Acts 13:40-43 40Watch, therefore, lest what has been said in the Prophets might come about: 41“‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; because I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’ ” 42And as they went out, they urged that these words might be told them on the next Sabbath. 43And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
Paul provides a model for preaching a sermon that fits the needs of the context. Many sermons give the positive but fail to deal with the negative. Paul presented the worshipers in the synagogue a message about the hope for God’s forgiveness. In verses 40-41, he gave a strong warning about not accepting his message about God’s mercy. His invitation led to a warning. Sometimes a wake-up call is needed to let people know the seriousness of their situation. We should not treat spiritual matters as insignificant.
Paul appealed to Habbakkuk 1:5 in his warning. Habbakuk recorded God’s warning to Judah that God would raise up the Chaldeans (Babylonians) to conquer Judah unless the people repented. It was a warning against scoffing at God’s offer of forgiveness. The Jews in Antioch faced the same opportunity and consequence. They could repent and accept the gospel, or they could scoff and experience God’s judgment. The situation was urgent, for now was the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:3).
The listeners were impressed to some degree and wanted to hear more the next Sabbath. Verse 42 does not indicate whether this impression was positive or negative. Verse 43 indicates that many of the listeners responded positively by talking with Paul and Barnabas after the meeting. This group had experienced God’s grace through Paul’s sermon and were drawn to the truth of the gospel. They wanted more information to satisfy the hunger of their souls. Paul saw that God’s prevenient grace was drawing them. The seed had been planted. It needed watering so it could grow and produce the harvest of forgiveness and eternal life. These people were being drawn by grace to grace.