find a “launching pad”
Peter and John have had an
experience with a lame man which has caused quite a stir and a gathering of
people. I love the way Peter takes the
opportunity to explain the larger meaning behind the particular healing.
What kind of opportunities might
you have to impart truth as Peter did?
Assuming you have had, or will have the opportunity to testify to the
truth of Jesus as Savior and Lord, how might your message differ from, or be
similar to Peter’s?
I
have been mulling this over as I do not live in the midst of a community of
people steeped in Old Testament scripture and knowledge –which happened to be
Peter’s “launching pad” for his sermon.
His audience had scriptural knowledge, some knowledge of Jesus and His teachings,
and close contact or connections with the events surrounding Jesus’ life.
What is the worldview of people I
may speak to? What would my “launching
pad” look like? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Now look at the core of
his message:
1.
Shift the focus from myself to God
(v.12)
2.
Touch on our collective history, and
our guilt (v.13-15)
3.
Explain what others receive from faith
(v. 16)
4.
Emphasize grace and don’t be
judgmental (v.17-18)
5.
Offer the way of change (v.19)
6.
Point out the benefits of repentance
(v.19)
7.
Express God’s love and desire to
communicate with people (v.22)
8.
Don’t be shy about the terrible
consequences of rejecting truth ((v.23)
9.
Blessings come in order to continue
blessing others (v.25)
10.
Jesus is interested in helping turn us
from our sin (26)
Truth is true for all people,
in all places, at all times. Look again
at the ten points above. Do they seem
bound by time, place or culture, or are they relevant any time, any place, in
any culture? The heart of the message is
consistent, the “launching pad” may vary from audience to audience; it’s not a
simple formula when one takes into account varied histories, experiences, and
beliefs. There is some work involved—we
need to understand the people with whom we speak in order to be effective.[1] I pray God grants us the diligence and the
grace to do so.
Read and Pray: Romans 1:16-21, Romans 10:14-17, 1
John 4:1-11
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