not believe that Christ was sent by the Father. People will not believe only on the basis of the proper answers . . . The world must have the proper answers to their honest questions, but at the same time there must be a oneness in love between . . . true Christians. This is what is needed if men are to know that Jesus was sent by the Father and that Christianity is true.” • -Francis Schaffer, The Church at the End of the 20th Century SYNERGY = the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts

  36. Developing “non-noisy” communities SYNERGY = the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts John 13:34-35 -- 34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By thisall people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

  37. A Chance to Give to the Cause Ushers please come forward…

More Related