Acts 17:10-12 / Eagerness
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Acts 17:1-12
Acts 17:1-12
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
Thessalonica
Thessalonica
Passed through Amphipoli & Apolonia
(presumedly no synagogues)
Pauls entered the synagogue AS WAS CUSTOM
He was there to spread the Gospel
Before we read about his visit here
Lets skip ahead to the next place he went
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.
Also went into the synagogue
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.
these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica
Ouch! How would you like to get honorable mention int he Bible for something like that?
We know there was a church established (1&2 Thessalonians)
The Holy Spirit can move in the most unlikely hearts.
What made the Bereans more noble?
What made the Bereans more noble?
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.
The Bareans recieved the word with all eagerness
Important to note that this was a “new teaching”
But this talks about their attitude to hear from God.
Eagerness - the longed to hear from God.
I don’t mean are they were all doing 10 devotionals and three small groups.
Eager to learn truth from God’s word.
Thessalonians:
Paul reasoned with them from scripture
Explaining and Proving
2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
Paul read from scripture but it seems that they had to be convinced to reconsider their understanding.
Are you hungry for God’s word?
Another indication of how the Bereans were more noble.
How they process truth
4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.
Persuaded:
Did Paul convince me. (not God’s word but Paul)
Was the preacher eloquent?
Some of us get mesmerized by these professional speakers. (will follow them anywhere)
May I submit that we should all be like the Bereans.
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.
It doesn’t really matter how comfortable or convicting the person is. Once you understand the message you should immediately want to know, what does the bible say?
It’s important to hear messages that are from God’s word.
I think having the actual bible is important, but I mean HERE IS THE PASSAGE
What does scripture say.
What does scripture mean.
What does scripture mean to me.
It’s important for you to learn how to study God’s word.
exegesis vs eisegesis
Eisegesis: reading God’s word to find what you think it should say.
Exegesis: discovering what God’s word says.
Prayerfully ask for wisdom
Start with God’s word.
Read it completely (whole paragraph, whole chapter.
Several times.
Then consider outside sources.
The major assault we face within the church today is how to interpret God’s word.