God’s Silence: Red Light or Green Light?
2006021
Topic # 154 (authority)
Introduction:
A. Numbers 22: Israel journeying from Egypt to Promised Land.
1. 22:3-6 – Moab greatly afraid of their presence.
2. 22:8-12 – Balak’s messengers arrive. Balaam goes to God.
a) 22:12 – God’s answer.
3. 22:13-18 – Balaam initially steadfast in his refusal to not go to king of Moab.
4. 22:19 – eventually he gives in to find out what else the Lord would speak to him.
B. 22:12 – God’s first answer is understandable & final.
1. But…what we see in Balaam is a general attitude in mankind.
2. That is, a disposition that constantly looks for a loophole to get around God’s clear, concise, and understandable instructions.
C. Psalm 119:160 – the sum of your word is truth…
1. When the “sum” of God’s word is taken into account, there is no “what else.
2. Is the silence of God a red-light or a green light?
3. How do we read the bible?
a) Do we read it looking for a “what else” that is just not there?
b) Is the silence of God permissive or prohibitive?
I. Scriptural principles for respecting God’s silence
A. OT passages:
1. Deut. 4:2 – Israel could not add to or take away from God’s commandments.
2. Deut. 12:32 – whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do.
3. Josh 1:7 – Joshua was to do the law w/o turning to the right or left.
4. Pro. 3:5 – lean not on your own understanding…
5. Pro. 14:12 – way of man leads to death…
6. Isa. 65:1-3 – God condemns Israelites who “followed their own thoughts.”
7. Jer. 10:23 – it is not in man to direct his own steps.
B. NT passages:
1. Mt. 28:18 – all authority belongs to Jesus.
2. Eph. 1:22-23 – Jesus is head over all things to the church.
3. 1 Cor. 4:6 – We are not to go beyond what written.
4. 2 John 9 – anyone who goes too far does not abide in Christ.
5. Rev. 22:18-19 – look at the reverential attitude with which we are to treat the scriptures.
C. These 12 references are but a handful of the numerous references instructing us to not go our own way in religion.
1. These passages should be enough to convince us that the silence of God is prohibitive rather than permissive.
II. How we apply this principle determines our direction as a congregation.
A. Apply the principle of silence to the way we practice religion.
1. In religious world, many things are taken for granted that have no authorization in God’s word.
a) creed books & confessions
b) religious dances & drama
c) sprinkling & pouring for baptism
d) Instrumental music in worship; choirs; church sponsored rock concerts.
2. Someone says, if the NT does not specifically condemn these things…they must be OK & besides we’re doing this for the Lord.
B. While the NT does not specifically condemn these activities, it does not specifically authorize them either.
C. If we are permitted to introduce that which pleases us into the work & worship of the church, there is no limit to what churches can do.
1. Who could have imagined where loose viewpoints and practices would lead years ago?
2. Think of those in favor of piano/organ in worship – could they ever imagine where it would lead? What we have today?
3. Some oppose concerts/entertainment but want to allow piano…on what basis?
4. If 1 is OK, then both are OK. If one is not authorized, both are unauthorized!
III. This principle is seen in Hebrews 7.
A. Those who believe silence has no bearing on work & worship need to read no further than Heb. 7.
1. Heb. 7:11-13. Jesus could not serve as a priest under the Mosaic Covenant.
a) In order for Jesus to serve as a Priest, the Law had to be changed.
b) The law specified priests come from Levi & was silent about men from any other tribe serving.
3. Was it really a serious matter when men who were not of Levi assumed/attempted to become priests?
4. Not one passage that says “Men from tribe of Ruben, Simeon, or Dan are prohibited from serving as priests.”
B. Num. 16:1-4 – Korah, Dathan, Abiram. From tribe of Ruben. Angry because they not allowed to serve as priests.
1. Said Moses/Aaron took too much on themselves.
2. Said they were no different from Levites – they should have been allowed to serve as priests.
3. 16:32 – is this not an object lesson for those who fail to honor the silence of Scripture?
C. When God specified what was to be done…He did not have to say any other way will not please me.
1. When He ordained Levites to serve as priests…he did not have to mention the ones who were not to be priests.
2. Heb. 7:14 – even Jesus could not be priests under Mosaic covenant.
a) Came from wrong tribe.
3. 7:14 – God spoke nothing of it. What could possibly be wrong?
4. The principles established in Numbers should suffice for the answer.
D. 2 Tim. 3:15-17
1. bible furnishes all the info we need to become Christians,
a) Worship God acceptably.
b) Devote our lives in service to God & fellow man.
2. Think again the subject of IM. Not one word authorizing IM found in NT.
a) Eph. 5:19 – God specified singing.
b) Col. 3:16-17 – does He have to specifically forbid all that He does not want in worship?
IV. The Bottom Line:
A. 2 Peter 1:3
B. John 16:13 – Apostles revealed to us “all the truth.”
1. These things cover every belief & every practice of the faith.
C. If something is missing from the bible, is it intentional or unintentional?
1. If God has unintentionally omitted it, then He is not God!
2. God does not make such mistakes!
D. If God has intentionally left it out, then who are we to override His will?
E. The issue boils down to an attitude that God seeks in us. Isa. 66:2
Conclusion:
A. How is your attitude toward God?
1. Balaam had to have a donkey talk to him before he “got it.”
2. Let’s don’t gamble our eternity on not respecting the silence of God.
B. Will you humble yourself to Him today?
C. I N V I T A T I O N
