Assumptions
Read Acts 13:44-52.
Sometimes we don't know what we think we know.
Paul and Barnabas are in a synagogue during their first missionary journey. It's where they were usually found on the Sabbath because they believed they could connect first and most with their own people. Jesus was, after all, the savior of the world who came from the Jews. He fulfilled the Jewish prophecies. Surely their own people would understand if they just made the case.
Paul and Barnabas pretty quickly found out that wasn't the case. Some who gathered to listen to the preachers were interested, and even went to listen to them after the service was over, but too many others refused to listen. They already thought they knew everything they needed to know about the savior, the Messiah. He certainly would not come from Nazareth. He would destroy the Roman oppression. And he would never die on a Roman cross. The Messiah, it was said, would never serve, surrender or suffer (and Jesus did all three on those last few days of his earthly life). Their assumptions got in the way of them being able to hear the Gospel. Instead, they heaped abuse on Paul and contradicted everything he was trying to say. It was not a good day for these two men who had answered the call to "go."
But it makes me wonder how often my own assumptions about faith, about the Scriptures, about Jesus, or about what I think I know get in the way or my being able to hear the whole truth God wants to speak to me. It's an occupational hazard for me that, when I listen to other preachers, I'm evaluating, measuring, allowing my own assumptions to judge what the other person is saying. I have to stop myself and ask, "What might God be saying to me here and now?" Even if I don't agree with absolutely everything in the other person, is there a word from the Lord here for me?
Sometimes we don't know what we think we know. Sometimes God has a corrective word for us. Or an additional word for us. Sometimes what we've always assumed or even what we have been taught (those folks in the synagogue had been faithfully taught for year) simply isn't true. I've often said that's why eternity will be so long—God has to straighten all of us out on some thing or other.
Come to God with an open mind and heart, asking him to speak to you. Come to worship open for what God might whisper to you. We should meeasure everything by the Scriptures rather than our own assumptions about what we think the Scriptures say. And be ready for God to challenge your assumptions, just as he did to the synagogue leadership there when Paul and Barnabas spoke. Let's not miss it like they did.
Sometimes we don't know what we think we know.
Paul and Barnabas are in a synagogue during their first missionary journey. It's where they were usually found on the Sabbath because they believed they could connect first and most with their own people. Jesus was, after all, the savior of the world who came from the Jews. He fulfilled the Jewish prophecies. Surely their own people would understand if they just made the case.
Paul and Barnabas pretty quickly found out that wasn't the case. Some who gathered to listen to the preachers were interested, and even went to listen to them after the service was over, but too many others refused to listen. They already thought they knew everything they needed to know about the savior, the Messiah. He certainly would not come from Nazareth. He would destroy the Roman oppression. And he would never die on a Roman cross. The Messiah, it was said, would never serve, surrender or suffer (and Jesus did all three on those last few days of his earthly life). Their assumptions got in the way of them being able to hear the Gospel. Instead, they heaped abuse on Paul and contradicted everything he was trying to say. It was not a good day for these two men who had answered the call to "go."
But it makes me wonder how often my own assumptions about faith, about the Scriptures, about Jesus, or about what I think I know get in the way or my being able to hear the whole truth God wants to speak to me. It's an occupational hazard for me that, when I listen to other preachers, I'm evaluating, measuring, allowing my own assumptions to judge what the other person is saying. I have to stop myself and ask, "What might God be saying to me here and now?" Even if I don't agree with absolutely everything in the other person, is there a word from the Lord here for me?
Sometimes we don't know what we think we know. Sometimes God has a corrective word for us. Or an additional word for us. Sometimes what we've always assumed or even what we have been taught (those folks in the synagogue had been faithfully taught for year) simply isn't true. I've often said that's why eternity will be so long—God has to straighten all of us out on some thing or other.
Come to God with an open mind and heart, asking him to speak to you. Come to worship open for what God might whisper to you. We should meeasure everything by the Scriptures rather than our own assumptions about what we think the Scriptures say. And be ready for God to challenge your assumptions, just as he did to the synagogue leadership there when Paul and Barnabas spoke. Let's not miss it like they did.
I like "I've often said that's why eternity will be so long—God has to straighten all of us out on some thing or other." I think it'll be instantaneous - new body, new mind, no sin - but if I'm wrong, this fits perfectly.
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