The Testimony of Life and Words The Testimony

The Testimony of Life and Words

The Testimony of Life and Words 1 Peter 3: 15 -16 • 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

The Testimony of Life and Words 1 Peter 3: 15 -16 • 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

• 1976 – Blind trust that goes against evidence • 1989 – mental illness • 1996 – one of the world’s greatest evils, comparable to Small Pox but harder to eradicate. • 2006 – The God Delusion – Christian faith is not simply misguided – it is morally reprehensible.

1 Peter 3: 15 • 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

• The need for coherence between one’s life and message

Dr. Ravi Zacharias

• John 3: 16 • 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

• Eph 2: 8 -9 • 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not because of works, so that no man may boast.

• The need for readiness to stand up for the gospel 1 Peter 3: 15 b • Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

a) Study the Bible 2 Tim 3: 16 -17 • 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

John 17: 14 • 14 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

John 17: 14 • 14 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. John 17: 18 • 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

2 Peter 3: 16 • …his letters contain some things that are hard to understand, …. 2 Tim 2: 7 • Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

b) Read Widely • Read Christian Biographies

Heb 12: 1 • Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

b) Read Widely • Read Christian Biographies • Study Apologetics

c) Wisdom and Courage from God

c) Wisdom and Courage from God James 1: 5 • 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

c) Wisdom and Courage from God Acts 4: 13 -14 • 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

1 Cor 1: 27 -30 • 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong

The need for humility in our response

The need for humility in our response • “But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ”

Prov 15: 1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The need for the application of the word – in building one’s faith

SPONGE CAKE RECIPE Ingredients (serves 6) 1/3 cup (50 g) cornflour 1/3 cup (50 g) plain flour 1/3 cup (50 g) selfraising flour • 4 x 60 g eggs, at room temperature • 2/3 cup (150 g) caster sugar • •

Conclusion 1) There must be Coherence between the life of the messenger of Christ and the Gospel he/she preaches.

Conclusion 1) There must be Coherence between the life of the messenger of Christ and the Gospel he/she preaches. 2) Be Prayerful and diligent in the study and application of His word.

Conclusion 1) There must be Coherence between the life of the messenger of Christ and the Gospel he/she preaches. 2) Be Prayerful and diligent in the study and application of His word. 3) Be gentle in answering, your good behaviour shames your opponents.