Rev. Don Campbell
Acts 7-8
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2019
“WHY SOME PREACHERS FAIL AND OTHERS SUCCEED”
In attempting to discover why some preachers succeed and others fail, many begin with the preachers. While that could be beneficial, it will not be our approach. Both Stephen and Phillip had been among the seven appointed to supervise the distribution of food to the widows in Jerusalem. The apostles had laid hands on both and both spoke by inspiration. When Stephen finished his sermon, his audience stoned him (Acts 7:54-60). When Philip finished, great numbers of men and women were baptized (Acts 8:9-13).
The difference was not in the message, for both preached Christ as Savior. The difference was not in the messengers. Both Stephen and Philip performed wonders and signs as verification that their message was from God (Acts 6:8; 8:6).
Some rose up and disputed Stephen’s message, but when they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking, they secretly instigated men to accuse him of blasphemy Moses and God. He was brought before the council and his face was like the face of an angel. Stephen rehearsed the history of Israel’s rebellion and then accused them of betraying and murdering Jesus (Acts 7:52). They had heard enough. He was stoned to death. Perhaps Stephen should have softened his charges against them. Not so. He spoke by the power of the Spirit, and Peter on the day of Pentecost had told his listeners that they were guilty of the death of Christ. They had cried out, “What must we do?” (Acts 2:37). Those who heard Stephen were not ready to accept the message, so they killed the messenger.
The Samaritans were not guilty of having killed Jesus, so Philip did not bring this charge against them. There may be another factor. Jesus had taught a Samaritan woman, even declaring himself to be the Messiah (John 4:25-26). She shared the good news with her neighbors, and many of them believed (John 4:39). Jesus then spent two days there teaching them and many more believed. They believed, but salvation did not come to them until Philip preached the gospel to them and they believed and were baptized.
The difference between the two audiences was that one was ready to accept the truth and the other was not. Psychological literature speaks of “readiness’ which implies a degree of single-mindedness and eagerness. Stephen’s audience had their minds made up and they did not want to be confused with truth. Every preacher has probably experienced this, but few have been stoned.
CONNECTIONS
1. Most audiences today won’t stone the preacher for telling them the truth, but what will some do?
2. The message that melts one heart will harden another. Why?
