Acts 4:19-20 – “But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; 20 for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard.” NASB

There was a Rock N Roll song released in 1960 by Joe Jones, “You Talk Too Much.”  It was written by Fats Domino’s brother in law, Reginald Hill and Fats passed the song along to Joe Jones.  It is a funny, catchy tune that speaks to life in many ways, but that is not my focus in saying, “Cannot Stop Talking.”

What I am focused on is what was happening in this account where the disciples were teaching and preaching Jesus and upsetting the religious status quo.  The message of the Resurrection of Jesus was extremely disturbing to many, especially the Sadducees and considered a threat to the iron-clad rule of the Sanhedrin.  Therefore, they had them arrested and brought in to be corrected and threatened.

The religious rulers issued a mandate to them to “Stop Talking About Jesus.”  The religious rulers realized that they had a problem because an undeniable miracle had transpired, and people were being swayed by the miracle and the message of the disciples.  They felt that the method that had worked for decades would work and the threat of disfavor with headquarters would be enough to silence them.  Sounds like some today, who fear man more than they fear God.

Peter and John were not intimidated because they had been with Jesus and He was alive in their hearts and they had witnessed His ascension to heaven.  They Knew!  They said to the religious rulers, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard.”  That is the distinction between someone who has a theoretical religion and those who have experienced the new birth.

Jeremiah spoke of this compulsion in 20:9 saying, “But if I say, ‘I will not remember Him or speak any more in His name,’ then in my heart it will become like a burning fire shut up in my bones.”  He said I will become so consumed with what I have heard that I cannot endure.  The Psalmists declared in 39:3, “My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue.”

When you encounter Jesus in the New Birth and He resides in your heart, you find that talking about Him is the greatest desire of your heart and brings you the most joy.  Back in Bible college, I met a young lady in the community who invited me to a high school football game.  She was interested in me, and I was interested in telling her about Jesus.  She became so frustrated that she said, “You have a one-track mind.”  No, she was not talking about things of the flesh for she continued, “All you think about is Jesus.”  I took that as a compliment, although it was meant to be, “Shut up and focus on me.”

Some of the greatest moments in my life have been when I am able to lead another person to Jesus and see the immediate change in their countenance and attitude.  After I received Jesus, and before I went into the ministry, I took my Bible to work and, on my breaks, I would read the Bible.  One of the men told my brother in law, “All Roy thinks about is God, but he sure does work hard too.”  I tried not to be overbearing wanted to share my experience and my LORD with all who would listen.

I met a man I went to secular college with, shortly after I received Jesus and as I shared my experience and my faith with him, he asked, “What happened to you?”  He expounded on that and said, “Most people turn to religion when something dire happens in their lives.  What happened to you?”  I said, “I was lost but now I’m found. I was blind but now I see.  Nothing traumatic happened, I just finally saw the light and now I am a new person.”  I had asked the LORD to let me go back and testify to everyone I had influenced as a sinner.  That has been a journey that continues after over 50 years. 

Let the Love of God and the Fire of God burn in your heart and speak His name and His Love, you never know who or how you will touch others and impact them for God and good. I cannot stop talking about what fills my heart and that is Jesus!

Have a great day and God bless you richly is my prayer!