Readiness of Mind
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Continuing in our Spiritually Minded Series:
Romans 8:6 — For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
We found Peace of Mind in Isaiah 26:3
We learned to be Mindful of God’s Mercies in chapter three (3) of Lamentations
We discovered the truth of the Transformed Mind — as found in Romans 12:1-2.
Last time we unwrapped the concept Spiritual Self-Esteem — also from Romans 12.
We discovered that Christians are to be of One Mind — from 1st Peter, chapter 3.
Today we will examine the way we respond to the Preaching of God’s Word as we delve into this Readiness of Mind that we find in Acts chapter 17.
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
Proposition:
Here in the book of Acts, chapter 17, we become acquainted with two responses to the preaching of the Word of God.
Scripture tells us that proper, Bible-based, Spirit-filled preaching is the demonstration of the Spirit and of power (1 Cor 2:4), that to the lost and dying world, the preaching of the cross is foolishness — but to the believer, it is the power of God (1 Cor 1:18).
Many of us that are gathered here this morning have sat under the preaching of God’s Word hundreds, even thousands, of times. But have you ever stopped to consider whether or not you have been responding to the Preaching of God’s Word with Readiness of Mind?
Has preaching had its designed effect on your heart and life — namely, your transformation to righteousness by the Power of the Holy Spirit of God?
Or has the preaching been sabotaged in its effectiveness because your response has not been as noble as it should be?
You see, Bible-based, Spirit-filled preaching always calls for a change, a response, and that response is 100%, totally left up to you.
Transition:
In the first portion of this chapter, we discover a zealous group of people Rejecting the Word that is preached to them:
Rejecting the Word (1-9, 13)
Rejecting the Word (1-9, 13)
Some believed, but others did not, and rejected the message that Paul gave.
But notice with me some aspects of the message that Paul preached here in Acts 17:
The Source of the Message
The Source of the Message
And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
He was not preaching philosophy, he was not preaching methodology, he was not preaching motivationally, he was not preaching inspirationally, he was not preaching fashionably, or stylishly, or culturally — He was preaching Biblically!
And by the way, What Christianity needs today is not flashier, hipper, more-relevant preachers! What Christianity needs today is Bible Preachers!
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
And that’s what Paul did, he preached the Word of God.
For weeks, he reasoned with them from the Scriptures — the Bible.
(The Source of His Message)
The Substance of the Message
The Substance of the Message
Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
The Substance of Paul’s message was the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
[GOSPEL]
(The Source of the Message)
(The Substance of the Message)
The Reactions to the Message
The Reactions to the Message
Some Believed
Some Believed
And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
We must preach the gospel to a lost and dying world because of that “some” that would believe!
ILLUSTRATION — Adoniram Judson labored faithfully in Burma for eighteen years without a furlough, and for the first six years he did not have a single Burmese convert. He said that he never saw a ship leave Burma without wanting to board it and go home. When his wife became sick and had to go home for two years without him, he wrote: ”If we could find some quiet resting place on earth where we could spend the rest of our days in peace, and perform the ordinary services of religion.” But he then wrote: ”Life is short. Happiness consists not in outward circumstances. Millions of Burmese are perishing. I am almost the only person on earth who has attained their language to communicate salvation.” And those “some” that would believe as a result of his efforts were worth every bit of those efforts.
(Some Believed)
Some Believed Not
Some Believed Not
But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
Allow me to make three observations about the Jews that Believed Not:
They Envied the Multitude
They Envied the Multitude
STATEMENT — Jealousy in the face of another’s joy and growth is a common, carnal response
Cain envied Abel
Rachel envied Leah
Joseph’s brothers were consumed with envy
STATEMENT — The envy of the unbelievers reveals something that they would never dare to admit, that even the lost know what real, genuine, spiritual transformation looks like!
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
They know what a transformed life looks like, they know what a genuine life of faith looks like, and they know where the credit for that life truly lies
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Though they despise you now, though they reject you now, deep down they know what genuine, Godly living, looks like — and on judgment day they will finally admit what they knew all along.
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
The world knows what light looks like in the darkness. The world knows when a life is set aflame by the glory of Almighty God. And they are watching for that light — do they see it in you?
ILLUSTRATION — When native converts of the island of Madagascar used to present themselves for baptism, it was often asked of them, “What first led you to think of becoming Christians?” The answer usually was that the changed conduct of others who had become Christians was what first arrested their attention.
“I knew this man to be a thief; that one was a drunkard; another was very cruel and unkind to his family. Now they are all changed. The thief is an honest man; the drunkard is sober and respectable; and the other is gentle and kind in his home. There must be something in a religion that can work such changes.” The converts would say.
