Un-Apologetic [Wednesday in Lent 5]

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READINGS FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE:

• Leviticus 19:1-2a, 11-19a, 25b

• St. John 10:22-38

Grace to you and peace. (1 Thess 1)
 
Tonight, on our final Wednesday before Holy Week, our Lord shows us the strength of Truth. That He can walk about in broad daylight in front of all who would arrest Him, torture Him, and crucify Him, but they will not and cannot, not until He says it is time. Christ’s work will be plain and it will be out in the open, challenging the devil, death, and our sinful nature.
 
Before we contemplate our final pro-tip on how to more effectively witness Christ in our lives, this evening, I’d like to review just a bit. Our first witnessing tactic is a no-brainer, or should be, that of witnessing or telling everyone where Christ is. this is important, because if we go to where Christ isn’t, then we stumble first thing.
 
Second and Third, once we know and witness where Christ is, we are to become fans of that place and the things we find there. That is that we know all there is to know about God’s Divine Service, God’s Law and Gospel, and His Justification in Word and Sacrament. Knowing more about these things not only brings them into our lives more fully, but also helps us model that for other.
 
Which is our Fourth tip, that of witnessing in word and deed. Yes being, or attempting to be, the model citizen, family member, and employee. But more importantly, publicly showing your time and effort investment in Church life. Attending, volunteering, and living out the faith. This meant, finding ourselves more in prayer, meditation, and trials.
 
Finally, this evening, our fifth pro-tip involves engaging our culture around us. That is, being on the front lines and giving the world the reason for the hope that is in you, in season and out of season. In other words, now you must study the arts of the enemy, just not too deeply. This would be to increase your own strength and confidence as to where you stand in Faith.
 
The word for this is called apologetics. Its not “apology” as in going around saying sorry to everyone and offering reparation. Apology means to defend, or prove. But in this sense, it means you must have a somewhat working knowledge of what others say against Christianity, especially other religions, and have a toolbox full of facts.
 
Facts, not for you, but for your “discussion partner” who may or may not have been told the entire truth about his world. Apologetics takes what the world holds as truth and proves that it probably isn't true. And, let me tell you, this does not always make friends.
 
No one likes their world spinning underneath them. They want flat, solid ground to stand on. Apologetics shakes them up, not in order to win, but in order to prepare them to receive the truth, because if you believe a lie or have had a lie repeated to you often enough, you will not believe the truth, even though its staring you in the face.
 
So we study up. What is post-modernism or relativism? Where do they come from? Why is it wrong that someone can use the freedom of Christ as an excuse to sin? What is soft-tissue, what does it have to do with dinosaurs, and why does that affect faith?
 
If you want to understand someone better, conversation needs to happen. More importantly, relationships need to happen. So we read up on things and become an amateur apologist, where does that get us? Let’s put on an apologetics event at church and invite the community to learn with us. I’m pretty sure if you put CRT on the bill, you’d get a full house.
 
All good, however, don’t think that you will “win” every time after you put in work. Apologetics is good for breaking down worldly arguments against the Christian witness, but it will not convert a person to faith. That is its limit. That is reason’s limit. The Gospel of the Crucified and Risen Savior breaks that limit and is the power of salvation. 
 
You may not have all the answers either and its ok to say “I don’t know”. But there is always the opportunity to steer back to Jesus in His promises heard Sunday, in His Word, and in your catechisms. though you are short on answers and need to reflect later, for next time, you are not as short on material as you often think you are.
 
The Word and the Spirit Jesus has given to us never fails, even in these dark and latter days of this world. The unholy trinity will give us no end of opposition from the devil who prowls and lies, the world which seduces and distracts, and our sinful flesh which wants what it wants and distrusts God unto death.
 
For the believer, the Gospel is the power of God for salvation for all who believe (Rom 1:16). Jesus gives faith to trust that in all things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us (Rom 8:37). Such that hope springs up inside us to know that we will be claimed from this veil of tears, at the end. 
 
Maybe we aren’t so good at arguing. But the Holy Ghost makes us experts at believing and that is to be trusted above all the debates we ever encounter. It could be that you are just strengthening your belief, in all these witnessing exorcises. So be it. Not a waste of time. 
 
As Christ walked around in public, never hiding Himself, you too are called to public life. You will have no end of opportunities to witness and, God preserve us, to suffer for the faith. All people are God’s creation, created to receive His gifts, and therefore disposed to hearing the Gospel. It is the truth everyone is waiting for and that everyone hopes in, whether they admit it or not.
 
In that light, witnessing should be easy. Speak the truth in love, for “who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but 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” (1 Pet 3:13-15).