How should we respond when our faith is questioned, as Jesus was? Jesus Faces Questioners (Luke 20:1) “One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him.” • Jesus is right in the middle of faithful ministry—teaching truth and announcing good news. • Opposition comes from respected voices: chief priests, scribes, elders. • The clash is public, not private; everyone can see how He handles it. Why Our Faith Draws Questions • Truth exposes error; light irritates darkness (John 3:19–21). • Spiritual authority challenges human authority (Acts 4:18–20). • The message of the cross is foolishness to the world but power to those being saved (1 Corinthians 1:18). • God often uses questions to open doors for testimony (Philippians 1:12–13). Observing Jesus’ Method (Luke 20:2–8) While verse 1 shows the confrontation, the next verses reveal His strategy: 1. He listens fully to the accusation. 2. He answers with a question, exposing motives (Proverbs 26:4–5). 3. He appeals to recognized evidence—John’s baptism—keeping the focus on God’s works, not personal ego. 4. He refuses fruitless debate when hearts are hardened, modeling “pearls before swine” wisdom (Matthew 7:6). Practical Steps When Our Faith Is Challenged • Expect it. Jesus promised, “In this world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). • Stay calm; the Spirit indwells you (2 Timothy 1:7). • Listen first; understand the real issue behind the question (Proverbs 18:13). • Ask clarifying questions, as Jesus did, to reveal assumptions. • Speak the truth, but season it with grace (Colossians 4:5–6). • Point to objective evidence—fulfilled prophecy, historical resurrection facts, changed lives. • Leave room for silence when hearts are unready; trust God with the outcome. Grounded in Scripture • Let the Word answer. “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable…” (2 Timothy 3:16). • Memorize key passages: John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Peter 3:15. • Use narrative examples—Daniel before Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3); Paul before Agrippa (Acts 26). Responding with Wisdom and Grace • Be gentle. “A servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome but…gentle to all” (2 Timothy 2:24–25). • Be respectful. Jesus addressed even His opponents with dignified language. • Be brief and clear. Long speeches rarely change a hostile heart. • Be hopeful. Faith in God’s sovereignty frees you from anxiety. Courageously Stand Firm • Authority rests in Christ, not in human approval (Matthew 28:18). • Fear of man is a snare; fear of the Lord is safety (Proverbs 29:25). • If needed, accept rejection with joy, “rejoicing that you were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for His Name” (Acts 5:41). Keeping the Gospel Central • Jesus stayed on mission—“proclaiming the gospel” even while opposed. • Your goal is not to win arguments but to win people. • Redirect distractions back to the cross and resurrection (1 Corinthians 2:2). Summary Takeaways • Questions are opportunities, not threats. • Secure yourself in Scripture; let God’s Word do the heavy lifting. • Follow Jesus’ pattern: listen, probe, spotlight truth, avoid pointless strife. • Speak with both courage and kindness, trusting results to the Lord. |
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