When Good People Do Nothing…

1. When Good People Do Nothing…

2. In the ongoing battle between good and evil, it is seldom the numbers that determine the winner Evil has been triumphant in many areas and in many eras of human history In many instances, evil has been victorious even though the majority opposed it

3. In many instances, the side of right has overcome tremendous odds to be triumphant

4. Israel in Egypt Gideon’s Army (Judges 7) David & Goliath (I Samuel 17) Elijah & Prophets of Baal (I Kings 18)

5. In many instances, the side of right has overcome tremendous odds to be triumphant God’s people have always been in the minority against the forces of evil Evil is having a field day in American society today

6. Most often, evil dictates the day and rules because good men fail to do their part It’s always wrong to do nothing when something needs to be done If the advancement of such things as evolution, abortion, homosexuality and other such matters has taught us anything, it has taught us that much

7. Most Americans believe in God Most Americans do not approve of abortion Most Americans do not uphold homosexuality However, because those who do uphold such things support their cause, again the majority is overruled

8. What has happened? Good people who hold to wholesome values have done little or nothing, and evil rules the day We can see the same trend within the church- false teachers, although many times in the minority, have their way, disrupt unity and cause turmoil and division because otherwise good people say nothing and do nothing in opposition

9. What occurs “when good people do nothing?”

10. When Good People Do Nothing… They Get Nothing Good Done

11. To be good, one must do good

12. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

13. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:11-14

14. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

15. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; I Timothy 6:17, 18

16. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:15, 16

17. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. I Peter 3:10, 11

18. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13

19. To be good, one must do good Remember the one-talent man

20. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. Matthew 25:18

21. To be good, one must do good Remember the one-talent man He didn’t do any outright evil; he didn’t steal the money he was entrusted with; he didn’t use it in an immoral way He simply did nothing- and nothing was done!

22. He did nothing when something needed to be done! He did nothing good and, therefore, nothing good was done Because of that he was condemned

23. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Matthew 25:26, 27

24. Too many Christians are doing nothing! Too many stand idly by and are mere spectators, sitting on the sidelines instead of participating in the good work If good wins, they join in the celebration, though they did nothing to help produce the victory

25. If evil is victorious, they complain long and loud, though their own apathy helped produce the defeat of right We should learn from the Lord’s thoughts regarding the unproductive fig tree

26. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. Matthew 21:19

27. If evil is victorious, they complain long and loud, though their own apathy helped produce the defeat of right We should learn from the Lord’s thoughts regarding the unproductive fig tree And, from His parable of the fruitless fig tree

28. He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? Luke 13:6, 7

29. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:1, 2

30. The “good” men in the parable of the good Samaritan did nothing (Luke 10) If left up to those two supposed righteous men nothing good would have been done, because they did nothing at all

31. When Good People Do Nothing… They Help Evil To Triumph

32. Was it not the lack of good men that prevented the sparing of Sodom and Gomorrah? God commands those who are good not just to avoid evil, but to actively oppose it!

33. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:11

34. Was it not the lack of good men that prevented the sparing of Sodom and Gomorrah? God commands those who are good not just to avoid evil, but to actively oppose it! Those who do nothing about evil help evil to prevail

35. “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” -Edmund Burke Elijah challenged the people to decide between God and the wicked (Ahab, Jezebel and Baal) But, the people remained silent and inactive

36. And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. I Kings 18:21

37. What should have been a resounding defeat of evil turned out to be a great discouragement for a courageous man of God When our voices are mute for good they echo loudly for evil

38. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Ezekiel 18:21

39. What should have been a resounding defeat of evil turned out to be a great discouragement for a courageous man of God When our voices are mute for good they echo loudly for evil The church at Pergamos stands as a great example to us in this regard

40. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Revelation 2:14-16

41. Notice that the church was told to repent even though they didn’t hold to these false doctrines They were told to repent because they did nothing about and said nothing against these matters Their silence and stagnation allowed evil to prevail- and Christ told them to stop it!

42. When Good People Do Nothing… They Are No Longer Good

43. We stop being what God wants us to be when we stop doing what God wants us to do

44. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17

45. We stop being what God wants us to be when we stop doing what God wants us to do Too many have the idea that good is merely the absence of doing wrong A person is not merely good because he has done no evil A good person is actively involved in good

46. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. I Peter 3:10-12

47. Reuben knew of his brothers’ plot to kill Joseph, and devised a plan to deliver him

48. And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again. Genesis 37:21, 22

49. Reuben knew of his brothers’ plot to kill Joseph, and devised a plan to deliver him In Reuben’s absence, the brothers sold Joseph into slavery

50. Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt. And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes. And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go? Genesis 37:28-30