Building Bridges for the Gospel

Building Bridges for the Gospel
1 Peter 3:13-16
1 Peter 3:13-16
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."
1 Peter 3:13-16
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
Jesus came to us …
Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men…humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Showing respect …
Acts 13:14-17 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on." 16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen …

Showing respect …
Acts 13:26 "Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent...
Acts 13:38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
Showing respect …
Acts 17:16-21 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. 17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. 18 Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods," because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.
Showing respect …
Acts 17:22-26 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:
Paul in the courtroom…
Acts 24:10-12 Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: "Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself …
Paul in the courtroom…
Acts 26:1-3 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself."So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: 2 "I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, 3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
Gentleness and Grace
1 Peter 3:15 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.
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
But how can we respect unbelievers? ..
2 Peter 2:7-8 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)

Reasons to show respect..
Made in the image of God – Genesis 1:27
Little lower than angels – Psalm 8:3-6
Tongue is not to curse men – James 3:9-10
Sinners who need God’s mercy – Luke 18:11-12
Commend what is good…
Paul in the Synagogue in Antioch – Acts 13
They believed in the one true God …
They were familiar with the Old Testament and regarded it as the Word of God …
They knew the history of Israel …
They were expecting the Messiah …
Commend what is good…
Paul on Mars Hill in Athens …Acts 17
They were very religious people …
They had a desire to worship and know God ..
They believed God must be greater than men …
Building bridges today…
With churchgoers …
Do they believe in God?
Do they have some respect for the Bible?
Do they know and admire Jesus?
Do they acknowledge an afterlife and the possibility of judgment?

Building bridges today…
Not churchgoers but some spirituality …
Do they believe spirituality is important?
Do they see that materialism is inadequate to satisfy the heart’s longings?
Are they searching for inner peace?
Have they given up on the church to meet their spiritual needs?
Building bridges today…
Secular, cynical of religion …
Where do they put their trust (science, technology, human ability, goodness of fellow man, family)?
Recognize these are all God’s gifts to us, part of the created order…
Do they recognize some moral values, concern for moral breakdown?
Do they love their family, grandchildren?

Building Bridges for the Gospel
1 Peter 3:13-16