The Silenced Church
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23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 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.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Background.
23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
What silences the church?
The Cultural war against the Gospel.
2. The Confusion over lifestyle evangelism.
3. The Church’s lack of intentionality.
The Cultural war against the Gospel.
Preaching the Gospel is so unpopular. The Bible is obsolete they claim.
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
The animosity against the Gospel.
Against what is traditional.
The gaslighting of our culture by Satan.
The honor of being identified with Jesus. Instead of being mad, their reaction is they went to the Lord in prayer:
24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
2. The Confusion over lifestyle evangelism.
What some people think is now superior to the Gospel.
“good deeds”
“social justice/action”
examples of favor among the people..
13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.
explain..
14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
“Preach the Gospel, if necessary use words.” - supposedly said by St. Francis of Assisi
Instead St. Francis called for his preachers to “practice what you preach.”
“Preach in season and out of season.”
A combination of vibrant faith and a vibrant sharing of faith is the proper balance.
So long as lifestyle evangelism does not replace the verbal sharing of the gospel, it is a legitimate ministry tool.
show faith in action in a world that needs to see what true Christianity looks like.
But we must preach the Gospel by opening our mouths:
25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
prophecy and proclamation, foretelling and forth telling.
3. The Church’s lack of intentionality.
Fear. Of persecution and rejection.
The focus of our prayers.
If we analyze this prayer: what was the disciples’ only request?
After they vent everything out to the Lord:
27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.
29 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.”
“grant to your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word”.
Miracles followed the preaching of the Gospel.
20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
Miracles confirm the Gospel that is preached, it does not precede it.
Food for thought: Could it be that the reason we are not seeing miracles and demonstration of miracles in the church today is that the Gospel is not really being preached?
This is my conviction.
Renew our zeal for the kerygma - the preached word of God.
Satan will always attempt to stop the spread of the Gospel. There is persecution.
After they prayed in unity:
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.