60 Acts 17:10-15 Search the Scriptures

November 10, 2024

Christopher C. Freeman

Title: Search The Scriptures Text: Acts 17:10-15 FCF: We often struggle giving priority to the gospel ministry. Prop: Because the gospel is logical and scriptural yet still opposed aggressively, we must bear the gospel message to all. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 17. In a moment I’ll begin reading from the Legacy Standard Bible staring in verse 10. You can follow along in the pew bible or whatever version you prefer. Last week we saw that even though Paul was uniquely equipped to share the gospel effectively to the Jews, and even though he made a sound logical argument that Jesus was the Messiah and the next step in true Judaism… for the most part the Jews utterly rejected the gospel. In spite of this, many God-fearing Greeks and prominent women in the city came to Christ. This made the Jews not just foolish but also jealous. They trumped up charges against the missionaries – some of them bearing some measure of truth. If it were not for wise city officials, and of course, the providence of God, the missionaries would have no doubt ended up the same as they had in Philippi. Today, in what certainly could have been a part 2 of last week’s message, we will move on to the Berean episode of this missionary journey. And there are more than a few surprises here for us. So, stand with me to focus on and give honor to Word of God as it is read. Invocation: Father, we know that this faith which You have given us is one of spiritual origin. We know that what we have come to believe about You and Your Son is not purely intellectual certainty of fact but instead a hoping and trust in all that You have said. Still, we cannot deny that you have made the gospel truths abundantly logical and certainly clear in Your Word. The gospel you have made is not far from us, so much so that even a child can understand if you have opened their eyes to see it. For this we are abundantly thankful. Help us Lord to take the simplicity of your truth and against all who oppose, further the gospel ministry to all who you bring in our way. We ask this in Jesus’ name… Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] In their biography Edison: His Life and Inventions. Frank Dyer and T. C. Martin recorded a conversation that Edison's friend and associate, Walter S. Mallory, had with the inventor. It is recorded as follows: “This [the research] had been going on more than five months, seven days a week, when I was called down to the laboratory to see him [Edison]. I found him at a bench about three feet wide and twelve feet long, on which there were hundreds of little test cells that had been made up by his corps of chemists and experimenters. I then learned that he had thus made over nine thousand experiments in trying to devise this new type of storage battery, but had not produced a single thing that promised to solve the question. In view of this immense amount of thought and labor, my sympathy got the better of my judgment, and I said: 'Isn't it a shame that with the tremendous amount of work you have done you haven't been able to get any results?' Edison turned on me like a flash, and with a smile replied: 'Results! Why, man, I have gotten lots of results! I know several thousand things that won't work!'” Edison’s diligence despite consistent failure is one of the great stories of American ingenuity. It embodies the saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” The apostle Paul and his companions have continued the gospel ministry despite having all sorts of setbacks most of which are by their own people, the Jews. Yet they endured in the gospel ministry. Today, we will see two reasons that we too should continue to bear the gospel message to all people. Even when we have failure after failure… we should keep going. Let’s look at the text this morning. I.) The gospel truth is close to those who seek it diligently, so we must faithfully bear the gospel message to all. (10-12) a. [Slide 3] 10 - And the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. i. As a response to the demands for peace by the city magistrates of Thessalonica, the brothers, which probably means the Elders of the church there, decide to not delay in sending Paul and Silas away. ii. [Slide 4] To avoid detection, they send them away by night to Berea, a city about 45 miles west of Thessalonica. iii. Baroea, which depending on your translation could be spelled as it is here in the LSB or by adding an o after the r, both are acceptable spellings of the Greek word that means “place of many waters”. The city is near many natural springs, only 24 miles inland from the gulf of Thermai and is located just below Mount Bermius. iv. [Slide 5] Because of its streams, altitude, view of the Haliacmon (ha-li-cmon) plains, and the fact that the city lay off the main road of trade and