President William Henry Harrison prepared a 9,000 word inaugural address in the freezing cold weather and died one month later.

No President in history had ever said so much and did so little, yet in contrast Jesus addressed only 7 things while on the cross. Jesus didn't say much and yet no man in history has ever did more.

While on the cross, Jesus addressed some things about forgiveness, grace, relationships, sin, incarnation, redemption, and dying, but I want to focus (thus the title) on what He didn't say.

I Pet. 2:21-25 sets up 3 phases of my outline.

I. Jesus left us an example for living. Notice 1st what He didn't do:

Verse 23 "When they hurled insults at Him he did not retaliate. When He suffered, He did not make threats."

Peter was there and vividly remembers some of the things they did and said to Jesus and Peter was so impressed at the demeanor of Jesus during this horrible affair.

Peter was there when they put a blindfold on Jesus. They would slap Jesus in the face and say "If you're really a phrophet, then tell us who hit you."

Later Peter learns that they took Jesus to the cross and after taunting Him said "If you're God then come down off the cross and we'll believe you. What's the matter, you saved others can you not save yourself?"

Even the thieves on both sides of Him hurled insults at Him and what Peter could never forget is that Jesus did not even open His mouth.

The point is what Jesus didn't say on the cross was one of His most eloquent sermons.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT HE DID DO:

The last half of verse 23 says: "He did not retaliate, He did not make threats, INSTEAD He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly."

The word ENTRUSTED means literally to hand over to someone else. This is the same word used when Judas asks the High Priest "How much money will you give me to hand Jesus over to you?"

SO WHAT DID JESUS DO?

He responded by handing Himself over to God. Rather than retaliate-He trusted God to vindicate Him in due time. Notice Peter says "Leaving you an example." We are suppose to learn something about living from what Jesus didn't do as well as what He did do.

Now the context of I Peter is dealing with submission.

To submit: means to voluntarily surrender or yield the will, and CALVARY is the ultimate example of that.

It's hard enough to submit when people are decent, noble, and honorable, but what if they are not? What if your boss,mother, etc is cruel, harsh, and unfair? Are you going to learn anything on how to handle such situations from the cross? Peter says that we can and that we should.

3 AREAS OF OUR LIFE WHERE CHRIST'S SILENCE SHOULD AFFECT OUR BEHAVIOR

1. Human Government (Vs. 13-17) Notice the 1st word submit.

a. Notice at this time the King is Nero, one of the most irrational
maniacs to ever sit on the throne of Rome. He was also one of
the cruelest persecutors of the early church.

b. Acts 4:18-21 gives the only reference to the ONE TIME when the
church can violate the law. The authorities tell the church to
never again preach in the name of Jesus and Peter says "Sorry
fellows, but this is one time that we're going to have to
disobey."

The point is: Does the cross affect the behavior of your life as a citizen especially pertaining to laws you don't like?

2. Area of work(I Pet. 2:18-20)

a. slave: translates to "I have made a contract with you to work for a period of time until debt is paid off.'

b. You may work for someone who is commendable, but what if they're
harsh?

c. Do you look for every chance to slander your boss?

d. Do you gossip behind his back or erode his authority?

3. Area of Home(Ch. 3:1-7)

a. Notice Sara calls Abraham lord.

I think Peter understood that there is no area where you will be exposed more quickly as not living like a cross centered person as in the area of your home.

Your wife, husband, or kids are going to know whether you leave the cross at church or not.

LET'S LET PETER SUM IT UP!

1. God never promised a democratic or fair society.

2. He never promised people will treat you fairly.

3. He never even promised you would get the respect you deserve at home.

BUT WHAT HE DID SAY WAS:

I've given an example of how to survive in some tough situations by handing yourself over to the Righteous Judge.

1. Realize that success is usually no accident (James 4:13-16).

2. Realize it helps to have the same favor of God as long ago
(Lev. 26:9-12).

3. Realize the path to reaching our goals begins with trusting God
(Heb. 11:1).

4. Believe God when He says that He will give you the desires of your
heart, and that He satisfies your desires with good tidings
(Ps. 103:5, 145:16,19 and I Tim. 6:17-18).

5. Realize that God gives to those who ask, but doesn't give to
those with impure motives (James 4:2-3).

6. Realize that you must be true to self (Rom. 12:2).

7. Realize you can't seek the goals that others have for you (True to self).

8. Must remove negative patterns in our life such as:

a. Unrealistic goals
b. Underplanned goals
c. Lack of discipline to complete
d. Allowing failure to make you give up.
e. Allowing people to make you give up.

9. Identify our strengths and gifts and use them to our upmost ability.

10. Be diligent (Proverbs 10:4, 12:11,24 and 13:4 and 21:5 and 28:19).

To the surprise of many, including myself, the president of Coca-Cola gave a startling answer when asked "What seperates those who achieve from those who do not?

Typically we would imagine that the president of a major, multi-million dollar corporation would give answers like "goals, never give up, brains, organization, or good investments."

His answer was, "What seperates those who achieve from those who do not is in direct proportion to one's ability to ask others for help."

Wow, most people are taught that asking for help with something is a sign of weakness, so we should therefore be independent in all that we do. I think the president has touched on an important facet of our lives we often fail to acknowledge.

"Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and the door shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (Mt. 7:7-8).

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God" (Philippians 4:6-7).

So, are we exposing our weaknesses when we ask God for help? The answer is yes and no. Yes, we are admitting that we cannot bear and do all things without the help of God, but no we are not weak in doing so.

When we ask God for help, we strengthen our chances of overcoming our difficulties. Remember, God cares for you and does listen to our requests. Prayer is not a weakness, it is a blessing!

In M. Night Shyamalan's "Signs", the main character addresses the possibility that there are no coincidences; that everything happens for a purpose. In history, there are countless stories of when something worked out perfectly.

One is the story of Esther, inspired by God, where the planning of God and the willingness of a young girl saved the lives of many.

Sometimes it's hard to see the reason behind annoyances and trials, but when you put your trust in God, everything falls into place, and you no longer see pure luck, you see miracles.

"I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I am not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho- song in December.

I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my highschool teacher taught his theory of evolution. Life, liberty, and your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered b/c someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game.

So, what's the big deal? It's not like they are reading the entire book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking Him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.

"But it's a Christian prayer," (some will argue.) Yes, and this is the United States of America, a country founded on Christian principles.

According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others 200-to-1. So what would you expect-somebody chanting Hare Krishna?

Christians are not asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds...and if that's too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer!

Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.

Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before we go to sleep.

Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying. God help us.

And if that last sentence offends you, well...just sue me.

May this be the year that the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions.

Keep looking up...In God WE Trust.