32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
Acts 17:32-34
The Gospel is a message so simple that one can clearly communicate and understand it. Yet, it is also a message so profound that one can miss the essence of it. If told right, can either bring peace or pain to the hearer. If preached with skill, it can do both. If told in the power of the Holy Spirit, it can bring peace and pain to the hearer in a lasting manner. Here are a few observations of what Gospel hearing does.
The Gospel is like bitter gourd, it brings out the worse of you. Hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ can make you very defensive. I mean, if you are told you are sinful, and that your present religion, good works, and self-perception are harming you instead of helping you – of course it’s understandable you will be defensive.
You will start to think ill of the Gospel preacher. You will think he is judging you, that he knows better than you. You will presume that he doesn’t really know you or what you are going through. He presumes to know that you are sinful, but he doesn’t know why you are sinful, why you were forced to commit sins because others have abandoned and neglected you. You will be tempted to not listen at best, or at worse think that the person sharing the Gospel to you is wasting your time. He is not.
He is telling you the truth, and your reaction proves that it’s true. Why? Because (1) it hurts you, (2) it’s in the Bible, and (3) deep down, you know it is true. You know that you are a great sinner, and that you need help. You know that there is a holy God who will punish you for your iniquities. You know that your religion can cover up your sins, but it hasn’t washed away the guilt, has it? You know you need a savior from your sins, and you know it every time you look at the mirror. You become defensive, because the Gospel shows you the worse side of you, and you don’t like it.
The Gospel is also like honey, it brings comfort to those who have it worse. Don’t let the introduction of the Gospel dissuade you from listening on. After all, Good News comes after the bad news. The Gospel of Jesus Christ seeks to bring you the best news you could ever hear. What is the news? Jesus Christ has come to save sinners! He has come to save you, the worse of sinners from your sin. He does it by dying for your sins, so you may die with Him, and rising again from the dead, so that you may live in Him.
Before you think of this as some fairy tale or bad ju-ju, think about this question first – if this were not true, what other hope do you have? Is your hope in your wishful thinking that your good outweighs your bad? Is your hope in the sentimental well-wishes you feel you will have on your funeral day that you will go to heaven? What do your friends know about the pathway to eternal life? What do your well-wishers know about the depth of the darkness of your heart that you expertly hide from them day by day? They don’t, but God does.
Which brings me to a second thought for you to consider: why would Jesus die for you if you don’t need it? Why would He ensure that at this moment you are hearing about what He did right now? Is he mistaken about your soul? Or does He know it more than you, and He is offering you a way out? Oh what a marvelous truth, that Thou my God should think of me and die for me.
So think about it really. Jesus Christ gave you good news by ensuring it is good for you. His death brings you death, so that His resurrection brings you life. Imagine! Jesus wants to give you life. Eternal life. Abundant Life. A life of joy. A life that flourishes. A life made new.
So, when listening to the Gospel, here are a few practical actions for you the listener.
- Don’t be shocked with your resistance. Your heart will try to convince you that you don’t need the gospel. Don’t resist. Listen to the Gospel that Jesus so painstakingly brought to your ears.
- Don’t be cynical with the outcome. You who have heard the gospel before, you may be unsure whether you can believe. You might say, I will try to believe. Oh, don’t be that way! Don’t try. Believe Him who promised you that He will save you. Don’t make Jesus a liar. He will surely save you, no matter how hopeless your case may be.
- Believe the Gospel, as you would eat and drink without strength. Charles Spurgeon gave this great example, so take heed. You may not have strength to eat and drink, nor do you need to be taught to eat and drink. Once you are hungry or thirsty, even without strength or instruction, you will surely eat and know how to eat. You may even be blind, you will know how to put food into your mouth. You may have no strength to drink, but surely you will be able to drink, and then your strength will be revived. Believing the Gospel is similar to eating and drinking. You don’t need to know how to before you start believing. Just believe! Believe in Jesus when He promises you eternal life. Believe that His work is sufficient to save you, no matter how dark your sins. Believe as you would eat and drink without strength, and watch how Jesus fills you with abundance because you believed.