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True faith must show character. By Pastor George Lehman 2 Timothy 3:16 (Amp) - Every Scripture is God breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought purpose and action.) Ephesians 4:23-24 (Msg)- A life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces His character in us. Acts 17:11 (NIV) – Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 1 Thessalonian 1:3 (AMP) – Recalling unceasingly before our God and Father your work energized by faith and service motivated by love and unwavering hope in [the return of] our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). 1 Thessalonian 1:8 (AMP) – For not only has the Word concerning and from the Lord resounded forth from you unmistakably in Macedonia and Achaia, but everywhere the report has gone forth of your faith in God [of your leaning of your whole personality on Him in complete trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]. So we [find that we] never need to tell people anything [further about it]. James 1:26-27 (LB) – 26 Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn't control his sharp tongue* is just fooling himself, and his religion isn't worth much. 27 The Christian who is pure and without fault, from God the Father's point of view, is the one who takes care of orphans and widows, and who remains true to the Lord—not soiled and dirtied by his contacts with the world. *What's in you comes out of you. A sharp tongue: Destructive power of words, causing harm and division, gossip and lies. There is so much counterfeit Christianity in our day and age. James said, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious”. Many people consider themselves religious. So many think they can go through the bible picking and choosing commands they want to obey. Then believe they are good religious people. People don't change because they believe they are okay. Credibility in the Christian's life involves knowing Christ and sowing consistency of lifestyle. A genuine Christian character is evident in three ways: By our conversation Our concern and Our conduct The evidence of our conversation. James said: “Those who consider themselves religious but don't control their tongue” are deceiving themselves and their religion is useless - James 1:26. In short, it's just an empty show and will have zero kingdom effect on anyone. The word deceived can also mean ‘cheat'. People who can't control what comes out their mouth… …whether it is filthy language or *gossip or *slander or lies or whatever, are only cheating themselves in the process. *Gossip[skinder] =idle talk or rumour about a person behind their back. *Slander [laster] = malicious, false, defamatory to cause hurt. The only one that loses is you! Our character is often revealed in our conversation before anyone has a chance to observe our conduct. You'll know what will follow that mouth. Our behaviour will always match our speech. James says, “Control your tongue”. The evidence of our concern. True faith is demonstrated by our character and our character is evident in what concerns us. What concerns us must be what concerns God. James 1:27a (NIV) – Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress… Clearly God is concerned about the orphans and the widows. The things we are concerned about reveal our true character. As Christians we are to show mercy and kindness to people in such need. Especially to those who can never repay the help. Keep in mind what Paul told Timothy: 1 Timothy 5:3-4 & 8-9 (NIV) – 3Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 8If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband After all, a true sign of Christian character is a genuine concern for anyone in need. “To add value to others, one must first value others”. -Maxwell It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived. If God can get it through you, He'll get it to you. The evidence of our conduct. We get this right – our conversation and concerns will be right. James completed this initial chapter with a firm warning to us to keep “unpolluted from the world”. James 1:27 The tragedy is that this world system has polluted many who are called by His name. Paul warned the church because he saw the pollution taking hold of the church. 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NLT) – But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. How many of you have seen in a department store – there's a table with all sorts of odds and ends – skirts, dresses, shorts, sweaters piled up on it. The big sign above it reads: “Slightly soiled…greatly reduced in price.” Just let those words penetrate your heart when you think of them. Slightly soiled Greatly reduced in price How many Christians have had those words written across their lives… …because of their inconsistent and ungodly conduct. People ‘de-value' themselves. The truth is, if you allow your life to become spotted and stained by sin….… you lose much of the value of your Christian witness. When James challenged us to keep unspotted or unpolluted from the world… …it was not a calling to become a monk and isolate yourself. James was talking about insulation, not isolation. Jesus prayed this over us: John 17:14 (NIV) – I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. Jesus left us an example… in the world but not of the world. We are to take His glorious, good news, the gospel, into a dying world. Letting our character shine brightly and credibly as we insulate ourselves from the world's influence. First by knowing Christ, then by sowing consistency in our lives and finally by showing godly character in our conversations, our concerns and our conduct. The world is watching and waiting to see credibility. 2 Corinthians 8:21 – For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
March 2025 NewsletterOriginally published January 1, 1994And 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.—Acts 17:10-11As we approach the end of our second year as a ministry, we think it worthwhile to review two basic questions people often ask regarding the work of The Berean Call: “What exactly is a Berean?” and “What does TBC do?”Although we've covered many aspects of those questions in various issues of our newsletter (and, in general, The Berean Call is an ongoing reflection of our work), we thought it might be helpful to our readers if we addressed “what we're about” in some depth.Luke writes in Acts 17:10-11 that the Apostle Paul, having left Thessalonica and recently arrived in the city of Berea, preached in the synagogue of the Berean Jews. Paul's encouraging experience with the Bereans caused Luke to commend them. He wrote that they were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica because they received the Word of God from Paul “with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily” to know whether or not what he had to say was true.The purpose of this ministry is to call believers in Jesus Christ to be like the Bereans. They not only had a heart to hear the things of God but, more importantly, were able to discern what was truly of Him because they regarded the Scriptures as the authority in ascertaining the truth of what they were hearing. The Bereans practiced what Isaiah preached: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).TBC's chief concern is the spiritual welfare of the body of Christ, and in particular, the encouragement of biblical discernment. We believe the times reflect the necessity of our calling. Even a cursory review of what has taken place in the church during the last 25 years will reveal a fierce undermining of “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). You might even say that the Bereans of Paul's day “had it easy” compared to this generation. In those days the opposition to truth was in the secular world around them—it had not yet infiltrated the church under the guise of a more enlightened or advanced Christianity. While there were pressing pagan influences as well as some heretical teachings and practices here and there, they weren't subjected to anything like the flood of false beliefs, teachings, and practices surging in on the tidal wave of today's Christian media.
March 2025 NewsletterOriginally published January 1, 1994And 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.—Acts 17:10-11As we approach the end of our second year as a ministry, we think it worthwhile to review two basic questions people often ask regarding the work of The Berean Call: “What exactly is a Berean?” and “What does TBC do?”Although we've covered many aspects of those questions in various issues of our newsletter (and, in general, The Berean Call is an ongoing reflection of our work), we thought it might be helpful to our readers if we addressed “what we're about” in some depth.Luke writes in Acts 17:10-11 that the Apostle Paul, having left Thessalonica and recently arrived in the city of Berea, preached in the synagogue of the Berean Jews. Paul's encouraging experience with the Bereans caused Luke to commend them. He wrote that they were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica because they received the Word of God from Paul “with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily” to know whether or not what he had to say was true.The purpose of this ministry is to call believers in Jesus Christ to be like the Bereans. They not only had a heart to hear the things of God but, more importantly, were able to discern what was truly of Him because they regarded the Scriptures as the authority in ascertaining the truth of what they were hearing. The Bereans practiced what Isaiah preached: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).TBC's chief concern is the spiritual welfare of the body of Christ, and in particular, the encouragement of biblical discernment. We believe the times reflect the necessity of our calling. Even a cursory review of what has taken place in the church during the last 25 years will reveal a fierce undermining of “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). You might even say that the Bereans of Paul's day “had it easy” compared to this generation. In those days the opposition to truth was in the secular world around them—it had not yet infiltrated the church under the guise of a more enlightened or advanced Christianity. While there were pressing pagan influences as well as some heretical teachings and practices here and there, they weren't subjected to anything like the flood of false beliefs, teachings, and practices surging in on the tidal wave of today's Christian media.
When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women. 5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.[a] 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. In Berea 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. 13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible. While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the market-place day by day with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, ‘What is this babbler trying to say?' Others remarked, ‘He seems to be advocating foreign gods.' They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, ‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.' (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: ‘People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship – and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. (Acts 17:11-23, NIV.)
Group Bible study is one of the most powerful ways to grow spiritually within a men's group. In this episode, Ron Cool shares how studying the Word together can bring fresh revelations, deepen your understanding, and provide opportunities to challenge each other's spiritual growth. Learn why studying Scripture with others leads to personal transformation and a deeper walk with Christ.Verses: 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."Acts 17:11: Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.Find your Community: Warrior PathConnect with Ron: NewPathNewYou.comConnect on Instagram: @rcooljrBecome a NPNY Supporter! One TimeMonthly
This week, Carrie Buckner walks through Acts 17:10-15 (NIV). In these six verses Paul and Silas arrive in Berea where they visit the Jewish synagogue and reason from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah. Luke, the author of Acts, makes it clear the Berean Jews receive Paul's message with open minds and eager hearts, ready to examine the Scriptures to see if what Paul claims about Jesus is true. It's a stark contrast to the Jews in Thessalonica who hear Paul's Gospel and start a riot (Acts 17:1-9 NIV). The Berean Jews were willing to doubt their own beliefs and reexamine their Scriptures in light of Paul's Gospel proclamation. What if we, too, were free to doubt trusting that on the other side of our doubts we might find a stronger, more vibrant faith?
On Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded Podcast. The Great Parenthesis Preface The contents of the present volume are really an enlargement of lectures on Bible prophecy that have been given at various conferences during the past few years. It was never convenient to have these stenographically reported at the time of their delivery, and so the substance of the addresses has been very carefully gone over and is now presented for the consideration of those who are interested in the revelation which the Spirit of God has given concerning things to come. It is the author's fervent conviction that the failure to understand what is revealed in Scripture concerning the Great Parenthesis between Messiah's rejection, with the consequent setting aside of Israel nationally, and the regathering of God's earthly people and recognition by the Lord in the last days, is the fundamental cause for many conflicting and unscriptural prophetic teachings. Once this parenthetical period is understood and the present work of God during this age is apprehended, the whole prophetic program unfolds with amazing clearness. It is not with any pretension of having discovered something new that I have prepared this volume. I am glad to acknowledge my indebtedness to many sober, spiritually-minded teachers of the Word who in years gone by saw clearly many truths as to God's prophetic plan which later writers and teachers have obscured in large measure. While I do not expect all my readers to agree with me, I humbly ask that, like the Berean Jews of old, they do not reject this testimony without careful inquiry, but that they search the Scriptures to see whether these things are so. Personally, they have been a part of my own thinking for so many years and have meant so much to me in my study of the Word of God that I am eager to have others enter into them, too. On the other hand, I have no desire to press anything that is not substantiated by Scripture. “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” And in the Old Testament it is written: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” H. A. Ironside Chicago, Ill. Links https://www.hiawathabible.org/youtube-playlist-index-page https://www.hiawathabible.org/matthew-henrys-main-page https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZlTAw2GgUjPYPt0RwyIx8b8vqWCxZXtG You will find the text on my blog at https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/ https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/category/the-great-parenthesis/
On Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded Podcast. The Great Parenthesis Preface The contents of the present volume are really an enlargement of lectures on Bible prophecy that have been given at various conferences during the past few years. It was never convenient to have these stenographically reported at the time of their delivery, and so the substance of the addresses has been very carefully gone over and is now presented for the consideration of those who are interested in the revelation which the Spirit of God has given concerning things to come. It is the author's fervent conviction that the failure to understand what is revealed in Scripture concerning the Great Parenthesis between Messiah's rejection, with the consequent setting aside of Israel nationally, and the regathering of God's earthly people and recognition by the Lord in the last days, is the fundamental cause for many conflicting and unscriptural prophetic teachings. Once this parenthetical period is understood and the present work of God during this age is apprehended, the whole prophetic program unfolds with amazing clearness. It is not with any pretension of having discovered something new that I have prepared this volume. I am glad to acknowledge my indebtedness to many sober, spiritually-minded teachers of the Word who in years gone by saw clearly many truths as to God's prophetic plan which later writers and teachers have obscured in large measure. While I do not expect all my readers to agree with me, I humbly ask that, like the Berean Jews of old, they do not reject this testimony without careful inquiry, but that they search the Scriptures to see whether these things are so. Personally, they have been a part of my own thinking for so many years and have meant so much to me in my study of the Word of God that I am eager to have others enter into them, too. On the other hand, I have no desire to press anything that is not substantiated by Scripture. “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” And in the Old Testament it is written: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” H. A. Ironside Chicago, Ill. Links https://www.hiawathabible.org/youtube-playlist-index-page https://www.hiawathabible.org/matthew-henrys-main-page https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZlTAw2GgUjPYPt0RwyIx8b8vqWCxZXtG You will find the text on my blog at https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/ https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/category/the-great-parenthesis/
On Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded Podcast. The Great Parenthesis Preface The contents of the present volume are really an enlargement of lectures on Bible prophecy that have been given at various conferences during the past few years. It was never convenient to have these stenographically reported at the time of their delivery, and so the substance of the addresses has been very carefully gone over and is now presented for the consideration of those who are interested in the revelation which the Spirit of God has given concerning things to come. It is the author's fervent conviction that the failure to understand what is revealed in Scripture concerning the Great Parenthesis between Messiah's rejection, with the consequent setting aside of Israel nationally, and the regathering of God's earthly people and recognition by the Lord in the last days, is the fundamental cause for many conflicting and unscriptural prophetic teachings. Once this parenthetical period is understood and the present work of God during this age is apprehended, the whole prophetic program unfolds with amazing clearness. It is not with any pretension of having discovered something new that I have prepared this volume. I am glad to acknowledge my indebtedness to many sober, spiritually-minded teachers of the Word who in years gone by saw clearly many truths as to God's prophetic plan which later writers and teachers have obscured in large measure. While I do not expect all my readers to agree with me, I humbly ask that, like the Berean Jews of old, they do not reject this testimony without careful inquiry, but that they search the Scriptures to see whether these things are so. Personally, they have been a part of my own thinking for so many years and have meant so much to me in my study of the Word of God that I am eager to have others enter into them, too. On the other hand, I have no desire to press anything that is not substantiated by Scripture. “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” And in the Old Testament it is written: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” H. A. Ironside Chicago, Ill. Links https://www.hiawathabible.org/youtube-playlist-index-page https://www.hiawathabible.org/matthew-henrys-main-page https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZlTAw2GgUjPYPt0RwyIx8b8vqWCxZXtG You will find the text on my blog at https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/ https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/category/the-great-parenthesis/
On Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded Podcast. The Great Parenthesis Preface The contents of the present volume are really an enlargement of lectures on Bible prophecy that have been given at various conferences during the past few years. It was never convenient to have these stenographically reported at the time of their delivery, and so the substance of the addresses has been very carefully gone over and is now presented for the consideration of those who are interested in the revelation which the Spirit of God has given concerning things to come. It is the author's fervent conviction that the failure to understand what is revealed in Scripture concerning the Great Parenthesis between Messiah's rejection, with the consequent setting aside of Israel nationally, and the regathering of God's earthly people and recognition by the Lord in the last days, is the fundamental cause for many conflicting and unscriptural prophetic teachings. Once this parenthetical period is understood and the present work of God during this age is apprehended, the whole prophetic program unfolds with amazing clearness. It is not with any pretension of having discovered something new that I have prepared this volume. I am glad to acknowledge my indebtedness to many sober, spiritually-minded teachers of the Word who in years gone by saw clearly many truths as to God's prophetic plan which later writers and teachers have obscured in large measure. While I do not expect all my readers to agree with me, I humbly ask that, like the Berean Jews of old, they do not reject this testimony without careful inquiry, but that they search the Scriptures to see whether these things are so. Personally, they have been a part of my own thinking for so many years and have meant so much to me in my study of the Word of God that I am eager to have others enter into them, too. On the other hand, I have no desire to press anything that is not substantiated by Scripture. “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” And in the Old Testament it is written: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” H. A. Ironside Chicago, Ill. Links https://www.hiawathabible.org/youtube-playlist-index-page https://www.hiawathabible.org/matthew-henrys-main-page https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZlTAw2GgUjPYPt0RwyIx8b8vqWCxZXtG You will find the text on my blog at https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/ https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/category/the-great-parenthesis/
On Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded Podcast. The Great Parenthesis Preface The contents of the present volume are really an enlargement of lectures on Bible prophecy that have been given at various conferences during the past few years. It was never convenient to have these stenographically reported at the time of their delivery, and so the substance of the addresses has been very carefully gone over and is now presented for the consideration of those who are interested in the revelation which the Spirit of God has given concerning things to come. It is the author's fervent conviction that the failure to understand what is revealed in Scripture concerning the Great Parenthesis between Messiah's rejection, with the consequent setting aside of Israel nationally, and the regathering of God's earthly people and recognition by the Lord in the last days, is the fundamental cause for many conflicting and unscriptural prophetic teachings. Once this parenthetical period is understood and the present work of God during this age is apprehended, the whole prophetic program unfolds with amazing clearness. It is not with any pretension of having discovered something new that I have prepared this volume. I am glad to acknowledge my indebtedness to many sober, spiritually-minded teachers of the Word who in years gone by saw clearly many truths as to God's prophetic plan which later writers and teachers have obscured in large measure. While I do not expect all my readers to agree with me, I humbly ask that, like the Berean Jews of old, they do not reject this testimony without careful inquiry, but that they search the Scriptures to see whether these things are so. Personally, they have been a part of my own thinking for so many years and have meant so much to me in my study of the Word of God that I am eager to have others enter into them, too. On the other hand, I have no desire to press anything that is not substantiated by Scripture. “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” And in the Old Testament it is written: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” H. A. Ironside Chicago, Ill. Links https://www.hiawathabible.org/youtube-playlist-index-page https://www.hiawathabible.org/matthew-henrys-main-page https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZlTAw2GgUjPYPt0RwyIx8b8vqWCxZXtG You will find the text on my blog at https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/ https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/category/the-great-parenthesis/
On Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded Podcast. The Great Parenthesis Preface The contents of the present volume are really an enlargement of lectures on Bible prophecy that have been given at various conferences during the past few years. It was never convenient to have these stenographically reported at the time of their delivery, and so the substance of the addresses has been very carefully gone over and is now presented for the consideration of those who are interested in the revelation which the Spirit of God has given concerning things to come. It is the author's fervent conviction that the failure to understand what is revealed in Scripture concerning the Great Parenthesis between Messiah's rejection, with the consequent setting aside of Israel nationally, and the regathering of God's earthly people and recognition by the Lord in the last days, is the fundamental cause for many conflicting and unscriptural prophetic teachings. Once this parenthetical period is understood and the present work of God during this age is apprehended, the whole prophetic program unfolds with amazing clearness. It is not with any pretension of having discovered something new that I have prepared this volume. I am glad to acknowledge my indebtedness to many sober, spiritually-minded teachers of the Word who in years gone by saw clearly many truths as to God's prophetic plan which later writers and teachers have obscured in large measure. While I do not expect all my readers to agree with me, I humbly ask that, like the Berean Jews of old, they do not reject this testimony without careful inquiry, but that they search the Scriptures to see whether these things are so. Personally, they have been a part of my own thinking for so many years and have meant so much to me in my study of the Word of God that I am eager to have others enter into them, too. On the other hand, I have no desire to press anything that is not substantiated by Scripture. “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” And in the Old Testament it is written: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” H. A. Ironside Chicago, Ill. Links https://www.hiawathabible.org/youtube-playlist-index-page https://www.hiawathabible.org/matthew-henrys-main-page https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZlTAw2GgUjPYPt0RwyIx8b8vqWCxZXtG You will find the text on my blog at https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/ https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/category/the-great-parenthesis/
On Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded Podcast. The Great Parenthesis Preface The contents of the present volume are really an enlargement of lectures on Bible prophecy that have been given at various conferences during the past few years. It was never convenient to have these stenographically reported at the time of their delivery, and so the substance of the addresses has been very carefully gone over and is now presented for the consideration of those who are interested in the revelation which the Spirit of God has given concerning things to come. It is the author's fervent conviction that the failure to understand what is revealed in Scripture concerning the Great Parenthesis between Messiah's rejection, with the consequent setting aside of Israel nationally, and the regathering of God's earthly people and recognition by the Lord in the last days, is the fundamental cause for many conflicting and unscriptural prophetic teachings. Once this parenthetical period is understood and the present work of God during this age is apprehended, the whole prophetic program unfolds with amazing clearness. It is not with any pretension of having discovered something new that I have prepared this volume. I am glad to acknowledge my indebtedness to many sober, spiritually-minded teachers of the Word who in years gone by saw clearly many truths as to God's prophetic plan which later writers and teachers have obscured in large measure. While I do not expect all my readers to agree with me, I humbly ask that, like the Berean Jews of old, they do not reject this testimony without careful inquiry, but that they search the Scriptures to see whether these things are so. Personally, they have been a part of my own thinking for so many years and have meant so much to me in my study of the Word of God that I am eager to have others enter into them, too. On the other hand, I have no desire to press anything that is not substantiated by Scripture. “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” And in the Old Testament it is written: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” H. A. Ironside Chicago, Ill. Links https://www.hiawathabible.org/youtube-playlist-index-page https://www.hiawathabible.org/matthew-henrys-main-page https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZlTAw2GgUjPYPt0RwyIx8b8vqWCxZXtG You will find the text on my blog at https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/ https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/category/the-great-parenthesis/
On Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded Podcast. The Great Parenthesis Preface The contents of the present volume are really an enlargement of lectures on Bible prophecy that have been given at various conferences during the past few years. It was never convenient to have these stenographically reported at the time of their delivery, and so the substance of the addresses has been very carefully gone over and is now presented for the consideration of those who are interested in the revelation which the Spirit of God has given concerning things to come. It is the author's fervent conviction that the failure to understand what is revealed in Scripture concerning the Great Parenthesis between Messiah's rejection, with the consequent setting aside of Israel nationally, and the regathering of God's earthly people and recognition by the Lord in the last days, is the fundamental cause for many conflicting and unscriptural prophetic teachings. Once this parenthetical period is understood and the present work of God during this age is apprehended, the whole prophetic program unfolds with amazing clearness. It is not with any pretension of having discovered something new that I have prepared this volume. I am glad to acknowledge my indebtedness to many sober, spiritually-minded teachers of the Word who in years gone by saw clearly many truths as to God's prophetic plan which later writers and teachers have obscured in large measure. While I do not expect all my readers to agree with me, I humbly ask that, like the Berean Jews of old, they do not reject this testimony without careful inquiry, but that they search the Scriptures to see whether these things are so. Personally, they have been a part of my own thinking for so many years and have meant so much to me in my study of the Word of God that I am eager to have others enter into them, too. On the other hand, I have no desire to press anything that is not substantiated by Scripture. “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” And in the Old Testament it is written: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” H. A. Ironside Chicago, Ill. Links https://www.hiawathabible.org/youtube-playlist-index-page https://www.hiawathabible.org/matthew-henrys-main-page https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZlTAw2GgUjPYPt0RwyIx8b8vqWCxZXtG You will find the text on my blog at https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/ https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/category/the-great-parenthesis/
On Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded Podcast. The Great Parenthesis Preface The contents of the present volume are really an enlargement of lectures on Bible prophecy that have been given at various conferences during the past few years. It was never convenient to have these stenographically reported at the time of their delivery, and so the substance of the addresses has been very carefully gone over and is now presented for the consideration of those who are interested in the revelation which the Spirit of God has given concerning things to come. It is the author's fervent conviction that the failure to understand what is revealed in Scripture concerning the Great Parenthesis between Messiah's rejection, with the consequent setting aside of Israel nationally, and the regathering of God's earthly people and recognition by the Lord in the last days, is the fundamental cause for many conflicting and unscriptural prophetic teachings. Once this parenthetical period is understood and the present work of God during this age is apprehended, the whole prophetic program unfolds with amazing clearness. It is not with any pretension of having discovered something new that I have prepared this volume. I am glad to acknowledge my indebtedness to many sober, spiritually-minded teachers of the Word who in years gone by saw clearly many truths as to God's prophetic plan which later writers and teachers have obscured in large measure. While I do not expect all my readers to agree with me, I humbly ask that, like the Berean Jews of old, they do not reject this testimony without careful inquiry, but that they search the Scriptures to see whether these things are so. Personally, they have been a part of my own thinking for so many years and have meant so much to me in my study of the Word of God that I am eager to have others enter into them, too. On the other hand, I have no desire to press anything that is not substantiated by Scripture. “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” And in the Old Testament it is written: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” H. A. Ironside Chicago, Ill. Links https://www.hiawathabible.org/youtube-playlist-index-page https://www.hiawathabible.org/matthew-henrys-main-page https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZlTAw2GgUjPYPt0RwyIx8b8vqWCxZXtG You will find the text on my blog at https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/ https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/category/the-great-parenthesis/
On Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded Podcast. The Great Parenthesis Preface The contents of the present volume are really an enlargement of lectures on Bible prophecy that have been given at various conferences during the past few years. It was never convenient to have these stenographically reported at the time of their delivery, and so the substance of the addresses has been very carefully gone over and is now presented for the consideration of those who are interested in the revelation which the Spirit of God has given concerning things to come. It is the author's fervent conviction that the failure to understand what is revealed in Scripture concerning the Great Parenthesis between Messiah's rejection, with the consequent setting aside of Israel nationally, and the regathering of God's earthly people and recognition by the Lord in the last days, is the fundamental cause for many conflicting and unscriptural prophetic teachings. Once this parenthetical period is understood and the present work of God during this age is apprehended, the whole prophetic program unfolds with amazing clearness. It is not with any pretension of having discovered something new that I have prepared this volume. I am glad to acknowledge my indebtedness to many sober, spiritually-minded teachers of the Word who in years gone by saw clearly many truths as to God's prophetic plan which later writers and teachers have obscured in large measure. While I do not expect all my readers to agree with me, I humbly ask that, like the Berean Jews of old, they do not reject this testimony without careful inquiry, but that they search the Scriptures to see whether these things are so. Personally, they have been a part of my own thinking for so many years and have meant so much to me in my study of the Word of God that I am eager to have others enter into them, too. On the other hand, I have no desire to press anything that is not substantiated by Scripture. “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” And in the Old Testament it is written: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” H. A. Ironside Chicago, Ill. Links https://www.hiawathabible.org/youtube-playlist-index-page https://www.hiawathabible.org/matthew-henrys-main-page https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZlTAw2GgUjPYPt0RwyIx8b8vqWCxZXtG You will find the text on my blog at https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/ https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/category/the-great-parenthesis/
On Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded Podcast. The Great Parenthesis Preface The contents of the present volume are really an enlargement of lectures on Bible prophecy that have been given at various conferences during the past few years. It was never convenient to have these stenographically reported at the time of their delivery, and so the substance of the addresses has been very carefully gone over and is now presented for the consideration of those who are interested in the revelation which the Spirit of God has given concerning things to come. It is the author's fervent conviction that the failure to understand what is revealed in Scripture concerning the Great Parenthesis between Messiah's rejection, with the consequent setting aside of Israel nationally, and the regathering of God's earthly people and recognition by the Lord in the last days, is the fundamental cause for many conflicting and unscriptural prophetic teachings. Once this parenthetical period is understood and the present work of God during this age is apprehended, the whole prophetic program unfolds with amazing clearness. It is not with any pretension of having discovered something new that I have prepared this volume. I am glad to acknowledge my indebtedness to many sober, spiritually-minded teachers of the Word who in years gone by saw clearly many truths as to God's prophetic plan which later writers and teachers have obscured in large measure. While I do not expect all my readers to agree with me, I humbly ask that, like the Berean Jews of old, they do not reject this testimony without careful inquiry, but that they search the Scriptures to see whether these things are so. Personally, they have been a part of my own thinking for so many years and have meant so much to me in my study of the Word of God that I am eager to have others enter into them, too. On the other hand, I have no desire to press anything that is not substantiated by Scripture. “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” And in the Old Testament it is written: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” H. A. Ironside Chicago, Ill. Links https://www.hiawathabible.org/youtube-playlist-index-page https://www.hiawathabible.org/matthew-henrys-main-page https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZlTAw2GgUjPYPt0RwyIx8b8vqWCxZXtG You will find the text on my blog at https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/ https://downtoearthbutheavenlyminded.com/category/the-great-parenthesis/
NOTES: Test everything. Hold on to what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NLT) Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11 (NIV) PRINCIPLES FOR THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH: Questions are GOOD Doubt is NORMAL Play FAIR CONFIDENCE is the goal WHY WE CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE BIBLE: 1. CONSISTENCY. 2. RELIABILITY of the Manuscripts 3. ARCHAEOLOGY 4. Fulfilled PROPHECY WHY WE CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE IN JESUS: Jesus was EXECUTED by Pontius Pilate The tomb of Jesus was EMPTY The CHURCH was founded in Jesus' name People were TRANSFORMED BOTTOM LINE: TRUTH is worth the SEARCH. THE CHALLENGE: DIG DEEPER RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY Books Evidence that Demands a Verdict The Case for Christ (student edition) The Resurrection of the Son of God, N.T. Wright Surprised by Hope, N.T. Wright The Reason for God, Timothy Keller Truth About God: What Can We Know and How Can We Know It? Richard Knopp Websites/Videos: Room For Doubt: https://roomfordoubt.com https://www.reasonablefaith.org/ RightNow Media Resources Apologetics – Chad Ragsdale Apologetics – William Lane Craig org: lots and lots of resources listed for further study https://www.apologetics.org https://www.peterkreeft.com Kids: Bible Unearthed on RightNow Media: Good for Adults too! https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/content/details/418269 The Case for Christ Student Edition How Great is our God: 100 Indescribable Devotions About God and Science The Awesome Book of Bible Answers for Kids, Josh McDowell and Kevin Johnson.
A Church of LifeGroupsActs 2:4242 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.Why:We come to know God and bring Him glory.174 I long for your salvation, Lord, and your law gives me delight.175 Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. Psalm 119We come to know ourselves and grow in righteousness.11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119We learn direction in life.“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105We learn how to have healthy relationships with others.Proverbs 12:16 Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.Proverbs 17:9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.How?Returning college student, I read a book of the bible this summer and it changed me, it made me a better man. Hear romans 10:17 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.Read rev 1:3 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.Study acts 17:11 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.Memorize ps 119:9, 1111 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119Apply james 1:22 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
A Church of LifeGroupsActs 2:4242 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.Why:We come to know God and bring Him glory.174 I long for your salvation, Lord, and your law gives me delight.175 Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. Psalm 119We come to know ourselves and grow in righteousness.11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119We learn direction in life.“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105We learn how to have healthy relationships with others.Proverbs 12:16 Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.Proverbs 17:9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.How?Returning college student, I read a book of the bible this summer and it changed me, it made me a better man. Hear romans 10:17 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.Read rev 1:3 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.Study acts 17:11 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.Memorize ps 119:9, 1111 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119Apply james 1:22 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
In today's devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef explains how the Berean Jews were noble in their search for Truth. If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider giving a gift to partner with us to press on in this Kingdom work and more? This month, our June Gift Challenge offers a special opportunity to double your impact to reach the lost and equip the church for Christ. If you would like more insight into today's devotional topic, listen to Dr. Michael Youssef's sermon Life at Its Best, Part 6: LISTEN NOW
FREE pdf 13 Promises of God You Can Count Onhttps://krisreece.com/13-promises-of-god/Some of the teachings that are coming out of some churches today are just off. And some are down right ridiculous—mixing worldviews and new age teachings to make some convoluted mix of what we call progressive Christianity. And I'm embarrassed to say I not only believed some of this stuff, I TAUGHT IT. God forgive me. Since scripture instructs us to not neglect gathering together, how do you find a church that is faithful to the text and doesn't just tickle your ears? May I suggest that you apply the Berean principle. Acts 17:11 lays that out for us. The Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. So let's be like the Bereans and examine some of these false (but common) teachings floating around a church near you. False teaching #1: Manifesting There is a new age teaching out there that basically says what you speak, envision, and think will come to pass, also known as the law of attraction. The idea that Christians can name it and claim it or ‘speak' something into existence is not only nonsense, it's witchcraft. From vision boards to decreeing and declaring, many Christians have tried to take the sovereign will of God into their own hands. Those who follow the “decree and declare” formula make such statements as “I decree and declare that I am healed,” or “I decree and declare my family will be wealthy.” Humbly asking God for things in prayer is replaced by decreeing those things to happen, and then calling it faith. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for watching the words of my mouth and boldly declaring God's truth, but the power to speak things into existence is referred to Romans 4:17.As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[a] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom He believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. Did you catch that? It says GOD calls things that were not—NOT us. Instead, look for teachers who encourage you to keep your life surrendered to the sovereign will of God. And stick to making your decrees according to biblical truth and not personal preference. False teaching #2: EmotionalismEmotionalism isn't so much taught as it is assumed. Stirring the emotions of the crowd is often mistaken for a ‘powerful' move of God. Emotionalism in the church is a reaction based upon feeling. It's often very expressive, but devoid of true worship. I'm not saying that everyone who has expressive moments are simply responding emotionally, but many are. True worship is not just a surface reaction to a strong drumbeat or lyrics to a cool new song.True worship is a reverence for a holy God and it is a direct response to our awe and wonder of His majesty. There's nothing wrong with great music and a beautiful atmosphere. But God doesn't need us to conjure up a false move of the holy spirit. He's plenty powerful to reach every hurting heart and sorry sinner. False teaching #3: Me-ology Are you a part of a church that makes the Bible all about you? Yes, there should be proper application of biblical truth to your life, but that's only a small portion. In many ‘Me-ology' churches, it's all about ME. My decision, my battles, my experience, my truth—it's all about me. In an effort to be seeker friendly, the gospel message has been watered
Acts 17:10-15 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. 13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
The Berean Jews . . . received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. — Acts 17:11 A class I taught at a local Christian college was called “Gateway to Excellence.” It was an introductory class for all new students. When asked by others what the class was about, I would initially say that it was meant to equip students to become better thinkers and responsible followers of Jesus in their career choices. As a follower and servant of Jesus, I must be fully committed to his cause. Because of his love for me, Jesus died for me and equipped me with spiritual gifts so that I can serve him here on earth. And through his Spirit, Jesus promises to be with us until he comes again. When Paul went to Berea, he taught these things to the people there. And the Bereans were good thinkers who did not just take information at face value; they also examined the Scriptures to confirm what Paul was saying. Recognizing the truth of God in Paul's message, many of them became believers in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Savior. Smart people need to be wise people, and wise people need to be listened to, talked with, questioned, and accepted if what they are saying is the truth. Be a student and thinker who digs into God's Word, finding the way, the truth, and the life. God of wisdom, fill our hearts with the truth of your Word so that we will be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” (James 1:19), showing grace and patience for your sake. Amen.
