When You Are Silent

FROM: AUGUST 14 @ 20, 2018

TOPIC: “When You Are Silent” Acts 18:6-11 (Vs. 9) "One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: Do not be afraid; KEEP ON SPEAKING, DO NOT BE SILENT..." We know very clearly that there is a good name to speak and preach, the name of Jesus! When you’re silent, you do not make Him known! I do not argue about rules, I do not argue about clothes, I do not discuss ideas; I only speak of Jesus! The one we have really known! Everything else in life is vain, in it there is no strength, no power, no peace, no transformation, no eternity, etc. In Christ, THERE ARE INDEED ALL THESE THINGS! As it is good for one, Of Him I preach, of Him I speak!

I. It is not easy to speak and make known the Lord Jesus:

A. Immediately the enemy plans a battle against us.

1. Of course, Paul's reaction was also stronger than in other places (Vs. 6).

2. (Matthew 10:14) "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town."

3. ("But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive...").

4. Paul's reaction was such that he brushed the dust off his feet and also the clothes he was wearing.

5. Paul told them about Jesus, but each one is responsible for escaping for his life and they decided not to do so.

6. There was a condemnation that, with their stubbornness, those men caused it to fall on themselves.

7. Paul sentenced them: "From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

8. There cannot be in one the attitude of being totally silent when someone does not want to hear, because others will want to hear about the sweet Jesus.

9. From the blasphemer one goes away, one departs.

10. When someone rejects Jesus, that is, ultimately, acting "against himself".

11. (Vs. 6) "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibilities. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." The apostle would no longer speak to them, he had spoken to them enough and that is why he is clean of guilt from their blood. This is a solemn reminder to every believer that "there is guilt of blood" if we do not let others know about Christ.

12. We are like Paul, a debtor of all (Romans 1:14, 15). We should speak of Jesus to all.

13. Ezekiel 3:18 "When I say to a wicked man: You will surely die, and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him (prevent, admonish) from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will "hold you accountable" (request for something to be delivered, you will be asked to deliver his blood to God) for his blood."

14. You are a debtor of all, therefore, if you pay your debt by speaking the truth of the Gospel, then God is going to hold you as someone RESPONSIBLE!

15. If you want to be free of guilt, what you have to do is SPEAK! Do not fear and do not be silent! Then the responsibility will rest, not upon you, but upon the one who rejects the purity of Christ.

II. Others will convert.

A. "Do not be afraid: Keep speaking, do not be silent..." (Vs. 9).

1. There is a step to take, a courage, a passion, a commitment. Above all love, which is fire in one!

2. What does your silence do?

3. Fear silences you, but the love is greater.

4. The gossip detains you, you stop because of what they will say.

5. Do not be silent because of everyone's opinion! They are cowards taking many to hell! If you do the same, that blood will be demanded from your hands because you did not use your voice, you did not speak!

6. When speaking, we defend the heavenly cause!

7. There is no need to fear! The reason to not fear is: (Vs. 10) "For I am with you..." Joshua 1:9 "strive" and "be courageous", "because I am with you", to "protect you" and "deliver you", so as to "strengthen you" and "comfort you."

8. "...and no one is going to attack and harm you..." It will not be for your harm, you live and speak, do not fear, do not be silent. Even if they want to kill you, they cannot hurt you. Maybe, what you do have to do is shake the mantle and continue.

9. We must seek to know through the Lord what we do not know, and that is: "...because I have many people in this city." We should go to those who are, because those who are, never oppose and do not blaspheme (they do not curse, they do not rise up against God to speak about Him with despise).

10. You have to speak and reach those who are.

11. (Vs. 11) The apostle Paul remained in that city for a year and a half teaching them the Word of God.

12. Stop for a while and teach in some place where there is "a lot of people" for God in such a city.

13. Love, obey, speak and the blood will not be demanded of you! Amen.