“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and search the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
These that were “more noble” were the Jews in the city of Berea. The reason they were “more noble” was because they “received the word with all readiness of mind.” Here was a group of people that listened to what was being preached with eagerness. Notice that the passage says, … and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” How often do you take the notes of the sermon and study them during the week?
As was stated above they were Jews. Paul always went to the Jews first and tried to preach God’s saving message to them (Romans 1:16). Please consider Paul’s method: “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). In doing this Paul was challenging the long standing beliefs of the Jews. Notice something about these Jews; they were ready to listen and willing to study the scrolls to make sure what was preached was just as it was said to be. I wonder did they say that Paul was just preaching his opinion? This causes one to wonder about us today, how “noble” and how much “readiness” of mind are we?
When we arrive on Sunday to hear God’s message what is the condition of our mind? Are we prepared to listen to God’s Word? With so much happening in our society today and with all that is pulling at us in every direction just what is the condition of our minds? Are we tired? Are we mentally alert? Are we closed minded because of things that have happened to us before we arrive for worship? When we arrive for the privilege to worship, are we ready to do so? Are we ready to sing, pray, give, partake of the Lord Supper, and listen to God’s Word? Are we ready to listen to a message that is life changing? If the preacher preaches something, which touches our lives, and we understand and comprehend that changes need to be made in our lives, do we react, respond or just say that, “he is just preaching his opinion?”
Notice what the Jews from Brea did after the sermon. They studies God’s Word. With all the helps that we have today think of how easy it is to do an extensive study of God’s Word. Yet how often do we study God’s Word? How many hours a week to we spend in studying God’s Word? Oh, more than the hours that we come to the building to study together, that is not enough! Do we read our Bible Lessons before we come to the building? Are we reading the lesson while the lesson is being given? How many times when we disagree with what is being said or preached do we go home and restudy the subject or do we just say, “he is preaching his opinion” and leave it alone.
Notice also something about those folks at Berea: “Therefore many of them believed; also honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few” (Acts 17:12). They made some changes in their lives. They did not say that Paul was preaching his opinion and let it drop. They heard, studied and then changed their lives, what would you do?
There have been those who have said, “you stepped on my toes this day,” but have you made any changes? If a cow stepped on your toe, what would you do? If another person literally stepped upon your toes what would you do? Would you just stand there? Would you ask him to move? Would you push them off your toes? Which ever you did, there were changes made in your life! But when a preacher preaches and steps upon your toes are you going to change anything in your life? You could change your life or you could just say, well he is preaching his opinion and leave it alone.
Why not let God’s message change you into the kind of person God wants you to be? Why not be like the Bereans and listen, study and make changes in your life.
Love Keith
