“There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were blown away. They couldn’t for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, “Aren’t these all Galileans? How come we’re hearing them talk in our various mother tongues? Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene; Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes; even Cretans and Arabs! “They’re speaking our languages, describing God’s mighty works!” (Acts 2:5-11 The Message Bible)
It is Sunday morning, and you are probably excited, all set to exit your house and enter into your place of worship. God bless you for the faithfulness you exhibit!
Over the years, you have heard me say that when God speaks to a gathering, regardless of the size or the setting, He has a specific message, sent by a specific messenger, specifically for you! If you doubt it, ask your fellow saints to tell you what they got out of the message after service lets out. Well, wait a minute. That method of seeking feedback may or may not prove my point because the saints you approach may not be open to openly revealing how the Lord addressed their specific development. They might see that as private, between them and the Lord. I understand. I realize they may only reiterate or review the major points that were shared from the sent messenger spoken from the podium. That’s okay because that can be of value. It reemphasizes or restates truths that will be retained easier. However, as they use to say, “If the truth be told,” or if by some chance we were all transparent, open to answering with integrity and what the message said specifically to us, we would find many, a mixed variety of applicable responses to the question, “What did you get out of the message?”
Here is a fact, my friend. God will speak directly to you this morning. He will! I have no doubt that friend. Listen! If that which was spoken about the mighty works of God on the day of Pentecost could be heard by a multitude of people in a multiplicity of languages, each person hearing in their own native tongue, surely God can speak to you in such a way that you will hear what you specifically you need to hear. Now this is not an apples-to-apples comparison, but it is a demonstration of how the Lord spoke specifically to all in the crowd, and He met the specific need of all present to hear of the Lord. God does not dwell in ambiguity. He majors in specificity.
If you need much direction and little support or encouragement, that is exactly how He will enlighten you today. If you need and an equal amount of direction and support, God will equip to you too this morning. If you have developed to where you have enough knowledge and know-how, but you need a little push so that of your own will, of your own volition, you will respond appropriately to the preached word as needed to enhance your life, God will give you just what you need. Still, if you are doing great in most areas of living as a Christian ought, perhaps you just need a tinge, a touch of support, well don’t worry, God will speak to you in your situation too before the closing of the sermon. Face it! Whether you say it aloud or not, you will think, “That sermon was just for me.” God will speak specifically to you. But you must have ears to hear what the Lord says. In other words, you will have to partner with God this Sunday. (Really, every time He sends a message, directly from the preached/taught word or by experiencing the Holy Spirit bringing to your remembrance applicable and timely truths from His word, God will speak specifically to you.)
Let’s get back to this Sunday morning. Today, the Lord wants to partner with you! So, partner with God and give Him your undivided attention today. And then, after hearing the sent word, act on it. Remember faith is connected with following and belief is connected with behaving. Enjoy worship! Be blessed!
“Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” (Matthew 11:15 NLT Version)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King