somewhat in the middle of nowhere, it would have been one of the more desirable locations to live in the Roman Empire. As such wealthier and socially elevated people would live in this city. v. Again, we find Paul, Silas and Timothy go to the synagogue first and share the gospel to the Jew first. vi. Why does he keep doing this? He knows what the outcome is going to be – doesn’t he? b. [Slide 6] 11 - Now these 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. i. Paul’s experience in Beroea must have given him a much-needed shot of hope for his native Jewish people. ii. After seeing the Jews violently reject their own Messiah in Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, pursue them to Lystra and now more recently Thessalonica, Paul may have started to consider it a waste of time to even take the gospel to the Jews. iii. But here in Beroea, he spoke to a group of Jews of a nobler sort. iv. There is some difficulty interpreting Luke’s comment here about the nature of these Jews. 1. In English we use the word noble to discuss the character of a person. However, we also use the word to refer to someone of a higher social status. 2. The same is true in Greek. Because those of noble social status tended to have more noble character and be more open-minded and accommodating of new thoughts. As a noble your world would be a good deal bigger and thus you would be exposed to much more than someone of a lower class. 3. Therefore, as we seek meaning from this word, many modern translations have it as “open-minded” rather than “noble-minded” but I prefer the LSB here simply because it maintains that social status cue that Luke desires. 4. Remember he is writing to Theophilus who seems to be a person of some social status in the Roman Empire. Luke’s consistent theme throughout the book of Acts so far is presenting a Christianity unopposed to the wealthy, the powerful, and the Roman. In fact, it is the wealthy, the powerful and the Roman who consistently seem to convert to Christianity everywhere Paul goes. v. So, Paul, Silas and Timothy find these noble- and open-minded Jews who are eager to receive the gospel message. vi. They examine the scriptures thoroughly for several days, not just on the Sabbath, to confirm whether or not what Paul had taught was accurate. vii. What is their conclusion? c. [Slide 7] 12 - Therefore, many of them believed, along with not a few prominent Greek women and men. i. The not so veiled point that Luke has made now twice in a row, is that Jesus as the Messiah of God promised to the Jews is not only a logical but a scriptural fact. 1. Any who spend any amount of time to dissect and give themselves to investigate what the scriptures truly say will come away with the same conclusion. 2. Jesus is the promised Messiah of God and is the Lord of glory. 3. Luke in the last two episodes especially has focused on the intellectual appeal of the gospel. This is no doubt largely due to the Macedonian people of prominence being less persuaded by the miraculous and more moved by sound logic and reasoning. 4. But it is also another side to the equation of conversion. We have talked about God’s side with the story of Lydia. How God opened her heart to enable her to believe. 5. This is still present here in the stories of Thessalonica and Beroea. 6. Luke does not mention it because first, he already has, and second because he is emphasizing that after the Lord opens up the heart, the belief is not blind faith in unsubstantiated claims. 7. Instead, it is well reasoned and scriptural claims which the heart cannot receive until the Lord prepares the soil. The Spirit illuminated mind is not one that dwells in fantasy or delusion. Rather, it is purely logical, reasonable, and calculated. ii. Many Jews in Beroea… believed. How encouraging! iii. And once again it proves two things. 1. There is still hope for Jews as a nation. a. But that hope is first a spiritual one and not a national one. b. The only national hope that Israel has, is when they as a nation weep for the one whom they have pierced and submit to His Lordship. 2. Secondly, it proves that the only true Judaism, is one that goes through Christ. a. Therefore, the only true Judaism is Christianity. b. All other forms of Judaism… are at best disobedient and at worst, pagan. iv. But as we’ve seen in other cities, it is not only the Jews who respond but also prominent pagan men and women. Those who confess Yahweh as God and those who believe in many gods and everyone in between are coming to bow the knee and confess that Jesus is Lord. v. There is no specific religious, ethnic, social, or wealth status that the gospel is bound to. vi. God loved the world. So, the gospel will be received by all kinds of people. Therefore, the gospel call goes out to all. d. [Slide 8] Summary of the Point: The Beroean story is used often as a slogan for believers to test the message