Sermon Tone Analysis

Acts 17:10-12

On Being Right...

Davy Crockett’s famous quote.

It reminds us of particular disciples from Acts 17:10-12.

He may never have lived up to it, but many of his accomplishments are good things for us to ponder.

The pioneer generations of Americans are a great example of having to do difficult things in tough times where you have to figure it out on your own.

Some of this was bad, some of it was good.

Acts 17:10–12 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea.

When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.

The Berean Jews were willing to go to the lengths of checking the Scriptures to make sure that what they were told was accurate.

This action did not require any miracles, but the simple, humble pursuit of knowledge concerning what God has revealed.

Our God is a god of truth, a god of “rightness”.

We as his People must be a people who know and do right.

Isaiah 34:16-17

Isaiah 34:16–17 “Search from the book of the Lord, and read: Not one of these shall fail; Not one shall lack her mate.

For My mouth has commanded it, and His Spirit has gathered them.

He has cast the lot for them, And His hand has divided it among them with a measuring line.

They shall possess it forever; From generation to generation they shall dwell in it.”

Being “right” is a very dangerous place these days.

The only way to be sure we are RIGHT is to know WHAT is right.

God is the only One who can help us in that effort.

Once we know the truth, we have to act upon it.

“Then Go Ahead!” It’s up to us to put the truth into action.

The Dangers of “being right”

In some people’s minds, being “right” is prideful, egotistical.

In our cynicism, we assume that those who know they’re right could never possibly be right.

Jn. 18:37-38

John 18:37–38 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”

Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king.

For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.

Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.”

A clear, decisive statement from Jesus concerning his purpose and his mission.

Pilate, whether by scoffing dismissal or by uneasiness, responds by questioning whether truth is even something to concern oneself with.

For the sake of our study, let’s assume that “being right” means that we are right in the way that Jesus was right.

As disciples, we are inherently concerned for the truth.

Jesus’ mission is our own mission.

Ps. 86:11

Psalm 86:11 Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.

Knowing that truth, it is up to us to communicate the witness Jesus bears of that truth. 1 Tim.

2:3-4

1 Timothy 2:3–4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Being “right” involves a willingness to know what is right.

Jn. 7:16-18

John 7:16–18 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.

If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.

He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.

Some people are convinced they are “right”, but never make sure.

Prov.

22:17-19; Jn. 5:39-47

Proverbs 22:17–19 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart to my knowledge; For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; Let them all be fixed upon your lips, So that your trust may be in the Lord; I have instructed you today, even you.

John 5:39–47 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

“I do not receive honor from men.

But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.

I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.

How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust.

For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.

But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

Some people hope they are “right”, but never verify it.

Ezek.

33:30-32

Ezekiel 33:30–32 “As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the Lord.’

So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain.

Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them.

You may hope one day that you had been willing to know!

Luke 16:27-31

Luke 16:27–31 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’

Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’

And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’

But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’

”

Being “right” involves an effort in study and understanding.

Prov.

15:28; Luke 8:17-18

Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

Luke 8:17–18 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.

Therefore take heed how you hear.

For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

Being “right” invites hatred and envy.

Amos 7:10-17; Matt.

27:18

Amos 7:10–17 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel.

The land is not able to bear all his words.

For thus Amos has said: ‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword, And Israel shall surely be led away captive From their own land.’

” Then Amaziah said to Amos: “Go, you seer!

Flee to the land of Judah.

There eat bread, And there prophesy.

But never again prophesy at Bethel, For it is the king’s sanctuary, And it is the royal residence.”

Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: “I was no prophet, Nor was I a son of a prophet, But I was a sheepbreeder And a tender of sycamore fruit.

Then the Lord took me as I followed the flock, And the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’

Now therefore, hear the word of the Lord: You say, ‘Do not prophesy against Israel, And do not spout against the house of Isaac.’

“Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Your wife shall be a harlot in the city; Your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword; Your land shall be divided by survey line; You shall die in a defiled land; And Israel shall surely be led away captive From his own land.’

”

Pilate knew that Jesus had been delivered to him because of the envy of the Jews.

Matthew 27:18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.

There is always the possibility that you are wrong!

Israel in their decadence thought trusting in Samaria was right.

Amos 6:1-8

Amos 6:1–8 Woe to you who are at ease in Zion, And trust in Mount Samaria, Notable persons in the chief nation, To whom the house of Israel comes!

Go over to Calneh and see; And from there go to Hamath the great; Then go down to Gath of the Philistines.

Are you better than these kingdoms?