Living as Faithful Apologists: Good Works and Integrity

 

Summary

In this session, I explored the foundational role of apologetics within the local church, emphasizing the importance of good behavior and a strong reputation among both believers and non-believers. Drawing from 1 Peter 3, I highlighted the call for Christians to be zealous for good deeds, to live with integrity, and to be prepared to defend their faith with gentleness and respect. This passage underscores the necessity of maintaining a good conscience so that when slandered, our good behavior in Christ will put accusers to shame. This theme of good works and behavior is not only a personal call but a communal one, as it reflects the church's witness to the world.

I also referenced Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5, where He calls us the "light of the world," urging us to let our light shine through good works so that others may glorify God. This is echoed in John 13, where Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us, making our love the distinguishing mark of His disciples. The early church in Acts 2 exemplified this through their communal life, sharing, and caring for one another, which served as a powerful apologetic to the watching world.

Furthermore, I discussed the qualifications for church leaders, particularly the need for elders to be well-regarded by outsiders, as outlined in 1 Timothy 3. This qualification is crucial because it ensures that those leading the church are living testimonies of the faith they profess. The church must prioritize finding and nurturing qualified leaders who embody these biblical standards.

Finally, I emphasized the importance of clarity in preaching the gospel, as Paul did in Colossians 4, and the need for our speech to be gracious and seasoned with salt. Our lives should provoke curiosity about the hope within us, leading others to inquire about our faith. As Christians, we are all apologists, called to live out our faith authentically and to engage the world with the truth of the gospel, trusting that God will use our witness to draw others to Himself.

Key Takeaways:

- Zealous for Good Works: Christians are called to be zealous for good deeds, living with integrity and a good conscience. This behavior serves as a defense against slander and a testimony to the world of the transformative power of Christ in our lives. [02:34]

- Light of the World: Jesus calls us to be the light of the world, shining through our good works so that others may see and glorify God. Our actions and love for one another are powerful witnesses to the truth of the gospel. [05:32]

- Love as Apologetic: The love we show within the church community is our greatest apologetic. By loving one another as Christ loved us, we demonstrate the reality of our faith to a watching world. [07:55]

- Qualified Leadership: The church must prioritize finding leaders who are well-regarded by outsiders, ensuring that they live out the faith they profess. This qualification is crucial for maintaining the church's witness and integrity. [10:18]

- Gracious Speech: Our speech should be gracious and seasoned with salt, provoking curiosity about the hope within us. By living authentically and engaging others with the truth of the gospel, we fulfill our role as apologists in the world. [17:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:24] - Introduction to Apologetics
- [01:32] - 1 Peter 3: A Call to Good Behavior
- [03:03] - Zealousness for Good
- [05:06] - Light of the World: Matthew 5
- [06:26] - Love as a Mark of Discipleship
- [07:32] - Acts 2: The Early Church's Witness
- [09:18] - Qualifications for Elders
- [10:53] - The Danger of Unqualified Leaders
- [12:17] - Importance of Qualified Deacons
- [13:50] - Reputation with Outsiders
- [15:21] - Integrity in All Areas of Life
- [16:58] - Clarity in Preaching the Gospel
- [18:24] - Gracious and Salty Speech
- [20:22] - Repentance and Witness
- [22:18] - Living as Faithful Apologists

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Peter 3:13-17
2. Matthew 5:13-16
3. John 13:34-35

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Observation Questions:

1. According to 1 Peter 3:13-17, what are Christians encouraged to be zealous for, and how should they respond to those who ask about their hope? [02:05]

2. In Matthew 5:13-16, what does Jesus mean when He calls His followers the "light of the world"? How are they supposed to let their light shine? [05:32]

3. How does John 13:34-35 describe the way Christians should love one another, and what is the result of this love according to Jesus? [06:26]

4. What qualification for church leaders is highlighted in 1 Timothy 3:7, and why is it important for their witness to outsiders? [09:49]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the call to be zealous for good deeds in 1 Peter 3 relate to the concept of apologetics within the church? Why is this important for both personal and communal witness? [02:34]

