FORTIFY YOUR FAITH

Text: 2 Chronicles 14.

Delivered on: July 27, 2008. Streetsboro.

Introduction.

1. Jesus warned us that, in times of trial, some will fall away.

2. Matthew 13:20-21. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; ²¹ yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

3. We see this happen quite often.

4. What can we do to stop this from happening to us?

5. Let’s look at an Old Testament example for an answer.

Body.

1. DURING TIMES OF PEACE – FORTIFY.

   1. During times of prosperity, man has a bad habit of forgetting God.

      1. God knew that this would be a problem for the children of Israel.

      2. Deuteronomy 6:10-12. “So it shall be, when the LORD your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, ¹¹ houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant—when you have eaten and are full— ¹² then beware, lest you forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

      3. It seems to be unavoidable. When people are doing well, they forget God.

         1. The wealthy and powerful… Exodus 5:2. And Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.”

         2. 1 Corinthians 1:26. For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

         3. Proverbs 30:8-9. Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches—Feed me with the food allotted to me ⁹ Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.

   2. During times of prosperity, man has a bad habit of getting too comfortable.

      1. We saw that in this country’s history leading into WWII.

      2. We tend to rest upon our past successes and get complacent.

   3. Asa was not a complacent person.

      1. 2 Chronicles 14:2-8. Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God, ³ for he removed the altars of the foreign gods and the high places, and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images. ⁴ He commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandment. ⁵ He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom was quiet under him. ⁶ And he built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest; he had no war in those years, because the LORD had given him rest. ⁷ Therefore he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and make walls around them, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us, because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered. ⁸ And Asa had an army of three hundred thousand from Judah who carried shields and spears, and from Benjamin two hundred and eighty thousand men who carried shields and drew bows; all these were mighty men of valor.

      2. Asa understood that peaceful times were not an excuse for complacency.

      3. He used his time wisely and fortified the nation of Israel during a time of peace.

   4. We must fortify our faith in times of peace.

      1. We do that with Bible study.

         1. Matthew 4:4. But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

         2. Matthew 4:7. Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’”

         3. Matthew 4:10. Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

         4. 2 Timothy 2:15. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

         5. 2 Timothy 3:16-17. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

         6. Acts 20:32. “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

      2. We do that by fellowship with brethren. Hebrews 10:24-25. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

      3. We do that by prayer. Ephesians 3:14-17. For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶ that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

2. TRIALS WILL COME.

   1. It was a good thing that Asa had prepared. 2 Chronicles 14:9-10. Then Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and he came to Mareshah. ¹⁰ So Asa went out against him, and they set the troops in battle array in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.

   2. It has been correctly said that Everyone is either going through a trial, coming out of a trial, or about to enter a trial.

      1. 2 Timothy 3:12. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

      2. Matthew 5:11-12. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

   3. These trials will come in many forms.

      1. Some will be persecution because of your faith.

      2. Some will be random.

         1. Sickness.

         2. Death.

         3. Loss of job.

      3. Some will be problems we bring on ourselves.

         1. Financial. (sometimes)

         2. Sickness. (sometimes)

   4. How we deal with these trials depends on how we have prepared ourselves.

3. DURING TIMES OF TRIAL – TRUST IN GOD.

   1. Even though Asa had prepared, he was still greatly outnumbered. He couldn’t do it alone.

   2. He put his trust in God. 2 Chronicles 14:11. And Asa cried out to the LORD his God, and said, “LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!”

   3. We need to learn to lean on God when we face our trials.

      1. Hebrews 11:6. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

      2. 1 Corinthians 10:13. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

      3. 1 Peter 5:6-7. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

      4. Too often, we try to rely on our own strength and wisdom. 1 Corinthians 10:12. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Conclusion.

1. Trials will come in our lives.

2. Let us strive to fortify our faith in times of rest.

3. Then when those times of trial come, we will trust in God and make it through.

SAUL

Text: Acts 9:1-9.

Delivered on: July 20, 2008. Streetsboro.

Acts 9:1-9. Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ⁴ Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” ⁵ And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” ⁶ So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” ⁷ And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Body.

1. SAUL THE DESTROYER. Acts 9:1-2. Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

   1. We are first introduced to Saul back in Acts 7.

      1. When Stephen was stoned, Saul was there. Acts 7:58. And they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

      2. Saul consented to his death. Acts 8:1. Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

      3. Many believe that Saul was possibly the leader of this mob.

         1. “At the feet of” often meant “to be in submission to.”

