Introduction To Apologetics

Ian Begin speaking the sermon with a lighthearted Opening. Share how excited you are about sharing about digging into this topic has really touched your heart, and has helped me get excited about learning about God.

-What is Apologetics in theory?

For Us Apologetics is the Defense of the TRUTH. Its the “Case for Christ” as we understand it. The word “Apologetics” comes from the Greek word “Apologia.” Which has the meaning, “a formal written defense of one’s opinions or conduct.”

Famously the Ancient Greek philosopher Plato wrote the famous work called “The Apology.” This ancient work was a speech that Plato’s predecessor Socrates gave during his Trial in Athens. Socrates in his speech defends himself against the accusations of corrupting the youth, asserting his commitment to seeking truth and wisdom.

-Why is it so important for us to learn apologetics?

The lord calls upon us to build a strong foundation. And studying apologetics can help cement your own belief in Christ. How can we go about and spread the kingdom if our own foundation can be shaken. How can you sow a seed in someones heart if you can’t provide the evidence to their own Objections?

(1 Peter 3:15-16)

15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.

Get creative and interact with the group. First ask for a volunteer, then Call on a mature individual in Christ and present them this Scenario. “ *Name* I want you to think of me as someone who’s never known Christ, a skeptic, but as someone seeking Truth outside his own certainty.

Ask *Name*, “How can I trust anything that comes out of the Bible. It was written by us humans. , and even if it was written by God Its been touched by so many people it has to be corrupted.

Try to keep them talking about there evidence, when something isn’t convincing; point it out.

-There are many points of hot topics that people claim call Christianity into question. I want to encourage everyone to think secularly for a moment and try to come up with some claims you hear from the world that they use to justify living for the world. Before you try to answer these questions think about your own family or loved ones who may have not accepted Christ yet. You know them the best, picture what their questions might be.

Interact with the listeners and try to get a list created of questions they might have.

Evolution?

If God is all about love, then why can’t I be Gay?

Isn’t every religion just the same, be good?

Miracles aren't real, science shows us this

The Bible has been translated so many times, I can’t trust it

Lets talk about These answers. Has anyone been asked any of these questions before? If so what is your response?

-Can We see Apologetics in action in the Bible?

PAUL’S ACCOUNT OF HIS CONVERSION AND COMMISSION

Ask for volunteers to read the verses below.

(Acts 26:12-23)

12 “I was traveling to Damascus under these circumstances with authority and a commission from the chief priests. 13 King Agrippa, while on the road at midday, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

15 “I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16 But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. 20 Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and were trying to kill me. 22 To this very day, I have had help from God, and I stand and testify to both small and great, saying nothing other than what the prophets and Moses said would take place—23 that the Messiah would suffer, and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”

-Whats the response that King Agrippa had to Paul’s defense?

Agrippa makes the claim “Are you trying to pressure me to become a Christian so easily.” He is not so easily convinced. Paul then drops this legendary quote in Acts 26:29 “I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains.”

-Whats a defense you could use now??

We just as a group came up with a hole bunch of topics I believe all of us need to study. There are many different styles of Apologetics that you could case study, such as The classical Method, Evidentialism, The Cumulative Case Method, and many more.

What about us? We are all new to the topic, with no study what can we rely on as absolute proof that Jesus is real. Note back to 1 Peter 3:15. “15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”

Its your Testimony, its your personal relationship with Jesus that will always be evidence for the hope that is in you! Even Paul uses his OWN testimony as he is on trial in front of King Agrippa In Acts.

Every Testimony is powerful

People try to play down the impact that Jesus has had on their life. One of the most powerful Impacts that people play down is the fact they were saved very early on in their life. “Yeah I guess I was saved when I was 8, my story is boring because no miracles happened, Jesus never pulled me from the pit.” Exc… Never be jealous of the struggles others have gone through in the sake of finding Christ. Look for the blessings, the impact of what your testimony means. When I hear that testimony I think about what a joy it is to know the Lord for the majority of your life. The proof that we can show our kids the right path, and know without question they can be saved. Its a wonderful Testimony!

What should You take away from this.

We are called to always be prepared to defend our hope in Christ. I want everyone to know that when someone asks you impactful questions that will clash against your Foundation in the Lord. You will have your testimony to lean back on if you don’t have an answer. But I encourage you all to dive in a prepare yourself for hard questions.

Now I talk a big game about being prepared. So I will now tell my own Testimony to show why I have not just hope, but of certainty that God is real.