1. Unleashing Your Faith 21 st Century Ambassador 3 Discussing Truth and Christian Convictions

2. The Myth of Neutrality The Bible portrays two possible states of mind: According to the Spirit According to the flesh

3. What is the most important question in creation? Is there or is there not a God? Who is Jesus Christ?

5. The Myth of Neutrality Romans 1:18-23 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

6. It is possible to set aside your worldview?

7. Expose The Ultimate Authority To compare worldviews, you cannot examine them directly. You are so biased against God. I have no biases. See, there you go again. I only accept what’s proven by science. What?! I’m open minded. Show me some evidence!

8. To compare worldviews, you cannot examine them directly. Expose The Ultimate Authority What about the eyewitnesses of the resurrection? Where is the data? The Bible records it. That’s not scientifically verifiable. Show me some real evidence!

9. The Myth of Neutrality If a person can’t step outside their biases, then what can we do?

10. To compare worldviews, you have to try them on and see where they lead. Expose The Ultimate Authority

11. Try on their worldview, and see where it leads. Expose The Ultimate Authority You believe that’s the right way, huh? I only believe things that are verifiable by the scientific method. Is that belief verifiable by the scientific method? Yep. Huh?

12. Try on their worldview, and see where it leads. Expose The Ultimate Authority Did you follow the scientific method to come to the conclusion that the scientific method is the only way to know something? Well, no. I learned it in school. Inconsistent!

13. Unleashing Your Faith Ambassador Model Credo Know Your Audience Proof, Defense, Offense TacticsPresuppositions LET YOUR SPEECH ALWAYS BE WITH GRACE, SEASONED, AS IT WERE, WITH SALT, SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW HOW YOU SHOULD RESPOND TO EACH PERSON. (COLOSSIANS 4:6) — Paul, the apostle

14. Unleashing Your Faith Ambassador Model Credo Know Your Audience Proof, Defense, Offense TacticsPresuppositions APOLOGETICS has a questionable reputation among non- aficionados. By definition, apologists defend the faith. They defeat false ideas. They destroy speculations raised up against the knowledge of God. Those sound like fightin’ words to many people. - Gregory Koukl Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions

15. Unleashing Your Faith Set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess, yet do it with courtesy and respect… 1 Pet 3:15 Ambassador Model Credo Know Your Audience Proof, Defense, Offense TacticsPresuppositions

16. Unleashing Your AMBASSADOR Ambassador Model Ambassador Model Credo Know Your Audience Proof, Defense, Offense Tactics Presuppositions View every opportunity to share Christ as a ‘Divine Appointment’ Follow the Platinum Rule and Abe Lincoln’s 2/3 vs. 1/3 approach Be Prepared Seek first to understand, and THEN to be understood but Do not avoid argument, but do all you can to avoid ‘caustic disputes’ (as the pastor says: “be winsome”)

17. 21 st Century Ambassador Ambassador Model Credo Know Your Audience Proof, Defense, Offense TacticsPresuppositions The mind, not the Bible, is the very first line of defense God has given us against error. In order to understand the truth of the Bible accurately, our mental faculties must be intact and we must use them as God intended.

18. And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead.... And some of them were persuaded. (Acts 17:2 – 4) Acts 18:4-5, Acts 26:28, Acts 28:23-27, 2 Corinthians 5:10-13 Ambassador Model Credo Know Your Audience Proof, Defense, Offense TacticsPresuppositions 1 st Century Ambassador 1 st Century Ambassador

19. He (Paul) addressed both Jews and Greeks in the synagogue every Sabbath, attempting to persuade them. Now when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul became wholly absorbed with proclaiming the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. (Acts 18:4-5) Agrippa said to Paul, "In such a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?“ (Acts 26:28) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people, but we are well known to God, and I hope we are well known to your consciences too. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may be able to answer those who take pride in outward appearance and not in what is in the heart. For if we are out of our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. (2 Cor 5:10-13)

20. They set a day to meet with him, and they came to him where he was staying in even greater numbers. From morning until evening he explained things to them, testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets. Some were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe. So they began to leave, unable to agree among themselves, after Paul made one last statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah when he said, 'Go to this people and say, "You will keep on hearing, but will never understand, and you will keep on looking, but will never perceive. For the heart of this people has become dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, so that they would not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them." ' (Acts 28:23-27)

21. Unleashing Your AMBASSADOR Ambassador Model Ambassador Model Credo Know Your Audience Proof, Defense, Offense Tactics Presuppositions View every opportunity to share Christ as a ‘Divine Appointment’ Follow the Platinum Rule and Abe Lincoln’s 2/3 vs. 1/3 approach Be Prepared Seek first to understand, and THEN to be understood but Do not avoid argument, but do all you can to avoid ‘caustic disputes’

22. Ambassador’s Creed An Ambassador is… Ready. An Ambassador is alert for chances to represent Christ and will not back away from a challenge or an opportunity. Patient. An Ambassador won’t quarrel, but will listen in order to understand, then with gentleness seek to respectfully correct those in opposition. Reasonable. An Ambassador has informed convictions (not just feelings), gives reasons, asks questions, aggressively seeks answers, and will not be stumped by the same challenge twice. Tactical. An Ambassador adapts to each unique person and situation, maneuvering with wisdom to challenge bad thinking, presenting the truth in an understandable and compelling way. Clear. An Ambassador is careful with language, and will not rely on Christian lingo nor gain unfair advantage with empty rhetoric.

23. Ambassador’s Creed An Ambassador is… Fair. An Ambassador is sympathetic and understanding towards opposition, and will acknowledge the merits of contrary views. Honest. An Ambassador is careful with the facts and will not misrepresent his opponent, overstate his own case, or understate the demands of the Gospel. Humble. An Ambassador is provisional in his claims, knowing that his understanding of truth is fallible, and will not press a point beyond what his evidence allows. Attractive. An Ambassador will act with grace, kindness, and good manners and will not dishonor Christ in his conduct. Dependent. An Ambassador knows that effectiveness requires joining his best efforts with God’s power.

24. Unleashing Your Faith Unleashing Your Faith NEXT WEEK Let the Tactics Begin Discussing Truth and Christian Convictions

25. Unleashing Your Faith Ambassador Model Credo Know Your Audience Proof, Defense, Offense TacticsPresuppositions