         2. The fact that he was called “young” simply means that he was under 40 years old.

         3. The persecution of the church in Acts 8 seems to have been led by Saul.

      4. Saul was a champion of the Jews. Philippians 3:3-6. For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, ⁴ though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: ⁵ circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

   2. Paul’s hatred for the church almost seemed to be on a personal level.

      1. In our passage, he has received authority to actively go to Damascus and hunt Christians.

      2. Nor was this the first time he had done such a thing. Acts 26:9-11. “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. ¹⁰ This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them . ¹¹ And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

      3. 1 Timothy 1:12-13. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, ¹³ although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

   3. Amazingly, Saul did all these things with a clear conscience.

      1. Acts 23:1. Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”

      2. In trying to destroy the church, Saul was doing what he thought was right.

      3. His disobedience was a result of ignorance. 1 Timothy 1:13. Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

      4. This ought to serve as a warning for us in using our conscience as a guide.

         1. Our conscience can be wrong.

         2. Our conscience can be ignorant.

         3. Our conscience can become callus. 1 Timothy 4:2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron

      5. Even though Saul was ignorant of the truth at this point, he was still lost.

2. SAUL THE DISTURBED. Acts 9:3-6. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ⁴ Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” ⁵ And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” ⁶ So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

   1. In order to get all of the facts regarding Saul’s encounter with Jesus, we need to look at the different accounts found in Acts 22 and 26.

      1. This happened at about noon. Acts 22:6. “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me.

      2. What about those with Saul?

         1. We are told that they saw the light but did not hear the voice. Acts 22:9. “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.

         2. Yet, in chapter 9 we are told that they heard the voice but saw no one. Acts 9:7. And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.

         3. This is not a contradiction.

            1. They heard a voice but did not understand it.

            2. They saw a light but didn’t see Jesus.

      3. Saul has a conversation with Jesus. (We’ll talk about this in a moment.)

      4. He is left blind.

   2. Saul’s conversation with Jesus.

      1. The first thing Jesus asks Saul is “Why are you persecuting me?”

         1. One who persecutes the body of Christ, persecutes Christ. Ephesians 1:22-23. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, ²³ which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

         2. Matthew 25:40. And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

         3. Those who would defame the body of Christ should think about this.

         4. Those who would downgrade the body’s importance should think about this.

         5. Jesus is constantly with His people. Matthew 28:20. Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

      2. Saul then wants to know who is speaking. Jesus identifies Himself.

         1. Can you imagine what must have went through Saul’s mind at this point?

         2. Surely, he must have thought his life was about to end.

      3. Then Jesus makes an interesting statement. “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

         1. A goad was a long pointed stick, sometimes tipped with iron, that was used to prod animals.

         2. Stubborn animals would kick backward when goaded. Usually to their own hurt.

         3. This statement by Jesus suggests that He had been using events in Saul’s life to “goad” him into becoming a Christian.

         4. And evidently, Saul was resisting.

         5. What could these events have been?

            1. Saul made a living at condemning and killing Christians.

            2. It is hard to imagine that none of those Christians ever talked to Saul.

            3. It had to have made an impression on Saul to see these people continually laying down their lives for Jesus.

            4. We know that the death of Stephen made an impression. Acts 22:20. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’

      4. Acts 26:16-18 reveals that Jesus told Saul of his purpose. But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. ¹⁷ I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, ¹⁸ to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

      5. Saul is very disturbed. Verse 6 says that he was trembling and astonished. He asks what Jesus wants Him to do.

         1. Jesus tells him to go into Damascus and wait for instruction.

         2. Jesus could have told him right there but He didn’t.

         3. Again we see the pattern being established. The gospel was to be taught by man.

         4. Ananias would eventually be sent.

3. SAUL THE DISTRAUGHT. Acts 9:7-9. And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

   1. He neither ate nor drank for three days. A sign of great sorrow and worry.

   2. He spent that time praying. Acts 9:11. So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.

   3. What must Paul have been thinking during this time?

      1. Thinking of all the innocent people he had killed???

      2. Wondering how he could possibly ever be forgiven???

      3. Remembering poor Stephen???

      4. Will I ever see again???

   4. During this time, he came to a realization.

      1. He had gone from being blameless. Philippians 3:6. Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

      2. To being the chief of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

   5. In Saul at this point in his life, we see godly sorrow. 2 Corinthians 7:10. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Conclusion.

1. What a pattern for us!

2. Paul started off in sin.

3. Was told the truth and was greatly disturbed to learn that he was not blameless.

4. Experienced the godly sorrow that leads to repentance.

5. I imagine that when Ananias arrived and told Saul to get up and be baptized, that Saul couldn’t get to that water quickly enough. Acts 22:16. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

GO - STAND - SPEAK

Text: Acts 5:17-42.

Delivered on: July 13, 2008. Streetsboro.

Introduction.

