18 February 2018 – Pastor Toks Oshokoya

THE DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL
THE NEED FOR CONSTANT RE-CALIBRATION

Dealing With The Age Of Knowledge
The Age Of Knowledge Economy
The Age Of Elevation Of The Gift Of Garb
The Swiftness, And Therefore Ultimate Dependence On Tech & IT
Preparing A People That Will Escape The Trap

This is the Age Of Communication Revolution!
Daniel 12: 4 “…Knowledge shall increase…”

A revolution (Latin revolutio, “a turn around”) is a fundamental change in political power, social dynamics, economic or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time when the population rises up in revolt against the current authorities.

Revolutions have occurred through human history and vary widely in terms of methods, duration, and motivating ideology. Their results include major changes in culture, economy, and socio-political institutions, usually in response to overwhelmingautocracy or plutocracy.

Examples of past revolutions
• Atlantic Revolutions
• American Revolution
• French Revolution
• Haitian Revolution
• Modern history
• Long nineteenth century
• Industrial Revolution
• Risorgimento

The Industrial Revolution, for example, was the transition to new manufacturing processes in the period from about 1760 to sometime between 1820 and 1840. This transition included going from hand production methods to machines, new chemical manufacturing and iron production processes, the increasing use ofsteam power, the development of machine tools and the rise of thefactory system.

Social Theorists say that there have been three industrial revolutions.

The Third Industrial Revolution:
How Lateral Power is Transforming Energy, the Economy, and the World.The fundamental economic change occurs when newcommunication technologies converge with new energy regimes, mainly, renewable electricity.

I believe that it is quash Technical -Communication Revolution – Talking And Knowledge (IT, TECH, etc)

TED, GOALCAST, etc

You become special, celebrated and attract money by being a great Speaker, Orator, Hi-Tech man, Think Liberal Ideas that promise liberties, etc. In fact, you are invited everywhere!
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Romans 12: 1 – 12, 1Peter 3: 15,16

Philippians 1: 1-3
“…inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. ..”

Verses 12-18
“… understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; … more bold to speak the word without fear.
…, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. … earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, …”

1:16, 17 Paul’s circumstances were for the “defense of the gospel.”

He wanted to make a formal presentation of Christianity’s authenticity.

1:19-20 Paul’s final salvation would come through remaining true to Christ in the face of difficulties.
Paul did not expect to be ashamed (lit. “put to shame”). Christians will be vindicated by persevering in the truth.

The Defense in Greek
= ‘apologia’

Strong: from the same as 626; a plea (“apology”):-answer (for self), clearing of self, defence.

ἀπολογία
apologia
Thayer Definition:
1) verbal defence, speech in defence
2) a reasoned statement or argument
A Related Word by Thayer´s/Strong´s Number: from the same as 1G626

“Apologetics” comes from the Greek word apologia, meaning “defense” or “answer.”

Christian apologetics is the practice of giving reasons that support the Christian faith and responding to objections raised against it. Apologetics contributes to the restoration of a view of the Bible as a source of knowledge of its subject matter as opposed to a source of true belief to be accepted by a blind act of the will. Christian apologetics strengthens the church by answering the critics of biblical doctrines and by encouraging the believer’s faith.

John 14:6 “I am the Way, the Truth…”
John 17: 16-18 “…Thy Word is Truth…”

The word “apologetics” derives from the Greek word apologia, which was originally used as a speech of defense. In ancient Athens it referred to a defense made in the courtroom as part of the normal judicial procedure. After the accusation, the defendant was allowed to refute the charges with a defense ( apologia).

There Are Four Functions Of The Calling Of Apologetics:

The first function may be called vindication or proof, and involves marshaling philosophical arguments as well as scientific and historical evidences for the Christian faith.

The second function is defense.
This function is closest to the NT in the use of the word apologia, which is, defending Christianity against the plethora of attacks made against it in every generation by critics of varying belief systems.

The third function is refutation of opposing beliefs.
This function focuses on answering the arguments non-Christians give in support of their own beliefs.

The fourth function is persuasion.
Going beyond convincing people that Christianity is true, but persuading them to apply its truth to their life. This function focuses on bringing non-Christians to the point of commitment.

Practical Research:
A divinely graced person is guided to devour books by atheists and Christians, peruse through scientists and theologians work, and study archaeology, ancient history, and world religions. The stunner is to find that Christianity’s factual foundation is a lot firmer than really believed.

Focusing on science, more recent discoveries have further cemented the conclusions the veracity of God’s Word. For instance, cosmologists now agree that the universe and time itself came into existence at some point in the finite past. The logic is inexorable: Whatever begins to exist has a cause, the universe began to exist, and therefore the universe has a cause. It makes sense that this cause must be immaterial, timeless, powerful, and intelligent.

Physicists have discovered over the last 50 years that many of the laws and constants of the universe such as the force of gravity and the cosmological constant—are finely tuned to an incomprehensible precision in order for life to exist. This exactitude is so incredible that it defies the explanation of mere chance.

The existence of biological information in DNA also points toward a Creator.

History:
History shows that Jesus, and Jesus alone, fulfilled ancient messianic prophecies against all mathematical odds. The New Testament is rooted in eyewitness testimony and that it passes the tests that historians routinely use to determine reliability.

The pivotal issue is the resurrection of Jesus. Anyone can claim to be the Son of God, as Jesus clearly did.
The question was whether Jesus could back up that assertion by miraculously returning from the dead.

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Ephesians 4: 17-24, 1 Corinthians 3: 18-21, Col 2: 18,19
1 Cor 4: 1- 4, 18-20, 1 Cor 5: 2, Romans 1: 28, 2 Peter 3:18, 1 John 4:6, Jude 1: 10

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WHO DETERMINES WHAT IS GOOD and WHAT IS BAD?

Think on these:

Psalm 105:15, Matthew 24: 14, Deut 27: 24, 1Kings 20: 35-37

What is good? Genesis 3: 5-7

Who determines what is good or what is bad? 1 Thess 2: 3-7

Isa 5: 20 -22
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil;
that put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes,
and prudent in their own sight!

Is Good God? Do we know what is GOOD?

Heb 5: 14, 1 Kings 3: 9

Matthew 16:23 Good Ideas VRS God

Mark 10: 28 Man’s Good Vrs God’s Good

The Reference Point!

Matthew 24 The EndTime Great Deceptions

Proverbs 14: 12 NLT

Recall Lot in Genesis 12!

2 Corinthians 11: 3 I fear for you!

The Garden – Gen 2: 16-17 TEV

25,000 Various species of fruit bearing trees!

The Four Phased Strategy Of Deceit
Phase 1 – Focus on Restraints and Lack
Phase 2 – Negate the Word
Phase 3 – Twist or Pervert God’s Character
Phase 4 – Give the forbidden offer

James 1: 16,17 every good gift