Be Ready Always to Give Reasons Why You Have Hope by William Dupley

Mark Virkler's picture

"Many people believe that faith is believing in something despite the evidence, but a valid faith is believing in something because of the evidence."


Evidence is defined as "the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid" There are 21 different types of evidence. They include direct evidence such as a confession or fingerprints, circumstantial evidence such as an eyewitness account, and statistical evidence such as numerical data. The role of evidence is to prove that something is true. Today, I'll talk about the evidence we have as Christians for the things we hope for.

Epidemic of hopelessness 

Psychology Today states there is an epidemic of hopelessness[ii]. They also state that cynicism is permeating our world today. This is not how the Lord wants humankind to live. He wants us to live with hope. In fact, there are several things our Heavenly Father wants us to have. They include:

  • He wants us to live life abundantly
  • He wants to give us inexpressible joy 
  • He wants to have peace that passes all understanding
  • He wants to give us the desires of our heart
  • He has a purpose and plan for all of us
  • He has a place in His kingdom where we will receive a creative flow of ideas because we are His children, and He wants us to succeed.
  • He wants us to be secure in our relationship with Him as His child and be free from an orphan heart.
  • He wants us to have an open, honest relationship with Him based on daily communication.
  • He wants us to live with Him forever.

These are some of the hopes a Christian has. 

The apostle Peter said, "Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you."

Let's look at the evidence for these hopes a Christian has.

Direct Evidence

Christianity started about 2000 years ago and is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the belief that because of his death on the cross, humanity can have a relationship with God based on grace and not by works. It is a simple faith. It is based on God himself meeting the demands of His laws, taking upon himself the sins of humanity, and paying the debt humankind owes so that humankind could be reconciled to Him. It's what any good father would do for his children. I know most fathers would willingly give up their lives for their children. Our Heavenly Father is the same. When Jesus died on the cross God fulfilled the requirement of His laws.

This simple religion has survived for 2000 years. It started with 12 people, and there are now 2.38 billion Christians. The first evidence is that it has survived and is continuing to grow. 

Circumstantial evidence

Circumstantial evidence is primarily based on personal testimony. In this case, I will give my own testimony of what the impact of becoming a Christian has had on my life and how it has changed my life.

I was raised in a Christian home but rejected Christianity when I was 13 years old. I was told God no longer did miracles, and I could not understand why. That led me to search a variety of other religions that would have been classified as New Age beliefs today. Although I was very committed to this program, it did not change my life. In fact, my lifestyle became worse and worse. One day, I went to a spiritualist meeting, and I was terrified. I saw a man changing form in front of me, and I realized I was in the presence of evil. I also knew I was alone. I went home and threw out all my supernatural books, but I still had no peace. 

One day, at the corner of Gould Street and Young Street in Toronto, a man was preaching the gospel, and he said if you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, step forward. I stepped forward and said I believed that, but I told him I don't believe his church exists anymore. At the time, I didn't really know what I had agreed to. I mixed Christianity in with all my other religious stuff, but God heard that prayer, and He started the process of the transformation of my life.

A few months later, I attended a Charismatic Christian meeting, and I met people who were joyful and full of life. I asked them what's different about you. You are not like any Christians I'd ever met. They said they were filled with the Holy Spirit. I had never heard that before. Three months later, at a Full Gospel Businessmen's breakfast, I gave my life to Christ and was baptized in the Holy Spirit, and my life was completely transformed.

I immediately stopped many of the activities that I was doing, and I started to make reconciliations for the things I had done wrong. I wanted to make things right. There was also a dramatic change in my joy level.

In 1992, I learned how to hear the voice of God and started to have daily interactive conversations with my Heavenly Father. This further transformed me. To date, I have over one hundred books of conversations I have had with my Heavenly Father on every possible topic you can imagine, from raising my family to business. He has provided me with wisdom on many topics through journaling with Him.

I'm certain that if I had not become a Christian, I would've been an alcoholic, divorced and suffering from the consequences of the multitude of my many bad decisions. But my Heavenly Father saved me from all that from happening.

Statistical evidence

Christianity started with 12 people, and there are now 2.38 billion Christians. There are now Christians in every country in the world. Globally, Christianity is growing at 1.25% per year, which is about 33 million people per year. Christianity has grown faster in China than anywhere else in the world. "The number of Chinese Protestants has grown by an average of 10 per cent annually since 1979. By some estimates, China is on track to have the world's largest population of Christians by 2030."

Close

Your Heavenly Father wants you to know Him. He wants to have a relationship with you. He wants to guide and help you in every aspect of your life. But you have to let Him in.  Jesus said He stands at the door and knocks. The door is the door of your heart.  We have to answer the door. Forty-eight years ago, I answered the door, and my life was changed for the better. I encourage you to do the same thing.  

If you would like to know more about how to be closer to God, download "How to get closer to God” from my website.

Journaling

Lord, what would You speak to me concerning walking in hope and sharing hope?

