Seek to UNDERSTAND before being UNDERSTOOD!

 

Stephanie and I took a quick trip to NY this past weekend. It was a need MOMENT away. It was a whirlwind of Airports, flights, subway rides, and a YANKEE BALL GAME. We loved it, but at this age, sometimes I need some time to RECOOP! But this morning I feel wonderful and ready to go. I still need to get some time away, two days was not enough. But, that will come soon enough. In the mean time .....

Today, I was reading Acts 28 and read this passage. 

"They replied, 'We have no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.' So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul's lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening." (Acts 28:21-23, NLT)

I love this passage. I love how Paul engaged these JEWISH LEADERS and I love how these people were curious. They wanted to find out what Paul believed and Paul started sharing the GOSPEL right where these leaders were at. Paul didn't start with Jesus and the Crucifixion, he started at a familiar place with these leaders, the OLD TESTAMENT. They knew the law of Moses. They knew the books of the prophets. He started with what they KNEW and then took his time to reveal the Good News. He wasn't in a hurry. 

Do you think sometimes we get in a hurry? 

Yes time is short. Jesus is returning soon, but if we try to skip to the end before we share the BEGINNING, so much valuable foundation is missed. When we share the Gospel, we need to start with building relationships. That is the foundation for which we can share JESUS. We need to learn of a persons understanding of who God is, what they believe about life, death, and the future. We need to seek to understand them. We need to seek to understand their beliefs AND THEN we need to start right where they are. I have seen evidence that people are truly CURIOUS about what we believe. But, We need to demonstrate some of that same curiosity about them.  Our starting point is ASKING: WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE? When we do this we need to realize they may never have been asked this question before. It may take some time for them to articulate what it is that they TRULY BELIEVE. We need to be curious about them FIRST. Only after we get a broad picture of their beliefs can we share the GOSPEL MESSAGE. 

Heavenly Father, we do know time is short. We do know that we need to be BOLD in sharing the GOOD NEWS of JESUS. Yet, even in this boldness, we need to be patient, build relationships, come to an understanding, a starting point to share your love and wisdom. Please Lord, help us to have a clear path to share the gospel message with our families, our community, our state, country, and world. We need you, Lord, we need your help. Give us the patience of Paul to seek to understand before we seek to be understood. Amen!

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If you haven't repented of your sin, accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross, dying for your sins, or if you have not committed your life to Jesus, TODAY could be that day. give your life to the Lord. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

If you gave your life to Jesus today, text the word "faith" to (765)-896-4302 and we will follow up with material for you and join you in your walk of faith!