Silence Is Not An Option | Chris Ritchie | Encounter Church Vegas

Silence is not an option when Jesus has commanded the church to go into all the world, preach the gospel, and make disciples. Loving God and loving a neighbor do not replace that command. They give it its shape. The church cannot retreat into private belief while people still need to hear who Jesus is and what he has done.

The Great Commission rests on Christ’s authority and his promise to remain with his people. Its good news is plain: Jesus gave his blood so that people could receive salvation and walk in freedom. Kindness, not contempt, belongs at the center of that witness. Opposition to Islam as a religious system must not become hostility toward Muslims, whom Jesus loves. Spiritual warfare is not a fight against flesh and blood.

Pentecost joins preaching with the power of the Holy Spirit. The church grows as the gospel is declared, and believers are called to expect God to act rather than pick and choose which biblical promises to believe. Not everyone belongs behind a pulpit, but every believer has a place to release the kingdom. Good work, ordinary conversations, prayer, and a simple invitation can open a door.

The cross remains the power of God even when the world calls it foolishness. Christ’s ambassadors therefore need both courage and self-control. Their conduct should not close the very doors their words are meant to open.

Romans presses the question: how can anyone believe without hearing, and how can anyone hear unless someone tells them? Neither another religious figure nor a political party can save. Jesus alone can. Freedom to speak brings responsibility, not an excuse to remain comfortable. Elijah’s challenge exposes the danger of wavering between two opinions. The church is called away from the sidelines into clear allegiance, bold witness, and prayer, including earnest prayer for Muslims to know Christ.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Love Gives Bold Witness Its Shape. The command to speak about Jesus does not give believers permission to become harsh or insulting. God’s kindness leads to repentance, so faithful witness makes Christ’s sacrifice and love clear rather than turning condemnation into a public performance. Conviction about the gospel must remain joined to genuine love for the person hearing it. [04:35]
• 2. Ordinary Faithfulness Can Open Gospel Doors. A workplace is not merely somewhere to earn a paycheck; it can become a place where the goodness of God becomes visible. Doing good work and treating people kindly gives weight to later conversations about faith. Words still matter, but conduct can help open a door instead of shutting it. [09:05]
• 3. Every Believer Has Somewhere To Serve. A calling to evangelize is not the same as a calling to stand behind a microphone. God places believers among particular people, where a conversation, an invitation, or prayer can become an opening for the gospel. Dependence on the Holy Spirit includes patiently asking that a person’s heart become ready to receive what God has for them. [18:44]
• 4. The Cross Remains God's Saving Power. Human wisdom does not make the cross impressive to everyone, and its apparent foolishness does not empty it of power. God uses the declaration of Christ to save those who believe. Believers need not make the gospel respectable before speaking it, though wisdom and self-control should govern how they represent the King. [27:01]
• 5. Hearing Requires Someone Willing To Speak. Romans connects calling on the Lord with believing, believing with hearing, and hearing with someone bringing good news. Silence leaves that responsibility unanswered, even when a believer’s private convictions are strong. Faith finds expression in speech because people need to hear that Jesus saves, loves them, and has conquered death. [30:32]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:27] - The Command To Make Disciples
• [01:17] - Opposing Islam While Loving Muslims
• [04:35] - Kindness And The Good News
• [05:33] - Christ's Authority And The Great Commission
• [08:13] - Witness Beyond The Daily Routine
• [10:00] - Miraculous Signs And The Whole Bible
• [12:43] - Pentecost: Preaching And Spiritual Power
• [16:44] - Small Beginnings And Kingdom Growth
• [18:44] - Everyday Opportunities To Release The Kingdom
• [20:51] - Spiritual Authority And Christlike Conduct
• [27:01] - The Cross And The Call To Speak
• [29:25] - Hearing, Believing, And Calling On Jesus
• [33:38] - Beyond Comfort And Silence
• [36:37] - Undivided Allegiance And Prayer For Muslims

Bible Reading

Matthew 28:18-20
“And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [05:33]

Romans 10:14-15
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” [29:25]

1 Kings 18:21
“And Elijah came near to all the people and said, 'How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.' And the people did not answer him a word.” [36:45]

Observation questions

1. In Matthew 28:18–20, what does Jesus say about his authority and his presence, and what tasks does he give his disciples? [05:41]
2. In Romans 10:14–15, what connections does Paul make between being sent, speaking, hearing, believing, and calling on the Lord? [30:28]
3. What everyday actions were described as ways to open a door for conversations about Jesus? How do these connect with the command to make disciples? [09:14]
4. In 1 Kings 18:21, what choice does Elijah put before the people, and how do they respond? [36:57]

Interpretation questions

1. How might Jesus’ authority and promise of his presence change the way a believer approaches a conversation about faith, especially when rejection feels likely? [06:34]
2. In light of Romans 10:14–15, why are kindness and good work important but not substitutes for explaining who Jesus is and what he has done? [09:25]
3. How can a Christian remain clear about disagreements with Islam while showing genuine love and respect toward a Muslim neighbor? What distinguishes bold witness from hostility? [04:40]
4. Elijah confronted people whose loyalty was divided. How might a desire for comfort or approval compete with a Christian’s allegiance to Jesus and willingness to make him known? [37:11]

Application questions

1. Who in your everyday life would you like to have a meaningful conversation with about Jesus? What makes you hesitate, and how might Jesus’ promise to be with you help you take a gentle next step? [06:34]
2. Think about your workplace, home, or school. Where could greater kindness, honesty, or care in your responsibilities make your witness more credible? Is there anything you may need to put right? [09:14]
3. If a friend asked why Jesus matters to you, how would you explain his death, resurrection, and offer of salvation in simple words? Try sharing your answer with the group. [33:20]
4. When you feel irritated or challenged, what reactions could close a door to future conversations about Jesus? What would help you practice self-control in one situation you regularly face? [25:18]
5. Is there someone you could begin praying for regularly, asking the Holy Spirit to prepare their heart and give you wisdom about when to speak? What might a natural, respectful opening look like? [19:45]
6. What feelings or assumptions surface when you think about Muslims? How could you grow in genuine love through prayer, listening, or getting to know a Muslim neighbor without treating that person as a project? [37:52]