2. In what ways does being the "light of the world" as described in Matthew 5 serve as a form of apologetics to non-believers? How can this be practically demonstrated in daily life? [05:56]

3. How does the love among believers, as commanded in John 13, act as a powerful apologetic to the world? What might this look like in a church community today? [07:55]

4. Why is it crucial for church leaders to be well-regarded by outsiders, and how does this impact the church's overall witness and integrity? [10:18]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you struggle to maintain a good conscience and integrity? How can you address these areas to better reflect Christ's transformative power? [02:34]

2. Consider your role as the "light of the world." What specific actions can you take this week to let your light shine in your community or workplace? [05:32]

3. Think about your relationships within the church. How can you demonstrate Christ-like love to fellow believers, especially those you find difficult to love? [07:02]

4. Evaluate the leadership in your church. How can you support and encourage leaders to maintain a good reputation with outsiders? What role can you play in nurturing future leaders? [09:49]

5. Reflect on your speech and interactions with others. Are your words gracious and seasoned with salt? Identify a situation where you can practice this kind of speech in the coming week. [17:57]

6. How can you engage in conversations about your faith with gentleness and respect, especially with those who may be skeptical or hostile? Think of a specific person you can reach out to this week. [22:59]

7. In what ways can you be more intentional about living out your faith authentically in front of non-believers? Identify one practical step you can take to be a more faithful apologist. [22:18]

Devotional

Day 1: Integrity as a Defense
Christians are called to live with integrity and maintain a good conscience, which serves as a defense against slander and a testimony to the transformative power of Christ. This call to integrity is not just a personal endeavor but a communal one, reflecting the church's witness to the world. When believers are zealous for good deeds, they embody the teachings of 1 Peter 3, which encourages them to be prepared to defend their faith with gentleness and respect. By living with integrity, Christians can put accusers to shame and demonstrate the reality of their faith. [02:34]

"For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people." (1 Peter 2:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific ways can you demonstrate integrity in your daily interactions this week, especially in situations where you might be misunderstood or misrepresented?


Day 2: Shining Through Good Works
Jesus calls His followers to be the light of the world, shining through their good works so that others may see and glorify God. This call to be a light is a powerful witness to the truth of the gospel, as it reflects the love and grace of Christ to a watching world. By living out the teachings of Matthew 5, Christians can let their light shine before others, drawing them to the transformative power of the gospel. This is not just an individual call but a communal one, as the church collectively embodies the light of Christ. [05:32]

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific good work you can do this week to let your light shine in your community or workplace?


Day 3: Love as the Mark of Discipleship
The love Christians show within the church community is their greatest apologetic. By loving one another as Christ loved them, they demonstrate the reality of their faith to a watching world. This love is the distinguishing mark of Jesus' disciples, as highlighted in John 13. The early church exemplified this through their communal life, sharing, and caring for one another, which served as a powerful apologetic to the world. By prioritizing love within the church, believers can reflect the heart of Christ and draw others to Him. [07:55]

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to show Christ-like love, and how will you do it?


Day 4: The Importance of Qualified Leadership
The church must prioritize finding leaders who are well-regarded by outsiders, ensuring that they live out the faith they profess. This qualification is crucial for maintaining the church's witness and integrity. According to 1 Timothy 3, elders must be well-regarded by outsiders, as their lives serve as living testimonies of the faith they profess. By nurturing qualified leaders who embody biblical standards, the church can maintain its witness and integrity in the world. [10:18]

"Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil." (1 Timothy 3:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you support and encourage the leaders in your church to live out their faith authentically and maintain a good reputation with outsiders?


Day 5: Gracious and Salty Speech
Christians are called to have their speech be gracious and seasoned with salt, provoking curiosity about the hope within them. By living authentically and engaging others with the truth of the gospel, believers fulfill their role as apologists in the world. This call to gracious speech is emphasized in Colossians 4, where Paul encourages believers to let their speech be seasoned with salt, so they may know how to answer each person. By speaking with grace and truth, Christians can draw others to the hope they have in Christ. [17:57]

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

Reflection: In your conversations this week, how can you intentionally season your words with grace and truth to provoke curiosity about your faith?

