Defending The Faith

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

1 Peter 3:15 (KJV)

Meaning of words - Sanctify, to set apart

Today's homework assignment literally was, to write a 3 minute sermon on a favorite verse from the Bible. This verse didn't just jump out at me one day and I thought, "Hey' that's my life verse." No, it was kind of when I took a pulbic stand that I am a Christian, people immediately set out to try to argue with me and convince me I was wrong. I found I was pretty good at stumping people's objections. Well, this verse seems to be aimed at people like me, but more importantly, it doesn't say, "Hey, you arguing types - this is for you." Nope. It's addressed to all Christians.

The funny thing about this assignment was, I was thinking to myself just that morning, "If you ever try to write a sermon using the word 'Sanctify' it's going to automatically double your sermon length, because you're going to have to explain and define it."

So, let's get that out of the way. A lot of us combine the word "Sanctify" with the thought "holy". Indeed, the word 'sanctimonius' means to us, hypocritical. To act Holy, when indeed you are not.

But the Bible is in itself a dictionary. It defines words through usage. Very often, the first time a word is used, the Bible shows through context what it really means. In Exodus 13:2 it says, "Sanctify unto me the firstborn..." What does the context teach you that word means? Separate. To set something apart for Holy Use. "It is Mine." the Lord says.

So, let's look at what this verse teaches us. In the eighteen seconds we have left!

We  are to set the Lord God apart in our hearts. He is to be first and foremost. Better than football teams, children, spouses, anything. That's really hard. We're used to putting the Lord somewhere around number seven on our favorite lists. He's telling us to make Him number One. So, that's the first thing. how do you apply this to your life? Make God number one. Moving right along!

To be ready to give an answer to every one that asketh... For the most part, this refers to someone sincerely interested. But keep in mind, the Apostle Paul, and Peter as well, got up in front of hostile crowds, and did this very thing!

The Bible really doesn't make this all that optional. Everyone should know the very last verses of Matthew 28, "Go ye forth into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature..." That's not optional. It's required. Pass out a tract or two. Well, the Bible is saying something similar here. You all should know enough Bible after say, two years as a Christian, to be able to defend your faith.

Well, there's a lot more to know as well. Apologetics 101 is a great class, everyone should take one. You'll end up blessed in that your faith will go from just a hope to a certainty in your mind. I've studied enough of it that I can rattle off a fact or three. I really recommend you all do this as well!

Little facts like, there are over 5200 existing manuscripts of the New Testament in Greek. There's less than a dozen of Caesar's "Gallic Wars" book - and NOBODY questions its authenticity. So, nobody should be questioning the authenticity of the New Testament, right?

or, the bottom of the Grand Canyon is  lower at the beginning of the canyon than at the end. Big deal? Well, if science is right, water had to run uphill for millions of years to carve out the Grand Canyon. My experience is, water runs up hill comfortably for only zero years. But if the Bible is right, the Flood carved that out in a matter of hours.

That's about thirty seconds of Apologetics. Can you imagine forty five minutes? You think that was fun, try a class!

The last point tonight is to answer as a Christian. Now, I can be aggressive. I'm trained that way, and I think God designed me that way. Or perhaps its the result of my sin nature still strong  in me, needing to be shaped up. But God didn't command us, "win every agrument", but answer their questions.

here's the sad fact. The vast majority of the people you witness to will walk away without coming to the Lord. I'm sorry. I'm as unhappy about that as you are. If that doesn't bother you, then check your faith in the Bible, because the Lord  warned many times they were in for a horrible eternity. But winning an argument at the expense of a soul is not worth it. I'm preaching to myself here, everyone please be patient.

We must be meek, and reverential to the Lord. "A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." It is the sincerety they remember, not your facts and figures. Still learn, but be aware that it is your patience, your grace, your meekness and sincerety that they will remember.

Share your faith this week. Pass out a tract, tell someone about the Lord.