2013 Acts #27: an exposition of Acts 17:10-15. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, November 24, 2013.
Intro:
Can you believe all the stuff we see on television these days labeled “reality TV”? I’m wondering whose reality we are dealing with. Leave It To Beaver was pretty much my reality. I could identify with the themes of The Waltons far more than any of the reality programs of today. At the very least I think we can acknowledge that today’s reality is warped if not perverted! What people accept as “normal” has changed drastically. We see that in what is acceptable behavior today that was not even whispered in secret a few years back. But we don’t have to deal with the obvious, glaring examples or moral failure and perversion in the culture – we can just look at the church! I’m not talking about moral failure within the church though we could (we’ll save that for another day) – I’m talking about what passes for “normal” Christian behavior. It would seem today modest dress seems almost puritanical. Embracing the world’s agenda and mode of thinking is seen as necessary to reach the masses. But the most glaring example to me is what passes for Christian teaching. Everything from eastern mysticism to fertility rites to a near worship of the dead is accepted as Christian teaching.
Lest you think I’m exaggerating – a few years ago in a gathering of Southern Baptist, attendees put on white robes, chanted, danced and called on the god of nature. Granted, this was an extreme group – but it was made up of some of those who used to head up our seminaries! You have Southern Baptist churches openly embracing homosexuality. I a church in Tennessee was removed by the state convention after calling a lesbian pastor. The church said they regretted the convention’s decision but would remain a Baptist church. It is not just the liberals who do these kinds of things. I’ll tell you of a very un-baptistic thing I experience just a few of years ago. I went to the FAITH training through our convention. I was sitting in a classroom at FBC Broken Arrow with a denominational leader from Nashville teaching. At one point in teaching the outline he said, “Now don’t come up to me and complain about the verse we used in making the point here. I know this verse, in its context, has nothing to do with the point we are making, but the wording fits when you use it like this.”
He was openly acknowledging and justifying a twisting and perverting of the Scripture to make an evangelistic point! And, unfortunately we could go on and on about this kind of abuse within the church. Listen to Christian radio and television. Read Christian books. If you listen and read with a Bible in hand and check the teaching you would be astounded.
Does this bother you? It bothers me!
What do we do about it?
How do we address it?
How do we respond to it?
The need is for a return to a time honored practice dating back to the early church. It is one of the first passages I remember as a kid. We have long praised this band of believers for their attitude. We have praised their integrity and courage. It is time we return to Berea. Our text this morning is found in Acts chapter 17.
Text: Acts 17:10-15
Chapter 17 is the tale of three cities.
Dr. Luke tells us of the ministry of Paul in Thessalonica, Berea and Athens.
Last time we considered his ministry in Thessalonica – a ministry of just 3 weeks.
You remember the apostle Paul reasoned (dialogued) with them from the Scriptures.
He explained (opened) the Scriptures.
He proved that Jesus must suffer and die and that He was in fact the Messiah.
A great work – but it enraged the Jews who ran him out of town.
Given their location on the Egnatian Way you would expect them to jump on a ship, sail across the Aegean Sea, land in Italy and head to Rome. Instead, Paul made his way to Berea.
Berea is about 50 miles southwest of Thessalonica and off the beaten path.
Compared with Thessalonica and Athens Berea was barely a wide spot in the road.
It was a relatively unimportant, one horse town!
Yet God in His sovereignty brought the Gospel to them.
By the way, I think maybe there is an important lesson for us in noting the places the Gospel went. Large commercial centers like Thessalonica; intellectual centers like Athens – and small, out of the way places, like Berea. I understand the need for strategic thinking for missions. I understand wise, prudent use of resources to accomplish the greatest good – but we must not overlook places of need. The Gospel finds a home in all kinds of places, in all kinds of people.
As we explore the Gospel’s coming to Berea we learn an important truth about the Gospel and our response to it.
Thesis: The example of the Berea believers reminds of the the absolute necessity of biblical discernment.
There are three things I want to call to your attention from our text concerning biblical discernment.
- Biblical discernment demands a receptive mind and heart. (17:11)
- Biblical discernment demands a guiding principle. (17:11)
- Biblical discernment demands constant vigilance. (17:11)
Conclusion:
That is the last we hear of Berea.
Paul never wrote to them – some suggest they must not have survived.
I would prefer to think – because of their diligence – Paul didn’t have to write to them.
His epistles are pastoral letters dealing with problems, for the most part.
We live in shifting, changing times. Times that demand diligence on our part. Gospel living demands discernment. And that discernment demands receptive minds and hearts; a guiding principle and constant vigilance.