Quotes

"Now, who is there among you to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. 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, having a good conscience so that when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame." [00:01:54]

"That those who revile your good behavior." Now Peter is dealing with a number of things in this passage, but one of the things that is a theme throughout is their desire for good, their zealousness for good, their passion for good, for doing good, for thinking well and for doing what is right as Christians together in their community as a church and in the broader community, "that when they revile you, revile you for your good behavior that they would be put to shame." [00:03:34]

"Well, He said first that, 'You are the light of the world.' Not, 'Try to be the light of the world,' but, 'You are the light of the world.' We're the light of the world by virtue of being in Christ, who is the light of the world. Be the light of the world. Shine your light so brightly that what may happen? That the world might see it, that they might see your light, that they might sense or taste your salt, that they might see your light, they might see your good works. And do what? That they might glorify your Father in heaven." [00:05:36]

"Jesus also said in His final farewell discourse in John chapter 13, you remember there that He was giving His new commandment, which was not altogether new, but it was new in that He had called His disciples to love one another even, He said, 'As I have loved you.' That was the new part of it, 'Even as I have loved you, you are to love one another and by this,' what did He say? 'They will know that you are My disciples,' your love for one another." [00:06:26]

"They demonstrated real love in their community, and that love was the greatest apologetic to the watching world. This theme is throughout the New Testament, if you look carefully. How our witness, how our behavior, how our love for one another is the church's greatest apologetic to the watching world. It's when we love each other, when we strive to forgive one another, when we as God's people encourage one another." [00:07:55]

"Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders. He must be well thought of by outsiders so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. You know, this is where it all really starts, apologetics in the early church… in the early church, pardon me, in the local church. We can talk about apologetics in the early church with Irenaeus and Justin and so on. But regarding apologetics in the local church, it all starts with the pastors, the elders." [00:09:49]

"When we stop taking the qualifications that God in His Word has commanded us to use, not as general categories, but when we stop looking to those qualifications for the offices that God has ordained to carry out the work of the church and the mission of God on earth through local churches around the world, when we stop looking to those qualifications, but rather the world's definitions and the world's qualifications, the world's standards and the world's characteristics, then we have lost the battle." [00:12:17]

"And one of those qualifications is that they would have a good reputation, that they would be thought well of by outsiders. Doesn't that seem strange to you? Doesn't it seem odd that God would give this qualification that they need to have a good reputation with those outside the church? I've heard of elders and sessions of elders and elder boards over the years who have met with elder candidates, and they will even go to their employers, go to their neighbors and ask them what kind of men they are." [00:13:50]

"Paul prayed for clarity. He wanted to be able to preach the gospel plainly and clearly, 'which is how I ought to speak.' Verse 5, '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.' Does that sound familiar? It's very similar to what Peter is writing, saying this how you're called to walk, every Christian." [00:17:37]

"You're called to walk in this way and you're called to walk in such a way and speak in such a way with gracious words and salty words so that your neighbors and your friends and your relatives are saying, 'What is it about you? When you go through trials and struggles and pain and tests and sadnesses in life, you have hope. When someone has hurt you and slandered you and slapped you on the cheek, you turn them the other also. There's something about you." [00:18:24]

"We as God's people are called not only to love one another, we're also called to love our enemies, and we're called to live in such a way before this watching world that we're pointing people not to how good we are in and of ourselves, but we're pointing people, as they look at us and they see something different, that we say, 'It's not really about me because the truth of the matter is I'm a jerk. I'm a wretched sinner. I deserve to be in hell just like you, but by the grace of God I am what I am in and He saved me, and He's given me life and He gave me His Holy Spirit and He's given me a path." [00:20:22]

"And that's how we live in this fallen world, in this broken world. It doesn't matter how old we are. It doesn't matter how mature we are in the faith. If you're a Christian, you're an apologist. The question is how faithful of an apologist are you, and when you do the work of an apologist with your friends, coworkers, classmates, relatives, and next-door neighbors, that even though they may not always like you, they can't really charge you with anything that will stick." [00:22:18]

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Transcript
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