http://bible.com/events/49315562 

Evangelism and Apologetics: Week 3

Is it Good?

1 Peter 2:9-17

Week 1 - Coach T (Oklahoma Baptists Apologetics and Evangelism)

Week 2 - Is it True?

Week 3 - Is it Good?

(Peter’s Audience

• Pluralistic World 
• Politics and Sexuality are polarizing topics with many viewpoints
• Our world claims tolerance, but even tolerance (in terms of respect for another person’s viewpoint) is fading away.
• Before someone cares if something is true, they want to know if it’s good.
• This is especially true among younger generations.
• Emotions are often emphasized above Arguments.
• People to Love
• Not a project to complete, as if you’re trying to check off a box
• Not a debate opponent, as if you’re just trying to win an argument
• Not a customer, as if you’re trying to sell something
• A Person to Love, because you have Good News to Proclaim and Share

*#1. Sexuality - *Is the Way of Jesus “good” when it comes to sexuality and marriage?

• Marriage / Divorce
• Jesus reaffirmed the Creation plan for marriage
• Jesus guarded against a quick appeal to divorce.
• Jesus affirmed singleness, now and for eternity.
• Sexual Purity
• Jesus was personally pure.
• Jesus rejected not only sexual immorality, but also lust.
• Jesus protected the sexually vulnerable and hurting.
• Gender
• Jesus rejected stereotypes.
• Jesus honored women, working alongside and including them. 
• Jesus invested in a core group of men. 
• Key Chapters in Paul 
• Start with 1 Corinthians 5-7.
• Don’t overlook Genesis 1-3. These chapters were key both for Jesus and Paul. 

*Share the Good News

• Display Holiness and Honor
• Good works, peace, stability, joy
• Display Safety and Security
• Women and children should feel valued and safe
• Proclaim Truth and Love
• Be clear about God’s Design and Jesus’ Life and Teachings
• Lovingly affirming a person’s value and their right to disagree
• ***Power of Jesus’ Salvation (Forgiveness and Redemption)
• “Such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified,” - 1 Cor. 6

We show the goodness of God in sexuality 

by proclaiming Jesus’ forgiveness, teaching, and example, and 

by displaying His holiness and love. 

*#2. Politics - *Is the Way of Jesus “good” when it comes to politics? 

• Freedom  
• Jesus’ Kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36)
• “A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.” - Martin Luther
• Submission / Honor
• Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. (Matthew 22:21)
• Give appropriate honor, in keeping with the person’s place in God’s world.
• Honor everyone
• Love the Brotherhood
• Fear and Worship God
• Honor the emperor
• Doing Good for others
• Let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

*Share the Good News

• Display Humility
• Politics = convictions and leans, with a careful, critical eye
• Christ = confession, “Jesus is Lord!”
• Proclaim Hope
• Limited in politics / Ultimate in Christ
• “Utter disappointment of secondary hopes”
• Love, Joy, Peace…
• When someone encounters a political discussion in church, they should walk away thinking, “That was different – how they spoke, how they treated one another.”

We show the goodness of God in politics 

by proclaiming Jesus as Lord and 

by displaying His Kingdom through love of the Church and respect for all people.

1 Peter 3:15 = 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,