07/13/14 A Defense for CHRIST!
Text: 1
Peter 3:15-16a (HCSB)
“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.”
Intro: Our
VBS theme this year is Agency D3; during the next few days special agents will
be on the case to investigate tracing back to the facts-who Jesus really is.
First I must admit I hope this investigation is more than a week long, and that
we continue to understand who Jesus really is. The lesson truth in the last
case study revolves around; Jesus death, burial, and resurrection and this
truth demands a response. My hope for the children and parents alike is that we
would take serious our understanding of who Jesus is, that He died for our
sins, rose and is now alive and we take this evidence and share it!
Application:
Making an effective Case for Christ.
To make an effective case for Christ every
agent (person) must discover who Christ is, decide whether the evidence is true
or false and if the evidence is substantial be willing to defend it.
1. Discover:
“When
Jesus heard that they had thrown the man out, He found him and asked, “Do you
believe in the Son of Man?” 36 “Who is He, Sir, that I may believe in Him?” he
asked. 37 Jesus answered, “You have seen Him; in fact, He is the One
speaking with you.” 38 “I believe, Lord!” he said, and he worshiped Him. 39 Jesus
said, “I came into this world for judgment, in order that those who do not see
will see and those who do see will become blind.” John 9:35-39 (HCSB)
Jesus was
the One who did the seeking. He sought the man who had been cast out. Anyone
can cast a person out—a business, a church, a family, neighbors, and friends.
But Jesus seeks the person who is cast out and rejected. He always does, no
matter who the person is or what the person has done. The climactic stage
of spiritual sight is clearly demonstrated by the man's experience. It is
seeing Jesus as the Son of God. This blind man discovered Jesus.
What is the
evidence that needs to be discovered?
Case 1: Is Jesus Really God’s Son?
Lesson
truth: Jesus is the one and only Son of God
Case 2: Was Jesus More Than Just a
Good Man?
Lesson truth: Jesus was born fully human and fully divine.
2. Decide:
“Listen!
We are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief
priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death. 19 Then they will
hand Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified, and He will
be resurrected on the third day.” Matthew 20:18-19 (HCSB)
Case 3: Did Jesus Really
Die?
Lesson truth: Jesus died an agonizing and sacrificial death.
Case 4: Is
Jesus Alive?
Lesson truth: Christ was resurrected from the dead according to
the scriptures, never to die again.
I guess it comes down to deciding whether
we believe in the scriptures and that there was enough evidence to accept who
Jesus is and why He came. Every person must decide if Jesus really died and is
He now alive?
3. Defend:
“Jesus answered, “Destroy this sanctuary, and I will
raise it up in three days.” 20 Therefore the Jews said, “This sanctuary took 46
years to build, and will You raise it up in three days?” 21 But He was
speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” John 2:19-21 (HCSB)
Case 5: What Do
I Do with the Evidence About Jesus?
Lesson truth: Jesus death, burial, and
resurrection demands a response.
What is it that we really need to defend? To
understand this question there is a word that must first be defined. This word
is Apologetics; the word apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia, which
means to give an apology, apology in this sense doesn’t mean saying you are
sorry or making amends; it means to give a proper defense. By definition,
Christian apologetics means to make a defense for our faith. When it comes to
faith in Christ, what is our best defense?
Much of modern-day apologetics involves
deep knowledge aimed at providing proof of the Bible’s claims-making a
legitimate case. Understanding historic, scientific, and archaeological
advancement that support Christianity in an academic setting is certainly part
of apologetics. But it is only part.
Conclusion:
Here are three elements that
must also be present when it comes to making an effective case for Christ.
2. HOPE. People who do not believe
in absolute truth are less likely to find intellectual arguments appealing, no
matter how convincing. What they want is hope. And they are not convinced that
the Bible provides it. When we provide educated answers, the goal is not to win
an argument, but to support the fact that our only hope is Jesus. Our emphasis
should be on the word hope.
3. GENTLENESS AND RESPECT. Much like Jesus’ encounter
with the woman at the well, we must know our audience. In John 4:29, the woman
says, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did!” Jesus knew her. For
us to know our audience in a similar manner calls for a key component to
communication: Listening. A gentle answer begins with a gentle ear. Being respected
starts with being respectful.
In the world of sharing Christ effectively,
apologetics is a necessary skill. It is, however, not one that can be used
effectively apart from other skills – namely, people skills. Honoring God,
focusing on hope, and being kind are all key components to the defense you make
for and in Christ.
In : Sermon
Tags: "vbs" "defense" "discover decide defend"
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