Hearing the Word

Hearing the Word

Acts 2:1–12

There are moments in the Bible, when heaven seems to break open, and the vale between God and his creation dissipates. The Spirit of God moves so dramatically, so purposefully, that there’s no mistaking that the power of God is on full display. And amazement gives way to glory.

For example: Moses and the Burning Bush... the parting of the Red Sea... The Baptism of Jesus... the Raising of Lazarus, and the Resurrection of Jesus... are just a few examples.

But Pentecost is another. The spectacle and amazement were secondary... though many groups stress the miraculous as the primary focus (so much so that some claim that if unless you “speak in tongues” you’re not saved). But, biblical, reformed faith stresses that the primary focus of Pentecost is that God made himself known, specifically, through the hearing of His Word.

As Romans 10:17 reminds us: “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were gathered together, when, as the scripture testifies... suddenly, and amazingly, the Spirit descended with an undeniable sound of a rushing wind, AND what appeared to be visible tongues of fire settled on the Disciples. It was such a spectacle that it attracted a crowd... it was obvious that God was acting... he was doing something extraordinary.

The wind - was the same power that hovered over the deep at the dawn of creation. The fire - marked God’s holy presence (as it does in other places throughout Scripture). The Lord was fulfilling His promise to pour out His Spirit upon His people.

Of course... then the disciples began to speak “as the Spirit enabled them” (v. 4), and individual people, gathered among the listening, curious crowd, began to hear the message, the Gospel message, in their own languages. This wasn’t random... it wasn’t contrived... and had nothing to do with ecstatic emotionalism. This was God intentionally and purposefully making His truth, his Word, understandable.

“The chief work of the Holy Spirit is to illuminate our minds to receive the truth of God.” (John Calvin) The Spirit magnifies Christ by opening ears and hearts to the Gospel.

Of course, the crowd was astonished because each person heard the Word of God “in [their] own native language” (v. 8). Parthians, Medes, Egyptians, Romans, Arabs—all hearing the same Gospel.

The message was dispersed, proclaimed corporately, and miraculously translated for all to hear... the Lord of Creation stooped to speak in such a way, that even pagans could hear the words being spoken. But God also used the moment to address people personally, because, ultimately, the Gospel can only be received personally.

No one is redeemed by riding their parents coat-tails. Not one person is redeemed because they joined the right church, or followed the right preacher. You and I are re-born, as God reveals himself to us, and chooses us... The Gospel must be personally heard, personally received, and personally believed.

Jesus repeatedly - time and again - said: “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” That’s because there’s a difference between hearing words and truly hearing THE WORD.

Many in Jerusalem heard the noise that day. Not all truly received the message. Some mocked; some refused to believe. The same remains true today.

One person hears the Gospel and remains indifferent. Another hears and is cut to the heart. The difference is the gracious efficacious work of the Holy Spirit opening blind eyes and deaf ears. Which, of course, makes faith a gift... a gift of pure grace.

You know, the fact is... We live in a noisy world filled with endless voices competing for our attention. It can sometimes be overwhelming! At times, you don’t know who to listen to, or what to believe. Yet, the greatest need of every man, woman, and child, is to hear the voice of God in the Gospel.

Of course, hearing is more than admiring. Hearing is more that just respecting...

Hearing the good news is to accept that Christ died for sinners, rose again, and freely saves all who come to Him in faith. And to believe, with fruitful, productive, regenerate faith, that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Verse 12 says: “Amazed and perplexed, (those gathered) asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’”

Of course, the Gospel always does that. It confronts us with a decision. It comforts the disturbed, and disturbs the comfortable.

Thomas Watson, the Puritan preacher, wrote: “Till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.” God’s Word humbles us before it ever comforts us.

The Spirit still works through the Word today. The same Gospel proclaimed at Pentecost is still “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).

Pentecost reminds us that God desires the Gospel of Christ to be heard... so much so... that He poured out His Spirit on all who would receive.

And nothing about that, has changed. God still calls sinners through the preaching of His Word. And the redeemed still hear, and respond.

May you and I always be a people who listen attentively, respond humbly, and live faithfully as those who’ve received the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

For blessed are those who truly hear the Word of God and believe.

Amen.