When People Don't Like… “What the Lord Has Spoken” Jeremiah 23:35 Thus shall you say, every one to his neighbor and every one to his brother, 'What has the LORD answered?' or 'What has the LORD spoken?'

Simply Tear it (the Word) Up! Jer. 36:23 As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire in the fire pot, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the fire pot. 24 Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments. TODAY – leave it closed, come to “church” and not have a Bible or open it. It’s not preached (more stories & illustrations than text). It’s twisted – 2 Peter 3:16

Mock and Snear TODAY: At Athens – “intellectual city” – 17:19-21, 32 The Pharisees & man born blind – John 9:34 John 7:48 Hath any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees? TODAY: What do scientists say? It’s not science vs. the Bible, it’s some “scientists” vs. the Bible - 1 Tim. 6:20 Some will ask “Do you have a PhD.?”

Simply Ignore what’s Said Give lip service to the Word – 1 Sam. 15:13 Won’t pay attention – Jer. 18:18, … "Come, let us make plots against Jeremiah…. Come, let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not pay attention to any of his words." TODAY: Look at the teacher while making plans to remodel… pass notes… whisper disapproval… “Have the elders for breakfast, the preacher for lunch”

Shout Down & Intimidation At Ephesus – Acts 19:28, And when they heard this they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesus. 29 And the city was filled with the confusion… TODAY: “Antifa” tactics… Grabbing the microphone from the speaker… Getting to the church building early and locking the doors… Secret meetings with only certain members to get rid of the elders or the preacher.

Impugn the Speaker’s Character John 7:20 The multitude answered, Thou hast a demon: who seeketh to kill thee? 8:48 The Jews answered and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon? 8:52 The Jews said unto him, Now we know that thou hast a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my word, he shall never taste of death.

Impugn the Speaker’s Character Today: You folks are “antis”, orphan haters, don’t believe in evangelism, anti-fellowship, anti-cooperation. Claim they’re being attacked, offended (play on the word “offend” used in older versions). Jesus: “Let them alone” – Mt. 15:1-14 You’re just traditionalists – Mt 15:9? or 2 Th. 2:15; 1 Cor. 11:2? “Tradition” = literally a handing down. If handed down by God’s apostles then we must do it!

Noble Listeners… Acts 10:33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord." Acts 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.