Preaching The Gospel Series

“Preaching The Gospel”

Acts 14:1-7

I can’t say for other preachers, but when I bring a message that the Lord has given me; I have an expectation:

I desire the power from the Lord to preach

I desire a hunger from God’s people to hear

I desire a lost person to respond, not to me but from the Word of God

I can see the same from Paul and Barnabas as they enter a new city and begin to preach that they desire that the Lord would bless with souls to be saved and the saved to grow.

Notice the different affects that the preaching of God’s Word has on people:

I. The Response Of Preaching

Acts 14:1 “And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.”

Came to pass - There is no definite passage of time only that time passed and opportunity arrived.

456 times this phrase is listed in our Bible, beginning with Genesis 4:3 “And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.”

Genesis 4:8 “And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”

Before God made the first day there was nothing that “came to pass” or a marking of time.

Our days are marked with the reality that time passes and this should not alarm us but should remind us that our days are numbered and we should make use of each day given to us for HIS glory.

Spake - to use words in order to declare one’s mind and disclose one’s thoughts. (Preach).

Spake is not the same word as preach but caries the same thought; to use a voice.

You do not have to read very long about Paul and realize that Paul’s heart was that people would hear the Gospel and respond to the call of salvation.

A great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed - Not a few but rather a whole lot of people responded unto salvation.

This would be a great time to understand why they believed.

Salvation is a matter of knowing where our path leads and desiring to change the destination.

There is no salvation without the understanding that a person is lost and is in need of a Saviour.

If you are here and understand that without Christ as your Saviour there is NO salvation, then you too are ready to believe.

But notice that this message is not received universally as “Good News.”

II. The Remorse Of Preaching

Acts 14:2 “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.”

Unbelieving - disobedient, not to allow one’s self to be persuaded

The same message can be either accepted or rejected, that is a choice each person must make.

Interesting that the unbelieving are so angry because others accept what they reject!

And made their minds evil-affected - Irritated, or proved them (not just mad, they are really, really, really MAD) embittered

Against the brethren - not of the message but about the messenger????

They cannot fight God whom they do not see, so they fight who they can see and that is God’s messengers.

This has never changed; from the days of God’s prophets even today!

III. The Rejuvenation Of Preaching

Acts 14:3 “Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.”

Long time therefore abode - not discouraged but rather encouraged to not only see new converts but to help the new believers grow in Grace.

Speaking boldly in the Lord - using great freedom of speech, and showing great courage to speak out, without fear; the doctrines of the Gospel.

Granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands - such as healing the sick, curing the lame, casting out devils.

This God using the servant to accomplish God’s will.

This was not to show off but to glorify the LORD!

IV. The Response Of Preaching

Acts 14:4-5 “But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,”

Not every person that hears the Gospel message responds in the same manor.

Some will want to hear more.

Other will reject what they have hears