Acts 13
Bible Passage: Acts 13
Whenever we hear an uplifting sermon, our hearts are stirred. It is more than just the emotional reaction to the words of God, but rather the fact that we acknowledge that what is being spoken, is indeed the word of God. This is the key difference between an ordinary speech and the expounding of God’s words.
Many a time however, this is not the effect that the sermons have on us. I believe many of us share similar sentiments, sometimes feeling unedified during some sermons. We wonder further, is the problem with the speaker or ourselves?
Acts 13 gives us some food for thought on this matter. In Antioch of Pisidia, having received the invitation from the rulers of the synagogue, Paul stood up to declare the message of God. He did so boldly and plainly, very much like Peter did on the day of Pentecost. The narrative was factual, the stories, familiar. The outcome once again though, was very different. Some people believed, others jeered (Acts 13: 48-50).
Was it the problem with Paul? The Pisidian Antioch incident gives us clear insight that it was more to do with the hearts of the listeners – what manner of heart do we possess when we listen to sermons? While the speakers deliver what they have prepared, are we prepared to listen to what is being delivered? The parable of the sower comes to mind – what type of ground are our hearts made up of?
For the Gentiles who heard the glad tidings and listened intently to Paul’s sermon, the word of God had its effect on them, clearly taking root and yielding up good fruit immediately. The sermons we hear today must also come in the same manner: plainly declaring the things of God. And when that is done, we have the duty to receive it with gladness, discerning the truth.
I find it to be a harrowing thought when I consider how the very same historical stories used to exhort the crowd were familiar narratives to the Jews, yet they rejected it, and the Gentiles became the recipients of grace instead. If seekers of the truth today can be touched by the simple, pure word of God, and we long-timers in church mumble that that same sermon is boring, then perhaps it is time to re-think our manner of heart.
May the Lord help us to taste the sweetness in His words.
4 Comments
depress one
Listen to sermon is like taking in food… different preacher different style of cooking. But essentially the ingredient is the same. Some like it n some dont , ultimately it must digest and translate to useful energy for God.
I like the honey
appleofHiseye
Interesting how you mention each sermon is like “food”, and each preacher has a “different cooking style”. It is true they all use the “same..ingredient” too! I agree if it is digested and exercised well, it’s a really good energy source. What’s best about it is that the words of God can taste like “honey”…mmm…I like your chain of thoughts fellow one (:
One verse that caught my eye was the very last verse:
“And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 13:52)
It was a short and simple verse that was like sweetness to quite a lengthy chapter. But it just summarised how the followers of God were happy because of the sharing and spreading of the word of God. It brought glory to God while it brought gladness to the Gentiles.
So I am going to try to savour the sweetness in His words…
biblereadingcompanion
Thanks belovedofthelord for the reminder to examine our heart when we hear the Word of God…
” If seekers of the truth today can be touched by the simple, pure word of God, and we long-timers in church mumble that that same sermon is boring, then perhaps it is time to re-think our manner of heart.”
The heart is so important with God.
Sometimes it is very evident that we are bored with the word of God. When we come for services, we have a bored face, we doze off and sometimes the smirk on our faces and dismissive smile even before the speaker speaks betray how we are going to receive the sermon.
But there are other times when our actions, behaviour, facade may hide our true feelings and belief. We seem to be paying full attention but once the service is over, we forget what we have heard already and the Word does not enter our hearts.
But God searches our hearts and knows what we truly feel.
I must admit I have been guilty of both scenarios. And just chapter alone again reminds me of what one’s attitude towards the Word of God should be…
Sergius Paulus, the devout Jews and converts… after they heard the Word preached by Paul, they followed up. They hungered to know more. They asked Paul more questions. They looked forward to the next time Paul spoke…
They loved the Word of God… just like honey (yummm….. whenever I am in Europe, I always have honey with my tea at breakfast and it tastes just so wonderful! That’s the feeling I want with the Word of God!).
There was the other group – instead of hearing and learning – they were busy contradicting and finding faults with Paul and his message.
Which set of people do we belong to?
So let us not just read our 5 minutes dosage each day and think that we are done with the Word of God. Let us savour it, let the Words linger … like honey in our mouth… so that we will be glad and honour the Word of God … and believe (Acts 13:48).
PS
Acts 13:27 “For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they do not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him.”
Acts 13:38 “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
Acts 13:43 …many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
Why did the Jews and devout proselytes follow Paul and Barnabas?
May be bec every Sabbath, they heard the voices of the Prophets which were read and found that themselves to fall short of the laws of Moses.
When they heard that by Christ everyone who believed was justified from all things which they previously could not, they knew that a way is opened to them.
“Now we can.”
Although it was not recorded that Barnabas and Paul baptized anyone nor the number of those who believed was added, it was reasonable that these Jews and devout proselytes and other people in the city received baptism for the remission of sins and the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) bec Acts 13:52 recorded that “…the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” after Paul and Barnabas left.
“We believe and are baptized.”
Like Paul, Bar-Jesus was blinded for a time.
Unlike Paul, Bar-Jesus did not pray and repent.
Bar-Jesus was not converted to Christ-ian.
In Antioch, as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed,
Bec the word of God was heard. (John 3:16-17 and Acts 13:44)
“We are joyful bec Lord Jesus is in us now.”
They wanted God’s justification.
What do we want?