The Berean Jews set a timeless example of how the Church ought to consume Scripture...
The Berean Jews set a timeless example of how the Church ought to consume Scripture...
Paul used the same approach in evangelizing the Berean Jews. Now these Luke notes, were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so. Evidently, they did not have the prejudices to overcome that the Thessalonian Jews did. Significantly, […]
Dennis R Wiles FBC Arlington September 5, 2021 2021 A JOURNEY OF FAITH Celebrating 150 Years of Ministry: Appreciating Our Past Anticipating Our Future FALL 2021 What Do You Believe? September 5 – November 6, 2021 What Do You Believe About Belief? Acts 17:10-12 Fall 2021: What Do You Believe? Acts 17:10-12 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. WORLDVIEW: a comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world especially from a specific standpoint —also called weltanschauung. “A Worldview is a system of beliefs that answer the philosophical questions of God, Man, and the Cosmos which influences how a person relates to and interacts with the self, others, and the world around them.” -Will Campbell WORLDVIEW: We are personally responsible for developing our own worldview. Developing a Worldview (C. Fred Smith) Who Am I? Where Am I? What Went Wrong? What Is The Answer?
When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women. But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible. While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship —and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. www.liteburden.com
Luke contrasts the jealous and prejudiced Thessalonian Jews with the more noble and teachable Berean Jews. This passage gives us much practical help regarding how we should listen to sermons and read Christian books. We should be like good Bereans who test everything we are taught against God's Holy Word. You can watch the message here.
Episode 116 – Perfectly Quiet – The Intertestamental Period 2 Welcome to Anchored by Truth brought to you by Crystal Sea Books. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The goal of Anchored by Truth is to encourage everyone to grow in the Christian faith by anchoring themselves to the secure truth found in the inspired, inerrant, and infallible word of God. Script: In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm … “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up, and may the Lord their God be with them.” 2 Chronicles, chapter 36, verses 22 and 23, New International Version ******** VK: Hello. I'm Victoria K and today on Anchored by Truth we're going to continue our look at what is normally referred to as “The Intertestamental Period.” This is the 400 plus year period between the close of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament. I'm in the studio today with RD Fierro, author and Founder Crystal Sea Books. RD, how about giving us a brief reminder about why you thought it was important for us to do a series that focuses on a time period in history when books of the Bible weren't being produced. RD: As we mentioned last time it's impossible to understand the relationship between the two testaments without knowing something about the period that elapsed in between them. A lot of people may not realize that there was a period of about 450 years that separated the writing of the last books of the Old Testament and the preparation of the first books of the New Testament. Because our Bibles are complete today, and you can turn one page and go from Malachi to Matthew, a lot of people don't realize that turning that page spans a gap of over 400 years and perhaps over 450 years. If we don't know what happened during that gap our understanding of much of the gospels and the New Testament will be incomplete. We've named this series Perfectly Quiet – the Intertestamental Period. The period was quiet in the sense that during that period God gave no new special revelations to one of his prophets or messengers. But as we will see as this series progresses that period was also perfect in its duration and perfect in how God was preparing the world for the arrival of Jesus VK: Thank you. So, what you're saying is that because there was a gap of 400 to 450 years or so between Malachi and Matthew conditions in and around Israel had changed quite a bit. And if we don't understand how they had changed it's a lot harder to make sense of some, or most, of what's going in the New Testament. RD: And it's especially hard to understand the Gospels which, of course, are the books of the Bible that focus on the Jesus' earthly life. VK: For instance, when Malachi was written the Jews were back living in their homeland after the period of the Babylonian captivity. But Israel wasn't independent. It was a vassal state of the Persian Empire at that point in history. It was ruled by the Persians. When the New Testament opens the Jews still lived in their homeland and they still weren't a truly independent nation. But now rather than being a part of the Persian Empire they were part of the Roman Empire. RD: Yes. And that change in empires brought important changes throughout the region of the world that is addressed by the Bible texts – which is chiefly the Mideast, parts of northeastern Africa, and the southern and eastern parts of Europe. So, that's one of the subjects we'll be addressing during this series. How did the world around Israel change during the intertestamental period? VK: Ok. That sounds reasonable. What other subjects will we be addressing? RD: Well, of course, we want to talk about not only changes that were taking place outside of Israel but how those changes affected the Jews themselves. After all, God had promised that His Anointed One – that's what the word Messiah means - would come to the world from the Jewish people. It would be unwise, if not impossible, to try to separate the Jewish nation from the cultures and governments surrounding it. Also, we want to spend some time discussing the prophecies that were fulfilled during this intertestamental period. VK: Hmmmm. So, one of the subjects that we need to cover is that, even though prophecies weren't being recorded at this time prophecies were still being fulfilled. That does sound like a subject worth a bit of attention. So, where do you want to start? RD: With a quote. VK: Who are we quoting? RD: I want to read a quote that comes from the study notes on the intertestamental period of The New Geneva Study Bible because I think it's a great summary of the situation facing the Jews at the start of that period. VK: All right. Let's get to it. You're quoting now from The New Geneva Study Bible. RD: Right. “As the history of the Old Testament drew to a close, the Hebrew community was chastened, divided, and expectant.” In order to understand the events of the intertestamental period and how those events pertain to the history of redemption we need to understand how those adjectives applied to the Hebrew community. VK: Ok. Why was the Hebrew community “chastened” at the start of the intertestamental period? RD: Well, as we've mentioned a couple of times, the Jews had been allowed to return to Palestine after the end of what's often called “the Babylonian captivity.” VK: Right. The Babylonians had conquered the Jews around 598 B.C. And the Babylonians began deporting Jews from Palestine to Babylon and the surrounding region. But it wasn't a single deportation. At first they deported the wealthy and professional class. Later after an unsuccessful attempt at resistance the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and deported all but the very poorest people around 586 B.C. RD: Yes. But the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians and, as we heard in our opening scripture, the Persian king Cyrus gave the Jews permission to return to their homeland around 536 B.C. Well, one of the changes we notice in the books of the Bible that were written after the Babylonian captivity, as opposed to those written before, is that there is not mention of the problem of idolatry among the Jews who returned. Whereas, prior to the captivity just about every prophetic or historical book contained some kind of a rebuke to the Jews for falling into idolatry, after the return there is no mention of it whatsoever. There's mention of other problems such as marriages between Jewish men and women from pagan nations, not tithing faithfully, not being diligent in rebuilding the temple. But there's no rebuke in the post-captivity books of idolatry. VK: So, the Jews were chastened in that they realized God had permitted them to be conquered and go into captivity because the pre-captivity nation had been plagued by persistent idolatry. The Jews could be certain of this because of warnings God had given them repeatedly. For example in Deuteronomy chapter 28, Moses warns the Hebrews, who were about to enter the Promised Land, they will be cursed if they don't obey God's commandments. Of course, the first of the Ten Commandments was “you shall have no other gods before me.” One of the curses Moses warned the Israelites about was in Deuteronomy 28:25 where he warns “The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies.” Another was Deuteronomy 28:36 where he warned “Thee Lord will drive you and the king you set over you to a nation unknown to you or your ancestors. There you will worship other gods, gods of wood and stone.” RD: Yes. The pre-captivity Israelites had been plagued by idolatry. The chastened, post-captivity Israelites were not. That remained true. Even Jesus didn't condemn the Jews of His time for being idolaters. He criticized them for their weak faith. He criticized them for not believing His message or His works. He criticized them for their lack of genuine devotion to God and for revering their traditions more than revering the scripture. Jesus criticized the Jews of His generation for hypocrisy and many other things. But he did not have to criticize them for worshipping the gods of the nations surrounding them. I'm not saying that idolatry had disappeared entirely from Israel. I'm only observing that it was no longer the dominant, besetting sin that it had been before the captivity. VK: In what way was the Hebrew community divided then? If they had given up idolatry it sounds like they were unified around the God to be worshipped. RD: And for the most part they were unified around the God they worshipped. But their worship of God was often insincere, shallow, and self-centered. One of the primary ways the Jews were divided was geographically. Remember that at the time Cyrus issued the decree allowing the Jews to return to Palestine they had been in and around Babylon for decades. Some, or the families, had been there over 50 years. They had made new lives in Babylon. Many had obtained high positions in government. Esther's uncle Mordecai was likely a fairly important Persian official. He lived in the citadel, the central hub of the Persian capital city. Nehemiah was cupbearer to the Persian king before he returned to Jerusalem to supervise the rebuilding of the wall. Some of the Jews had built businesses and were enjoying comfortable lives in their new home. Some Jews had moved and resettled in other areas. In particular, Egypt had a large and prosperous Jewish population. VK: So, when the opportunity under Cyrus came to return to Palestine some Jews took advantage of it but others didn't? RD: Right. Largely, the priestly and religious class formed the nucleus of those who returned. Ezra, chapter 2 records that just a little over 40,000 Jews returned home. So, while this was a very faithful