All good communication needs to make a connection with the audience: something they already know or have experienced. The parables of Jesus are an example of that kind of communication. Paul had been invited to speak in the synagogue in Antioch, in Pisidia (Acts 13:15). Synagogues provided a place to worship in prayer and to hear God's Word read and explained. So Paul recognised that this was a gospel opportunity and he started by identifying with them as fellows Israelites, and warmly welcoming the Gentiles who had come to learn the truth about God.

Of course, he wanted to speak about Jesus. But the Jews did not recognise Him as being the Messiah; so Paul started where they could agree. He affirmed that they were God's chosen people, as their ancestors had been since the time of Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3). It was God's plan for His people to multiply in Egypt before He took them out of Pharaoh's grip, powerfully opening a way through the Red Sea for them to finally escape his clutches.

But they were rebellious in the wilderness, trying God's patience. All except Joshua and Caleb died in the wilderness. It was a new generation that entered the Promised Land, as the Lord overthrew seven idolatrous and wicked nations who would not submit to Him (Genesis 15:16). From the time of Joseph's family leaving Canaan for Egypt, to Joshua settling the people in Canaan was about 450 years. That long time continually revealed God's patient and powerful plan; and the continual grumbling rebellion of His people, at the same time.

Like the people in Paul's congregation, we have also grown up under the Lord's watchful eye but have rebelled (1 Corinthians 10:1-13). He has been powerfully kind in pushing back the evil which has wanted to enslave us, and we have been ungrateful. He has given us so much, and we have squandered His privileges. That is why rules and good intentions are not enough. We also need a Saviour who can atone for our sins and change our desires. Like Paul's listeners, we can easily assume that we somehow have a right to God's mercy and grace, forgetting that without repentance all sacrifice is meaningless. Most of our friends think that they are basically quite good. It is only when we see ourselves as selfish, ungrateful, arrogant, rebellious sinners … that we see how much we need Jesus: and our friends also need to come to the same point if they, with us, are to experience the power of His salvation.