The Berean Christian
Lectures On Discipleship • Sermon • Submitted
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Intro
Intro
Text - Acts 17.10-12
10 and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
11 Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance.
12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.
Title - The Berean Christian
Series - Lectures on Discipleship
Background
Background
Berea. A city in southwestern Macedonia in the district of Emathia, about 45 miles west of Thessalonica.
Paul and Silas fled there after the Jews drove them out of Thessalonica (Acts 17:10–14).
It was the home of Sopater, who accompanied Paul to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4).
Bereans became known for their attitude towards the gospel when Paul and Silas went there.
they were fair-minded (noble) than the Thessalonians
they received the word eagerly
they searched the Scriptures daily for the truth
In contrast, the thessalonians Jews were less agreeable
they were envious
they hired evil men to attack the believers
they spread false report against Paul’s team
they even followed to berea to stir up trouble
Even today, there are places were people are close-minded towards the gospel, as well as open-minded.
Key Points
Key Points
What does it mean to be a ‘berean christian’?
What does it mean to be a ‘berean christian’?
It means to be a "truth seeker”
A ‘berean’ is a truth seeker who does not easily believe everything he hears, but scrutinizes it with the word of God, until he sees and understands the truth.
How can we become berean today?
How can we become berean today?
Berean is a positive attitude towards learning.
it doesn’t take higher education to be knowledgeable
but t takes a right attitude towards learning in order to gain knowledge
1.) Place a high value on the truth
1.) Place a high value on the truth
How much do you value the truth?
The parable of the pearl of great price illustrate the value of the truth.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,
46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Solomon’s wisdom sayings illustrate the value of truth.
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;
14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
The high value of truth
freedom
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
eternal life
3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Jesus Christ
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Sanctification
17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Worship
24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
spiritual growth
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
brotherhood
25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.
Suggestion
Make the Scripture the absolute standard of everything that is true, right, good and beautiful.
2.) Set aside time for study
2.) Set aside time for study
Are you willing to spend time and resources to learn?
The Bereans searched the Scriptures daily...
God honors “seekers”
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
1 “Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem; See now and know; And seek in her open places If you can find a man, If there is anyone who executes judgment, Who seeks the truth, And I will pardon her.
“Set aside time for your personal Bible study.”
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
“Search the Scriptures.”
39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
“Ask the right people.”
Jesus asked the teachers in Jerusalem
46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
“Read the right books.”
get a good Bible dictionary
read books from other pastors, Bible teachers, etc.
3.) Keep an open mind
3.) Keep an open mind
Do you ask questions?
How do you respond to thos with different view than yours?
Know what others believe.
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
Recognize the gift of God in others.
1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me.
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,
16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
Suggestion
Keep an open mind and welcome new ideas. But filter them with the Word, and respect the wisdom of those who learned before you.
4.) Host fast to the truth
4.) Host fast to the truth
How do you stay true to reveaed truths?
Hold fast the word of truth -
by the Holy Spirit
13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
Without wavering
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
until Jesus comes
25 But hold fast what you have till I come.
11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
Stand fast
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,
17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Berean attitude
puts a high value on the Truth
sets aside time for study
keeps an open ind
holds fast to the truth