What Makes a Noble Christian?

Hechos de los Apóstoles 17:10–11 RVG

10 Y de inmediato los hermanos, enviaron de noche a Pablo y a Silas a Berea; los cuales, habiendo llegado, entraron en la sinagoga de los judíos. 11 Y éstos eran más nobles que los que estaban en Tesalónica, pues recibieron la palabra con toda solicitud, escudriñando cada día las Escrituras para ver si estas cosas eran así.

Intro: The book of Acts is filled with stories of the adventures of men like Peter and Paul. Paul in particular, travelled to many parts of the known world at that time. He was able to spread the gospel to the uttermost part of the world in obedience to Acts 1:8. In this chapter, Paul and Silas arrive in Berea, where there was a group of individuals who were willing to learn. The Bible tells us that they were more noble than those of Thessalonica. Tonight, I hope to see what made these individuals noble Christians.

1. They Were Ready to Receive

a. When Paul and Silas entered the synagogue and began preaching the gospel, these Bereans received the word.

b. Sometimes, it is difficult to receive the word because we think that we already know a lot or that the individuals trying to teach us definitely don’t know more than we do.

c. The Bible tells us that a wise man wants to receive instruction. Pro. 9:8-9

Proverbios 9:8–9 RVG

8 No reprendas al escarnecedor, para que no te aborrezca; corrige al sabio, y te amará. 9 Da consejo al sabio, y será más sabio; enseña al justo, y aumentará su saber.

i. A wise man loves rebuke.

ii. Being rebuked is a humbling experience.

iii. There are times where we must admit that we are wrong and submit to the wisdom of someone else. Ill. I think of how difficult it must be for someone who was raised Catholic all his life to change his beliefs and trust in Christ alone for salvation.

2. They Searched the Scriptures

a. The Bereans didn’t take the things that the apostles said at face value: they studied the Scriptures for themselves.

b. The Bible tells us that we must be persuaded in our own minds. Rom. 14:5

Romanos 14:5 RVG

5 Uno hace diferencia entre un día y otro; otro juzga iguales todos los días. Cada uno esté plenamente seguro en su propia mente.

c. If you are not fully persuaded in your own mind, then you are no longer acting in faith.

i. Not acting in faith will lead to sin. Rom. 14:23

Romanos 14:23 RVG

23 Pero el que duda, si come, se condena, porque come sin fe, y todo lo que no es de fe, es pecado.

ii. You will never be confident when explaining your faith to others.

iii. Ill. It was once explained to me that you learn much more about a subject when you are required to teach it.

3. They Protected the Preacher

a. As we look further down in the passage, we see that the Bereans sent Paul away when he was in danger. Acts 17:13-14

Hechos de los Apóstoles 17:13–14 RVG

13 Pero cuando los judíos de Tesalónica supieron que también en Berea era predicada la palabra de Dios por Pablo, fueron también allá y alborotaron al pueblo. 14 Entonces los hermanos, inmediatamente enviaron a Pablo que fuese hacia el mar; y Silas y Timoteo se quedaron allí.

b. We should likewise take care of the man of God.

c. The book of 1 Timothy gives us some excellent insight into our treatment of the man of God. 1 Tim. 5:17-19

1 Timoteo 5:17–19 RVG

17 Los ancianos que gobiernan bien, sean tenidos por dignos de doble honor; mayormente los que trabajan en predicar y en enseñar. 18 Porque la Escritura dice: No pondrás bozal al buey que trilla. Y: Digno es el obrero de su jornal. 19 Contra un anciano no recibas acusación sino ante dos o tres testigos.

i. If the pastor is doing his job, give him double what he needs.

ii. Ill. There are some in churches that complain about having to pay their pastor. We see from 1 Timothy that it is a command of God to do so. Don’t forget that the Lord loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. 9:7

iii. Another approach to take to this passage would be to say that the man of God is worthy of respect and honor in addition to his monetary salary.

Conclusion: We see from the Bereans’ example that we should be Christians who are ready to receive the word when we come to church. We should search the Scriptures throughout the week and not simply take the words we hear at face value. And finally, we should take care of our pastor for all the work that he does to spiritually guide the church. Would to God, that we would be more noble like the Bereans!

Q#1: How can we receive instruction?

Q#2: What are some things that we need to search the Scriptures on?

Q#3: What are some ways that we can give the pastor double honor?