of pastors and teachers. And indeed, that is a valid use of this story. But we must not divorce it from its original context too much. For the Beroeans were unconverted Jews who anxiously desired to search the scriptures and think logically and biblically to ascertain the truth. What we should see here, beyond our need to test the teachings of others is the fact that the gospel is not some giant leap with little to ground its teaching in reality. Instead, the gospel is a logical, well-reasoned, and scripturally defendable teaching requiring only the regeneration of God to enable men to receive it. Many experientially have exclaimed after converting to Christ that once they saw the truth of the gospel, they were astounded at how they could have missed it. The gospel is so simple that a child can understand and believe it – yet it is hidden from the heads and hearts of some of the most intelligent human beings to walk the earth. This shows us that regardless of what kind of people we are talking to… old, young, learned, unlearned, powerful, powerless, strong, weak, wealthy, poor, regardless of ethnicity, regardless of whether they are male or female – the gospel is a message that all are able to comprehend if the Spirit has opened their eyes to see it. Therefore, our application is quite simple. We must faithfully bear the message of the gospel to all people. Even if we think they will never listen. Even if we think they are too simple, too opposed, too wealthy, or too … fill in the blank. We must still bear witness. Just as Paul did here to the Jews in Berea. Transition: [Slide 9(blank)] So one reason we must keep sharing the gospel even if the results we get are not what we want, is because we never know when the next time we share will be the time God opens the hearts of people to believe the gospel. But what other encouragement must we have to continue to bear the gospel? II.) The gospel will be aggressively opposed by those who reject it, so we must faithfully bear the gospel message to all. (13-15) a. [Slide 10] 13 - But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, shaking up and disturbing the crowds. i. Once again, we see the work of God contrasted with the work of the enemy. ii. We should make no mistake; these Jews serve their father the devil. iii. They have pursued Paul to Beroea in an effort to stamp out his message and his life if they get the chance. iv. Once again, they stir up the city and cause trouble. v. As they had accused Paul, Silas and Timothy of doing – they now travel 45 miles to do also. vi. Since the Roman cities, even within their proveniences, often had their own governing authorities, the charges from Thessalonica would not be relevant in Beroea. vii. Because of this they started over and stirred up the crowds insisting that Paul, Silas, and Timothy were insurrectionists who spoke of an earthly king who would topple Caesar, named Jesus. viii. In Beroea, the fledgling church were much quicker on their response time to this opposition. No doubt because Paul had told them what had happened in Thessalonica. b. [Slide 11] 14 - Then immediately the brothers sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there. i. Since Paul seemed to be the subject of the Jews’ ire, Silas and Timothy remain behind to continue the work which was started in Beroea. ii. [Slide 12] The way this is translated makes it seem as though this would have been a boat trip around the peninsula. However, there are some manuscripts that suggest that his trip to the coast was a ruse to throw off those who may try to follow. Instead, Paul was guided by land down to Athens. iii. However, the land journey would have been long and difficult. And these manuscripts are not some of the oldest or best we have. It is more likely that Paul went by boat. iv. Since charting a boat would take arrangement and money, and since a boat could theoretically sail almost anywhere in the Aegean, this seems like the best mode of travel to escape those who would try to follow him. c. [Slide 13] 15 - Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left. i. We don’t know exactly where Paul stopped along the way. But we do know where those who were in charge of escorting him stopped. They arrived in Athens. ii. [Slide 14] It was probably around 180-200 miles to get around the peninsula to get to Athens. iii. We don’t know how long it is between when Paul arrives in Athens and when he sends for Silas and Timothy. Luke makes it seem as though he sent his guides back with this message. iv. [Slide 15] We also have a seeming contradiction here. 1. Luke makes it clear that Silas and Timothy do not go with Paul to Athens at first, but depart for Athens as soon as they receive his summons to join him. 2. However, in both Acts 18 and in I Thessalonians 3, we find that at some point Timothy was not in Athens with Paul and Silas, and by the time Paul got to Corinth both Timothy and Silas had to rejoin him from Macedonia. (Athens is not in Macedonia it is in Achaia). 