remnant, it was just a remnant. The scattering of the Jewish population is often referred to as the “Diaspora.” VK: Well, was this scattering relevant to the overall history of salvation? After all, we know that the Jews who did go back to Palestine from Babylon preserved their nation, language, religion, and culture for the next 450 years. RD: This scattering was actually very relevant to the history of salvation. I can give you a couple of very clear examples of how. VK: Sounds intriguing. RD: It is. But primarily because it is just another illustration of how God always ensures that His plans come to fruition regardless of whether men always understand that they are furthering them. For instance, I mentioned that the Jews had built a thriving community in Egypt. Part of this community was in Alexandria, a portion of which has since disappeared beneath the waves of the Mediterranean. One of the ultimate effects of the dispersion was the production of the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. Many scholars believe that the translation began when the Egyptian Pharaoh of the time, Philadelphus, wanted to include a copy of the Hebrew Scriptures in the world-famous Library of Alexandria. Whether Philadelphus commissioned the translation or not we do know that in the 2nd century B.C. Greek translations of the Old Testament were circulating in and around Alexandria. This ultimately led to them circulating throughout the broader Greek, and ultimately Roman world. This wide distribution wouldn't have occurred if the Jews had not been widely dispersed. VK: That's an interesting point. And ultimately these widely dispersed Jewish communities with their copies of the Greek translation became the places where the gospel initially spread, right? In Acts, chapter 17, verses 10 through 12, the Bible says, “As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.” Paul's ministry was mostly outside Palestine – in Asia, Greece, and ultimately Rome. Paul's standard pattern was to go to the Jewish community first – the synagogue. The synagogues wouldn't have been there if the Jews had not been widely dispersed after the Babylonian captivity. RD: Right. There were Jewish communities scattered throughout the Roman Empire. Paul would visit these communities first and if his message wasn't received favorably he would move on to the Gentiles. But the Jewish communities were important starting points. So, the dispersion of the Jews was another way that God used to carry forward His plan to bring the Gospel to the entire world. But the dispersion was also evidence of the truth of God's word. VK: You're thinking of passages such as 2 Chronicles, chapter 7, verses 19 and 20 where God said to Solomon, “But if you a turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them …” So, it's fair to say that the Jewish dispersion not only helped fulfill God's plan of redemption. It also was evidence of the truth found in Scripture. RD: Yes. The chastisement of God's people through the Babylonian captivity, the subsequent return of a faithful remnant to Palestine and Jerusalem, and the dispersion all were evidence of the accuracy of God's word. And the Jews themselves recognized this. For instance, in Daniel, chapter 9, verse 2, Daniel writes “in the first year of [Darius, son of Xerxes] reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.” Daniel had studied the Jewish Scriptures that existed at that point. Those scriptures, as do ours, included the book of Jeremiah. And because Daniel believed in the truth of the scriptures he possessed, late in the Babylonian captivity he began looking for the Jews to be delivered which they ultimately were. VK: So, the reason the Jews could be expectant at the start of the intertestamental period was because they had had some graphic demonstrations of the accuracy of their scriptures. RD: Exactly. The exact quote that Daniel was thinking about came from Jeremiah 25:11. But, just to point out the precision of Jeremiah's prophecies why don't you go ahead and read from an expanded section from Jeremiah 25 – extracts from verses 7 through 14. VK: This is from the New Living Translation. “But you would not listen to me,” says the LORD. “You made me furious by worshiping idols you made with your own hands, bringing on yourselves all the disasters you now suffer. And now the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: Because you have not listened to me, I will gather together all the armies of the north under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, whom I have appointed as my deputy. I will bring them all against this land and its people and against the surrounding nations. … This entire land will become a desolate wasteland. Israel and her neighboring lands will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years. “Then, after the seventy years of captivity are over, I will punish the king of Babylon and his people for their sins,” says the LORD. “I will make the country of the Babylonians a wasteland forever. Many nations and great kings will enslave the Babylonians, just as they enslaved my people.” RD: And the Jews who were entering the intertestamental period had seen that Jeremiah's prophecy and many others had unfolded exactly as foretold. The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar had conquered Judah. About 70 years after the first deportation under Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus and the Medes and Persians conquered Babylon. Cyrus decreed that the Jews could return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple exactly as Isaiah had prophesied in Isaiah 44:28. So, the Jews at the start of the intertestamental period could rightfully be expectant that other prophecies in their scriptures, at the time unfulfilled, would in time be fulfilled. They had seen plenty of prophecies be fulfilled either in their lifetimes or those of their parents. VK: We can tend to forget that other generations long before ours have looked to the Bible, the Scriptures, for hope. Even though the Jews of Malachi's day did not possess all of the scriptures that we do, they could place confidence in the ones they did possess. They could also have a sense of expectancy that their unfulfilled prophecies would be fulfilled – such as the prophecies that pertained to the coming Messiah. We now know that the prophecies about the coming Messiah have been fulfilled in the life of Jesus. So, we have a larger body of fulfilled prophecy than the intertestamental Jews did. But they had an abundant body of fulfilled prophecy. This gave them a reason for hopeful expectancy about their future. RD: Yes. And, as we going to cover as we continue our study of the intertestamental period, additional prophecies contained in the scriptures would come true as the intertestamental period unfolded. New books of the Bible weren't being added during the intertestamental period but that does not mean that prophecies weren't going to be fulfilled. They were and the precision of the prophecies and the nature of the fulfillment should be astounding – and encouraging – to anyone who takes the time to examine them. The prophetic fulfillment that would occur during and after the intertestamental period should definitely be a source of encouragement to those of us who now possess the entirety of God's complete revelation in the Old and New Testaments. VK: I think I see where you were going with all this. I know why you opened the show with that quote from The New Geneva Study Bible. RD: And why is that? VK: Because there may be some people in the Anchored by Truth audience today who also feeling chastened and scattered. But even if they are, there are still reasons they can look to their own future with hopeful expectancy. The same God who preserved the Jewish people and provided for their needs is still on the throne today. And we now know that many of the promises God made to them belong to us as well. RD: Very well said. All of us are going to go through periods in our lives when we feel like we're not measuring up and even times when we know we have messed up. All of us are going to have seasons we will think of how much better we could and should have done with choices in our lives. All of us are going to have seasons when we feel chastened and scattered. That's the reality of living in a fallen creation and being human – even those of us who have trusted Jesus for salvation. But none of that means that God can't or won't continue to help us and that He has given up on us. VK: God can use the disappointing seasons in our lives just as He used the Babylonian chastening in the life of the Hebrew nation. The faithful remnant that returned to Jerusalem and the faithful who found themselves far away from Jerusalem were still under the providential care of a Father who would bring them blessings out of disappointment and victory out of defeat. RD: Right. The book of Hebrews tells us that God allowed many of things that happened to the Jewish people were designed to help us understand how much God cares for us and wants to help us. VK: Hebrews, chapter 2, verses 16 through 18 tell us, “We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. … Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.” RD: Exactly. God has promised us that He will never leave us or forsake us and that we can be strong and courageous because He will be with us wherever we go. But the only way we can look to the future with hope and courage is if we know the promises the Bible contains for us and we have confidence in the truth of the Bible. VK: That's a great lesson isn't it? When Malachi put his pen down at that start of the intertestamental period there was a pause in God's special revelation but there was never a pause in the plans that He was making for our salvation and blessing. And even as we look back 2,000 years to the time when the final book of the New Testament was completed we can still be assured that Jesus continues to be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. RD: Yes. God is continuing with the plan of redemption today in the lives of everyone who listens to this program. And there are still glorious promises contained in the Bible yet to be fulfilled – but we can be confident that they will be fulfilled. The Jews experienced a 450 year period between the end of the Old Testament and the opening of the New. There's a sense in which our world has experienced a 2,000 plus year lapse in God's special revelation. But just as God continued to work on behalf of His people even while He paused in His special revelation He continues to work on our behalf today. God has a plan and a purpose for everyone listening. He is our High Priest collectively but He is also our High Priest individually. VK: This sounds like a great time for a prayer. Today's prayer comes from another one of Crystal Seas' offerings, the book Purposeful Prayers. It is a prayer of adoration for the Holy Spirit who lives within every person who trusts in Jesus and continuously makes intercessions for us with the Father: ---- PRAYER FOR ADORATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (MARCUS). We hope you'll be with us next time and we hope you'll take some time to encourage some friends to tune in too, or listen to the podcast version of this show. If you'd like to hear more, try out crystalseabooks.com where “We're not famous but our Boss is!” (Bible Quote from the New International Version) Malachi, chapter 4, verses 5 and 6, New International Version
11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scripturesevery day to see if what Paul said was true.
