11-4-2019

Good Morning All,

   Acts 17:32: “Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”

    It can be interesting when a group of preachers get together to study and discuss certain stories or passages in the Bible.  One of those stories is the one which our verse for today ends.  Paul goes to Athens and there he preaches a sermon which some title “To the Unknown God.”  The Athenians had erected statues to various gods and in order to not offend any of the gods they thought existed; they put up a statue to the unknown god.  Paul took that and then introduced them to this unknown god.  This was how he introduced Jesus and his resurrection from the dead to this Athenian audience.  As our verse shows; some thought it foolishness and some were curious.

    Sometimes, a homiletical review of this sermon finds this sermon lacking.  Paul doesn’t follow what many consider proper foundational work or proper balance or even a good conclusion.  It just seems to ramble on and on.  Because of these “shortcomings”; some view this as one of Paul’s poorest sermons.  I always tend to disagree.  I think it is a fantastic sermon, not because of what Paul says but because of what the listeners said.

    I made the following observation to the man I was sitting by at a preacher’s conference.  We were in a room with 75-80 preachers.  In that room, literally thousands of sermons had been preached.  Many had heard, “Great sermon Pastor!” “Wonderful message, Pastor!” “Excellent word, Pastor!” but I would venture that not too many had heard, “I would like to hear more about this.”  I think that is the greatest compliment to any sermon, conversation, act of kindness, or witness of faith; “I would like to hear more about this.”

    This phrase means the listener is engages to what was said to him or what had occurred around him.  Wanting to continue the conversation with someone we are talking to is a great step forward.  It means the Spirit is at work.  “I want to hear more” comes from a person who is hungering for the truth.  He may have received a taste of this truth in a sermon on Sunday morning or from watching a Christian act with love to another person.  There are lots of ways that the message of the Gospel is introduced to someone.  It can be through your Christian charity and kindness that someone sees or experiences; it can be through a sermon, great or poor, that someone hears but no greater response will ever be heard than “I would like to hear more about this.”

    So, if you ever get this response; don’t let go!  Speak honestly and if it gets to hard tell them; “I need to figure out the best answer for you.”  Whatever you do, keep the conversations going as best you can.  The Spirit is using you to reach that person; don’t be afraid, rejoice in God’s gift through you!

Father, help me to be prepared to speak.  Guide me by your Spirit to trust in your care and mercy.  Use my voice to speak to those who want to listen.  Hold me close to you that I may not fear but boldly confess the name of Jesus.  In his precious name we pray, amen.   

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret