Excerpt from my sermon ... SILENCE IS NOT GOLDEN! I am privileged and humbled to be able to speak with you today on a subject of immense importance. Time is running out. It is something which must be said and must be stated in the strongest of terms. The United States of America was once the world stronghold for religious freedom and freedom of expression. Despite what others may tell you, this was a nation founded upon Christian principles. Of course not all of the founders were Christian but the laws and precepts upon which our constitution was built came straight from the scriptures. There was a time when this country would stand and fight for those principles. That is no longer the case. It is rapidly becoming a hotbed for silencing the truth. It has become a nation of lies, a nation of deceit, a nation of greed, and a nation of false gods. The principles Christ taught us have been replaced with secular philosophies. The creator has been replaced with fables and fairy tales. The murder of unborns is justified by convenience. Self servitude, as opposed to brotherly and sisterly love, is the order of the day. This nation has strayed so far as to legislate opposition to Godly commands and precepts. Though Christians in America do not face sanctioned death sentences or beatings or torture, a more ominous event is happening. The Church of Christ in America is falling in line with the lies of a secular world. The pulpits are littered with pastors who preach a gospel of lies and deceit. Seminaries stray from the Holy Word of God and introduce their students to these fables and teach them as truth. These lies are not being presented all at once. A lie creeps in here a little then there a little. Like a frog placed in slowly cooking water, some Christians are remaining in the hot water and will do so until its too late. We need to redefine the definition of a church or ministry leader. It is not someone who is the most popular speaker. It is not someone who is charming and glamorous. It is not the one who makes promises unfounded in the scriptures and draws thousands into their fold. It is the ones with the courage, a knowledge of the truth, and, most importantly, the ones guided by the Holy Spirit of God who will be able to restore this people and this nation as one nation under God. Those of us who hold fast to the truth must be willing to open our mouths. Silence is not an option. Because, you see, the problem lies not in the aggressiveness of satan in distorting and hiding the truth but in the deafening silence of those of us who know the truth. We; those who hold fast to the truth, must stop being passive adherents to the gospel but must be vocal in relaying the truth of the gospel to all within our reach. And when should we open our mouths? Just in the pulpit? Just to our congregations? Just when it is expected? I say not. We absolutely must open our mouths at every opportunity ... in our homes ... in our work places ... on the streets ... in the store ... in meetings ... and yes - even within the confines of government. That is what we are called to do. That is what is expected of us. It is a calling of every true Christian to open his or her mouth. Evangelism is not a gift. It is a command. So you say; How can you state that evangelism is a command? Show me a scripture to support that statement. Some refer to whats known as the great commission recorded in Matthew chapter 28 beginning at the 16th verse: Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Others have argued that this only applies to the eleven disciples at the time. But; when we take Holy Scripture in context we understand this is a command for us also. In Matthew chapter 22 verses 36 through 40 we read: Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” So if youre obeying these two commandments you should be opening your mouth. How can you love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind and not tell everyone about Him? We say that God loves all of his children but we do not do the same with our mouths shut. The same goes for loving your neighbor. And your neighbor isnt just someone you like. Christ clarified that in the parable of the Good Samaritan recorded in Luke chapter 10 beginning at the 29th verse. But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” That should be all the Biblical proof you need to understand that our witness of the truth is essential; not only to our personal salvation but to the salvation of others. But; there is a correct and an incorrect way to witness or evangelize. Open your Bibles with me to 2nd Timothy. Lets read from the second chapter beginning at the 14th verse: ------------------------------------------------------------- 14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. ---------------------------------------------------------- Lets review what Paul says here. He gives us several important instructions. 1)Keep reminding Gods people of these things. What things? Avoiding Godless chatter. Presenting yourself to God as one approved and one who correctly handles the word of truth. 2) Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 3) Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be GENTLY instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. In a nutshell - be kind in your opposition to false doctrine. Dont be argumentative. Your goal is to bring people to the truth, not to run them off. But you must open your mouths. And finally; I could summarize everything Ive stated here with three short words: Open your mouth. God doesnt care if you are not an eloquent speaker. He demonstrated that with Moses. He doesnt care about your past. He demonstrated that with Paul.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 15:16:03 +0000
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