Effects of God's Word - Acts 17:1-14
By David Woods
As a preacher’s kid, I have been in church all my life. I have sat under lots of preachers and teachers of the Gospel. Some presentations of the Gospel have been very compelling. Maybe I have an altered gene in that I am a preacher, but I have listened to some preachers speak for an hour and a half or more and barely noticed any discomfort from sitting so long. In fact, I have sometimes wished they would have preached longer. I have also listened to presentations of the Gospel that were so poor I could barely look at the speaker because I found his presentation so embarrassing.
Our scripture text describes the effects of Paul’s presentations of the Gospel in Thessalonica and Berea. In both cities, Paul’s preaching was very powerful and effective. Many put their trust in Christ as Lord and Saviour. Yes, some caused trouble, but their anger was only in response to the convicting, convincing power of the Holy Spirit that accompanied Paul’s preaching.
Why was Paul’s presentation of the Gospel so effective? What makes some communicators of the Gospel so effective in presenting the Gospel while others’ presentations are mediocre at best?
There are many factors that we could suggest that make the difference. Some communicators are simply more eloquent or passionate than others. For others, their holy lives are so evident that their message is compelling. Most important, of course, is the blessing and anointing of the Holy Spirit.
While all these factors are important and should not be overlooked (especially in the case of the anointing of the Spirit), let us consider three somewhat technical factors of preaching/teaching observable in our scripture text, which are essential for a compelling presentation of the Gospel.
1. The Gospel should be presented considerately.
In verse two the scripture says that Paul "reasoned with them out of the Scriptures." Strong's Dictionary defines the verb "reasoned" as "to say thoroughly, that is, discuss (in argument or exhortation): - dispute, preach (unto), reason (with), speak." In verse three “opening”, according to Strong’s, means “to open thoroughly.” “Alleging”, means to “place alongside”. The English Standard Version renders this text, “… he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving….”
A real danger for “preaching” and even “teaching” the Gospel is that the Gospel communicator fails to be considerate of the objections of his hearers. Too often, preachers make leaps in trains of thought or fail to properly establish their argument, which then, in the mind of the discerning listener, casts doubt upon the rest of his sermon.
The verbs used to describe Paul’s teaching implies that his preaching was not simply a monologue, but instead allowed his listeners to speak objections, which he then answered by pointing to scripture.
Discussion: How can the Gospel communicator accommodate the objections of his hearers, even in the context of a sermon?
(He should consider what objections his hearers might have. He should then consider how to answer those objections when giving his presentation, possibly by answering the objection directly, or by precluding the objection. For example, the witnesser might be able to preclude the objection “I’m not interested in what you have to say” by first listening considerately to the prospect and then asking permission to tell his/her story of how their life has been changed.)
Discussion: Why does a failure to be considerate of the hearer’s questions often lead to an ineffective presentation?
2. The Gospel should be presented completely.
This is not to suggest that the preacher should summarize the Bible from Genesis to Revelation every time he speaks. Yet the Gospel communicator should be careful that his presentation does not omit essentials of the Gospel that could cause confusion in the hearer or that could lead to an unresponsive audience.
Paul was preaching primarily to the Jews in Thessalonica. His hearers were very familiar with the Law and Prophets. But one of the greatest misunderstandings the Jews had concerning the Messiah was that He would suffer. They were expecting a conquering King. Jesus came as a humble servant. Therefore, Paul pointed out from the Old Testament that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer, but the Messiah would also be raised from the dead, victorious over sin and death (see Isaiah 53). Paul then proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah for whom they had been waiting and watching.
Discussion: Why is a Gospel presentation that declares Christ’s death incomplete without the declaration that all have sinned? Why is such a presentation incomplete without the acknowledgement that man cannot save himself?
(One concern I have is that often when proclaiming the Gospel we note that Jesus died on the Cross in our place, but we fail to mention that Jesus also rose from the dead. Could a failure to proclaim Christ’s resurrection lead to the assumption that God is defeated/ineffective?)
Discussion: What makes for a complete Gospel presentation? Could this vary depending upon the makeup of the audience?
(Another question: is it safe to assume one’s audience knows/understands the Gospel completely in order for us to leave out certain essential details of the Gospel? At what point might a desire for a complete Gospel presentation be counter-productive?)
3. The Gospel should be presented with a challenge.
Too often, Gospel presentations are treated more like a theological dissertation than as practical life direction. It is not good enough to simply say that God demands that we live holy lives. Such an assertion should be accompanied with probing questions. “Are you living a holy life? If not, why not? Have you completely submitted your life to Christ? Is God speaking to you about a certain issue in your life which you need to confess right now?”
Paul proclaimed to the Thessalonians that it was necessary that the Messiah suffer and die, and then rise from the dead. This proclamation was theologically correct. Yet, if Paul had not then asserted that Jesus was the Messiah and had suffered and died in accordance to the Scriptures, his message would have been incomplete. His message would have had no “teeth.”
Thankfully, Paul challenged the people with the assertion that Jesus was the Christ. This assertion confronted the people with a decision. Some were persuaded and became disciples of Christ. Others refused. A number began actively opposing Paul’s ministry.
Discussion: Why is it so important that the hearer is presented with a challenge?
Discussion: Why do you think Gospel communicators sometimes fail to give their hearers a challenge?
(Sometimes, it may be a lack of planning. They may not have thought through what response they want to achieve through their message. Sometimes, the speaker may be afraid or may not have faith that the people will be willing to act. Sometimes, the speech may be more of a “rant” than anything else. Etc.)
Why does the Gospel need to be presented considerately, completely, and with a challenge? By presenting the Gospel in this way, one is faithful to his hearers and to God. By presenting the Gospel considerately, it is evident that the communicator is not trying to manipulate the listener against his will. By presenting the Gospel completely, the speaker shows respect for the hearer’s intelligence. By presenting the Gospel with a challenge, the communicator shows a concern for the hearer’s soul. Similarly, the communicator displays a desire to be faithful to God’s Word and God’s call.
Big Idea: The Gospel communicator should be careful to present the Gospel faithfully.
I was once preaching on a very sticky issue. I did my best to proclaim the Word of God faithfully, yet in a compassionate way. It was not my intention to preach at anyone; I simply was trying to preach the Bible. Yet at the end of the service, one person was very upset with me. After talking with this person I came to understand that this person did not have a problem with the Biblical truth I had preached. Rather, this person was upset because of fear for loved ones who had disregarded this truth. This person had heard radical, unscriptural preaching concerning this issue and was therefore fearful that the loved ones could not be forgiven.
I had not addressed all of the unscriptural ideas about this idea and so my preaching that this activity was sin created great fear in this individual. I had attempted to be faithful to the Scripture, but if I were to preach that message again today I would make some considerable additions dealing with the unscriptural assertions some have made. My failure to consider all the objections of my audience resulted in a negative response even though this person agreed with and believed what I had preached.
It was a failure of communication on my part. An incomplete presentation made it ineffective. Probably very few communicators can or will deliver a presentation that is “perfect” in every way, yet we should do our best to present the Gospel faithfully so that we do not create unnecessary obstacles for effective communication of the God’s Word.