Defending the Faith: The Importance of Contending for the Faith

Transcription

1 Defending the Faith: The Importance of Contending for the Faith Should Christians defend the faith? Should we use reasons and evidences as we seek to persuade nonbelievers to believe? Why? What Biblical examples are there of those in the Scriptures giving evidences and reasons to believe? Did Jesus defend the faith? Why does God want us to be prepared to give a defense? In this teaching, Charlie Campbell answers these questions and others and then wraps things up by emphasizing the character traits that should mark all of our attempts to persuade people to believe (humility, gentleness, respect, patience, love, compassion, etc.). This is a great teaching to kick off a series on defending the faith. INTRODUCTION Charlie Campbell s testimony CHALLENGING QUESTIONS OF SKEPTICS/NON BELIEVERS Example statements of skepticism and non belief: If God is so loving and powerful, why does He allow evil and suffering? What evidence is there that God exists? Why should I trust the Bible? What makes the Bible any different than the Qur an or the Book of Mormon? Wasn t the Bible just the invention of men 2,000 years old? Hasn t the Bible undergone corruption as it was translated hundreds of times down through the centuries? What about those who never heard of Jesus? Are you saying that they are going to be condemned to hell? How can Christians think that Jesus is the only way to heaven? How can a loving God send somebody to hell? Why aren t dinosaurs mentioned in the Bible? What evidence is there that Jesus ever lived? If someone asked you these questions, would you be able to give them an answer? Unfortunately, a great many of us would say no. We should be able to answer these questions and furthermore the skeptics and non believers do have a right to ask these questions. God does not expect people to take their brains out, throw aside their reason, suppress their questions and doubts, and just believe ISAIAH 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together MATTHEW 22:37 love the LORD your God will all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind 1 THESSALONAINS 5:21 Examine all things carefully; hold fast to that which is good

2 The truth claims of the Christian faith are something that can be examined to see whether or not they are true. God encourages examination. EXAMPLE #1 The disciple Thomas he had questions and doubts of Jesus resurrection from the grave JOHN 20:25 The other disciples therefore were saying to him We have seen the Lord! But he said to them, Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe Apparently Thomas had heard how Jesus was crucified and how the Roman soldier had pierced Jesus side. So Thomas said in effect, I m going to need to see the scars in order to believe He s alive JOHN 20:27 Reach you finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing. Jesus gave Thomas the evidence he needed in order to believe. JOHN 20:28 Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God! Church history records for us that Thomas was willing to die for Jesus and in fact did in southeast India. EXAMPLE #2 While John the Baptist was there in the dungeon, he began to wonder and it appears even doubt whether Jesus was the Messiah. He began to have doubts. Men of great faith can have times of doubting. His suffering produced questions and doubts. MATTHEW 11:2-6 2) And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3) and said to Him, Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another? 4) Jesus answered and said to them Go and tell John the things which you hear and see 5) The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6) And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me. Jesus laid out the evidence to assure John. The miracles listed are Old Testament prophecy fulfillment. Jesus didn t condemn John for his question. God Himself, Jesus in the flesh, was willing to give people reasons and evidence to believe. EXAMPLE #3 Jesus cleanses the temple

3 JOHN 2: ) So the Jews answered and said to Him, What sign do You show to us, since You do these things? 19) Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20) Then the Jews said It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days? 21) But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22) Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said. The ultimate evidence of Jesus divinity is His resurrection. ACTS 1:3 many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. Jesus spent 40 days, appearing to more than 500 people (1 Cor 15:6) giving them: many infallible proofs (Acts 1:3) or many convincing proofs EXAMPLE #4 Paul the Apostle was a strong defender of the faith PHIL 1:17 I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. Paul realized I can t just proclaim the gospel; there is a time for defending the truth claims that are contained in the Gospel. ACTS 19:8 he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them concerning the things of the kingdom of God. God does not want the practice of defending the faith to end with Jesus and Paul. God wants you to provide answers to skeptics and non believers. 1 PETER 3:15 In your hearts set Christ apart as holy and acknowledge Him as Lord. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, do it courteously and respectfully. This is the heart and will of God Defense Apologia: To give reasons or to give a defense. To be skilled in Apologetics is to be able to give a defense of the Christian faith to someone who asks you questions about your faith, or to someone who challenges your beliefs. JUDE v3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. JUDE v1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ Written to the church at large (all of us) CONTEND = To fight

4 EARNESTLY = Seriously, Intensely Not a physical fight with swords and weapons, but an intellectual, spiritual battle. WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN CONTEND EARNESTLY For some of you, it will mean raising you hand and challenging something your teacher says about Christianity that is simple not true. For some, it means choosing a topic like Evidence for Trustworthiness of the Bible for your report or speech in an upcoming class. For some that means reading up on a particular topic so that you can answer the questions your friend or coworker has. For some that means volunteering to teach an apologetics class once a week or once a month at your church. For others it may mean writing an article for the editorial section of your newspaper. For others, it means starting a website or a blog, or sharing the truth with people on your existing site. Starting a website/blog requires no money, no knowledge, quick and easy to create. can create a website in 3 easy steps. 1) Create an account 2) Name your blog 3) Choose a template. Be a voice on the Internet for the Truth. WHY DOES GOD WANT US TO DEFEND THE FAITH #1 REASON: God wants nonbelievers to know the truth. 2 PETER3:9 not willing that any should perish 1TIMOTHY 2:4 desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth God wants nonbelievers to know the truth about His love and the death His Son died on the cross for their sins. He wants them to experience the joy of having their sins forgiven and of knowing Him, not only in this life, but in eternity. Knowing answers to the common questions that nonbelievers have, can help remove these barriers and lead people into the most important relationship they will ever have, a relationship with Jesus. #2 REASON: God wants you to stand strong in the truth. 1 CORINTHIANS 16:13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith 3 JOHN 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

5 10,000 s church going believers walk away from the faith every year. Sadly, studies have shown that 80-88% of graduating Christian high school seniors walk away from the Lord by the end of their fourth year in college. You may think Well, I am strong in the faith (like Peter was). I would never walk away from the Lord. Well Satan has been deceiving and shipwrecking people that have thought that way for thousands of years. 1 PETER 5:8-9 Be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith #3 REASON: God wants you to help other believers to continue in the faith. There are countless people who go to church, who have placed their faith in Christ. They ve had their sins forgiven, but they are still weak in the faith. They still have questions. They are easily confused when asked challenging questions. JUDE v4 I say this because some godless people have wormed their way in among you [Where? Into the church], saying that God s forgiveness allows us to live immoral lives. The fate of such people was determined long ago, for they have turned against our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. CONCLUSION CHARACTER AND ATTITUDE WHEN DEFENDING THE FAITH 1 PETER 3:15 meekness and fear NKJV or gentleness and respect NIV The ambassador of Christ should never be rude or hostile, but rather humble and respectful. Our goal in defending the faith is not to win arguments. It is to win people. COL 4:5-6 5) Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6) Let your speech always be with grace You need to be wise (v.5) when you are talking with those who are outside. You need to be gracious in your speech (v.6). You need to listen to them, and acknowledge the merit of their good points, questions or concerns. 2 TIMOTHY 2: ) And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25) in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that that may know the truth, 26) and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. JUDE v22 Be merciful to those who doubt. One of the things that may help you to be merciful, gentle and patient with those who are in opposition to the gospel is to remember that they have been taken captive by the devil (2 Tim2:26). Those who reject Christianity have been deceived.

6 2 CORINTHIANS 4:4 the god of this world [speaking of Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel Remember this when encountering Mormons or Jehovah Witnesses.