Defending Faith: The Call to Apologetics

 

Summary

In today's session, we explored the profound significance of 1 Peter 3:15, a cornerstone verse for understanding the Christian duty of apologetics. This verse calls us to always be prepared to give a defense for the hope that resides within us, but to do so with gentleness and respect. Apologetics, derived from the Greek word "apologia," means to provide a reasoned defense of our faith, not to apologize for it. This responsibility is not limited to pastors or theologians but extends to every believer, as Peter originally addressed his letter to early Christians facing persecution. If they were called to defend their faith in such challenging circumstances, how much more should we be prepared to do so today?

Reflecting on my own journey, I shared a personal story from my teenage years when a friend's unexpected invitation to church became a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey. This illustrates how God uses ordinary conversations and people to draw others to Himself, even when our defense of the faith is imperfect. Our duty to defend the faith is not a burdensome chore but a privilege, as God chooses to use us in His grand narrative of redemption.

Moreover, 1 Peter 3:15 teaches us to approach apologetics without fear, focusing on Christ's sovereignty rather than the opinions of others. This focus on Christ as Lord helps us overcome the fear of man, reminding us that He reigns over all circumstances. We are also called to engage in apologetics with gentleness and respect, motivated by love for our neighbors and even our enemies. Our goal is not to win arguments but to win souls, sharing the life-transforming truth of the gospel.

As we navigate a world increasingly skeptical of Christianity, the need to articulate and defend our faith will only grow. The most crucial question we must answer is whether the hope of 1 Peter 3:15 truly resides within us. A genuine apologist is first and foremost a Christian, and our ability to defend our faith flows from the hope and assurance we have in Christ. May this session equip and inspire you to be a faithful defender of the faith, and may those who are uncertain find assurance and hope in the gospel.

Key Takeaways:

1. Apologetics as a Universal Duty: Apologetics is not reserved for pastors or theologians; it is a responsibility for every believer. Peter's call to defend the faith was directed at early Christians facing persecution, reminding us that this duty is relevant for all, regardless of our circumstances. [03:27]

2. Privilege in Apologetics: Defending the faith is not merely a duty but a privilege. God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes, and our participation in His mission is a testament to His grace and sovereignty. [07:01]

3. Fearless Apologetics: We are called to engage in apologetics without fear, focusing on Christ's sovereignty. When we recognize that Christ reigns over all, it alleviates our fear of man and empowers us to speak boldly. [08:47]

4. Gentleness and Respect: Our approach to apologetics should be marked by gentleness and respect, reflecting Christ's command to love our neighbors and even our enemies. Our goal is to share the gospel with love, not to win arguments. [10:34]

5. The Hope Within: The most important question is whether the hope of 1 Peter 3:15 truly resides within us. A genuine apologist is a Christian, and our ability to defend our faith flows from the hope and assurance we have in Christ. [17:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:22] - Introduction to the Studio
- [00:51] - Understanding 1 Peter 3:15
- [01:30] - What is Apologetics?
- [02:07] - The Meaning of Apologia
- [02:48] - Reading 1 Peter 3:15
- [03:27] - Apologetics as Our Duty
- [04:05] - Historical Context of 1 Peter
- [05:13] - Personal Story of Faith
- [06:18] - God Uses Our Weakness
- [07:01] - Privilege of Apologetics
- [08:15] - Fearless Apologetics
- [10:01] - Gentleness and Respect
- [11:46] - Sovereignty of God in Apologetics
- [14:20] - Changing Cultural Context
- [15:56] - The Hope Within
- [18:33] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 3:15

Observation Questions:
1. What does 1 Peter 3:15 instruct believers to do, and how should they do it? [02:48]
2. According to the sermon, who is responsible for engaging in apologetics, and why is this significant? [03:27]
3. How did the pastor's personal story illustrate the impact of ordinary conversations in apologetics? [06:18]
4. What are the two key attitudes mentioned in 1 Peter 3:15 that should accompany our defense of the faith? [10:01]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Peter have emphasized the need for gentleness and respect in apologetics, especially in the context of persecution? [10:34]
2. How does focusing on Christ's sovereignty help alleviate the fear of man when defending the faith? [08:47]
3. In what ways does the pastor suggest that apologetics is both a duty and a privilege for believers? [07:01]
4. How does the pastor's story about his friend's invitation to church highlight the imperfect yet impactful nature of apologetics? [06:18]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unprepared to defend your faith. What steps can you take to be more prepared in the future? [03:27]
2. How can you practice gentleness and respect in your conversations about faith, especially with those who may be hostile or indifferent? [10:34]
3. Identify a situation where fear of others' opinions has held you back from sharing your faith. How can focusing on Christ's sovereignty help you overcome this fear? [08:47]
4. Consider the pastor's story about his teenage years. How can you be more intentional in your everyday conversations to share your faith, even if imperfectly? [06:18]
5. The pastor mentioned the changing cultural context regarding Christianity. How can you prepare yourself to engage in apologetics in a society that may be increasingly skeptical? [14:20]
6. Reflect on whether the hope of 1 Peter 3:15 truly resides within you. How can you cultivate a deeper assurance of this hope in your daily life? [15:56]
7. Think of someone in your life who might be open to a conversation about faith. What is one practical step you can take this week to engage them in a meaningful discussion? [11:07]