3. So how do we reconcile that Timothy and Silas left for Athens but both of them seem to be in Macedonia shortly after? 4. It is quite simple really. Both Acts and Thessalonians are not written to give us a detailed itinerary of the missionaries’ journeys. 5. Certainly, Timothy and Silas joined Paul in Athens for a time, but obviously at some point Timothy was sent to Thessalonica to check on the church there and Silas was sent to somewhere in Macedonia, probably either Philippi or Berea. 6. Another supposed contradiction is easily explained by simply assuming that we have the facts we need to have and are expected to fill in the gaps assuming the facts are true. v. So, the gospel now goes to the ancient and famous city of Athens. A place where Paul’s logic of the gospel will be put to the test. d. [Slide 16] Summary of the Point: In this second point the diligence of the Beroeans to search the scriptures to verify the gospel is contrasted with the diligence of the Jewish Thessalonians to hunt down and stamp out the same gospel which they rejected. Again, in the book of Acts we are reminded of the aggressive opposition the gospel faces by those who reject it. Given the history of the church, we should not assume that such opposition is relegated to the contexts of Paul’s mission but instead is indicative of the universal response to the gospel by those who reject it. As we saw last week, the gospel is good news, but it is framed as terms of surrender. Therefore, it is the most hated and deplorable message the world could hear. We shouldn’t be surprised that so many oppose it. So, in light of that opposition, God’s true people must bear the gospel message to all. Which not only includes proclaiming that message, but also helping others do so as well. Just as we saw in this text with the Thessalonian and Berean believers greatly assisting Paul to continue on safely. Conclusion: So CBC, what is our main takeaway this morning? What is the point we must learn here? Doctrinal Takeaway: [Slide 17] In the text we see two contrasting truths which both prove the need for us to bear the gospel message to all people. Positively, we must faithfully bear the gospel message going to all because it is not a blind faith requiring delusion or baseless hope but is instead logical and scriptural. Indeed, it is so provable that those who diligently seek it, will find its truths. Negatively, we must faithfully bear the message of the gospel to all, because the gospel will be opposed… aggressively. Not only are we given two motivations for bearing the gospel. We are also given two examples of it in this text as well. First, the missionaries shared the gospel to all kinds of people, including those Paul probably felt would never receive Christ. Second, the Bereans and the Thessalonians cared for, preserved, helped, sustained, protected and transported the missionaries so that they could continue in the gospel ministry throughout Macedonia and on to Achaia. But as we might guess, this simple point does need to be broken down into some more practical applications for us this morning. 1.) [Slide 18] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must believe that the gospel is both logical and scriptural. a. In the last century or two with the coming of psychology and psychiatric treatment, we have begun putting a premium on our feelings. b. We are told by the world to follow our hearts, to trust our feelings, to do what feels right. Don’t do anything that makes you feel unsafe. That is so triggering! c. It is safe to say that we are exiting the age of reason and entering the age of feeling. d. That exit is not complete and some still attempt to argue their conclusions on various subjects by forming logical and well-reasoned arguments. e. But when push comes to shove and their logical arguments are proven to be either false or invalid, the typical response is feeling language. Ethier to attack out of anger, flee out of fear, or passionately defend their points from anecdotal evidence that plays on emotions. f. I wish I could say that this culture war had not seeped into the church but alas – the church has adopted its own form of feel centric gospel. g. We advertise the proof of the gospel by the feeling you get when you are saved. i. “A weight was lifted off my shoulders when I confessed Christ.” ii. “I felt God’s love more real than ever when I confessed Christ as Lord.” iii. “When I converted, I was overcome by the tingles all over my body and felt God’s warm presence all around me.” h. But some emotion centric expressions of the gospel are even more subtle. i. Things like – “you don’t have to believe the bible, just that God is the creator and that Jesus rose from the dead.” ii. “You don’t have to repent – just believe that Jesus