From Sinner to Saint

Should Christians defend themselves? We hear Jesus say: “blessed are the meek” or “ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

So, should Christians defend thesmelves against attacks from the world?

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Introduction

Illus: Paul defending himself against those who believed he was preaching another truth

OCS Major who was a self proclaimed atheist and who sought to mess with Chaplains.

Defending ourselves

Reputation

Justified defense. Paul was being faithful to his calling. He was spreading the gospel and was attacked.

Like Paul we may be attacked for holding fast to the gospel

We have already talked about the simplicity of the gospel message (Grace and Peace) as well as the misapplication of the gospel.

Now we will look at what we may have happen if we do completely embrace this gospel of the bible.

Principles of Faith

When the gospel message takes root and is rightly applied to our lives then we may experience transformation.

This transformation then draws attention of the enemy, Satan, and you may be attacked. You may be attacked in various ways.

Christianity is a way of life. It is an experience. It is not just our justification but it is also our sanctification. Our growth and experience as we await Christ’s return.

We will find ourselves having to defend ourselves often.

We may experience some or all of these:

an attack on our character (13)

Paul is defending his mission work to preach to the Gentiles

justification by faith alone

Salvation outside of the law was Jesus message

Many of us may face an attack on our reptation

We have to ask ourselves am I obeying God or man?

Peter at Solomon’s Portico in

English Standard Version Chapter 4

15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refusing to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar

App: God’s people will always be attacked. It may be their reputation.

We must ask ourselves if we are obeying God or man?

an attack on our zeal or passion (14)

When the gospel takes root, like Paul we are transformed

Zealous for

traditions of forefathers

Law

Same as those who Paul is defending against now

The gospel turns our passions and zeal into God’s

We love the things He loves

We have zeal for things of God

App: Our passions are no longer the same as they were. We should not get excited about things of this world, but things of God.

Col 3:1-4

English Standard Version Chapter 3

3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

What are your passions? Are they for things of this world? Are they for the things that bring you earthly and temporal joy?

an attack on our status (15)

Paul went from being under the wrath of God to being a child of God

transition in his status with God

1 Peter 2:10-12

English Standard Version Chapter 2

10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Adopted sons of God

The Westminster Confession of Faith: Edinburgh Edition The Shorter Catechism

Q. 34. What is adoption?

A. Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God.h

From enemy to family

Paul stood in the grace of God

App: How many of us actually see ourselves as adopted sons of God? That everything that Christ has is ours by this adoption.

an attack on our speech (16)

Paul was preaching the gospel to Gentiles

He was seen as preaching a gospel without the law

faith was the only requirement

His sermons were scrutinized

He was driven out of town

We too will be scrutinized in our speech

We are seen as old fashioned and outdated

Biblical truth on a postmodern world

How does this work?

App: When we have conversations about the Bible we will have folks accuse us of all kinds of things.

1 Tim 4:3-5

English Standard Version Chapter 4

3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

an attack on our path (17)

Our choices

Pro life

Chastity

Our vocations

Missionaries, Pastors, etc . . .

Ethical and moral men and women in our traditional vocations

“Let every man abide in the calling wherein he is called and his work will be as sacred as the work of the ministry. It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it. ” - Excerpt From: A. W. Tozer. “The Pursuit of God.” Apple Books. https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-pursuit-of-god/id367791780

Illus: Call to ministry. USN was hard enough for our parents, but into ministry was also hard.

Excerpt From: A. W. Tozer. “The Pursuit of God.” Apple Books. https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-pursuit-of-god/id367791780

App: In your life are you making decisions because you seek to glorify God and because you are obedient to him? Is the gospel so rooted in your mind and Jesus in your heart that you choose to be like him in your job?

Conclusion

God uses all of these for His glory.

Our sanctification is also for His glory. It is a witness to the world the power of the gospel.

We are transformed from sinners into saints in God’s eyes.

We should expect transformation

We should expect opposition from enemies of God

Illus: Sower parable of .

God’s ultimate agenda is to spread the gospel so that it takes root in the hearts of his elect.

Jesus word is going out like seed on the earth.

Our job is to be a witness to this word. Our job is to share this word.

We do this because of the power that it has to transform:

Transformed Paul from a destroyer of the church to an Apostle of Jesus Christ

Transforms us even today

It glorifies God when the people around us are transformed by the power of Jesus Word.

Paul is doing more than defending himself, he is witnessing to the power of Jesus to transforms our hearts.

His defense is not as much about himself, as it is about his message.

App: All we can do is speak the truth and let God take care of the rest.

Illus: Col. Perry LDS and our time together

Speak the truth, God’s truth, in love when I could.

It’s less about defending ourselves and realizing we are merely messengers with good news, God’s truth. The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

May we go forth with boldness with this truth so that others may know about Jesus and what He has done for us.

He has made sinners into saints.