Know the Audience

 

Know the Audience

Acts 23: ⁶ Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” ⁷ When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸ (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)

 

⁹ There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” ¹⁰ The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.

 

¹¹ The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

 

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When I saw the agenda, I prepared for only 15 minutes of material. My portion was supposed to only be ten minutes with five minutes of question and answers. I shook off the nervousness as I spoke to the large crowd about some, not so good, news. The question and answer period turned into a rage filled rant session at what I presented. I got off the stage two and a half hours later.

 

• There were times when I should have studied who I was going to present to.
• There were times when I should have prepared myself for the audience I was talking to.
• There were times when I should have been ready for any audience.

 

Paul recognized who he was speaking to. He saw Sadducees and Pharisees. One group believed in the resurrection, angels and demonic spirits. The other believed in morality through the law without resurrection. Paul spoke to the core of where the two groups disputed. This caused an uproar. Later, the LORD encouraged Paul that he would be safe.

 

• GOD wants me to learn about HIM.
• GOD wants me to seek people to tell about HIS amazing love.
• GOD wants me to be ready to speak about JESUS in different ways because each person is special to HIM.

 

Talking “at” people about JESUS is a turn-off. I mean, the way I approach people needs to be tailored to the individual. The HOLY SPIRIT is gentle and guides me with gentle words. HE takes my harsh, direct words and softens them to those who need kindness.

 

HE toughens my soft words and enables me to deliver a stronger message to those who may have caused someone harm. JESUS is my guide and the HOLY SPIRIT is my lead.

 

• Who has GOD put on your mind?
• What words is HE giving you to tell that person about JESUS?
• Will you take a moment to learn about the person so the HOLY SPIRIT can deliver the right words at the right time through you today?