A TIME TO SPEAK (2)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Solomon tells us that there is a time for every purpose under heaven in Ecclesiastes 3:1.

 

B.   Last week, we looked at the very last statement from Ecclesiastes 3:7 which states that there is “A Time to Speak.”

1.    To proclaim the Word of God

2.    To profess the name of Christ

3.    To protect the gospel of Christ

4.    To produce a solution to a problem

5.    To promote justice

 

C.   We want to continue that thought in this lesson and examine other times when we need to open our mouths.

 

I.             TO PATCH THOSE WHO ARE HURTING

 

A.   There are thousands of people in the world who have been wounded and hurt.

1.    We are talking about those who have been harmed emotionally and spiritually.

2.    They have been abused.

They have been taken advantage of.

They have been ripped from opportunities and freedom and prosperity.

They have been drained of their trust, love, and care for others.

They have been left alone to survive.

 

B.   These individuals stand in need of doctors, nurses, caregivers, therapists, and aides in their lives.  In essence, they need Good Samaritans to direct and assist them.

 

C.   This was one of the reasons the Lord came into this dark world (Luke 4:18).

 

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering the sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

 

D.   We need to follow the Lord’s example and do all we can to assist the hurting.

1.    To assist, we will need to speak up.

2.    We need to let the hurting know that we are available to assist them.

 

II.           TO PARDON THOSE WHO SEEK FORGIVENESS

 

A.   No one will ever go through life without being hurt by someone.

1.    Jesus was not believed to be the Christ by his brothers at first.

2.    Jesus was not believed by most of the Jews.

3.    Jesus was opposed by the religious leaders who should have known the Old Testament prophecies and types about the coming Messiah.

4.    Jesus was betrayed by Judas.

5.    Jesus was denied by Peter.

6.    Jesus was forsaken by all of the apostles in the Garden.

 

B.   We can be wounded in several ways by others.

1.    Intentionally or unintentionally

2.    Mildly or severely

3.    Physically or emotionally

 

C.   Jesus provides us with an example of one who is willing to forgive.

1.    On the cross, He manifested a forgiving spirit toward His persecutors (Luke 23:34).

 

Then said, Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…”

 

2.    On the day of Pentecost, Jesus forgave some three thousand who sought the remission of sins (Acts 2:37-38, 41).

 

Now when they when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost…Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:  and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

 

3.    The conversion of Saul:

a.    Saul was accused by Jesus of persecuting Him (Acts 9:4). 

b.    When Saul believed and asked what the Lord would have him to do, he was told to go into the city of Damascus, and there it would be told him what he was to do.

c.    Ananias came to him, and his word manifested the Lord’s forgiveness that could be received by Saul (Acts 22:16).

 

And now why tarriest thou:  arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

 

D.   For some, forgiveness is not easily extended to the transgressor.  Yet, we must open our hearts and our mouths and tell the person:  “I am willing to forgive you.”

 

III.         TO PROP UP THE WEAK AND FAILING

 

A.   Not all Christians are strong and faithful.

 

B.   There are some who the Bible refers to as weak (1 Cor. 11:30).

 

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

 

C.   Weakness can be caused by many things.

1.    A failure to grow in the knowledge of Christ.

2.    Too much continued association with the world after one’s conversion.

3.    The struggles, hardships, and difficulties of life.

4.    The failure to withstand sin.

5.    A lack of interest in spiritual things.

6.    One who is pressured by their family and friends.

7.    The threat of persecution.

 

D.   There are many verses that exhort us to assist the weak.

1.    Romans 15:1

 

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

 

2.    1 Corinthians 9:22

 

To the weak became I as the weak, that I might gain the weak…

 

3.    1 Thessalonians 5:14

 

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

 

E.   Example:  The book of Hebrews was written to strengthen the faith of weak Christians (Heb. 13:22).

 

And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation:  for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

 

1.    We can write a card or letter.

2.    We can make a phone call.

3.    We can visit or take someone out to lunch.

 

IV.         TO PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION

 

A.   Life moves very, very quickly.

1.    We start young.

2.    Before we know it, we are part of the older generation.

 

B.   As the older generation, we have a responsibility to prepare the next generation to take our places after we depart.

1.    Parents are to teach and train their children (Deut. 6:6-7a)

 

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  and thou shalt teach them diligently unto they children…

 

2.    Older preachers should teach younger preachers (2 Tim. 2:2).

 

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

 

3.    The older women are commanded to teach the young women (Tit. 2:4-5).

 

That they may teach the younger women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

 

C.   Some important considerations:

1.    If we do not teach the next generation, someone will.  The question that should concern us is:  “Who will that be?”

2.    As far as the church is concerned, we are only one generation away from apostasy.  If parents do not instill truth into their children, they will never have faith.

3.    Turn about is fair play.  Someone took the time to teach, train, and guide us.  We should be grateful enough to long to do the same for the next generation.

4.    Each stage of life has its milestones.  The milestone for those who are elderly is legacy.  Legacy involves that which is handed down from the past.  Our legacy enables us to have either joy or regret when we are old.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Our tongues can be used to curse others or to bless others.

 

B.   Our voice can either be used as a weapon to wound and kill, or as a medication for good.

 

C.   My friends, when it is time for us to speak, let’s make sure that we speak up.

 

D.   May each of us use our voice to benefit others and to further the cause of Christ in this world.