Devotional

Day 1: Apologetics as a Shared Responsibility
Apologetics is a call to every believer, not just those in leadership or with theological training. 1 Peter 3:15 emphasizes that all Christians should be prepared to give a reasoned defense of their faith, especially in challenging circumstances. This responsibility was initially directed at early Christians who faced persecution, highlighting that the duty to defend the faith is relevant for all believers, regardless of their situation. In today's world, where skepticism towards Christianity is growing, this call to apologetics is more crucial than ever. Every believer is encouraged to be ready to share the hope they have in Christ, demonstrating that apologetics is a shared responsibility among all followers of Jesus. [03:27]

1 Corinthians 1:26-27 (ESV): "For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong."

Reflection: Who in your life might benefit from hearing your personal testimony of faith, and how can you prepare to share it with them this week?


Day 2: The Privilege of Defending the Faith
Defending the faith is not just a duty but a privilege. God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes, and our participation in His mission is a testament to His grace and sovereignty. This perspective transforms apologetics from a burdensome task into a joyful opportunity to be part of God's redemptive work. By sharing our faith, we become instruments in God's hands, contributing to His grand narrative of redemption. Recognizing this privilege encourages believers to embrace their role in apologetics with gratitude and enthusiasm, knowing that God can use their efforts, however small, for His glory. [07:01]

2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV): "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."

Reflection: In what ways can you view your daily interactions as opportunities to participate in God's mission, and how can this perspective change your approach to sharing your faith?


Day 3: Fearless Apologetics
Engaging in apologetics requires a fearless approach, focusing on Christ's sovereignty rather than the opinions of others. When believers recognize that Christ reigns over all circumstances, it alleviates the fear of man and empowers them to speak boldly. This focus on Christ as Lord helps believers overcome any apprehension about defending their faith, reminding them that their ultimate allegiance is to Him. By trusting in Christ's sovereignty, believers can engage in apologetics with confidence, knowing that He is in control and that their efforts are part of His divine plan. [08:47]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: What specific fears hold you back from sharing your faith, and how can you remind yourself of Christ's sovereignty to overcome these fears?


Day 4: Apologetics with Gentleness and Respect
The approach to apologetics should be marked by gentleness and respect, reflecting Christ's command to love our neighbors and even our enemies. The goal is not to win arguments but to win souls, sharing the life-transforming truth of the gospel with love. This approach requires humility and a genuine concern for others, ensuring that the message of the gospel is communicated in a way that is both truthful and compassionate. By engaging in apologetics with gentleness and respect, believers can effectively share their faith while honoring the dignity of those they interact with. [10:34]

Colossians 4:6 (ESV): "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Reflection: How can you practice gentleness and respect in your conversations about faith, especially with those who may disagree with you?


Day 5: The Hope Within
The most important question for any believer is whether the hope of 1 Peter 3:15 truly resides within them. A genuine apologist is first and foremost a Christian, and their ability to defend their faith flows from the hope and assurance they have in Christ. This hope is the foundation of their faith and the driving force behind their willingness to share it with others. By cultivating a deep and abiding hope in Christ, believers can be effective apologists, ready to share the reason for their hope with anyone who asks. [17:14]

Hebrews 6:19 (ESV): "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain."

Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your hope in Christ, and how can this hope influence your interactions with others today?

