Let’s get started with a reminder! This is the time to make Jesus your priority. There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved!
A signed copy of my daily devotional Day By Day in the Father’s Embrace is available by emailing me – cmspaulding2@gmail.com for details.
My, how time flies. I was reminded of that again recently during a conversation with a fellow pastor. Years seem to slip right past us without notice.
This post is somewhat personal in that many of you are perhaps not aware of what I am about to tell you. In July my wife Kathy was diagnosed with cancer. It was a shock to hear that but not unsuspected. She had been experiencing some things that hinted at the possibility. Still, to have suspicions confirmed was sobering.
We have been very careful in the way we have discussed this with anyone. We have spoken to a few close friends and colleagues and have received much sound counsel. Our ecclesia fellowship has been wonderfully supportive as usual and abounding in true love and affection for us. We cherish them.
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
1 Peter 3:15
The number of Christians who know virtually nothing about apologetics still amazes me. When discussing this topic even with pastors I often receive a blank stare that suggests they’ve never considered apologetics to be of much importance. Clearly, this needs to change. Here are four reasons why.
Reason #1 – Skepticism is at an all-time high and that breeds confusion.
In fact you could say that there is also an inverse relationship between confusion and skepticism. Skepticism in the culture breeds confusion in the church but it is also true that skepticism about the adequacy of the Christian faith within the church breeds confusion in the culture. If Christians won’t affirm what it is they believe why should the culture listen to anything they say?
The American religious landscape is in a state of flux. I’ve written about this elsewhere previously. New category entrants include the “nones” and the “dones.” The nones claim no religious affiliation and the dones have abandoned religious affiliation. The dones will most assuredly transition into the nones if they are not reached with reasons to believe the Gospel. The church is ill-equipped to do this when their foundation is skepticism and confusion.
Reason #2 – Young people are leaving the church for several reasons.
Some fall prey to the predators on our college campuses masquerading as professors and teachers. Don’t be deceived friends. There are myriad stories of college professors who are forthright in their intentions to destroy the Christian faith of their freshman students so that they can be free of the intellectual shackles of Christianity. Parents, do you really intend to turn your children over to the wolves without a fight?
Reason #3 – Apologetics strengthens the faith of believers.
Let’s be perfectly clear about something friends. It is a known fact among Christians that a vast majority is downright fearful of friends, co-workers, even family members challenging them on why they believe what they believe. Most Christians are not prepared to give a simple answer to a simple question. Being unprepared breeds fear and fear causes believers to shy away from situations that will require them to defend their faith. Understanding that there is a vast depository of historical data that forms the basis for reasonable answers to every objection raised up against the Christian faith strengthens the faith of believers.
Reason #4 – Apologetics is integral to evangelism.
I was speaking with Lenny Esposito, President of Come Reason Ministries recently and we discussed this often overlooked truth. Apologetics is not incidental to evangelism; it forms the very heart of evangelism. Although the idea of apologetics being a necessary part of one’s faith is met with surprise today, this was not the case in the early church. Giants of the faith such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus of Lyons, and Tertullian wrote extensively about cultural issues of their day and provided robust and intelligent responses that pointed people to Jesus Christ.
CS Lewis once remarked, “One must keep on pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
Friends I encourage you today to take up the responsibility for your discipleship and study to show yourself ready to be a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. When you do you will experience a transformation in your faith.
Courage and boldness come by and through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Our passage for consideration today is one example.
The context of the early chapters in the book of Acts is the giving of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus promised the Father would send (John 14:26). When the Holy Spirit arrived and filled the disciples in the upper room where they were gathered, the Jews from all over Jerusalem were drawn to them because of the manifestation of miracles most especially that of speaking in languages which those that gathered to observe what was happening could understand.
Peter took control of the situation (Acts 2:14) and announced to all those gathered that what they were witnessing was the fulfillment of prophecy and he referred to a passage in the book of the prophet Joel.
Peter’s boldness hit a high point in Acts 2:36 when he testified that the very man the religious leaders insisted the Romans crucify was none other than God’s promised Messiah, Jesus the Christ! Let this example be one that we remember when given the opportunity to speak the truth that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ.
Pastor Mike
Many readers and others who follow The Transforming Word Ministries know that for the year 2020 Kathy and I have been using CH Spurgeon’s devotional Morning and Evening Devotions. The spiritual wisdom Spurgeon was given by our Heavenly Father is the reason why his works have so long endured and been part of the encouragement and education of millions of believers.
Today’s reading focused on John 7:37 which says: “Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.” As part of his commentary Spurgeon said:
The sinner must come to Jesus, not to works, ordinances, or doctrines, but to a personal Redeemer, who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree. The bleeding, dying, rising Savior, is the only star of hope to a sinner. Oh, for grace to come now and drink, ere the sun sets upon the year’s last day!
No waiting or preparation is so much as hinted at. Drinking represents a reception for which no fitness is required. A fool, a thief, a harlot can drink; and so sinfulness of character is no bar to the invitation to believe in Jesus. We want no golden cup, no bejeweled chalice, in which to convey the water to the thirsty; the mouth of poverty is welcome to stoop down and quaff the flowing flood. Blistered, leprous, filthy lips may touch the stream of divine love; they cannot pollute it, but shall themselves be purified. Jesus is the fount of hope. Dear, reader, hear the dear Redeemer’s loving voice as He cries to each one of us, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink.
Jesus is the fount of hope!