Source: The Biblical Museum, Volume II, James Comper Gray
The world knows what true transformation looks like. And in Acts 17, the jews that believed not grew envious of those that believed.
STATEMENT — Instead of the prideful reaction of envying those who are transformed by the power of God through a genuine walk with Christ, seek in a spirit of humility to be transformed yourself!
Many have sat in churches and sat under the preaching, and witnessed lives changed, witnessed others responding to the message — and in the hardness of their hearts, rather than growing in Christ, they grow envious.
And let me remind you, those that grew jealous sat under the same preaching — it was their response that differed.
They could have had the same joy, the same transformation, the same growth — but in their pride and unbelief, would not submit themselves to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
If you find yourself criticizing those who are responding to the preaching, who are growing in the Lord, who are burning with passion for Him and His Word, perhaps you should ask yourself why you are not responding to the preaching like that yourself?
Quote — “Don’t worry if someone here gets too fired up, we’ve got enough wet blankets sitting in the pews to put them out.”
(They Envied the Multitude)
They Accused the Messenger
They Accused the Messenger
And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
STATEMENT — Those that refuse to obey the Word of God often attack and accuse the man of God.
AHAB:
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord.
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
THE MOB BEFORE PILATE:
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
Lots of people have made excuses for why they shouldn’t listen to the preacher
He’s too young
He’s too old
He’s not smart enough
He uses too many fancy words
He’s not passionate in his preaching
He gets too loud
He doesn’t carry himself well
He’s arrogant
He doesn’t pay me enough attention
He’s a busybody
He’s got his hands into everything — He’s a control freak
He has no idea what’s going on around here
ILLUSTRATION — The results of a computerized survey indicate what makes up the perfect pastor. The perfect pastor preaches exactly 15 minutes. He condemns sin but never upsets anyone. He works from 8:00 am to midnight and is also the janitor. He makes $50 a week, wears good clothes, buys good books, drives a good car, and gives about $50 weekly in the offering. He is 28 years old and has been preaching for 30 years. He has a burning desire to work with teenagers and spends all of his time with senior citizens. The perfect pastor smiles all of the time with a straight face because he has a sense of humor that keeps him seriously dedicated to his work. He makes 15 calls daily on church families, shut-ins, and the hospitalized. He spends all of his time door-knocking and is always in his office when needed.
There is no perfect pastor. You will find fault with me. You will find faults in other preachers as well. But you will never find fault in the message.
When you are picking apart the preacher, make sure you’re not doing it so that you can justify ignoring the message.
(They Envied the Multitude)
(They Accused the Messenger)
They Objected to the Modifications
They Objected to the Modifications
And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
Throughout the Book of Acts we find that the preaching of the Gospel fundamentally transformed the places in which it was preached.
Disrupted Business
Drove Out Wickedness
Distressed Politicians
Wherever the Gospel was preached it had a profound impact on that culture and society.
When was the last time that American churches were accused of turning society upside down? Why don’t we face similar objections?
Is it because our culture is so morally pure?
Is it because our citizens are seeking the will of God?
Is it because the message of the Gospel is no longer relevant or effective?
Or is it, perhaps, because the churches and believers of this nation no longer preach the message of the Gospel consistently, or effectively?
(Rejecting the Word)
Receiving the Word (10-12)
Receiving the Word (10-12)
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
The Source of the Message
The Source of the Message
But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
The source was the same. Paul spoke to them and reasoned with them from the Scriptures.
The Bible is the most powerful source of truth that there is. It stands above and apart from all the rest.
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
(The Source of the Message)
The Substance of the Message
The Substance of the Message
The Substance was the same — the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul did not change his message from town to town. He simply preached the Gospel as effectively as possible.
(The Source of the Message)
(The Substance of the Message)
The Reaction to the Message
The Reaction to the Message
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
A Receptive Audience
A Receptive Audience
“More Noble” — εὐγενής eugenēs — to having the type of attitude ordinarily associated with well-bred persons, noble-minded, open-minded
Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 404). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
When an unknown preacher came into the synagogue they were open to hearing his message.
How receptive are you to preaching?
Are you a skeptic?
Are you convinced you’ve heard it all already?
Are you certain you must have something better to do?
Is your mind open to the preaching of God’s Word?
(A Receptive Audience)
A Ready Audience
A Ready Audience
“Readiness of Mind” — προθυμία prothymia — exceptional interest, eagerness, willingness, readiness, goodwill
These people were eager to hear the message preached from God’s Word. They were not just open-minded, they were excited, they had great expectations, they desired to be fed!
How eager are you to sit under the preaching and teaching of God’s Word? Do you come eager and willing and ready to be spiritually fed?
