Tested and Proven 2

Romans 1:14–17 “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to the uncultured, both to the wise and to the foolish. So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: “But the righteous one will live by faith.””

Introduction

A little over a month ago, we began this 3 part series, the purpose for which is to help equip Christians how to artuiculate their worldview and to both defend and share the Gospel. We are studying Paul’s writings for that purpose- specifically, 5 principles that we can derive from his apologetic writings to the Romans. Again, as Paul says in Romans 1:14 “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to the uncultured, both to the wise and to the foolish.” Simply put, he understood his purpose to present the Gospel within the cultural context of the people he reached. So in a sense, Paul’s ministry revolved around apologetics, as he said in 1 Corinthians 9:22 “…to become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some.”

We have alredy covered the first two principles. Since it has been a little over a month, allow me to briefly recap what was discussed:

Dealing with the “Inner-Me”- before we begin sharing our views with others- including those who, like many of us, have outright rejected the message of the Gospel and by virtue of this currently stand as enemies of the Cross, first we might deal with the “inner me”. Every one of us has a degree if bias- we look at the world and try to make sense of it based on our personal experiences. Part of the process of sanctification is the Holy Spirit changing our thinking, helping us to see life through Christ. Before trying to help someone else to grasp the truth, make sure that you’ve come to grips with your own biases and perseptions. Remember that we are still being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2) .

Principle #1: Face Your Doubt (Identify the Idols)

Doubt is part of the intellectual search for truth. It should not be a source of embarrassment or riducule; and parents, ministers, and teachers…it should not be dismissed or ignored. One of the oldest tactics used by the enemy is to convince us that “doubt” is synonymous with “lack of faith”.So the conclusion is, “you have doubts because your faith isn’t strong enough.” Paul faces this head on. In 2 Corinthians 2:11 “so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” Exposing the mind to ideas, is like exposing the body to germs- it is the only way to build immunity.

Paul moved past the issue of doubt, because he knew then that the primary objective to belief in God is NOT an intellectual one. In general, people resist the “idea” of God, because they don’t like the thought that they are not in control of their destinies. And so we attempt to live with God, all the while depending on Him, even for the ability to reject Him!

The fact is, we were made to worship. If we do not worship our God & Creator, something else- and far less worthy- will fill the void. That substitue is what scripture refers to as an idol A few examples of common idols include reason, science, and human autonomy. Consider how an idol is described in Psalms:

Psalm 115:4–8 “Their idols are silver and gold, The work of human hands. They have mouths, but they cannot speak; They have eyes, but they cannot see; They have ears, but they cannot hear; They have noses, but they cannot smell; They have hands, but they cannot feel; They have feet, but they cannot walk; They cannot make a sound with their throat. Those who make them will become like them, Everyone who trusts in them.”

David provides an apt description of an idol, in all its forms. You need God to exist; but an idol needs you to exist. You give it form; you speak for it…you are its hands and feet. Any worldview other than Christianity rejects God to serve idols. The first step in presenting faith in Christ as the best answer to the questions of purpose,and meaning- the ultimate truth- to identify the “god substitute” that is currently sitting on the throne of a person’s heart.

Paul captures this perfectly in Romans 1:22–23 “Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures.”

Ultimately, an idol substitutes the Creator for something (or someone) that He created.

Principle # 2: Name That Idol!

Exodus 3:13–14 “Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “This is what you shall say to the sons of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ””

The Hebrew phrase “I AM WHO I AM”, which can also be translated “I will be who I will be”, convenys a simple truth: God will not be reduced- He is all encompassing. Since no other worldview alternative an explain everything satifactorily, they are forced to take shortcuts- they have to reduce their worldview, and toss out anythnig that does fit inside of the “the box”.

For example, consider the most obvious reductionism in a worldview: The view know as materialism. In materialism, the “idol” is matter- physical substance, the stuff we can see, touch, smell and feel. Those are the only things that fit in the box. So anything immaterial- such as concepts like beauty, love, and even the ability to choose, what we call free will, they are called illusions. THey don’t fit in the box. So instead of humanity being made in the image of God, a fact that gives every single person that has ever (or will ever) live worth and dignity, we are reduced to “moist robots” without the ability to truly think or choose anything.

