A TIME TO SPEAK (1)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   One of the most familiar verses in Ecclesiastes is Ecclesiastes 3:1.

 

To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.

 

B.   Solomon goes on to contrast 15 different times for which there is a purpose.

1.    Ecclesiastes 3:2

 

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which has been planted.

 

2.    The last portion of Ecclesiastes 3:7 contains the thought for our lesson this morning.

 

…a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.

 

a.    It is the second part of the statement that titles our lesson:  “A Time to Speak.”

b.    Most of the time, we would be wise to remain silent, but there are times when it is essential for us to use our voices to speak. 

 

I.             TO TEACH THE WORD OF GOD

 

A.   The Bible is clear regarding this need.

1.    Fathers are to speak to their children about God (Eph. 6:4).

 

And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath:  but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

 

2.    Preachers are to speak sound doctrine (Tit. 2:1).

 

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.

 

3.    All Christians should be seeking to teach others the gospel (Matt. 28:19-20).

 

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

 

B.   This is what we should be speaking about the most, but most speak about these things very little to others.  Perhaps we need to ask others to pray for us as Paul asked the Ephesians (Eph. 6:19-20).

 

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make know the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

C.   We need to get to the point that we have enough courage to speak even when the legal authorities demand that we cease (Peter and John, Acts 4:18-20).

 

And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

 

II.           TO CONFESS THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST

 

A.   The plan of salvation demands that the sinner believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 8:24).

 

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins:  for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

 

B.   This faith is not to be bottled up in one’s heart.  It must be professed before others if a person is going to be saved.

1.    Matthew 10:32

 

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father which is in heaven.

 

2.    Romans 10:9-10

 

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

3.    The example of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:36-38).

 

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water:  and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.  And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  And he commanded the chariot to stand still:  and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

 

III.         TO DEFEND THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

 

A.   Paul tells us that enemies of the gospel exist (Phil. 3:18).

 

(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ. 

 

B.   These individuals affirm that they preach the gospel, but it is a different gospel.  It is not the gospel of Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:6-7).

 

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:  which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

 

C.   The problem with false teaching is that many individuals have a tendency to be swayed by it.

1.    The Galatians had been (Gal. 3:1; 5:7).

 

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth…Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth.

 

2.    Peter notes that many will follow the error of the false teachers (2 Pet. 2:2).

 

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

 

D.   To save those who might be led astray, we must come to the defense of the truth.

1.    Paul was set (Phil. 1:17).

 

But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.

 

2.    Paul’s example (Gal. 2:4-5)

 

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:  to whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

 

3.    Paul told Timothy to preach the gospel for this very reason (2 Tim. 4:2-3a).

 

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.

 

4.    Elders are commanded to defend the faith (Tit. 1:9).

 

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

 

IV.         TO SOLVE A PROBLEM

 

A.   Problems can arise in all areas of life, including within the church.

 

B.   When problems arise, someone needs to address the problem with a solution.

1.    In Acts 6, the apostles addressed a problem that arose regarding benevolence.

a.    The Accusation (Acts 6:1)

 

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

 

b.    The Action of the Apostles (Acts 6:3)

 

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

 

c.    The Approval (Acts 6:5)

 

And the saying pleased the whole multitude…

 

d.    The Additions to the body of Christ (Acts 6:7)

 

And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

 

2.    Acts 15 is another example of a problem being addressed by the early church.  It involved the binding of circumcision and other elements of the Law of Moses on the Gentile Christians.

 

C.   The church cannot be afraid to address its problems. 

1.    Problems do not just go away.

2.    Usually they are like diseases; they fester and grow.

3.    Individuals must be willing to arise with solutions in order to solve the problems that arise within the church.

 

V.           TO BRING JUSTICE TO A MATTER

 

A.   Justice is involves “rightfulness” and “lawfulness.”

1.    There is right and wrong.

2.    Right and wrong are determined by a standard, that is, law.

 

B.   Sometimes injustices are found within society.  When these injustices occur, just, moral, fair people must arise and address the situations.

 

C.   Example:  The chief priests and Pharisees with regard to Jesus

1.    The Jewish leaders had sent men out to take Jesus (John 7:32).

2.    They returned emptyhanded (John 7:44).

3.    The chief priests and Pharisees were upset.

4.    A man named Nicodemus was there. 

a.    He was one who was a member of this high court of the Jews.

b.    He knew the Jews were going to condemn Jesus without a hearing.

c.    Thus, he spoke up (John 7:51).

 

Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

 

5.    This brought Nicodemus some criticism (John 7:52), but he did the right thing.

 

D.   It is easy to remain silent when injustice occurs.

1.    Officials will get angry with us.

2.    We may have to suffer injustice for standing for righteousness.

3.    We might be rejected by our family, friends, or culture.

4.    We might have to suffer financially.

 

E.   Micah 6:8

 

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   There are definitely times in our lives when we need to keep our mouth shut.

 

B.   But, Solomon also declares that there is a time to speak.

1.    To teach the Word of God

2.    To confess the name of Christ

3.    To defend the gospel of Christ

4.    To solve a problem

5.    To bring justice to a matter

 

C.   If we fail to speak at the proper time, souls can be lost, false teachers can flourish, problems will fester, and injustice will permeate the land.