How people respond to the Gospel message is our focus in this blog.
On any given day, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed to millions of people in many ways. This could be online, face to face, on the streets, in workplaces, clubs, churches, etc.
However, two people in similar circumstances may be presented with the Gospel in similar ways and yet show opposite reactions to it.
Why do people have different responses to the hearing of the Gospel? While some are open to the message, others are opposed to it. Some are happy with it; others are hostile towards it.
The Bible indicates that a Witness brings to the one an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life (2 Corinthians 2:16). Therefore, individuals will react based on which aroma of Christ they perceive from the Witness.
The Witness and how the Gospel is presented have some impact on the response. But, the ultimate call is from God who decides on who to be added to His Kingdom at certain times. He will only have mercy on whom He chooses (Romans 9:15).
So, some are blinded to the gospel while others are open to it. As the Bible records, ‘’the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God’’ (2 Corinthians 4:4).
For example, I will use two types of analogies to describe how people respond to the Gospel message.
How people respond – The seed and soil analogy
Jesus narrated the parable of the Sower:
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still, other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown” (Luke 8:5-8).
Jesus explained the meaning of the parable and the symbols used. The seed represents the word of God, the soil is the heart of the person receiving the word. Birds represent Satan and thorns indicate worries, riches, and pleasures of life.
Explanations of the parable of the Sower
- The seed on the road
The road is so hard that the seed has no chance of taking root. The seed will just lay there on top of the road until the birds came and eat it. These are the hard-hearted ones who have decided they don’t want to hear the Gospel. They did not give the word of God a chance and so have been blinded to the Gospel for that point in time.
- The seed on the rocky ground
These are people who receive the gospel message with enthusiasm. But when difficulty comes, they drift away. They are superficial hearers who want to believe the Gospel, but they are not willing to make the necessary sacrifice. Examples of difficulties may be ridicule or persecution from friends and relatives.
- The seed in the thorns
The third group of people is attracted to the gospel message. But, they are so preoccupied with other things that they never respond to the Gospel. They receive the gospel truth, but they are also ‘open’ to other competing truths. These are unwilling to fully commit to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Competing demands on their life such as worries over money and the pleasures of life made them give up the gospel truth.
- The seed on the fertile soil
These are people who have heard the Gospel and accept it as the truth. They applied the message received to their life and are transformed. The evidence is seen in the fruit of the Godly Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These are the responsive hearers who become Disciples of Jesus Christ.
You can read a complete sermon on the parable at: https://bit.ly/differentrespondtothegospel
How people respond – the harvest analogy
Jesus spoke of a spiritual harvest waiting to be reaped.
‘’36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:36–38).
Again, Jesus used the metaphor of a spiritual harvest in John 4:35. He told His disciples, “Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest”.
The stages of harvest readiness
- The ripe harvest
These are the people that have been primed and ready for salvation. The person may have heard the gospel several times, but it can also be the first time. Unforgettable experiences I have had include people waiting for us at the outreach location even before we arrive. As if they have been sent there to wait for us! I have heard people exclaim; ‘‘this is what I have been waiting for’’ or ‘’I need this right now’’.
I believe we need to spend as much time as possible with the ripe harvest. We should exchange contact details, and arrange to meet up to build a relationship. We need to make time to help such on their discipleship journey.
- The unripe harvest
These are the ones who are not ready to receive the Gospel. Many are pleasant; would smile and said no. Others can be abusive, rude, aggressive, or even violent.
Therefore, the best approach is to stay away from such people. As Jesus stated, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces’’ (Matthew 7:6).
- The over-ripe harvest
These are ‘Christians’ who think they know better than everyone else. They may know a lot of the Bible and can quote scriptures to make their points, albeit out of context. Some may be genuinely interested in discussing theological principles or they just want to teach others how to be a Christian.
I believe the best approach is to be polite, exchange contact numbers, and make an appointment for a deeper conversation or debate if one is interested.
What shall we conclude?
In conclusion, spiritual harvest is the result of God’s work in man’s heart. It is clear from the parable of the Sower that there is nothing we can do to change the soil—that is God’s job. However, we can be faithful to sow the seed, help the plants to grow, or reap the harvest.
Also, the process of spiritual growth and maturity, from the heart’s regeneration to the recognition of faith, is often a long journey. The Bible indicates that the Sower, the Tender, and the Reaper are likely to be different people at different times.
‘’I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow’’ (1 Corinthians 3:6–7).
Therefore, our focus should be on pleasing the One who sent us into the field rather than on controlling the rate of growth or the amount we reap.
The calling of every Christian is to witness and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). Our role is to go and witness in obedience to the great commission. How people respond to the Gospel message is up to God.
May I ask that you get in touch if you have something that could be published? Any type of conversation about Jesus Christ, whether from a Christian or non-Christian perspective will be considered. Thank you!
You can read our previous blog at https://fmministry.co.uk/what-is-the-most-important-gospel-message. Please share with others and send your feedback to hello@fmministry.co.uk or use the comment box below.
God bless you and let us keep talking and sharing Jesus Christ with the world.
Adesina
good analogy about the sower