1. “But They Kept Silent” Mark 3:1-5

2. 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

3. I. The Sin of Silence

4. 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 ditchMan in disease Answer “Yes”?Answer “No”? Admit nothing... Grant nothing

5. I. The Sin of Silence II. The Surrender of Silence

6. 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)

7. 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 baal Lord of flies NT: Satan Lk.11:18

8. 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

9. 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…?”

10. I. The Sin of Silence III. The Sound of Silence II. The Surrender of Silence

11. 1 Kings 18:21 Israel refused to answer People can read, understand any subject... except Bible?? Inexcusable ignorance? Gross dishonesty? Take the fifth Silence shouts

12. 1 Kings 18:21 Mt.21:23-27 People who loudly voice opinions on every topic (especially error) suddenly fall silent. Deafening silence – No love of truth Fear of consequences

13. 1 Kings 18:21 Mt.21:23-27 Mt.4:4 Mt.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 man because you have silenced him

14. 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.

15. 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