Maybe There’s a New Audience!

Reading the following scripture put something on my mind that I would like to share:

40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:
41 ‘ Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’”[
42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.Acts 13:40-42(NKJV)

In thinking about this passage and the context behind it, we saw that the Word of God went forth with power in Antioch. If you remember:

26And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. 27And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.Acts 11:26-27 (KJV)

There was no doubt that great things were going on in Antioch, that the entire city was in awe with the preaching of Paul and Barnabas and the others that came from Jerusalem. But then something happened – the Gentiles got interested in the message of the gospel:

44-45When the next Sabbath came around, practically the whole city showed up to hear the Word of God. Some of the Jews, seeing the crowds, went wild with jealousy and tore into Paul, contradicting everything he was saying, making an ugly scene.

46-47But Paul and Barnabas didn’t back down. Standing their ground they said, “It was required that God’s Word be spoken first of all to you, the Jews. But seeing that you want no part of it—you’ve made it quite clear that you have no taste or inclination for eternal life—the door is open to all the outsiders. And we’re on our way through it, following orders, doing what God commanded when he said,

I’ve set you up
as light to all nations.
You’ll proclaim salvation
to the four winds and seven seas!”

48-49When the non-Jewish outsiders heard this, they could hardly believe their good fortune. All who were marked out for real life put their trust in God—they honored God’s Word by receiving that life. And this Message of salvation spread like wildfire all through the region.

50-52Some of the Jews convinced the most respected women and leading men of the town that their precious way of life was about to be destroyed. Alarmed, they turned on Paul and Barnabas and forced them to leave. Paul and Barnabas shrugged their shoulders and went on to the next town, Iconium, brimming with joy and the Holy Spirit, two happy disciples. Acts 13:44-52 (MSG)

I couldn’t help thinking how much we want who we want to hear and receive the message of the gospel – and preach it we should – but with our preaching, we might get some unintended results. There just may be some you didn’t expect (some Gentile onlookers) who will gladly receive – the message – DON’T STOP PREACHING! It just may be that God has a new audience for you!

Selah,
Maria