 

 


How to Walk by the Spirit 15th Anniversary Edition
Free Video Event: October 15-23, 2024
Register today: https://go.cluschoolofthespirit.com/walk

40% Discount for the October Course of the Month: REN210/521 Pneumatology and Life in the Spirit


Fan the flames of revival by sharing this blog with your friends on social media! 


Related Resources: 

How to Be Emotionally Free!   How to Hear God's Voice!   
Add new comment

Add new comment

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Results

Results 151 - 160 of 487

Pages

Through the Bible New Testament CD Package

3 CD Sets by Dr. Andrew Hardy | 1 Book by Mark and Patti Virkler

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you through the New Testament in three modules. This package includes parts six - eight of our Through The Bible series,  which provide you an overview of the entire Bible. You may choose to begin with the Life of Christ and work your way through the entire New Testament, and then follow this up by going through the Old Testament.

Why are there four Gospels describing Jesus' life? How are the three synoptic Gospels different from John? What does God want to say to me through the life of Jesus? Can I really imitate Christ and be like him? Yes, Jesus came to model the lifestyle God has empowered us to live!

Price: $89.00

Through the Bible Old Testament CD Package

5 CD Sets by Dr. Andrew Hardy | 1 Book by Mark and Patti Virkler

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you through the entire Old Testament in this five module series. This is a part of our Through the Bible series, which gives you an overview of the entire Bible. This package contains five sets of CDs which span the Old Testament and includes the Through the Bible workbook

Price: $144.00

Unique Gifts Make Winning Teams CD Package

2 books | 1 card | 1 CD set

Can I succeed like others have? What do I need to do? How do I go about it? What if I don't have the gifts necessary to do something great?  The wonderful truth revealed in Scripture is that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary feats, especially when they say, "Yes, Lord" to the destiny He has prepared for them!

Price: $69.95

Unleashing Healing Power Through Spirit-Born Emotions CD Package

Book + 14 teaching sessions & 5 devotionals on CD

Experience Healing for Your Body, Soul, and Spirit through Kingdom Emotions!

In Christianity, emotions are often considered to be misleading and untrustworthy—a lingering part of our fallen nature that distract us from God’s truth. But our emotions were created by God, and though the enemy may seek to manipulate our hearts, Jesus sets us free! This practical teaching will empower you to see emotions as unique channels through which the Holy Spirit works to bring miraculous life-transformation, deliverance and healing.

Price: $95.00

Your Extraordinary Life CD Package

197 Page Book | 16 CD Sessions | Save 10% | by Mark & Patti Virkler

Can you imagine starting new believers off with the Holy Spirit! What if the first thing you were taught as a newborn Christian was how to connect easily and daily with the Holy Spirit Who was living inside you, anointing you, empowering you and transforming you?

Price: $45.00
LEARN 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice Notebook

LEARN 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice

by Mark and Patti Virkler

This 49-page Life Enrichment And Review Notebook (previously called a "Seminar Guide") is designed to go along with the CD/ DVD series and/or PowerPoint presentation. If receiving training in a group, we highly recommend that EVERY member of the group have their own copy. It offers you the following four benefits:

Price: $5.95
Counseled by God Life Enrichment And Review Notebook

LEARN Counseled by God

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 52 Pages

This 52-page Life Enrichment And Review Notebook is designed to go along with the CD/ DVD series. You will learn the precise steps to take by exploring biblical examples of people meeting God and being healed. You will be guided in taking these steps yourself, and as you do, you will find healing and release of the key emotional struggles we all face. Healing from accusation, fear, inferiority, anger, guilt and depression, all can be found by hearing God speak to you!

Price: $6.95
LEARN Prayers That Heal the Heart

LEARN Prayers That Heal the Heart - Revised & Expanded 20th Anniversary Edition

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 30 Pages

This 30-page Life Enrichment And Review Notebook is designed to go along with the CD/ DVD series and/or PowerPoint presentation. If receiving training in a group, we highly recommend that EVERY member of the group have their own copy. 

We also have a limited stock remaining of the previous version. So if you want to run a class still using your old set of DVDs, please call our office at 716-681-4896 to order those at 75% off while supplies last.

Price: $5.95
4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice Cards

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice Cards (100-pack)

Request up to 25 of the 4 keys cards FREE with every order you place! (Excluding download-only orders.) Just specify how many you would like when checking out in the shopping cart. Spread the good news that God is still speaking and it is easy to hear His voice! Enhance someone's life!

To receive up to 25 free, do not add to your cart! Just choose a quantity of your "Free Gift" at checkout. To purchase more than 25, add to cart here.

Price: $5.00

A Stroll Along the Sea of Galilee Gift Card - 25 Pack

The #1 Tool in the World for Introducing People to Hearing God's Voice!

Why not use this powerful tool to help bring revival and restoration to your nation by distributing this FREE offer! It is an ideal gift to slip in with cards for special days such as birthdays, Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Easter. It is perfect for conference attendees, newborn Christians, or anyone you want to share in the gift of greater intimacy with the Lord.

Pages