4 lessons from the church at Berea Acts 17:10-15

Introduction

In every church that we read about in the book of Acts there are lessons for us to learn. Here the church at Berea is no different.

As Paul and Silas finished there time in Thessalonica they headed 46 miles southwest from Thessalonica to Berea.

If we want to see our church grow it starts with believers being engaged in the word and work of God!

Here under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Luke gives us 4 lessons from the Church at Berea.

Lesson #1 They were ready to receive the Word

As Paul and Silas entered in to Berea they do what they were accustomed to doing and found a synagogue of the Jews to teach and preach at.

The Bible points out that the people here were more noble than those at Thessalonica.

At first glance you would think its talking about there social standing was higher than those in Thessalonica, but thats not what its speaking of.

The word noble here means “ready to receive truth”

It almost is like they were ready soil to receive the seed of the word.

The Bereans, had a teachable attitude. Their hearts were open, not hardened. Here is the first step in becoming a student of the Bible: approach God’s Word with humility, saying, “Teach me, oh God.”

When we come to church we should be ready to receive the truth of the word

Luke 8:4–15 KJV 1900

4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: 5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

We should pray as the Psalmest did in Psalm 119:18 “18 Open thou mine eyes, That I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”

Before we come to church are we preparing our hearts to receive what God has for us from the word? This is a great verse for us to pray!

Psalm 119:27 “27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: So shall I talk of thy wondrous works.”

When we leave the church service we shouldn’t be thinking “Oh what a sermon” but rather “Oh what a Saviour”

When we are ready to receive the scriptures, we will be ready to share them as well.

How do approach the scriptures? Look at the Psalmests prayer

Psalm 119:33–36 “33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; And I shall keep it unto the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; For therein do I delight. 36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, And not to covetousness.”

James 1:21 “21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

The engrafted word describes the permanent establishing of the Word in our hearts by God.

Application: When we come to church, we should like the Bereans, have the soil of our hearts prepared to receive the Word of God.

Lesson #2 They were excited to receive the Word

We get excited about lots of things

Our team winning the big game

Catching a big fish

Getting a promotion at work

Buying a house or car

We should be more excited about the Word of God than anything else.

Don’t get me wrong its okay to get excited about other things, but we should be more excited about God’s word than anything else.

Look what Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:2–3 “2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

Some one said this “Oh, that churches would be filled with people longing more for biblical food than for Sunday-morning cotton-candy entertainment, funny stories, and pithy anecdotes!”

If all we ever had to eat was milk we would shrivel up and die, we must eventually eat food with more substance than milk.

Just as our physical bodies need proper nourishment our spiritual bodies nee it as well.

We should desire the Word of God.

The bible tells us they received the word with all readiness of mind.

This means they had a willingness to receive the word of God.

If you know me, you know I love music. I love to sing to our saviour, I could sing all day long, but singing shouldn’t have the preeminence in our service, the word of God should.

Application: Is our heart ready and eager to receive the word of God?

Lesson #3 They were diligent in their study

Notice that Luke highlights they searched the scriptures to see if what Paul was teaching was truth.

They didn’t just take Pauls word for it, they went home and did their homework.

Paul could’ve been offended, but we will see in other letters he wrote, that he encouraged them to test what they had heard

1 Timothy 6:2–10 KJV 1900

2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

In Ephesians, Colossians, Corinthians he warns them of false teachers

Everything thats taught or preached should be tested through the lens of the word of God

John Phillips said this “The example of the Bereans should be followed by everyone. All teaching, no matter how convincing it sounds, no matter how great the personal charisma of the teacher, ought to be subjected to the test of Scripture.

Application: Everything you read or hear taught on the Bible should be looked at through the lens of Scripture to make sure it lines up with scripture.

Lesson #4 They read the scriptures daily

Notice the church at Berea didn’t just read the Bible at church, but rather they searched the scriptures daily.

This was a regular practice in the early New Testament Church

Acts 2:42–47 “42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

John 5:39 “39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

Application: If we want a to live a fruitful Christian Life, we must spend time daily in the scriptures

The Results

Conversions; Many received Christ

Every Scripture points to one message and that message is the Gospel.

The Scripture shows us that we are sinners and in need of a saviour

The scripture shows us that Jesus Christ came and lived a perfect life

The scripture shows us that Jesus Christ died on a cross for our sins

The Scripture shows us that Jesus Christ was buried

The scripture Shows us that Jesus Christ rose from the dead to offer us life eternal.

Many of the Jews recieved Christ

Many of the honourable woman received Christ

Many of the men got saved

Conflict

The people in Thessalonica heard that Paul and Silas were preaching the Gospel in Berea, so they went to Berea to stir up the people.

When God works, the enemy will always try to destroy what God is doing

This isn’t the first time that there was conflict while preaching the Gospel and it certainly won’t be the last, but despite the opposition Paul goes on for the sake of the Gospel.

After the people in Berea were stirred up the brethren sent Paul ahead to Athens and sent some of the men to go with him, while Silas and Timothy stayed behind until Paul sent for them

Conclusion

Christians is our heart prepared to receive the Word of God?

Maybe you’re hear this morning and you’ve never trusted Christ as your saviour and you know that you need to this morning.

Come this morning and we can show you from God’s word how you can be saved.