Jump Start # 641

Acts 13:44  “The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord.”

Our passage is taken from one of Paul’s early preaching trips. He and Barnabas and Mark traveled to several places. They came to Perga. Mark left and went back to Jerusalem. That disappointed Paul and would later become a heated dispute between he and Barnabas. While in Perga they spoke in the synagogue. The reception to the word was amazing. The people begged them to remain. This is where our verse today is found. A week later, the next Sabbath, nearly the whole city assembled.

Can you imagine? Can you imagine nearly the whole city where you live coming to hear the word of God. Can you imagine what impact that would have. City officials, councilmen, school teachers, firemen, attorneys, doctors, mechanics, elderly, teenagers—what an amazing crowd. I’ve been to places that were so crowded that you’d think the entire city was there. Sadly, it wasn’t to hear the gospel preached. It was to watch a ballgame, listen to a concert, see a movie, or hear a the president give a speech. The city gathered but what they took away with them was a fun evening, a nice date, an exciting game, and if like me, now a distant memory. What the crowd of Perga heard would change their life. It would make a difference.

What they learned about Jesus would change what they thought about OT prophecies. What they heard would change their thinking about salvation, God’s love and even their responsibilities toward God. The preached message of God would lead them to godly living, better attitudes, godly behavior and a redeemed relationship with God through Jesus. Paul would have showed the audience that Jesus was the Messiah that was killed and resurrected. He taught that just about everywhere. The living Savior was now reigning at the right hand of God. Those thoughts would have led the people to obey Jesus in baptism.

What a message! What an audience!  When the powerful word of God reaches good and honest hearts, great things are done. People come to God and godly changes take place.

Nearly the whole city came out! That doesn’t happen much anymore, especially in this country. Truth is, it’s hard to get believers to come out anymore to hear the message. A man is invited to come speak at a congregation, and folks must be pleaded with to come. When the special preaching is done, so often, the leaders of the congregation are disappointed because so few came. So few of their own people came. Times are different we are told. Too many choices today. People are busy they say. Fact is, there just isn’t that burning desire to hear the message. Could it be that we’ve heard it so much that it doesn’t do much to us? Could it be that we are more interested in the messenger than the message? I doubt the people of Perga knew much about Paul. They came not to see Paul, but to hear the message he spoke.

Many are seeing similar things happening today –but it’s not here, it’s overseas. Huge crowds, powerful message, amazing change in people’s lives

The preached message is still the means God uses to turn hearts and convict sinners and bring people to a restored relationship. Don’t give up on preaching. Don’t throw out the preacher. The message is still alive. Great things still happen. That word is sharper than a sword and is the power unto salvation.

Nearly the whole city turned out. Think about that.

Roger