NOT NOW – MAYBE LATER!

Sunday, February 3^rd, 2019

NOT NOW – MAYBE LATER!

Acts 17:29-33

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. 33 So Paul departed from among them.

           There were three responses to Paul’s preaching in Athens. Some mocked, a word that means “to throw out the lip!” A smaller group seemed interested but wanted to hear more at a later date. A still smaller group trusted Jesus and were saved. It is that middle group that seems to occupy the pews in many churches today. As a young preacher I was trained to withstand opposition and was prepared for martyrdom but I feel ill prepared for apathy.

           The constant hearing and re-hearing of sermons have made some people immune to the sermon’s content. They are not moved when their sin is challenged and they are not motivated when warned of coming judgment. Their lives are not changed but they feel somehow cleansed by simply listening. The service ends and the preacher hears “we will hear thee again of this matter.” The call to commitment is met with a cordial rebuff which is supposed to be softened by the promise to hear the call again.

The consequences of cordial rejection are the same as that of fierce resistance. Those who would hear Paul again would fare no better in the judgment than those who mocked. There is sadness in verse 33 when we read: “So Paul departed from among them.” There is a melancholy finality to it!

            The seeming futility and frustration of preaching to dead hearts and clouded minds grays the head of many a good preacher. Even Jesus sighed as He overlooked Jerusalem and said: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Matt 23:37

"I would have ... ye would not" summarizes the tragedy of final rejection of the truth. There is no argument here about divine sovereignty and human responsibility, for both are included. God could not force His salvation on the people; neither could He change the consequences of their stubborn rejection. "You will not come to Me that you may have life" (John 5:40). (from The Bible Exposition Commentary)

Dear Lord, let me not postpone my response to your merciful call. Let your Holy Spirit move upon my heart today. AMEN