How does Acts 28:29 emphasize the importance of listening to God's message? Verse in Focus “When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.” (Acts 28:29) Immediate Takeaways • A clear gospel presentation has just been given; some choose not to hear it. • Their departure is immediate—showing a conscious decision to walk away. • The “great dispute” proves they heard the words but did not let them take root. Why Listening to God’s Message Matters • Faith is born through hearing: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) • Refusing to listen hardens the heart: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:7-8) • Obedient listening brings blessing: “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28) Contrasting Responses in Acts 28 1. Some were persuaded (Acts 28:24)—they listened with open hearts. 2. Others disbelieved (Acts 28:24)—they listened, but resisted. 3. All heard the same truth; only those who embraced it found peace, while the rest left in conflict. The Pattern Predicted by Isaiah Paul had just quoted Isaiah 6:9-10 (Acts 28:26-27): • Eyes see but do not perceive. • Ears hear but do not understand. The dispute of verse 29 perfectly illustrates Isaiah’s prophecy: refusal to hear leads to spiritual dullness and division. Consequences of Not Listening • Loss of gospel opportunity—“this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” (Acts 28:28) • Confusion among the hearers—“great dispute among themselves.” • Judgment on hardness—Jesus repeats Isaiah’s warning in Matthew 13:14-15. Positive Examples of Attentive Listening • Bereans “received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily.” (Acts 17:11) • Cornelius gathered his household, saying, “We are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you.” (Acts 10:33) • Lydia “was listening; the Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” (Acts 16:14) Living It Out Today • Approach Scripture ready to obey, not merely to analyze. • Check every teaching against the Word, as the Bereans did, instead of reacting emotionally. • Guard against selective hearing—invite the Spirit to expose any resistant areas in your heart. • Expect Scripture to bring unity around truth; if strife rises, ask whether hearts are truly hearing. Supporting Verses on Hearing God • John 10:27 – “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” • James 1:22 – “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” • Proverbs 18:13 – “He who answers before he hears—this is folly and shame to him.” Acts 28:29 reminds us that the difference between peace and turmoil, faith and disbelief, often comes down to one simple choice: Will we truly listen to God’s message? |
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