And so this brings us to where we are today, and to the 3rd principle:

Principle# 3: Have It Your Way or “Taste Your Own Medicine”

So we’ve given some thought to what we believe and why- we’ve faced our doubts, we’ve begun to explore ideas and we’re comparing and contrasting them to the Christian claim that it is the truth- the best explanation for reality as we know it. This is where our efforts to share the hope that is found in Christ alone starts to meet resistance. Why? Because none of us walks away from the things that we hold as true easily; we instictively defend our understanding of the world around us. Unless we use wisdom and love, this is where the conversation stops, and the arguments begin. So how do we avoid this? How do we keep the conversation going?

First of all, resist the urge to tout your “religious superiority”, as if there was such a thing. In most cases, a person will need to see for them selves what their worldview lacks before that will consider an alternative. They’ll need to take their on medicine, to see if it really cure what ails the human soul.

Let’s go back to our example of materialism, and apply this principle to it; let’s apply materialism…to materialism. If all that exists is physical matter, then how does that explain the non-material things? It doesn’t…it is disregarded because it doesn’t “fit in the box”. And if only matter exists, and the universe & everything in it exists came from nothing, somehow coming into being because of an unguided material process- like evolution, then that would me we are all here by accident; your body, and all of its complex systems, developed by accident; your mind developed by accident. Wait…the human mind…an accident? The result of a material, unguided process? Then how can we trust what comes from the mind…including materialism? It is self-defeating.

There are many simple ways to apply this principle in every day life for example:

If someone says, “You can’t know anything for sure!” A: “Are you sure about that?”

If someone says,“There’s no such thing as [absolute] truth!” You can simply say, “Is that [absolutely] true?” (In common convo, most would say, “You have your truth, and I have mine”, which is another way of saying that there is not absolute or ultimate truth.)

Please, don’t assume that this principle will insure immediate acceptance of the Christian faith. After all, just because you may have proven their views to be wrong, that doesn’t automatically make your views right in their eyes. In many cases, the people we are trying to reach with the Gosplel already know it to be true! Paul points this out in Romans 1: 18 when he says that they “surpress the truth”, just as most of us did. But Paul shows us that this principle is effective in bringing people to the truth, bause it is exactly what He does. Romans 1:26, Paul says, “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; similarly, he says in vwer 28 that “God gave them up to a depraved mind, to do those things that are not proper.” At first, it might seem as if God has given up on these who have rejected Him; the opposite is actually true. God tries to get through to us by allowing us to play out the negative consequences of their choices. Many of us are here today because we were confronted by the consequences of our choices, and came to the realization God’s way is right after all.

I would like to add this as food for thought: why does what we beleive even matter? Because what we believe will drive our actions. What we think will most certainly drive what we do. If we beleive that men & women are made in the image of God, we are more likely to treat them as such; conversely, if we believe that people are no different than animals, once again, we will treat them as such.

Principle# 4: Taste & See- The Invitation

Having your worldview tested & seeing it fail can feel a lot like an tremor from a distant earthquake: you are not only shaken physically, but emotinally as well. The very ground that you have stood on for most of your life feels less secure. This is your opportunity to present the alternative- to invite them to Christ.

Matthew 5:13a says ““You are the salt of the earth...”; and salt is for tasting. Matthew 5:14a says, ““You are the light of the world.” and light allows us to see. I believe that David spoke prohetically concerning us when he said in Psalm 34:8a “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

The purpose of the Christian life is to put Christ on display- to be a demonstration of God’s goodness. Remember, most objections to Christianity are NOT intellectual. We should be prepared to give an answer for the hope that lies within us, but it is even more important to show them the love of God. Be prepared to be challenged- but the test is really of the Faith, not of you. Let them “try out” a new worldview- allow them the space to confirm the truth for themselves. Be there when they come to realize that they were wrong, and help them to embrace what is right. And when the opportunity presents itself, invite them into personal relationship with Christ. Romans 5 captures and sums up the benefits of this relationship:

Romans 5:1–8 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous person; though perhaps for the good person someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Next week we will conclude with the final Principle: “Replace the Idol” Please allow me to conclude wit a word of prayer:= [that these principles take root, etc.]