The Bible makes it clear in 1 Peter 5:2 that pastors are to feed the flock, but that’s pretty hard to do when the sheep don’t show up for dinner!
The table is constantly set, sometimes with seven-course meals, sometimes with lighter fare, but the question is, do you have an appetite for the preaching and teaching of God’s Word?
(A Receptive Audience)
(A Ready Audience)
A Researching Audience
A Researching Audience
“Searched the Scriptures” — ἀνακρίνω anakrinō — to engage in careful study, question, examine
Just because they were open-minded and eager did not mean that they were gullible. They verified Paul’s message by studying the Bible.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
(A Receptive Audience)
(A Ready Audience)
(A Researching Audience)
A Reborn Audience
A Reborn Audience
“Many of them Believed”
They heard the Word, they studied the Word, the believed the Word.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Spiritual transformation always comes when you believe and bow to the Word of God!
(Rejecting the Word)
(Receiving the Word)
There are two ways to respond to the Preaching of God’s Word. So the question for all of us today is, how are we responding to it?
Responding to the Word
Responding to the Word
We Preach from the Same Source
We Preach from the Same Source
You’ve got it in front of you right now! We source our preaching and teaching from the very Words of the God of all the Universe, written by men of God, who were moved by the Spirit of God to pen the inspired Word of God, preserved and compiled for us in the Bible, carefully and formally translated into our own English language in the King James Version which I can now hold in my hand!
You can read it for yourself! You can examine it for yourself! It’s not my opinions or philosophies, it’s not my fancy, well-rehearsed speech, it’s not of me, it’s of God!
We Preach the Same Substance
We Preach the Same Substance
We preach that Jesus, God’s Son, was born to a virgin, lived a sinless life as God in Human Flesh, died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, was buried for three days and three nights, and rose again bodily by His own power, conquering death, ascended up into Heaven, is seated at His Father’s right hand, and extends the free gift of Eternal Life to any and all who would believe and call upon His name. The name at which every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that He, Jesus Christ, is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His deserves and demands your submission to His will and way for your life. He speaks to you in power through the preaching of His Word and the conviction of the Holy Spirit in your heart!
You Determine Your Own Reaction
You Determine Your Own Reaction
If the source of the message Biblical, If the Substance of the message is Christ, Then you are without excuse if you do not respond to the message!
Simply put, if you do not believe what the Bible says, that’s on you, not on God.
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
When you strip away all of the excuses, when you realize that the Scriptures are speaking directly to you, you are forced to respond! You either reject the message, or you receive the message.
We hear the same Objections
We hear the same Objections
The excuses have not changed. People attack the preacher. People don’t want their behavior modified. They will make any excuse necessary to keep from responding and walking down that aisle.
The Invitation
The Invitation
Pervasive in Scripture
Pervasive in Scripture
And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.
Practiced by Jesus
Practiced by Jesus
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Like it or not, all messages properly preached end with an invitation. The question is not, “should we have an invitation,” the question is, “how will you respond to the invitation?”
Conclusion
Conclusion
Many of us that are gathered here this morning have sat under the preaching of God’s Words hundred, even thousands, of times. But have you ever stopped to consider whether or not you have been responding to the Preaching of God’s Word with Readiness of Mind?
Has preaching had its designed effect on your heart and life — namely, your transformation to righteousness by the Power of the Holy Spirit of God?
Or has the preaching been sabotaged in its effectiveness because your response has not been as noble as it should be?
You see, Bible-based, Spirit-filled preaching always calls for a change, a response, and that response is 100%, totally left up to you.
Have you been Rejecting the Word? — Now’s the time to repent and respond.
Have you been envying the victories of others? — You can have those victories too.
Have you been justifying complacency by criticizing the preacher? — There will always be something wrong with the preacher, but there’s nothing wrong with the message.
Are you eager to sit under the teaching and preaching of the Word of God? Do you come longing to be fed spiritually? Or has your appetite been strangely absent?
INVITATION — HEADS BOWED, EYES CLOSED —
ALTAR CALL [STAND] — Piano plays — Randy Leads
If you are here this morning and you aren’t sure you know Jesus as you personal Saviour, it would be our joy to take a Bible and show you how you can know you have eternal life — when we start to sing, you step out from your seat and come forward, and I’ll introduce you to someone who can answer your questions from the Bible
If you are here this morning, and God’s convicted your heart and shown you that there needs to be a change in your heart and mind, or your behaviors in life — it’s time to respond to Him — when we start to sing, you step out and come pray at this altar, give it over to God, and surrender to His perfect peace today.
As we sing, you step out of your seat, and come.