Spiritual Guide in a fallen world
Spiritual Guides: Learning from the life of Ravi Z. • Sermon • Submitted
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Life of Ravi Z.
Life of Ravi Z.
He was involved in Christian apologetics for a period spanning more than 40 years. Zacharias was the author of more than 30 books on Christianity,
1971 in South Vietnam, where he evangelized US soldiers, as well as imprisoned Viet Cong members
In 1983, Zacharias spoke in Amsterdam at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's first International Conference for Itinerant Evangelists
In 1989, shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Zacharias spoke in Moscow with students at the Lenin Military Academy as well as political leaders at the Center for Geopolitical Strategy.
In 1990 he wrote his first book, A Shattered Visage: The Real Face of Atheism.[22] In 1992, Zacharias spoke at his first Veritas Forum at Harvard University,
Zacharias attracted media attention when in 2004 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) opened its signature pulpit at the Salt Lake Tabernacle to him for a series of messages
On successive nights in October 2007, he addressed first the students and faculty of Virginia Tech, then the community of Blacksburg, Virginia, on the topic of evil and suffering in the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre
In November 2009, Zacharias signed an ecumenical statement known as the Manhattan Declaration which affirms the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as a union of husband and wife, and freedom of religion, as foundational principles of justice and the common good.
Zacharias was the founder and chairman of the board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) and host of the radio programs Let My People Think and Just Thinking
He died on May 19, 2020
Since then waves of allegations were brought against him for sexual misconduct.
Affair with a married woman
Abuse of multiple massage therapists globally
Sexting
Pictures on his computer were found
After many credible allegations were brought to the table a 3rd party law firm was hired by RZIM to further investigate. RZIM public response to the independent report on Ravi
"The interim investigation update indicates this assessment of Ravi's behavior to be true—that he did indeed engage in sexual misconduct.[60] This misconduct is deeply troubling and wholly inconsistent with the man Ravi Zacharias presented both publicly and privately to so many over more than four decades of public ministry.
Tendency for extreme reactions
Throw out the baby and the bathwater
The problem is that we loose some of the good work that was done over his life.
Apply the approach historically we loose some key people
King David and Origin
· Ministry can never be used to sinful justify behavior
36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?
Teachings and lifestyle
Teachings and lifestyle
A good argument is a good argument
2+2=4 (punch)
2+2=5 (give you a new car)
Apologetics is a defense of the faith so argumentation is an element
The challenge is that we defend the faith for the purpose of salvation and formation of our morality as humans
The personal life of the apologist serves as a witness to the truths being claimed.
Historically the orthodox church saw the personal life of the apologist and the works as one of the same.
Individuals were considered saints when their piety of life, spiritual discipline (ascetical life) was in line with their teaching and their teaching was actually a fruit of their spiritual life.
Why not everyone who wrote something inline with the faith received the title of ‘saint’
There is a mystical link between the spirit and the flesh that was focused on.
Through the feeding of the spirit and by way of the soul the flesh would be tamed
Or untamed fleshed by way of the soul would quench the spirit and leave the body victim to vices
Fragility of Humanity
Fragility of Humanity
Weakness of human will - Garden of Gethsemane
The disciples desired to stand by Jesus till the end.
Garden of Gethsemane was a disaster on the part of the disciples.
41 Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
How would the incident of the Garden looked had the disciples actually prayed?!
St. Paul knew that without tending to the garden of his soul he would loose the prize.
27 but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.
The need for a guide
The need for a guide
The tendency of humanity is to hid what is shameful and wrong
The bible (OT/NT) made it a point to not hide the shortcoming and sins of the characters but highlights them.
22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.
Part of that revelation process comes through spiritual guides and mentors
Ex. Elisha, Gehazi, Namaan the Syrian
25 But he went in and stood before his master. And Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” 26 Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you, when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money and to receive clothes and olive groves and vineyards and sheep and oxen and male and female servants?
Elisha was a guide to his servant Gehazi and reflected to him the inner movements in his heart.
St. Paul and Philemon
17 If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account;
5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.