Big Idea: "As Christians we need to be prepared to offer skeptics reasonable arguments for the validity of our personal hope in Christ".
The Scripture text was Colossians 4:2-6 & 1 Peter 3:15
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the Word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison--that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
" ...but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, ..."
"Sharing the Gospel with unbelievers is as much about readiness as it is action."
Greg taught us today that we need to be ready. And how unready are so many of us. We need to know the Gospel, and not simply objectively, but also subjectively.
We need to share the "hope" of our hearts. This should be a joyful and all consuming hope, which has to be genuinely from the depths of our souls.
Greg also taught us that "We cannot reason people into the kingdom of God". It's the Gospel that is the power to change a person's heart. The preaching of Christ crucified is what brings the power to a dead spirit, and saves the human soul from destruction.
And my favorite quote from this morning:
"We are critical of arguments for the sake of people; we are not critical of people for the sake of argument."
Today's sermon was the first sermon of many in a series we will hear this summer on "Apologetics".
I am looking forward for my heart to be encouraged, and my spirit edified. It's getting more and more difficult to make a stand for the gospel in this nation, and I really want to be equipped for the fight of faith.
May we all be ready to share the good news of God's mercy to a wrath deserving world, through declaring, with grateful hearts, the Cross. And may we boast in nothing else, but the Cross. Amen.
4 comments:
AMen brother! yes it's hard to be a Christian in these times, but shieded with the cross gives us strenght to do little miracles in Him- planting the seeds!
"planting the seeds!"
Yep. And God gives the increase.
May I encourage you to go to WayoftheMaster and Living Waters websites w/ Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron - Evangelism Equipping - they and others show how bibilical using the law in evangelism is and "how to do it." My husband & I have been using the law in witnessing for years and see time after time how the law shows unbelievers "the exceedingly sinfulness of their sins" and "the deceitfulness and desperately wickedness of their hearts." I urge you and any other Christians desiring to obey the command "Go" to check out these two websites and learn how to evangelize.
Hey barb,
Thanks for the visit.
I like Ray and Kirk. I'm different then they. I have done what they do, and found I'm wired a little different.
But I appreciate how the Lord works through them.
I was a little concerned how Ray Comfort was on TBN with all the heretics, and I sent him a note with my heart's concerns.
He actually wrote back, and was incredibly kind, and even sent me a n autographed copy of one of his books.
I pray the Lord would bless him, and his ministry. And to bless you and your husband as you speak the truth in love, and live for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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