When Paul arrived in Thessalonica, he presented the gospel first to Jews in the local synagogue, as he often did. Some believed, but others responded with hostility, stirring up mob violence and driving the apostle out of the city. When he moved on to Berea, they followed him there and did the same, although many of the “more noble” Berean Jews trusted Christ (Acts 17:1-14). This is one reason why Paul wrote specifically about persecution by the Jews in today’s reading. The Thessalonians had responded positively to the gospel, for which Paul was thankful. They’d accepted the good news in faith not as a merely human phenomenon but as the living and powerful word of God. As such, it was “indeed at work in you who believe” (v. 13; see also Heb. 4:12). As a result, the believers in Thessalonica had become a model for churches throughout the province of Macedonia (1 Thess. 1:7–8). All this was true despite persecution (2:14–16). Just as the Judean churches endured suffering at the hands of the Jews, so also did the new Thessalonian church endure suffering at the hands of their fellow Gentiles. Paul’s Jewish enemies were likely behind this, as they’d been earlier (Acts 17:5–9, 13). They weren’t content to stop at rejecting the gospel themselves: They worked actively to block the Gentiles from even hearing it, and thus, “they always heap up their sin to the limit” (v. 16). Even so, Paul didn’t hate his fellow Jews—far from it. Though he faced their failures and sins squarely, he loved them dearly and longed for them to be saved (Rom. 10:1–4). The Thessalonians could take comfort from the fact that their suffering wasn’t unique. Other believers had also been persecuted, and yet God would always triumph! >> The Thessalonian church looked to the Judean churches as a model to imitate (1 Thess. 2:14). In the same way, mentoring relationships between older and younger believers are key in today’s church.
If you want to win the war of life, you need a game plan! (This was originally a Patron-only episode, but I'm making it available for everyone today because it feels like someone needs it! It will go back to Patron-only status soon. Patrons get special episodes at least monthly!) The Word of God is the best weapon, the best instrument for self-brain surgery of all! In this episode, we're going to develop a great plan for how we can best learn to use the scriptures to prepare ourselves for whatever life brings us. Scriptures Mentioned Ephesians 6:10-18 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. How to get a firm grip on the Bible (Elmer Towns) Hear Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Read Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. Study Acts 17:11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Memorize Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Meditate Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
I have had the opportunity to visit New York City a few times. If you are ever in the city and you venture close to Chinatown, you will soon be confronted with a number of people trying to get your attention. They will try to attract you by showing off items they have for sale - watches, purses, jewelry, sunglasses, perfume - all sorts of items. What will surprise you, though, is their pricing - only in these venues are you able to purchase a Louis Vuitton purse, A Rolex watch, Ray Ban sunglasses, and some Chanel No. 5, all for about the price of dinner.Sounds like a great deal, right? Its all good, unless you actually think you are purchasing a Louis Vuitton purse, A Rolex watch, Ray Ban sunglasses, and some Chanel No. 5. In reality, what you are getting is a genuine imitation, a fraud, a hoax, a rip-off, and a hustle. I have realized that for almost everything genuine in life, there is a counterfeit.Spiritually speaking, Christians are often faced with this dilemma when it comes to doctrine and teaching. For just as there is sound doctrine to be taught and understood from scripture, there are a number of counterfeits that seek to make their way into the church. So, to stay on track, we need discernment. Now discernment is nothing more than the ability to decide between truth and error, right and wrong. The ability to think with discernment is synonymous with a capacity to think biblically.It is the ability to see issues clearly. We desperately need to cultivate this spiritual skill that will enable us to know right from wrong. We must be prepared to distinguish light from darkness, truth from error, righteousness from unrighteousness, and purity from defilement. In Ephesians 4:13-14, Paul says, “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”Paul is saying here that it is God's desire that we grow to a place of spiritual maturity. We grow spiritually to a place where we have a strong grasp of the scripture and biblical doctrine. It's then that we will not be carried about by every wind of doctrine. I have always loved an obscure verse of scripture found in Acts 17:11. It says, Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”Notice what this verse says… They examined the Scriptures. It was worth it to them to work hard, and to investigate what the Word of God said, and how Paul's teaching matched up with it.They also examined the Scriptures every day to find out what it said. It wasn't a one time, quick look. They made it a point of diligent, extended study.This is how we gain discernment. This is how we avoid being deceived by false teachers, false prophets, and false doctrine. We can easily be led astray if we are not rooted and grounded upon the truth of God's Word.Today's Challenge: I hope you will join me in praying a prayer found in Psalm 119:125. It says, “I am your servant; give me discernment.” Let's ask God to help us see, know, understand, and apply the truth of his Word. And let's ask him to guard our hearts from deception.
John 15:18-19 NIV 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 1 Peter 3:15 NIV 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer (Apologia) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, Philippians 1:3-11 NIV 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending (Apologia) and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern (Dokimazein) what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. 1 John 4:1 NIV Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 NIV 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, Acts 8:26-29 NIV 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a] eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” Acts 8:30-31 NIV 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:32-33 NIV 32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” Acts 8:34-35 NIV 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. Acts 17:10-12 NIV 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. Luke 24:13-16 NIV 13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. Luke 24:17-18 NIV 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” Luke 24:19-24 NIV 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” Luke 24:25-27 NIV 25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:28-29 NIV 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. Luke 24:30-32 NIV 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:44-47 NIV 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
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.—Acts 17:10-11 Luke documents for us that the Apostle Paul, having left Thessalonica and recently arrived in the city of Berea, preached in the synagogue of the Berean Jews. Paul's encouraging experience with the Bereans caused Luke to commend them. He wrote that they were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica because they received the Word of God from Paul “with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily” to know whether or not what Paul had to say was true.
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. —Acts 17:10-11 Luke documents for us that the Apostle Paul, having left Thessalonica and recently arrived in the city of Berea, preached in the synagogue of the Berean Jews. Paul's encouraging experience with the Bereans caused Luke to commend them. He wrote that they were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica because they received the Word of God from Paul “with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily” to know whether or not what Paul had to say was true.
The Power of the WordGenesis 1:1-3God puts a stamp on His Word in the very beginning, not introducing what was said or thought to begin with, but introducing Himself as the beginning.Acts 17:28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’By knowing the WHO, we know the WHAT, the HOW, and the WHY.Amos 3:3Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?The earth was a canvas - undefinable, a mess.Matthew 11:28-30Nothing happens that we can see until the Word is spoken.John 1:1-13Isaiah 55:11So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.The responsibility we have:1 - Study the Word (fill in the blank #1 - STUDY the Word)2 Timothy 2:15 (slide for this Scripture)Joshua 1:8Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.God is not desiring just your LIFE, but your LIFESTYLE.Application is not enough - it has to go from application to DEFINITION.Acts 17:6But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come hereMatthew 7:24–27Acts 17:11Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.2 - Speak the Word (fill in the blank #2 - SPEAK the Word)Mark 11:23“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.Proverbs 18:21The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.It isn't because I want that mountain to move that it moves - it's because I've aligned myself with His Word.Psalms 37:4Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.Ephesians 3:20-2120Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.Psalms 119:9How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.Matthew 10:19But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say3 - Minister the Word of Truth (fill in the blank #3 - MINISTER the Word of Truth)2 Timothy 3:13While evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.Matthew 24:24For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.Romans 10:17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.No one is going to come to the fullness of God if we don't speak.Ezekiel 33What is your mandate?
"Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." (Acts 17:11) With the speed and amount of information and marketing being shared we, more than ever, need to view the world and interpret our experiences through a Biblical lens.
In this final "outro" episode of the first series of Into the Pray, Nick Franks summarises 7 of the main prayers that he and Mairi pray on a daily basis. As the COVID-19 lockdown lifts across the West, as summer begins to pop, please don't confuse the changing natural seasons with the activity of the spiritual realm - the heavenlies - and what's really unfolding beyond our natural senses of ear and eye and nose and mouth. Instead, let us be like weak and imperfect fishermen who are able to look at the skies and understand what's to come next...let us be like the Berean Jews who take their cues from Scripture only. Season 2 of Into the Pray will resume in 4 weeks time. In the meantime, please catch up on all episodes, guests and testimonies that have dropped. Why not tell your mates about this podcast right now? You can buy your copies of "Body Zero - Radical Preparation for the Return of Christ" by visiting the Body Zero book shop (www.bodyzerobook.com) or by simply clicking here. You can also watch the two-hour film "The Draft - A Conscription of Conscience" by googling "Vimeo", "Nicholas Paul Franks" and "The Draft" or by simply clicking here. You can also follow Mairi's "My Heart Notes" by jumping onto Instagram here. Love/maranatha N&M xx
The Berean Jews were not like their Thessalonian counterparts. They researched and dogged into the scriptures to see what Paul & Silas were saying was true. Do we do the same for anyone we hear speak or clam to speak of God?