Quotes


When we read 1 Peter 3:15, we realize that apologetics is our duty. It is our responsibility. We are the apologists. Now, you could be forgiven for thinking that maybe when it comes to apologetics and giving a defense of the faith and the hope that is within you, perhaps that is only for your pastor, maybe your youth pastor, someone that has gone to Bible college or seminary. We are going to hear from a professor of apologetics in the next session. Maybe it is only for people like that. But Peter was writing this letter to the church and he was writing it most likely to Jewish converts to Christianity living in a pagan setting. [00:03:08]

If the command to always be ready to give a defense for the hope that's within you was valid for them, these first century Christians living in a much more severe time than most Christians at least in the West are experiencing, how much more is that command and responsibility valid for you and me. Now, I know we do have brothers and sisters around the world who are experiencing persecution and we remember them and pray for them, but in Western countries, the United States, throughout Europe, even Australia, we are not experiencing some of the persecution that these Christians did early in the first century. [00:04:05]

I share this with you by way of encouragement that that conversation was one of the pieces in God's drawing me to Himself that ultimately led me to be sitting here today being able to talk to you. And so, God uses us in our weakness even when we don't give a great defense of the faith to bring people to saving faith. God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes. [00:06:12]

This responsibility to always be ready to give a defense for the hope that is within us, this is not just our responsibility; it is a great privilege. It is a privilege that we have. Just consider the fact that the God of the universe has chosen to use people like you and me to give a defense of the faith and that He uses us even in small ways as the Great Commission is being fulfilled and worked out through local churches around the world. [00:07:01]

He is saying, "As you are going about this act of apologetics, do it without fear." Now, that sounds hard because if you have got to make a defense of the faith that is scary, and I will admit you get nervous when you have to do things like that. And nerves are okay, nerves are okay because it reminds you that we are weak and we need the Lord. So, it encourages us to pray. [00:08:47]

But we are learning here that we are not meant to do it with a fear of man because when your focus is on Christ you won't fear man. You won't fear man when you focus on Christ. But it is not just that we are focusing on Christ and focusing on God to take away this fear. Peter tells us that were thinking about Christ the Lord. And so, as we think about Christ actually being Lord, Him reigning, that helps take away much of the fear that we would ordinarily experience because ultimately it is Christ who reigns, not the one that is persecuting you. [00:08:59]

We have got more in this verse that I just want to focus on a little bit more this afternoon, and that is that we are to do it with gentleness and respect, with gentleness and respect. What is gentleness and respect? Well, I can tell you what it is not. It is not what we so often see on Twitter these days or what we see on Facebook, possibly what you experience in the schoolyard. If you have got siblings, I am sure you can think of times where you have not treated each other with gentleness and respect. [00:10:01]

But when we are talking to unbelievers about the faith, we are to do it with a gentle spirit, a respectful spirit. Why? Well, firstly because Jesus has commanded us to love our neighbors. So, we are doing this as an outworking of loving our neighbor. Now, if you are struggling perhaps to love someone that you are trying to give a defense of the faith to or is perhaps persecuting you or interrogating you for your faith, we are also told we are to love our enemies. [00:10:34]

And so, not only can you go about the task of apologetics without fear because your focus is on God, not on yourself, you are remembering that God is sovereign and so therefore He reigns, not those whom you are talking with. You are to do this with an attitude of gentleness and respect because you love these people and you are sharing the gospel with them. But again, we go back to the fact that Christ is Lord and to focus on His sovereignty, because when you truly understand that God is sovereign and He is the one that is drawing people to Himself, it enables you to have a peace, a peace and a calm when you are having these conversations. [00:12:00]

But as we understand the sovereignty of God, we realize that He calls us to be faithful. He is the one that will cause us to be fruitful. He calls us to offer proofs for the existence of God, proofs for the trustworthiness of Scripture, but He ultimately by the Holy Spirit is the one who persuades. And although you can confess your faith before men, He is the one that will convince men of the faith. So many, many lessons here in 1 Peter 3:15. [00:13:18]

And that is this: Is the hope of 1 Peter 3:15 truly in you? You see, I brought up the story of my friend when I was in high school who invited me to church, and as I said the Lord used that to draw me to Himself and I am thankful to call myself a Christian. But what I didn't tell you, if my memory serves me correct, I think it was a few short months after that that he denied the faith, stopped going to church, denied everything that he had been raised to believe. [00:15:56]

So, the most important question that you can ask is whether or not the hope of 1 Peter 3:15 is truly in you because if you are to be an apologist you have to be a Christian. A true apologist is a Christian. You see, Peter here is not saying, "Give a defense of the Christian faith." He is not saying, "Be able to articulate various points of doctrine." He is not saying that you have to always be ready to recite the Westminster Shorter Catechism. All of those things are wonderful things. No, he is saying you must always be ready to give a defense for the hope that is within you. [00:17:14]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Oct 29, 2020. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?