A Higher Authority

Introduction

Sitting in a library and I struck up a conversation with an individual.

Just started talking about worldviews and thoughts of creation.

Something about the book they were reading made me take the conversation in that direction.

Eventually, we started talking about how I, as a Christian, viewed creation, versus them.

For me, this is a secondary issue. It’s clear to me, but I was more concerned with what it means to be a Christian.

The issue of sin and redemption.

But, to get there, we had to wade through all this other stuff.

That’s what our evangelism can be like.

Sometimes it is pathways of secondary issues, like creation and dinosaurs.

Other times, it is the objections to the Christian faith.

Regardless, we may find our faith under trial where we have to respond.

The Same Threats

This sounds a bit familiar, maybe a bit worn out.

Two years later, there plan has not changed - ambush on the road.

Maybe the same guys who swore to not eat again until Paul was dead. Two years fasting!!

Yet, they knew they did not have an actual case - calling in favors (v.3).

It was just the same rhetoric as before.

It’s how the attacks against the Christian faith are. The same arguments repackaged.

Swoon; The Bible is filled with errors; If God is good…suffering, injustice, hell.

Arguments that have been refuted, but some youtube video or facebook post comes back up and it’s the first time for someone to hear that and suddenly they think they’ve unraveled two thousand years of faith, even though the post doesn’t know the difference between you’re and your.

So, it is helpful to think about those common objections because some people do get tripped up by them, or you may be asked them at some point in the process of sharing your faith.

Several years ago, I was in bricktown with some friends and there was a large cult that was holding their three day convention at the Myriad. That night, as we were walking around, we saw a youth group out there sharing their faith. I started paying attention to some of these conversations that were happening, and eventually seeing two students getting flustered, I slipped in and dismantled the point the other person was saying. After those others had walked away, I was chatting with the students and one of them remarked how that experience made her want to really study her Bible more so she’d be ready the next time.

We don’t know from whom or where that threat will come.

So, we must prepare for those same threats with...

A Simple Defense

Paul’s attackers - they had a method.

Let’s bring so many accusations against him that he cannot possible respond to them all.

It’s the logical fallacy we call a “red herring” - something to throw them off the real point.

The original accusations, he is denying the teachings of Moses and causing others to as well.

Now, “bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove” (v. 7)

Festus at this point interjects and seeks to allow Paul to go onto the road, where he would be attacked.

But, Paul does something unexpected. He doesn’t fall for any of their bait.

He stayed on point

Acts 25:8 ESV

Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.”

He kept things simple and on point.

To do that, we must have a handle on what we believe and how to present it well.

We cannot present it well if we don’t understand it well ourselves first.

“If there is a mist in the pulpit, there will be a fog in the pew.” Haddon Robinson

Before I preach, how well do I understand what I am going to proclaim?

If I fail in my own understanding, it will fail to be communicated well.

Same thing for us in evangelism and defending our faith.

I need to be grounded well so that what I share comes across clearly and accurately.

Take time to study Scripture. Know the arguments against and how to give a simple defense.

But, then,

Trust

Paul kept coming back to Jesus coming to him at the end of a frustrating day.

Acts 23:11 ESV

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

I have a plan. You are going to preach in Rome; therefore, Paul had to trust in a higher authority.

In this instance, we might confuse that higher authority as Festus, or even Caesar.

Ultimately, Paul trusted his life and his ministry to the Lord Jesus.

This gave him the strength to carry on. Patience in suffering and hardship.

Obedience is not an easy path, but the results we find at the end are worth the cost.

Paul would eventually share the Gospel in Rome.

Conclusion

The parable of the good Samaritan - Found in Luke 10.

What makes the Samaritan good?

He stops, he does what he can, he moves him, he continues to care for him.

He didn’t just deal with the superficial wounds and then leave him there.

He didn’t give platitudes or scold him for being on a dangerous road!

He loved him by meeting immediate and ongoing needs.

We are called to love our neighbors.

One of the ways we can do this is by engaging them in conversation about their faith.

We need to have a clear understanding of the Gospel and possible objections.

We meet them where they are, we meet those needs, and then we seek to move them towards spiritual healing.

Share your faith in a clear way, addressing objections in love.