Every Christian, An Apologist

Intro

Text -

1 Peter 3:15–16 NKJV

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

Title - Every Christian, An Apologist

Background

Apologetics - The discipline of offering a reasoned defense of a belief or particular point of view. It is often used in the context of defending a faith-based position against secular attacks.

Apologist - a person who makes a defense either speech or in writing

Defense (key word) - or apology, an answer to question or statement against one’s faith

Grk. Apologia -

(a) a verbal (or sometimes, written) defense as a reply to an accusation

(b) a legal defense in which a person appears in a court of law to give an answer to an accusation

Paul, Defender of the Gospel

- Paul verbally defends the gospel

- Paul recalls his defense in

- Paul puts his defense in writing

The Main Point

God does appoint men to be the defenders of the Gospel

But every true Christian, and follower of Christ is equally a defender of the faith.

the apostle Peter was writing to the pilgrim believers

Whether

Jude was writing the saints -

contend earnestly - Grk. epagonizomai, to fight for

Becoming an apologist does not require formal training or education

the most basic idea is to be able and willing to give a reply to those who speak against the God, Christ and the faith.

Sermon Points

Apologetics comes with the ministry

Matthew 10:16–20 NKJV

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

Matthew 10:31–33 NKJV

31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

as

Apologetics is required of all disciples

What makes Christian run away from this work?

Christ’s warnings

Mark 8:34–38 NKJV

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Mark 8:38 NKJV

38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Mark 8.34-38

ashamed of me and my words

Matthew 10:33 NKJV

33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 10:16–20 NKJV

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

Matthew 10.16-

Matthew 10:31–33 NKJV

31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 10.31-33

as

Apologetics needs preparation

What makes Christian run away from this work?

some are not fully converted to true discipleship

some are afraid of the persecution - discrimination, rejection, etc.

some are not prepared intellectually - they have no answer

Peter tells us to “be ready to give a defense”

Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts

Other translations

Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts

Set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts

Honor Christ the Lord as holy

It means - to honor Christ in your hearts as your Lord/Master

It means - to honor Christ by giving Him pre-emminence (Lordship) in your life

to honor Christ by giving Him pre-emminence (Lordship) in your life

to honor Christ by giving Him pre-emminence in your life

Be ready…

Grk. HETOIMOS - be prepared or in condition for immediate action or use

Examples

the wise virgins were ready

the wedding feast is ready

be ready for the Son of Man comes…

It means - be prepared such that you can answer immediately the accusation

How do we become ready?

regular reading and meditation

paying attention to current needs and situations

With meekness and fear

other translations

courtesy and respect

gentleness and reverence

gentleness and respect

Gentleness -

- not quarrelsome

With a good conscience

good conscience means - free from guilt or offense

Conclusion

If you are a true follower of Christ, you are required to be a “defender of the gospel” - an apologist.

start preparing your heart and mind - be ready!