PM Scripture Reading: Acts 17.10-15

Brent T. Willey

Open To Truth!

Acts 17.11

Introduction:

1. Acts 17.11 notes a drastic difference between the Berean Jews and the Thessalonian Jews when it came to hearing the truth.

2. We must do what the noble Bereans did. What is that?

I. OPENING OUR MINDS

1. “They received the word…”
   1. Coming to the truth takes hearing & learning. (John 6.45)
   2. Good listeners have open minds! (Matt. 13.14-15)
2. “They received the word with all readiness (of mind)…”
   1. “Readiness” [prothumia], indicates an eager mind-set.
   2. Such is the “honest and good heart” (Luke 8.15).
   3. “If anyone wants to do His will…” (John 7.17).

II. OPENING OUR BIBLES

1. They “searched the Scriptures…” [NIV: “examined”]
   1. They Scripture was authoritative. (2 Tim. 3.15-17)
   2. They were willing to “prove all things” (1 Thess. 5.21).
2. “To find out whether these things were so…”
   1. Preaching the “oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4.11; Rom. 10.17).
   2. Reasoning must be Bible-based! (2 Tim. 2.15; Isa. 1.18)

III. OPENING OUR SCHEDULES

1. The examined the Scriptures “daily.”
   1. Open Bibles & open minds mean little is there is no time.
   2. We must see the value of “daily” exhortation (Heb. 3.13).
2. Schedules too busy to study God’s Word are too busy!
   1. Are we truly “redeeming the time” (Eph. 5.16)?
   2. Growth comes from daily involvement. (1 Pet. 2.1-3)

Conclusion: May we our hearts to the truth – only the truth!