Take responsibility for your own spiritual life. Do you take your Bible to church? Do you follow along with your pastor on the Bible App? Or do you just take for granted that whatever they project on the screen is actually in the Bible? No, I am not saying your pastor is lying to you. I am saying that we should be taking responsibility for our own spiritual life. In our One Verse, the Berean Jews were comparing everything that Paul taught against what Scripture taught. I think it would be wise for us to do the same. You aren’t showing disrespect to your pastor. Instead, you are learning how to feed yourself.
As Paul and his missionary team heads to Berea, the author Luke makes note that the Berean Jews were of more noble character than the Jews in Thessalonica. But what made them of more noble character? Is this something that we need to apply to our own lives? I'm pretty comfortable at church, do I really need new teaching? Another powerful message from Pastor Darren.
**Please note, this recording is not great quality**Betsi Thane leads us through Acts 17: 10-12 and thinks about the Berean Jews who were keen to search the Scriptures.
Pastor Ben continues our sermon series, Everyday Evangelism, and teaches on Paul and Silas' use of Scripture in evangelism. Text: Acts 17:10-12 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. 13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothystayed at Berea. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
Are you taking responsibility for your own spiritual life? Do you take your Bible to church? Do you follow along with your pastor on the Bible App? Or do you just take for granted that whatever they project on the screen is actually in the Bible? No, I am not saying your pastor is lying to you. I am saying that we should be taking responsibility for our own spiritual life. In our One Verse, the Berean Jews were comparing everything that Paul said against what Scripture taught. I think it would be wise for us to do the same. You aren’t showing disrespect to your pastor. Instead, you are learning how to feed yourself.
Should your partners have the pin code or password to your phone? And where they don't is it offensive to ask. Of course it's no surprise Bobby A wasn't the biggest advocate for this but today on the podcast we talk about why and if this really is as big a deal as many make. We also talk about the unfair double standard seen in the culture where it seems much more acceptable for men to have lower moral standards than women. We also had a very special guest today our good friend Ade from the On Court Off Court podcast was also down and it was a pleasure to have him on. Definitely check out his podcast available wherever you find ours! Of course there's the hookups for this week. Bobby A suggested a book he was currently reading Sex, Jesus and the conversations the Church forgot. The title says it all lol. Check it out here http://a.co/74x4dw7 Ade had s a couple of great hookups, the first being the Atheist Delusion on youtube. https://youtu.be/ChWiZ3iXWwM Check out this guy challenging atheists on the existence of God, and on a lighter note, the netflix series Marlon by one of the Wayans brothers, unsurprisingly a funny series you can watch just for the giggles https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5720168/ Of course we also had to plug the podcast, check out On Court Off Court wherever you find podcasts you can start here, https://soundcloud.com/oncourtoffcourt Peter suggested a Verse, Acts 17:11 about the Berean Jews who would hear a message but also search the scriptures to make sure it was true. He considers this just a reminder to make sure as christians we're doing at least two things, firstly that we're not reading or hearing about our bibles just once a week at church but also that we are diligently studying our bibles and corroborating the sermons we're hearing at church. Acts 17:11 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. (ESV) We hope you enjoy the episode and if you do please let us know in the comments and let your friends know by sharing, and if you don't, please let us know in the comments and let your friends know by sharing. We're big believers in the "win-win" Take care and stay blessed. Special thanks to RUDE (@itsrudeboy) for the intro and outro music. And to Calvin A Turner founder of Torra Media (facebook , @torramedia) and digital designer extraordinaire for TheOrdinaryAmazing.com logo design.
Acts 17:1-13In Thessalonica1 When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. ‘This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,’ he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the market-place, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: ‘These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.’ 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they put Jason and the others on bail and let them go.In Berea10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up.
Are you taking responsibility for your own spiritual life or just blindly following someone else? Do you take your Bible to church? Do you follow along with your pastor on the Bible App? Or do you just take for granted that whatever they project on the screen is actually in the Bible? No, I am not saying your pastor is lying to you. I am saying that we should be taking responsibility for our own spiritual life. In our One Verse, the Berean Jews were comparing everything that Paul taught against what Scripture taught. I think it would be wise for us to do the same. You aren’t showing disrespect to your pastor. Instead, you are learning how to feed yourself. The One Verse Devotional Bible study is provided by Phosphorus Project. About the One Verse Devotional Podcast One Verse is a short, free podcast devotional designed to help you grow closer to God through less than 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Is it hard to find time to spend with God and grow your Christian faith? The One Verse Devotional is a short, 5 minute podcast where we grow deeper in our faith through just one verse a day, Monday through Friday. A practical and encouraging look at the Bible, now you can spend time with God whenever you want. Hosted by Matt McCarrick and brought to you by Phosphorus Project. http://oneversepodcast.com/
Acts 17:10-12 (NIV)In Berea 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
Acts 17:10-12 (NIV)In Berea 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
Acts 17:10-12 (NIV)In Berea 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
Acts 17:10-12 (NIV) In Berea 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
Acts 17:10-12 (NIV)In Berea 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
Acts 17:10-12 (NIV)In Berea 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
Acts 17:10-12 (NIV)In Berea 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
Acts 17:10-12 (NIV) In Berea 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
Acts 17:10-12 (NIV) In Berea 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
Acts 17:10-12 (NIV)In Berea10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
Acts 17:10-12 (NIV)In Berea10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
Acts 17:10-12 (NIV) In Berea 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." - ACTS 17:11 Get prayer or talk to a mentor at TheLife.com/prayer
Take responsibility for your own spiritual life. Do you take your Bible to church? Do you follow along with your pastor on the Bible App? Or do you just take for granted that whatever they project on the screen is actually in the Bible? No, I am not saying your pastor is lying to you. I am saying that we should be taking responsibility for our own spiritual life. In our One Verse, the Berean Jews were comparing everything that Paul taught against what Scripture taught. I think it would be wise for us to do the same. You aren’t showing disrespect to your pastor. Instead, you are learning how to feed yourself. About One Verse One Verse is a short, daily devotional designed to help you grow closer to God through less than 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Consistency trumps intensity. When it comes to working out, eating healthy, or managing our finances, consistency always trumps intensity. We reach our major life goals through small, purposeful steps taken daily. The same is true in our spiritual lives. I truly believe you will grow closer to God by spending just 5 minutes a day with Him versus cramming in an hour once a month. The One Verse Devotional is here to help take away the barriers of spending time with God. Now, during your workout, drive to work, or even shopping for groceries, you can invest in your spiritual life. http://phosphorusproject.com/
The early church – what did they spend their time doing? Who were they hanging around? What did they do when they got together? What was important to them? Acts 2:42 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 7 – Stephen is stoned. Acts 8 – Persecution breaks out, the church is scattered. This young fellowship of believers left Jerusalem and is scattered throughout the region. Gospel is taken to Samaria and they believe Acts 10 – the Lord appears to a Gentile, leads Peter there and he shares the Gospel with him – the first Gentile believer. Acts 13 – the church in Antioch sends out the first missionaries – Saul and Barnabas Acts 17:5-11 5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.[a] 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. The trip to Thessalonica was a disaster. Paul did not get to spend time with the church in Thessalonica, teaching, building the church. But look what happened there… 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. The church there should have died. It was little, young, and persecuted. What is it that caused these little, young churches to have such an impact on the community around them? The Thessalonians: 1. Turned from idols. 2. Served God. 3. Waited for Christ’s return. The Jerusalem church: Acts 2:42 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Their lives were saturated with the Gospel. They were devoted to reading the Gospel. They were devoted to fellowship together – reference not just to hanging out, but worshipping God together. They were devoted to breaking of bread together – can mean eating a meal together, but probably means sharing the Lord’s Supper. They were devoted to prayer. Their lives, friendships, and time were saturated with reading, talking about, and worshipping about the Gospel. What can cause this little, young churches to have such an impact on the community around us? Lives saturated with the Gospel. Time reading. The content of our conversations. That our fellowship together would lead to worship of God. Not just talking, taking time to pray together and for each other. That is how through the last 2,000 years little, young churches have turned their communities upside-down.
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