“But TheyKept Silent”

Mark 3:1-5

This is not the silence of . . .

• Observation, Gn.24:21• Trust, Ex.14:14• Fear, Est.4:14• Anticipation, Ps.62:1• Sorrow, Lam.2:10• Reverence, Hab.2:20

• Wisdom, Ec.3:7• Obedience, Ezk.24:17• Destruction, Ezk.26:13• Guilt, Mk.9:34• Concession, Ac.11:18• Listening, Ac.15:12

I. The Sin of Silence

They are silent because of . . .

1. Delay, 2-4.

2. Denial, 2-4, 5

3. Dishonesty, 5-6

4. Destruction, 6. Lk.6:…9,11

5. Duplicity, 6. Mt.12:9-14

Sheep in ditch Man in disease

Answer “Yes”? Answer “No”?

Admit nothing...

Grant nothing

I. The Sin of Silence

II. The Surrender of Silence

Lord’s success forces a response

1. Multitudes follow Him, 3:7-10

2. Demons confess Him, 3:11-12

3. King’s cabinet, 3:13-19

4. Too busy to eat, 3:20-21 (6:31-33, 54-56)

Lord’s success forces a response

1. Multitudes follow Him, 3:7-10

2. Demons confess Him, 3:11-12

3. King’s cabinet, 3:13-19

4. Too busy to eat, 3:20-21

Jerusalem scribes look silly (3:22)

Beelzebul:Philistine baalLord of flies

NT:Satan

Lk.11:18

Jesus and beelzebul?1. Illogical, 23-26. Satan’s civil war?

2. Ignorant, 27. Jesus is spoiling satan, not supporting him!

3. Inconsistent, Mt.12:27.

Sin grows daily, Jn.3, 7, 8, 10… Final provision of pardon; no other

Blasphemy(Holy Spirit),

Mk.3:28

Eternal punishment, Mk.3:28-29

Lord’s success forces a response

1. Multitudes follow Him, 3:7-10

2. Demons confess Him, 3:11-12

3. King’s cabinet, 3:13-19

4. He must be mad, 3:20-21 (busy)

Jerusalem scribes look silly (Mk.3:22)

Wayside soil, Mk.4:10-15

Miraculous signs, undeniable proof, overwhelming evidence. . .rejected.

“Isn’t it possible…?”

I. The Sin of SilenceI. The Sin of Silence

III. The Sound of Silence

II. The Surrender of SilenceII. The Surrender of Silence

1 Kings 18:21

Israel refused to answer

People can read, understand any subject . . . except Bible??

Inexcusable ignorance?

Gross dishonesty?

Take thefifth

Silenceshouts

1 Kings 18:21

Mt.21:23-27People who loudly voice opinions on every topic (especially error) suddenly fall silent.

Deafening silence –

No love of truth

Fear of consequences

1 Kings 18:21Mt.21:23-27

Mt.4:4Mt.28:20

Ac.20:20, 26-27

Mk.3:5-6, Jesus spoke

We cannot withhold truth…especially from those influenced by hypocrites

You have not converted a manbecause you have silenced him

Not all silence is golden (1/2)

Silence may be 'golden', but more often it is guilty. The normal thing for a Christian is to speak of what he knows, to deal frankly against error, and to maintain freedom of discussion whenever challenged by an honest appeal to plain facts. But to shut up like a clam is sin by omission—failure to study God's Word or fear of the cost of voicing unpopular testimony.

Not all silence is golden (2/2)

Truth will help those who are 'approved' (rightly dividing—2 Tim.2:15) and will manifest those who do the opposite (1 Cor. 11:19). How can we be right when we are so fearful, evasive and unwilling to invest-igate? …Silence will not be 'golden' at the judgment . . . if to speak was our duty and we left it undone for any excuse – Author unknown