Friday, October 31 – Acts 17:32-34

Was Paul’s message a success? Not very many people became believers. It wasn’t like when Peter preached at Pentecost, and 3000 people were added to the church. So, was Paul’s message a success or a failure?

Obviously, Luke thought it was a success. Luke wrote the sermon in the book of Acts. There are not many sermons written down in Acts. This is one of them. That makes me think that Luke thought it was successful. And who am I to argue with Luke?

This is a moment where we must separate the results from the act. Numbers do not tell the entire story. When we are witnessing, our success is not dictated by numbers. Our success is determined on whether we were obedient to the call that Jesus gives us. Did we share the gospel as God desired?

What Paul did is exactly the way we should witness to people. He cared about them and was curious. He found common ground and then shared the gospel. That is how to witness.

And tonight, you get the chance to practice evangelism. Tonight is Halloween, and our neighbors will actually be outside of their homes. You can have conversations that wouldn’t normally happen. So, instead of turning off the outside light and acting like you’re not home, go buy some candy today and sit on your porch for an hour or two tonight. Give out candy to the kids (and adults. Parents need candy, too. And use this opportunity to share the love of Christ with people. You never know. The care and curiosity you have could lead to repentance by the one you give candy to. Your act of obedience could lead to the act of salvation in the life of the other person tonight.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2017%3A32-34&version=NASB