1. Jesus’ Use of Apologetics:
A Precedent for us
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 10:24-39

2. WHY USE APOLOGETICS? Command, Necessity, Privilege
Weakness of Christian Zeal in Current Era
Mark 12:30: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
The Three Components of Apologetics:
Positive Evidence for Our View
Defense against Objections to Our View
Offensive against Opposition’s Position

3. Jesus & Positive Evidence
John 5 – Five Witnesses (cf. Deut. 19:15)
Luke 7:20-23 – “What do you hear and see?”
Mark 2:1-12 – “so that you may know…” (cf. Jn. 3:1f)
1John 5:5-10 – Threefold testimony + 2
Jesus’ Parables
20 of the 52 recorded parables use the same terminology for Christ as was used in the OT for God
The Purpose for the Evidence? (Jn. 20:28-31)

4. Jesus on the Defense John 5
Matt. 21:23-27 – Question About His Authority
Matt. 22 – The Day of Controversy
In Silence – Jesus still defended His identity
Matt. 26:59-63
Matt. 27:12-14
1Pet. 2:23
This is all in fulfillment of Isa. 53:7.

5. Jesus on the Offensive
Matt. 12:22-28 – Casting out Demons by the Devil
Matt. 22:23-28 – Marriage in the Resurrection
Matt. 22:41-46 – The Wrong Position Exposed
Matt. 23 – Exposing the Hypocrisy of the Pharisees
Luke 13:10-17 – Bound Woman Healed on Sabbath
Is it fair to call people out?
Must be done in love and with care for their soul
Must be done according to reason and not anger
It should never be to win an argument.

6. Following Jesus’ Precedent
Jesus set an example for us to follow.
We must be able to defend His cause
The three components of apologetics that Jesus used.
Providing Positive Evidence for the Resurrection
Anticipating and Defending Attacks Made against the Resurrection
Exposing the Folly of Views Contrary to Jesus’ Resurrection
In so doing, we will conform ourselves more to Christ’s image, prove fruitful in His vineyard, and present ourselves before God as unashamed servants.