Strongholds

ChristopherMerola9-10-17

2Corinthians10:4-5“Fortheweaponsofourwarfarearenotofthefleshbuthavedivinepowertodestroystrongholds.WedestroyargumentsandeveryloftyopinionraisedagainsttheknowledgeofGod,andtakeeverythoughtcaptivetoobeyChrist…”

StrongholdsDefined:• Astrongholdisanincorrectthinkingpatternthathasmoldeditselfintoourwayofthinking.

• Strongholdsaffectourthinkingandfeelingandhowwerespondtovarioussituationsinlife.

1Corinthians1:23

• “butwepreachChristcrucified, toJewsastumblingblockandtoGentilesfoolishness…”

• 2CulturalStrongholdstotheGospel:LegalismandRelativism

Tertullian,anearlyChristianteacherandapologist (150-225AD)

“JustasJesuswascrucifiedbetweentwothieves,sothegospelisevercrucifiedbetweenthese twoerrors."(LegalismandRelativism)

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ApologeticsDefined• Apologia,aGreekword,,whichmeans

tospeakindefenseofabelief.Itwasusedindefensetoanaccusationorprosecutioninacourtoflaw.

• R.C.Sproul,referencing1Peter,writes that"Thedefenseofthefaithisnot aluxuryorintellectualvanity.ItisataskappointedbyGodthatyoushouldbeabletogiveareasonforthehopethatisinyouasyoubearwitnessbeforetheworld."

CreationMinistryInternational“Christianapologeticsisthereasoneddefense oftheChristianfaithagainstobjections,butalsoincludesthesettingforthofpositivegroundsforChristianity.ItisthedutyofallChristians,because:

-1Peter3:15:Alwaysbepreparedtogive ananswertoeveryonewhoasksyouto givethereasonforthehopethatyou have.’ -Jude3:“contendearnestlyforthefaith…”

FoundationalTruthsInTheBible

• Ahousethatisnotbuiltonafirmfoundationwillnotstand

• TruthdemonstratedthroughLogicandReason(Apologetics) destroysStrongholdsthatimpedetheGospel

1Corinthians9:20-21“WhenIwaswiththeJews,IlivedlikeaJewtobringtheJewstoChrist.WhenIwaswiththosewhofollowtheJewishlaw(Moses), Itoolivedunderthatlaw.EventhoughIamnotsubjecttothelaw,IdidthissoIcouldbringtoChristthosewhoareunderthelaw. WhenIamwiththeGentileswho donotfollowtheJewishlaw,ItooliveapartfromthatlawsoIcanbringthem toChrist.ButIdonotignorethelawofGod;IobeythelawofChrist.(Moral).”

WWJD:JesusUsedApologeticsFrequently

• Apologeticsisjustthestudyofhow touselogicandreasontodestroystrongholdstoadvancetheTruth

Mark12:14-17“Nowtellus—isitrighttopaytaxestoCaesar ornot?Shouldwepaythem,orshouldn’twe?’Jesussawthroughtheirhypocrisyand said,‘Whyareyoutryingtotrapme?ShowmeaRomancoin,andI’lltellyou.’Whentheyhandedittohim,heasked,‘Whose pictureandtitlearestampedonit?’‘Caesar’s,’theyreplied.‘Well,then,’Jesussaid,‘givetoCaesarwhatbelongs toCaesar,andgivetoGodwhatbelongstoGod.”.

KenHam–Acts2vsActs17Cultures

FrankTurek–TheMoralLaw

TheMoralLawWorksEveryTime• MoralLawinourhearts(RomansChapters1and2)

• TenCommandments:exposesmorallawbreaking

• 3FacesOfSin:LustoftheFlesh,theEyes,PrideOfLife Psychology:Controller,Rescuer,Victim Religion:Legalism,Sensationalism,Relativism Trauma:Fight,Flight,Freeze Communications:Aggressive,Passive,PassiveAggressive

WayOfTheMaster–TheMoralLawExposesSin

TwoWaystoWatchandShare

YouTube:MeekerSeeker BHCCwebsite(www.brighthopechurch.com):-FindYourFit:JustKeepItReal