Every time a candidate for president gives a speech, the pundits on television offer their analysis: how many minutes was the speech? Did the speaker improvise or stick to the script? Was the tone optimistic, pessimistic, or neutral? Did the speaker focus on numbers and facts or on heart-felt human stories? Was there humor? How often was the speaker interrupted by applause? How will the message be received by people around the nation and world? And the final question: Was the speech a success or a failure?
In Acts 22:1-22, Paul gives an important speech in Jerusalem. He was warned not to go to Jerusalem. He admitted that the Holy Spirit told him that “chains and afflictions are waiting for me” Acts 20:23. Well-meaning believers were hearing the same thing from the Lord and likewise warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem in Acts 21:4 and Acts 21:10-12. But Paul was convinced God was warning him not to STOP him, but to PREPARE him. He needed to know that Jerusalem would not be an easy trip.
It was so tough, in fact, that simply entering the temple nearly caused a riot. Before Paul could even speak, he was falsely accused, arrested, and “all Jerusalem was in chaos” Acts 21:31. But Paul secured permission to speak and told his story: educated by Gamaliel, a persecutor of ‘The Way,’ he then met Jesus on the road to Damascus. The crowd listened attentively until Paul reported that Jesus had spoken to him these words: “Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles” Acts 22:21. That line was like a bomb going off! The GENTILES!
Suddenly the crowd was screaming for blood. “Wipe this man off the earth! It’s a disgrace for him to live!” Acts 22:22. The commander decided that Paul needed to be “examined with the scourge” Acts 22:24 (talk about “enhanced interrogation techniques”). Paul stopped the whipping when he informed them of his Roman citizenship. But he was still dragged away and thrown in a dungeon.
How’s that for public speaking? Would the TV critics rate Paul’s speech a success or a failure? How would you rate it if you were Paul? The crowd started out angry, listened for a few minutes, then began screaming for his death. (If the audience yells “This man is not fit to live!” most speakers would rate the speech a failure.)
But what about the spiritual impact? Did people come streaming down the aisles for counseling while the crowd sang “Just As I Am”? Did anyone pray to receive Christ? Is there evidence that even one life was changed in Jerusalem that day? No. But PAUL OBEYED GOD and the Lord was pleased.
That night Jesus came to Paul in a vision and congratulated him. Turns out, this was a great speech!
“The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Have courage! For as you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome” Acts 23:11.
That’s it? That’s God’s plan? Paul was almost killed in Jerusalem—and for what? And now God is going to send him to Rome? Why? Where are the results? Where are the numbers? Was someone baptized? Did someone put money into an offering envelope?
Clearly, “God does not see as man sees, for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” 1 Samuel 16:7. God knows that Paul’s testimony bore fruit that day. God knows the impact Paul’s words will have on the hearts of the Jewish audience—eventually. Paul could not see that fruit. Paul may never see that fruit. But Paul was faithful. He shared his story wherever God took him. Paul shared his faith—and he trusted God with the results.
Sometimes when you talk about the Lord, or teach a Bible lesson, it may seem to make no difference at all. But it is our job to be faithful and share the gospel—and trust God with the results. Sometimes the lesson, the conversation, the sermon, or speech you give may look like a complete failure. The critics may tell you that you’ve blown it. But your job is merely to be faithful and share the truth. Leave the results to God.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 