EVERY CHRISTIAN A DEFENDER OF THE FAITH

TEXT FOR OUR LESSON Philip. 1:14-17 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. [15] Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: [16] The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: [17] But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. [15] Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: [16] The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: [17] But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

WHY SHOULD WE SPEAK ON THIS SUBJECT? Because of doubts that may at times arise in one’s mind. Because of false teaching. Because of questions that arise from our friends, neighbors, family, etc. Because we should be able to give a reason for our faith.

PETER WROTE: 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

WE MUST NEVER BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL Romans 1:13-17 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. [14] I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. [15] So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. [16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. [14] I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. [15] So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. [16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

THE FAITH OF A CHRISTIAN IS NOT BLIND ACCEPTANCE …Against the writings of a few unlearned Jews, in a captive Roman Province, surviving the persecution of the Jewish authorities, Pagan religions, and the determined efforts of the Roman Empire to stamp them out. Then to survive 1900 years of the onslaughts of skeptics and atheists, the compromises of disloyal friends (?), etc. and be the best known, the most widely read, and most influential of all writings of men is nothing short of the working (providence) and influence of God.” Author Unknown

“But I don’t believe in the Bible”. Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

GOD GAVE US THE POWER TO REASON! Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

THOUGHT CONTINUES… For any belief there must be rational reason for that belief. Reason demands sufficient evidence to support that belief. 1 Thes. 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

PROPER REASONING PROCESS: Acceptance of the evidence depends on FIVE things: 1. The weight of the evidence. 2. The clarity with which the evidence is presented. 3. The of honesty the examiner of the evidence. 4. The logical ability of the hearer to evaluate evidence. 5. The background prejudices of the hearer.

CHRISTIAN MUST BE AN APOLOGIST FOR THE FAITH. Apologetics: “Apologia” meaning a discourse in favor of.. In scientific usage these words signify a systematic and closely reasoned vindication.” (Keyser) The old hymn “STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS” EXHORTS THE CHRISTIAN TO BE AN APOLOGIST FOR OUR LORD.

JESUS DEFENDED BOTH HIS TEACHING & HIS CONDUCT. Matthew 12:24-27 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. [25] And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: [26] And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? [27] And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. [25] And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: [26] And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? [27] And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

JESUS DEFENDED BOTH HIS TEACHING & HIS CONDUCT. John 5:19-27 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. [20] For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. [21] For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. [22] For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. [20] For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. [21] For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. [22] For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:.

THOUGHT CONTINUES… [23] That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. [24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

PAUL “REASONED”.. “PERSUADED”.. “DEFENDED” THE FAITH. Acts 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Acts 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. Acts 18:19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

THOUGHT CONTINUES… Acts 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

JUDE URGED: Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. “In view of this situation the need was not so much to expound the faith as to rally Christians in its defense.” Barclay

TODAY… WE MUST STAND IN ITS DEFENSE! 2 Tim. 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

TODAY! LETS DETERMINE THAT WE WILL GET OUT AND… “STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS” AND THE GREAT BOOK OF SALVATION.