Be A Berean

Be a Berean Acts 17.10-12 Paul the apostle left Thessalonica and traveled to Berea. This was done at night. He was basically snuck out of the city to escape persecution. He still had the scars from the severe flogging in Philippi. He did the same things with the Bereans as he had always done. He went to their synagogue. His pattern was, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1.16 The success in Berea was greater than Thessalonica. There was a reason for this... actually several: The Bereans were of Noble Character Well behaved Good The Greek word used in Acts is eugenesteroi, which comes from eugenes, from which we derive the personal name "Eugene." Originally, it meant "wellborn" and implied nobility. Later, it described those of a generous spirit, who are open-minded toward truth, not prejudiced, hostile, or suspicious of others, but give others a fair hearing. The Bereans are considered as noble because they listened to the preaching of the gospel with open hearts as they pursued God and His whole truth. May you have an open heart. In this time of great change in the world and Church. In the sunshine and the rain. We need both to make flowers grow. In the seasons of the year and life. The Bereans held the Word of God in high esteem. The character of a nation, a group of people, a denomination, a church’s character will be known by the place it holds the Word of God in its heart and life. Always hold the Word of God along with His Name high in your life. Hide it in your heart. I wish Paul had written a letter to this church. It would have been one full of commendations. May we be that kind of church! Commended by God. What man commends/ What God commends We have the letters of Paul to the churches. We have the messages of Jesus to the 7 churches in Revelation. If we were have a letter written to us what would it say? The Bereans were model seekers/ believers They were Eager to learn Take hold of it. Receive it like a grant. Embrace it. Zeal We need to diligently search the Scriptures daily. Marinate yourself in it. We should be people of one Book. All other books should be read in the light of the Word of God. I am concerned because that is not so today, even among so called believers. Our relationship with the Word of God is one of embracing it, being zealous to keep it, receiving the gift of it with thankfulness. What a gift we have been given! I will praise You, O LORD, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing Your praise. I will bow down toward Your holy temple and will praise Your name for Your love and your faithfulness, for You have exalted above all things Your name and Your Word. Psalm 138.2 Your Word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalm 119.89 The Word of God is our sole basis for truth and error. Testing the Scriptural Teaching To see if what is being proclaimed is true. To see if what I believe is accurate. You didn’t hear from Bereans, “Wow! What a great message! What an awesome speaker. I could listen to that man preach all day! What a great preacher!” May God help us move away from such childish thinking across the Body of Christ! Here is Paul’s Testimony: I Corinthians 2.1 And so it was with me, brothers, When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. The Bereans were a people who held Scripture in such a high regard that it became their daily pursuit, their source of truth, the only reference book or material they would read in search of what is true. Sifted Getting the wheat separated from the chaff Pulling out the truth Examined Checked out his quotes from the Old Testament. Judged Is it reasonable? Is it right? Listening to the Word of God put them in the Word of God daily. Prove all things. Hold fast that which is good. Be a Berean!