What Now!--Part Two--4/25/2021
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
1. In all of life we understand the need to be prepared.
A. In a business we understand the need to be prepared.
1. In business we understand that being prepared is the key to success.
B. In family we understand the need to be prepared.
1. Car insurance.
2. Health insurance
3. Schooling for the kids prepares them for life.
C. We encourage our children to participate in things that teach preparedness and team work.
1. Participating in live stock shows.
2. Being a part of sports teams.
3. Band
4. Choir
2. We need this same preparedness in our Christian life.
Body:
1. We need to be prepared to give a defense for the hope that is in us.
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;
A. Christ is the hope that is in us.
17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
B. We need to be prepared to defend Christ.
A. In order to be prepared to defend Christ we must deny ourselves.
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?
B. In order to be prepared to defend Christ we must not be ashamed of Christ.
26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
C. In order to be prepared to defend Christ we must not be ashamed of the Gospel.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
2. We need to be prepared to be able to answer each person.
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
A. In order to be prepared to answer each person we must pray earnestly and be vigilant in it with thanksgiving.
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
B. In order to be prepared to answer each person we must also desire prayer for ourselves from our brothers and sisters.
3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
C. In order to be prepared to answer each person we must redeem our time wisely.
5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
D. In order to be prepared to answer each person our speech must always be with grace seasoned with salt.
6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
3. We need to be prepared to teach God’s Word.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
A. In order to be prepared to teach God’s Word we must redeem our time wisely.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
B. In order to be prepared to teach God’s Word we must not be unskilled in the word of righteousness.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
C. In order to be prepared to teach God’s Word we must be able to discern both good and evil.
14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Conclusion:
1. What Now!
A. We need to be prepared to defend our hope—Christ!
B. We need to be prepared to answer each person.
C. We need to be prepared to teach God’s Word.
