Sermons From Acts - Two Mindsets In Berea (17:10-15)

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                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                   Two Mindsets In Berea (17:10-15)

INTRODUCTION

1. Following "The Tumult In Thessalonica" (Ac 17:1-10)...
   a. Paul and Silas were sent away by night to Berea - Ac 17:10
   b. Where once again they went into the synagogue of the Jews - cf. Ac
      17:1-3

2. The city of Berea...
   a. Its name means "a place of many waters"
   b. Was located near natural springs
   c. One of the most populous cities of Macedonia

3. The Jews of Berea...
   a. Described as "more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica" (NKJV)
      - Ac 17:11
   b. Other translations describe them as "more noble" (ESV), "more open-
      minded" (HCSB)
   c. He used a word (eugenesteros) that originally meant high born but
      came to have a more general connotation of being open, tolerant,
      generous, having the qualities that go with "good breeding."
      - Polhill, J. B. (1995). Acts. The New American Commentary (Vol.
      26). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

[The mindset of the Berean Jews is worthy of emulation by all people
today.  But in what way were they more "noble" or "open-minded"...?]

I. THE NOBLE BEREANS

   A. THEIR RECEPTION OF PAUL'S WORDS...
      1. First, they received his words with all readiness (NKJV) - Ac
         17:11
         a. Other translations say "with all eagerness" (ESV)
         b. This suggests a willingness to listen so as to understand, 
            to give Paul a fair hearing
      2. This willingness to give a fair hearing...
         a. Was taught in the Law - Deut 13:14
         b. Was exemplified by Nicodemus - Jn 7:50-51
      3. The "Berean attitude" involves first seeking to understand what
         someone is saying
         a. Often in religious discussions, people are unwilling to
            understand what others believe
         b. Then they argue without understanding another's position,
            which is folly - Pr 18:13

   B. THEIR STUDY OF GOD'S WORDS...
      1. Second, they searched the Scriptures daily (NKJV) - Ac 17:11
         a. Other translations say "examining the Scriptures daily" (ESV)
         b. This suggests a willingness to let the Scriptures be their
            authority
      2. This willingness to let the Scriptures be their authority...
         a. Was taught in the Law - Deut 4:1-2
         b. Is taught in the New Testament - 2Ti 3:16-17; Re 22:18-19
      3. The "Berean attitude" involves study of God's word to confirm 
         what someone is saying
         a. Often in religious discussions, people simply believe what
            others have told them
         b. Arguing what they've always believed, hindering their ability
            to learn the truth - 2Ti 3:7

[Because of the mindset of those in Berea, the Word of God bore fruit
(Ac 17:12).  We emulate the mindset of "The Noble Bereans" only when we
apply both principles:

   *  Listen carefully to understand others 

   *  Study the Scriptures diligently to determine what is true

Otherwise, we are susceptible to developing a different mindset: 
becoming more like...]

II. THE IGNOBLE THESSALONIANS

   A. LIKE OTHERS BEFORE THEM...
      1. The unbelieving Jews in:
         a. Jerusalem - Ac 6:9-14
         b. Antioch of Pisidia - Ac 13:50
         c. Iconium - Ac 14:2
      2. Harassing Paul from town to town
         a. Like the unbelieving Jews from Antioch and Iconium - Ac 14:19
         b. So did the unbelieving Jews from Thessalonica - Ac 17:13

   B. LIKE SOME TODAY...
      1. Among denominations, attacking churches of Christ
         a. Misrepresenting their views regarding the church, baptism
         b. Calling them by prejudicial names (e.g., "Campbellites", "a 
            cult")
      2. Among mainstream churches of Christ, attacking more conservative
         brethren
         a. Misrepresenting their views regarding church cooperation,
            benevolence, etc.
         b. Calling them by prejudicial names (e.g., "anti", "orphan
            haters")
      3. Among conservative churches of Christ, attacking some less 
         conservative than they
         a. Presuming those who oppose them just have no respect for the
            Scriptures
         b. Calling them by prejudicial names (e.g., "liberal")

CONCLUSION

1. Because of the persecution of the unbelieving Jews from 
   Thessalonica...
   a. Paul was forced to leave Berea - Ac 17:14
   b. Arriving in Athens, to await the arrival of Silas and Timothy - Ac
      17:15

2. The noble Bereans provide a mindset sorely needed today...
   a. Giving others a fair hearing
   b. Examining all things in the light of God's Word

3. The ignoble Thessalonians provide a mindset we must avoid...
   a. Blind adherence to previously held beliefs
   b. Leading to zealous persecution of the innocent

Which mindset do we possess?  Do we seek first to understand, then to
be understood?  Do we study the Scriptures daily, examining not only
the beliefs of others, but constantly testing our own beliefs?  

If so, then we are truly "fair-minded", and more likely to come to a
knowledge of the truth...
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