loves you.” iii. “Don’t overthink it, Jesus loves you and He just is begging for you to accept Him. He doesn’t care what you believe just follow Him.” i. My friends, the gospel is not a feeling. It isn’t an experience. It isn’t a fantasy. It isn’t built on unproven facts that don’t need you to consider them or test them. j. The gospel is abundantly logical, totally well-reasoned, wholly biblical and intellectually stimulating. k. The Lord Jesus commanded us to love Him with all our heart, soul, strength… and what else? l. Our Minds. Yes. m. Yes, you do have to believe the whole bible. Yes. You do. So, count the cost. Consider what it teaches. Consider all that it teaches. If you cannot submit to all it teaches, then you cannot be the disciple of Christ. n. Yes, you do have to repent. So, count the cost and consider what it will mean for you to believe on Jesus as your Lord. If you do not hate your sin and crucify your old self daily, then you cannot be Jesus’ disciple. o. Yes, you do have to think about it. The seat of our wills and our acceptance is not in our feelings but in our minds. p. No, Jesus isn’t begging you to accept him. He is commanding you to repent and believe the gospel. q. Yes, He does care what you believe. Specifically, everything He, the Word of God, teaches. r. The gospel can cause feelings and experiences… but it doesn’t have to. For the more intellectually geared, it may simply be the admission of defeat when the mind buckles under the logical, well-reasoned, and scriptural proof of the gospel. s. That may be the conversion experience of some. When they put the books down and finally admit… t. Jesus is Lord. u. And that may not come with grand signs and overwhelming displays. v. It may not be in a revival service with weeping and fuzzy feelings. w. It may be simple surrender. He is Savior. He is Lord. I will serve Him. x. Because my friends, the gospel is not just an experience you need to feel… it is an intellectual argument you must test and then submit to. y. And in that there is great comfort. For our God did not choose a baseless hope on which to connect us to His Son, he did not require fleeting feelings for you to receive His gospel… but rather a logical and scriptural gospel that any can see if they go looking for it. z. But we must exercise caution here. For we can’t press this too far. 2.) [Slide 19] Refutation: “What lies must we cast down” or “What do we naturally believe, or have been taught to believe, that this passage shows is false?” We must deny that intellectual agreement is the same as diligent seeking. a. Unfortunately, we must admit that no one can come to Christ on an intellectual level alone. b. Christ says to love God with everything. Our mind yes… but also our heart, strength and our soul. c. You see we cannot simply arrive at the truth that the bible is true, that Jesus is Lord, that He died to save sinners, that he rose again, and that He is coming again… and then leave it at that. d. Why? e. Well, because if all that is true, and is proven true by sound reasoning and scriptural backing… you can’t continue your life as if nothing has changed. f. Let me give you three examples of this with various outcomes. i. Richard Dawkins, perhaps one of the most well-known atheists and opponents to creationism and intelligent design that there is… has recently admitted that a world shaped by Judeo-Christian beliefs and values is his preferred world to a world shaped by Islam. Dawkins unwittingly admits the effect of Christianity while denying the cause. ii. Jordan Peterson has come out and said some rather shocking things about Jesus, to the extent that many Christians believe He is a follower of Christ. However, what it seems to be in actuality, is that Jordan Peterson believes the facts and the impact of Jesus with his mind… but with his mind only. It is an intellectual certainty to the truth of Christ, without the spiritual or heart change that comes along with it. iii. And finally, I give you the example of George Whitefield. George Whitefield was raised in the Anglican Church. He was baptized as an infant. He was in the process of studying to be a member of the Anglican clergy. In the midst of his studies, as he faced the undeniable and logical truth of the gospel… so he began to wrestle with God. For seven weeks he sought salvation from the Lord. For seven weeks he begged with prayer and with many fastings for God to save him. For seven weeks … his health deteriorated as he waited on the Lord. He was a wreck. A mess. He didn’t sleep, he barely ate. For seven weeks, 49 days… he begged. And finally – God granted salvation to Him. Of this he said, “God was pleased to remove the heavy load, and enable me to lay hold of his dear Son by a living faith. With what joy unspeakable – was my soul filled!” g. Each of these men have or had a level of intellectual belief in Jesus and in Jesus’ effect