Do not be silenced!

Psalm 36:5-12 / Isaiah 62:1-5 / 1 Corinthians 12:1–11

Our mute (and invisible) Idols - 1 Corinthians 12:1-2

It is understandable for unsaved people to fall into idolatry, but there is no reason God’s People should return to their unclean ways, or to be lured into following and glorifying false gods in our lives.

Mute - Elijah and the Baals 1 Kings 19

Invisible -

Matthew 7 - the log in your eye

1 Peter 4:17 “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

Remnants of Lostness

1 Cor 12:2 - “…when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols”

Silence: Idolatry

God show us our idolatry that we may repent of it and not let it silence our witness to Your glory!

Not a Tame Lion - John 2

Losing sight of The Lord’s Will, His Word, we default to our own judgments and desires. This is sin. This is rebellion. This is, according to 1 Sam 15:23 on par with divination (witchcraft).

Wine:

Peace & Prosperity

Psalm 104:14–15 “14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth 15 and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.”

Shameful Drunkenness

Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”

By What/Whose Standard?

Matthew 15:1–3 “Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?”

The Lordship of Jesus requires of each believer to submit to His Word, to His Will. It does NOT require our pre-authorization or comfort that it comports with our current and fallible understanding.

Silence: Losing Sight

Saul Rejected as King

1 Samuel 15:22–23 “And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.””

Moses Not Allowed into the Promised Land

Numbers 20:12 “And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.””

God help us to follow Your will, not ours that we would not be silenced in our witness, our worship, and our praise of You!.

Spiritual Litmus - 1 Corinthians 12:3

It is easy to misjudge by external and emotional outpourings, but this is not the way God has said to discern the presence, leading, and affirmation of God’s Holy Spirit. Look for the scriptural fruits; not merely the flowery blooms.Jesus is Accursed / Lord

Jesus is Accursed

Anybody can speak untruth in ignorance

Priscilla and Aquila instructed Apollos in Acts 18

Continued lies about and against Jesus = NO witness of The Spirit

Jesus is Lord

Truth about Jesus (Bible) = witness of The Spirit

OBEDIENCE to The Word (Jesus is LORD, not just Savior) = STRONG evidence

Silence: Lack of Discernment

God, help us to find and follow the more excellent way; seeking Your Spirit rather than imitations that silence our worship of You!

Gifts with Purpose

The gifts and abilities that God gives and enables are to be used not only for their own doing, but to build up and encourage the church family, and to give purpose and fulfillment to the one putting their gifts to use as God intended. To neglect these gifts, or to fail to put them to use in the local church is to squander what God has given you, and in so doing silences your witness.

1 Corinthians 12:4–7 “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

One Source

Same Spirit

Same God who empowers

One Purpose

One Lord… LORD!

Common Good

Many gifts

Silence: Neglect, Misuse, & Abuse

God help us to see where we are squandering or misusing Your gifts that our witness would not be silenced in this way.

Do not be silenced!

For God’s Glory

Isaiah 62:4 “You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married.”

For Zion’s Sake

Isaiah 62:1 “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch.”

For Your Safety

Psalm 36:11–12 “Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. There the evildoers lie fallen; they are thrust down, unable to rise.”

There are enough exterior forces against the Cause and People of God in this age. Let us not allow ourselves to be distracted or deceived into silence by ignorance or lack of submission to The Word of God. Let us be like Isaiah and refuse to be silent regarding our great God.