Handling the Word of Truth

Introduction

Today is a little different. I want to present a challenge to you!!!

Sitting in an open public place to stand for Jesus Christ

Consider our Apologetics Sunday studies class each week

Today in our time I want us to:

Discover The Truth

Decide What is True

Defend The Truth

Sounds exciting doesn't it?!!!

Consider what Peter states in … 1 Peter 3:14-15 ... And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;”

The word “defense” is the Greek word

ἀπολογίαa,ας f: to speak on behalf of oneself or of others against accusations presumed to be false—‘to defend oneself.’

Apologetics- The art of explaining the faith in such a way as to make a reasoned defense against its detractors.

It’s strange…Today we see more giving an apology for scripture than a defense.

Why is that?

Today I hope we can leave here with a greater zeal and understanding so that we will be ready, and have a desire to defend what we believe.

Discover the Truth

This has a sense of adventure to it doesn't it! There is excitement, maybe even a little mystery…

If we are to discover Truth what is truth? What should we be looking at... or for?

The truth is found in the scriptures, and in the scriptures we discover that Jesus Christ is Truth!

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

To dig deeper seems difficult and time consuming to most people so they stop right here…

They will say they believe the scriptures, but never read them

They will say they trust Jesus Christ is their savior but do little to get to know Him deeper.

They think it is great that the pastor and elders take time to study, discover and they even look forward to hearing about the discovery but lack the desire to discover the Truth on their own.

And then we wonder why it is easier to apologize for the scripture instead of defend it!

Let’s Consider The Scriptures:

Most own a copy

Most have read it... however, fewer have read all of it

So why do we have the scripture?

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is inspired by God (God Breathed) and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

It equips you and I for life

Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

So how did we get the scriptures?

2 Peter 1:20-21 “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Written over 1600 years

About 40 authors yet 1 Spirit

They were prophets, kings, shepherds, fishermen, tax collectors, scholars

Written in Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic

Written on 3 continents

66 books, put into our one bible to convey one consistent message of a Holy and Righteous God, who loved man and hated sin so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sin, allowed Him to be buried, and He rose from the dead three days later to conquer sin and death. This Christ will return to rule forever more!

Let’s Consider Jesus Christ

There is SO much to discover…. And so little time.

Why is He the messiah? Why can He save? Consider this…

The Old testament written long before Jesus was born gave:

prophecy of what the messiah would do,

places He would be,

and things He would say and things that would happen to Him

Approximately 300 prophesies and of those there were about 61 major prophecies made of Him!

The book of Isaiah has many of these. When they made the discovery of the dead sea scrolls they discovered a complete scroll of Isaiah dated 250-130 BC. (Before Christ)

The scripture was written and prophesied before Christ and those predictions came true.

Listen to what Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”

This happened according to the scripture!

All that the Apostles taught and died for hung on the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and His resurrection!

Christ Resurrection

We have eye witnesses

Those witnesses died for that belief

Cowards were made courageous!

Despair had been turned to victory!

They had seen the empty tomb and the risen savior!!!

The religious leaders could not produce a body or a tomb with Jesus in it

The guard would have been punished had they left

The empty tomb changes everything.

Christ had risen according to the scriptures!

Decide What is True

Study the Word of God 2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

With an opportunity to defend scripture will you be ashamed or prepared?

Know what is true… lies will come until the end of time and they will come in many forms. If you know the truth you will spot anything false!

What a blessing to know Christ more each day.

There are some good resources out there, but I fear we seek the resources and speakers, and teachers more than we seek the truth!

Once you make the decision as to what is true it will make a difference in you and others around you!

Defend the Truth

1 Peter 3:15 once we discover who God really is and decide that we will live our life for Him, our whole outlook changes and we will make sure we are prepared and desire to defend the truth.

Defend The Bible! I Would As Soon Defend A Lion! Unchain it and it will defend itself. -C. H. Spurgeon

God’s Word is POWERFUL!!!! Consider Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Think about it… if we truly discover who God is and the POWER of His Word… then it changes everything:

We see how great He is and how small we are

We break down the walls of pride in our life and build Christ up

True doctrine/teaching builds Christ up, false doctrine/teaching detracts from Christ.

It changes how we view life… His will not mine

It changes how we pray… praises, seeing sin as He does, thankfulness, what we ask for

It changes how we act and live…

Maybe we as believers in Christ don’t get asked questions or are not put on the spot to give an answer, or defend our faith because we don’t live like God matters to us.

Are you afraid today to live a life that would draw out questions from those around you?

Let me encourage you to decide today to discover the Word of God in a refreshing new way today.

Discover the power of Jesus Christ and you will want to boldly declare this wonderful savior who declared His love for you and the World upon that cross.

Living to be asked to answer for the hope that is in you!

I will defend and declare that message to the day I die!