ANCIENT AUDIO VISUALS

ANCIENT AUDIO VISUALS!

Acts 13:16

16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

Neh 8:8

8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

           I just finished talking with one of our European missionaries made possible by our modern technology. Six hours of time difference were instantly erased as we spoke and saw video images of each other. He saw me before my breakfast and I saw him as he was just finished with lunch. Truly amazing and much better and faster than ancient methods of communication.

           We talked a bit about church audio-visuals and he proposed that paintings and stained glass were actually ancient visuals and sermon illustrations. Many people of those days could not read and electric gadgetry hadn’t been developed so how were ministers to illustrate to a mostly illiterate audience the sermon? It was a stimulating conversation and one that made sense.

           The word “sense” in Nehemiah 8:8 means “understanding.” It is a word that is found about 16 times in the Authorized version. When Paul, in Acts 13, addressed the philosophers on Mars Hill, he made gestures with his hand. He was animated as he spoke. I think it is important that we “give the sense” when presenting gospel truth.

1 Cor 2:14

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Dear God, give both discernment and understand by Thy Spirit. AMEN