In my book, Paul was a genius.
Now I don’t mean McCartney or Simon or Anka, (I just realized how old I really am).
I mean Paul of Tarsus, the apostle. Yes, he was a genius at communication. He had the gift to help people grasp the importance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Now, don’t get me wrong, some of the letters that Paul wrote are a bit difficult to stay on track with.
But, at the time of his ministry, Paul could preach. He knew his audience, and he knew how to reach them.
Take for instance Acts 17:22-31.
Paul is in Athens, a center of philosophy and pagan spirituality. This was a city of education and thinking.
Paul is coming from Judea, often considered the backwoods of the Roman Empire. He brings a message about an itinerant Jewish Rabbi.
When he presents this message to these learned urban folk, they seek to know more.
What Paul did was he met them where they were. You see, in the city they had statues to many, many gods.
There was one altar that was to an unknown god. Paul did not chastise them for their paganism, nor did he act all superior for his monotheism. Paul found common ground.
“Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way,” that was how he started his speech.
He acknowledged their religious works and their desire to know their gods. He even bragged about the altar to an unknown god. Paul then told them about this unknown God and Jesus Christ.
You see, when we share Christ, we need to share it in a way people will understand.
It’s easy to get into religious speak. It’s easy to assume people know more than they do. The truth of the matter is, we are living in a biblically illiterate world.
If you look at the movies, books and TV shows that are available, you will see people are hungry for spirituality and religion. The problem is they don’t know where to look, what to ask, and who to talk too.
The church, you and me, has a secret language that gets in the way of sharing.
We expect people to know what salvation means, or what sin is, or even what grace is. Less and less people understand the need for grace.
But, we can turn things around without changing the message.
If you look at the ministry of Jesus, you will see that Jesus met the people where they were. He met them in their pain and sickness. He met them in their loss. He was ready to help. He also listened.
He heard Jairus beg for the life of his daughter.
He heard Bartimaeus say he wanted to see. He heard the thief say, “Remember me.” He heard Kent say, “Father, take me as I am.”
We need to start listening. People need to be heard. Paul listened to the Athenians, and the word of God was shared.
If we listen, then the lost will know there is a God who listens.
We need to show that the God who listens also comforts, cares and saves.
As we come out of quarantine, let’s be a people who listen, so people can know God.
See you in church.
Rev. Kent Wilfong is the pastor at the United Methodist Church, Doniphan/Neelyville.