on the world. Each of these men believe that Jesus existed and that he died on a cross. But only one of them have believed with a belief beyond their minds. Why? h. Only one of them diligently sought the Lord until He answered. i. My point is this. j. Although the gospel is not a feeling and not an experience – although the gospel is a logical, historical, and scriptural truth which can be considered and investigated… k. Because the gospel is what it is and says what it says – It requires not simply an admission… it requires the laying down of arms and the forsaking of everything else to follow it. l. It is not enough to say – I believe this is true. You must believe it with more than your head. But with your whole life. All you are must submit to this logical message. m. Because to submit in mind only, leaves you doubly damned. For now you will still face the judgment of God, knowing full well who He is and why you deserve it. 3.) [Slide 20] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don’t naturally do or aren’t currently doing?” We must proclaim the gospel to all people. a. We have seen this message time and time again, both in this room and in foundations. b. Our God has never had a redemptive plan that didn’t include the entire world. c. Our God has not forsaken the world and only taken a portion of it as His own. d. Our God instead has promised to reclaim and save the whole world. e. This doesn’t mean that God will save every single person. It doesn’t even mean that God has planned to save every person. f. It does mean that there is no division of mankind that God has not chosen from to be members of His Kingdom. g. From the highest strata of power and fame to the fisherman in a remote village on an island in the Pacific Ocean. God has some from every tribe and nation. h. That reminds us that we do not know who our lost brothers and sisters are. We have no idea. i. Therefore, we go and we preach the gospel to whoever will listen. Whoever is willing to hear, we share truth with them. j. Not only do we go and proclaim the gospel to the people we meet… but we also 4.) [Slide 21] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don’t naturally do or aren’t currently doing?” We must support the gospel work to all people. a. We saw how the Thessalonian and Berean believers risked their lives to provide places of rest and shelter to the missionaries while they preached the gospel in their respective cities. b. We also saw how these same people risked their lives and safety in order to protect the missionaries and further the gospel ministry through them. c. This ought to be the same kind of support we see from the church as they send out missionaries. We ought to provide, protect, and support our missionaries as much as we can. d. And this leads me to the comforting point that I see in this passage. 5.) [Slide 22] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” The Lord will ultimately ensure that the mission of the church is accomplished. a. We certainly have our responsibilities. The Lord Jesus appointed His disciples to make disciples of all nations. b. But we know that God will ultimately see to it that the mission of the gospel ministry will be successful. c. Certainly Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke preached the gospel. Certainly, the believers of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea supported the missionaries and protected them. d. But make no mistake… e. God is still the one making sure His gospel goes to the ends of the earth. f. Remember that Jesus said He would be with us until the end of the age. g. If He is with us, then the mission of the church cannot fail. Even when it is bleak – He will restore. h. And that is a comforting thought. [Slide 23 (end)] Let me close with a prayer by the ancient opponent of the heresy of Arianism, the bishop Serapion (Sir – ap – eee – ahn) Scholasticus We praise you, unseen Father, provider of immortality. You are the fountain of life, the fountain of light, and the fountain of all grace and truth. Lover of humanity, lover of the poor, you reconcile yourself to us all. And you draw us all to yourself through the advent of your beloved Son. We beg you: Make us come alive! Give us a spirit of light, that we may "know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3). Give us the Holy Spirit, that we may be able to proclaim your unspeakable mysteries. May the Lord Jesus speak in us and the Holy Spirit, and may we sing praises to you, in Jesus’ name amen. Benediction: Now to you who were formerly alienated and hostile in your mind, Who have now been reconciled through His death in order to present you holy and blameless and beyond reproach, Go out in joy and be led forth in peace; until, as it were, the mountains burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field clap their hands. Until We Meet Again… Go in Peace.