Pastor Mark Schwarzbauer PhD

Family Worship Center

I Peter 3:15

“15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 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,” NIV

Part One: The Exclusive Claim

The Exclusive Claim

Not only did Jesus clearly claim to be God in the flesh,

He specifically stated that He was the ONLY way to get to

heaven, John 14:6.

The Exclusive Claim

We shared 6 other scriptures clearly stating Jesus was

God. Jesus claimed to be God in the flesh,

His disciples affirmed it.

Paul expounded it.

The Amazing Determination• Everyone who confronted Jesus or was

confronted by Jesus had to make a determination; was Jesus really the Messiah, God in physical form, and the only way to heaven as He specifically claimed?

• What will YOU do with Jesus?• The struggle is both logical and emotional.

We looked at the logical last week so today we will cover the emotional.

Part Two: The Exclusive Logic

Jesus Claimed Ultimate Exclusivity

The problem with hating exclusivity is

that truth is by definition exclusive.

The LAW of Non-Contradiction

• The Laws of Logic – The Law of Non-contradiction.

The LAW of Non-Contradiction

Therefore to hate exclusivity is to

ultimately hate both logic and truth.

The Ultimate Contradictions

• 1. Those who say “There are no absolutes…” contradict themselves because to say there are no absolutes is an absolute!

The Ultimate Contradictions

• 2. Those who tell you “You can’t exclude people” are doing just that… they are excluding those who hold to logical exclusivity.

The Ultimate Contradictions• 3. You can’t use the Either/Or… you

Must use the Both/And.• What is wrong with the above

statement? Rephrased… “In other words I must either use the Both/And or nothing at all?”• They are using the Either/Or to

demand you only use the Both/And!

The Ultimate ContradictionsSimple logic defeats all arguments

against exclusivity. However, many people don’t function by logic; their

lives are run by emotion. This week we will look at how to lovingly

present truth in the midst of illogical emotion.

The Pilot’s Seat

Part Three: Logic vs Emotion

Logic vs EmotionMost people make

decisions primarily based on emotion and not logic

although they believe they are being logical.

(feels good, and short term)

II Timothy 1:7… A Sound Mind• 1. From the Greek σωφρονισμοῦ

sōphronismou rooted in σοφία sophia “wisdom.”• 2. Come back to your senses…

reason and not emotion.• 3. Balanced and stable thinking

unlike reflected in much of the world today.

Steve Turner- British Author

Poem “Creed”

A satirical poem on the contradictions of the

modern mind

Logic vs Emotion• The struggles shown in our

contradictions are really showing the struggles with ourselves. • We don’t like in others is often

what we are uncomfortable about in us!• We tend to blame and project.

Ravi Zacharias“but when we play God and determine whether a child within a mother's womb should live, we argue for that as a moral right. So when human beings are given the privilege of playing God, it’s called a moral right. When God plays God, we call it an immoral act. Can you justify this for me?” That was the end of the conversation.”

Logic vs Emotion

“What we need is not a religion that is right where we are right,

but one that is right where we are wrong.” Ravi Zacharias

I Peter 3:15

“15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 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,” NIV

I Peter 3:15“15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 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,” NIV

Starts with Christ as Lord so your lifestyle doesn’t negate

your testimony.

I Peter 3:15“15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 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,” NIV

Reason – necessary to overcome false trust in emotion.

I Peter 3:15“15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 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,” NIV

Hope- your future based on the change of God in your life.

I Peter 3:15“15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 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,” NIV

Gentleness- necessary to

prevent it turning into a defensive argument.

I Peter 3:15“15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 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,” NIV

Respect- necessary to win the heart with the mind.

I Peter 3:15“15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 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,” NIV

II Timothy 2:23-26

adds being patient

Logic vs EmotionJesus made exclusive

claims so He could INCLUDE everyone in

the opportunity of salvation…

John 3:16, 1 John 2:1

Logic vs Emotion•Truth is true

even if no one knows it.•Truth is true

even if no one allows it.•Truth is true

even if no one admits it.

Logic vs Emotion

Your faith is important; but it is not nearly as

important as what you put your faith in.

Logic vs Emotion

Placing your faith in what is EMET- real truth vs. Emotion

Isaiah 1:18“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD,

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson,

They shall be as wool.