They Will Listen

Acts 28:16–31 (NET 2nd ed.)

16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. 17 After three days Paul called the local Jewish leaders together. When they had assembled, he said to them, “Brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, from Jerusalem I was handed over as a prisoner to the Romans. 18 When they had heard my case, they wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.19 But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar—not that I had some charge to bring against my own people. 20 So for this reason I have asked to see you and speak with you, for I am bound with this chain because of the hope of Israel.” 21 They replied, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, nor have any of the brothers come from there and reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we would like to hear from you what you think, for regarding this sect we know that people everywhere speak against it.” 23 They set a day to meet with him, and they came to him where he was staying in even greater numbers. From morning until evening he explained things to them, testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe. 25 So they began to leave, unable to agree among themselves, after Paul made one last statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah 26 when he said, ‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on hearing, but will never understand, and you will keep on looking, but will never perceive. 27 For the heart of this people has become dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, so that they would not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.” ’

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took breado whole years in his own rented quarters99 and welcomed100 all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ101 with complete boldness102 and without restriction.103

Background: The Bible records that the apostle Paul was in Rome twice, both times as a prisoner, during his thirty-five year public ministry. His appearance in the city of Rome occurs during his fourth and his fifth missionary journeys.

Paul's first visit to Rome is initiated when he is arrested at Jerusalem's temple in late spring of 58 A.D. His arrest occurs when several Jews, who hate him and the gospel message, falsely accuse him of defiling the temple and teaching others to disobey God. Acts 21:27 - 28

Acts 21:27–28 NET 2nd ed.

When the seven days were almost over,95 the Jews from the province of Asia96 who had seen him in the temple area97 stirred up the whole crowd98 and seized99 him, shouting, “Men of Israel,100 help! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people, our law,101 and this sanctuary!102 Furthermore103 he has brought Greeks into the inner courts of the temple104 and made this holy place ritually unclean!”105

Paul experience with early Christian leadership

Paul Goes to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1–22:29) After a farewell to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:18–38 ), Paul goes to Jerusalem—despite the warnings he receives from a prophet (21:11–14). He visits James both to relate his success in ministry to gentiles and to receive counsel about how to proceed while in Jerusalem (21:17–26). He then makes a stirring defense before a large crowd of Jewish Jerusalemites (Acts 22:1–21), but when he mentions his apostleship to the gentiles (22:21), they cause a riot and Paul is taken into protective custody by the Romans (22:22–29). This is Paul’s transition from freedom to imprisonment, one from which—as far as the pages of the New Testament are concerned—he never escapes.

Duplicate the rituals that led the Jews to captivity (Biblical Concept of Judaizing - The English word “Judaizer” connotes the practice of imposing Jewish religious and social customs on others, although the biblical Greek (ἰουδαῑζω, ioudaīzō; יָהַד, yahad) does not.)

Stop the judgement of others for small insignificant reasons.

1 Corinthians 11:23 (NET 2nd ed.)

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread

Acts 28:28–31 (NET 2nd ed.): “Therefore be advised that this salvation from God has been sent to the Gentiles; WHO will listen!”

Personality #1

Matthew 8:5–13 (NET 2nd ed.)

When he entered Capernaum,9 a centurion (junior officer who gives and takes orders) came to him asking for help:11 “Lord,12 my servant13 is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible anguish.” Jesus14 said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied,15 “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof! Instead, just say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me.16 I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes,17 and to another ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave18 ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”19 When20 Jesus heard this he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “I tell you the truth,21 I have not found such faith in anyone in Israel! I tell you, many will come from the east and west to share the banquet22 with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob23 in the kingdom of heaven, but the sons of the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”24 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; just as you believed, it will be done for you.” And the servant25 was healed at that hour.

Those who are seemingly in charge and you don’t think wants to listen.

Personality #2

Matthew 5:25–34 NET 2nd ed.

Reach agreement33 quickly with your accuser while on the way to court,34 or he35 may hand you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the warden, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth,36 you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny!37 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’38 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell.39 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell. “It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a legal document.’40 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. “Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation,41 ‘Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’42 But I say to you, do not take oaths at all—not by heaven, because it is the throne of God,

Those who have tried everything else.

Personality#3

John 3:1–6 NET 2nd ed.

Now a certain man, a Pharisee1 named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council,2 came to Jesus3 at night4 and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs5 that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus replied,6 “I tell you the solemn truth,7 unless a person is born from above,8 he cannot see the kingdom of God.”9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time, can he?”10 Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth,11 unless a person is born of water and spirit,12 he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh,13 and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Those who secretly want what you have But are afraid to let others know.

Acts 28:28–31 (NET 2nd ed.): “Therefore be advised that this salvation from God has been sent to the Gentiles; Why will they listen!”

Philippians 2:9–11 NET 2nd ed.

As a result God highly exalted him and gave him the name, that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow —in heaven and on earth and under the earth— and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Conclusion

1 Corinthians 4:5