1. The first form of persecution to come upon the early church came from the Jews.

2. The first instance is in Acts 4. Acts 4:13-22. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. ¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, ¹⁶ saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” ¹⁸ So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. ²⁰ For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” ²¹ So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. ²² For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

3. The apostles disregarded these threats and continued to teach the word of God.

4. They were having great success. Acts 5:12-16. And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. ¹³ Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. ¹⁴ And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, ¹⁵ so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. ¹⁶ Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

5. They were having too much success for the religious leaders of the day to sit aside and do nothing.

6. So they were arrested again. Acts 5:17-18. Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, ¹⁸ and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.

7. But before the Jewish leaders could question them, an angel of the Lord delivered them from the prison and gave them a message.

8. Acts 5:19-20. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ²⁰ “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

9. They were told to…

   1. Go.

   2. Stand.

   3. Speak.

Body.

1. GO.

   1. In order for the Gospel to spread, it was necessary for the apostles to GO.

      1. Think about this.

      2. They had been severely threatened by the powers that be.

      3. Earlier, after they had been threatened we have a portion of the prayer recorded for us. Acts 4:29-30. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, ³⁰ by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

      4. They prayed for boldness to be able to preach and teach despite these threats.

      5. Indeed it would take great boldness to continue to preach the gospel.

      6. Yet, they never faltered.

         1. Later, they were arrested again. Eventually, they were released. Acts 5:40. And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

         2. Yet, what did they do next? Acts 5:41-42. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. ⁴² And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

            1. Matthew 5:11-12. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

            2. 1 Peter 4:12-16. Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ¹⁴ If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

      7. The rest of the church followed their example. Acts 8:4. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

   2. In order for the Gospel to spread today, we must GO!

      1. Mark 16:15. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

      2. We need to make a conscious and concerted effort to GO.

      3. We need to GO ourselves.

         1. We tend to fall into the habit of thinking that people are going to come to us.

         2. We wait for them to come through our doors.

         3. When we are told to go into all the world… that starts with right outside our door.

      4. We need to support others who are willing to GO where we can’t or won’t.

      5. We need to support good evangelistic works like GBN.

2. STAND.

   1. The apostles were told to go STAND in the temple.

      1. The word for “stand” means more than to just physically stand in the temple as we would think it.

      2. Histemi – to make firm, fix, establish, to establish a thing, to cause it to stand, to stand immovable, to stand firm.

      3. The apostles were being told to go and stand firm in the temple.

   2. We are told to stand as well.

      1. Ephesians 6:10-14. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

         1. “Stand” = histemi.

         2. God wants us to stand firm in His service.

         3. We are also told to withstand.

            1. From two words in the Greek. Anti –against & histemi – to stand.

            2. Means to stand against or resist, to refuse to yield, to oppose.

            3. We can not compromise the truth!

            4. Sometimes, in order to stand for something, it means we must stand against other things.

            5. Sometimes (not always) this saying is true. “Tolerance is a virtue of a person who has no convictions.”

            6. Ephesians 5:11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

         4. He has given us the tools to do this. His armor.

      2. We are told to stand together. Philippians 1:27. Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

      3. We are told to stand in the Lord. Philippians 4:1. Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

      4. We are told to stand fast and hold to the apostolic traditions. 2 Thessalonians 2:15. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

3. SPEAK.

   1. The disciples were told to speak all the words of this life.

      1. God, in His infinite wisdom, chose to spread His word by the mouths of men.

      2. Acts 2:40. And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”

      3. Philip and the Eunuch are a good example of this.

         1. Philip was told by an angel to go south. Acts 8:26. Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert.

         2. The Spirit tells him to go to the Eunuch. Acts 8:29. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

         3. Then Philip preached Jesus to the eunuch. Acts 8:35. Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.

         4. Why didn’t the angel teach the eunuch?

         5. Why didn’t the Spirit teach him?

         6. Because God chose to save men through the means of preaching.

      4. 1 Corinthians 1:21-25. For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. ²² For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

      5. 1 Corinthians 2:7-8. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, ⁸ which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

   2. We, too are told to speak all the words of this life.

      1. 2 Timothy 4:2-5. Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. ⁵ But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

         1. Notice that the apostles were told to speak ALL the words of this life.

         2. We too must speak ALL the words of this life.

         3. We dare not omit any part of God’s word. Revelation 22:19. And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

            1. Deuteronomy 4:2. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

            2. Proverbs 30:6.  Do not add to His words,Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

      2. 1 Peter 4:11. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

      3. But we must speak the truth in love. Ephesians 4:15. But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

      4. We must pray for opportunities to speak. Colossians 4:3. Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,

      5. 2 Corinthians 4:7. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

Conclusion.

1. We must GO.

2. We must STAND.

3. We must SPEAK.