Lake Region Bible Church | Sermons
A CAPTIVATING-GOSPEL WITNESS: Christian Apologetics in a Cross-cultural, Pluralistic, Postmodern, and Hostile World (1 Peter 3:13-17 ● Message #7/9) 04-11-10
INTRODUCTION. 1. Definitions: Apologetics: a formal defense of the Christian faith, using rational and experiential methods to explain and defend various doctrines of faith such as the existence of God, the reliability of the Bible, and the gospel message. Pluralism: the acceptance and promotion of diversity within society regarding religion, ethnicity, and other social groups. Religiously speaking, pluralism embraces many beliefs about God, revelation, and paths to salvation (the truth, moral living, etc.). Postmodernism: a pluralistic movement that has rejected the modernist worldview of the previous two centuries (which rose out of the Enlightenment era of the 1700’s). Modernists exalted human reason as the means of discovering and knowing truth (rejecting our need for God & His revelation), and believed that through human reason, humanity had the ability to usher in a worldly utopia (heaven on earth). Postmodernism rose up in the second half of the 1900’s, rejecting universal or absolute truth (or our ability to know it), and embracing pluralism (the acceptance and promotion of a diversity of worldviews and religions). 2. The Message of 1st Peter: The apostle Peter is writing pastorally to believers who are sojourners & exiles in this world (c. 62 A.D.), indicating both their lower social/economic status & their spiritual pilgrimage (they live in a world that is not their home). Peter writes to encourage and guide them in how to “stand firm in the grace of God” (1Pe 5:12) amidst a pagan world, and to prepare them for an increased persecution that is coming upon them. STAND FIRM IN THE GRACE OF GOD. 1. By Knowing the Greatness of God and His Grace (1Pe 5:12; 1:3-9; 2:1ff; 4:1ff): ● Christ has won the victory for us: over sin and the devil. ● We are God’s chosen people: born again into an imperishable inheritance, and guarded by God’s power thru the trials of life. 2. By Persevering as Godly Pilgrims (1Pe 2:11; 3:13-17): ● Trust in God amidst our fears (vs13-14). ● Honor Christ the Lord: with a captivating-gospel witness (vs15-17). APOLOGETICS & OUR GOSPEL WITNESS. 1. Proclaim a Christ-centered Gospel: Lifting up Jesus Christ and God’s call to repentance & faith, thru the power of the Holy Spirit. 2. Know “some” Apologetics and be faithful in what God entrusts to us: ● regarding Christianity and other Religions; ● regarding the Evils perpetuated by the Church; ● regarding a Cultural and/or Nationalistic Christianity; ● regarding the Reliability & Relevance of the Bible; ● regarding Cultural views of “Truth”.