How to Hear From God: A Lesson From the Bereans

 Acts 17:10 - Background:  2nd. Missionary Journey, visiting churches established on first journey, new territory, Macedonian province, Greece, Europe.  Paul run out of Thessalonica.

Acts 17:11-15 - Jews were more noble then the Thessalonians. 
Why?  

I)  They were eager to hear from God.  They didn't just accept Paul's word, but wanted to hear from God.  They were eager to learn and know God better.  They received what they didn't know or comprehend.  In this case, Jesus.  They admitted they didn't know. 

A)  Things that hinder our ability to hear from God.

        #1.  Pride - Bereans - willing to learn and be taught.   If want to be a Berean, learn to be humble.
God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" - Prov. 3:34  James 4:6
Matt. 18:2-4  Dan. 10:12 - Humility is a prerequisite to hearing from God.

Isa. 55:8-9 - You are never going to completely grasp God. 

        #2.  Sin - Psm. 66:18 - confess and repent, uncherish - need to hate our sin, not love it.
1 John 1:9

       #3.  Wrong priorities  - Matt. 6:33  Luke 12:34 - The Bereans certainly seemed to prioritize preaching and study

II)  2nd. thing that made them more noble. 
The Scriptures were their authority.  They didn't just accept the message because Paul said it.  They checked the scriptures for themselves.  The Bible records this as a great thing.  God's word is perfect.  People will let you down.  Faith in people not checked by scripture is how cults get started. 
Examples:  Jim Jones,  Joseph Smith.
It's intimidating, but wouldn't have it any other way.  Paul pointed them to scripture.  We should, tool.

The Scriptures must be the authority because they are true and powerful!! 
2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Pet. 1:20-21, Heb. 4:12, Isa. 55:10-11 - The authors were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Sola Scriptura = scripture alone!  Not reformers' ideas.  Were God's. 
Scripture is God's revelation of Himself for all believers to read and understand. 
Can you limit God?  Put Him in a box?  The Bible is the final authority.  Must put scripture above other things, feelings, etc. 

If you never humble yourself and desire to learn, and never put in the work fo studying the scriptures, you will not grow like God would have you to do.

Challenges:
Ask God to prepare your heart (reveal sin, pride, priorities)
Ask God to teach you.
Prioritize Bible Time this week.

Closing Scripture:

Psm. 63:1-4

Know/Teach the Real Jesus

Recap:  Paul gets an apology from the authorities for the beating and imprisonment; encourages the believers there at Philippi, departs for Thessalonica.  Passed through other areas.  Why?  Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia Province, had over 200,000 people, AND a synagogue!!

 Acts 17:1 - Jews and Gentile God fearers - worshiped at the synagogue.  They have the Old Testament.  

Acts 17:2-3 - Paul reasoned, explained, persuaded them over 3 Sabbaths.
Reasoned = dialogued, answered questions
Explained (opened) - Paul KNEW the scriptures, taught by Gamaliel, but Christ opened his eyes to the truth, and Jesus gave him the Gospel. - Galatians 1.   What a Bible study!
Persuaded them that Christ MUST suffer and rise from the dead.

Question:  did he walk them through Isa. 53 - that He was despised and rejected, pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities, stripes, wounds, cut off from the land of the living?  Or, Psalm 22 to point them to the cross?  Or Psalm 16:10 - resurrection, like Peter preached at Pentecost?
Perhaps he went to Genesis and explained that all things were created by, through, and for Christ.  Genesis 3 - He was the seed that would crush Satan's head

John 5:39 - The searched the scriptures;  they bore witness to him.

Matt.  16:15 - Jesus came.  Not debated.  He existed.  NOW - what do you do with Him?  Who IS Jesus?  "Who do you say that I am?" 

Everyone believes in Jesus. 
Muslims - prophet/messenger but not God. 
Sikhs - holy man or saint.
Jews - false messiah and blasphemer
Moderns - peaceful revolutionary, a communist, an environmentalist, a philosopher, whatever they want Him to be.

WHO DO YOU SAY THAT JESUS IS?  
The guys who recorded the Bible were willing to die for what Jesus said in this book.  

The New Testament makes some wild claims about Jesus: 
Born of a virgin
Angels announced and celebrated
Walked on water
Turned water into wine
Healed the lame, the sick, the blind
Raised the dead
Cast out demons
He died, resurrected, ascended and is reigning at God's right hand.

What did Jesus say? 
He claimed the Old Testament testifies about him - Luke 24:44
He said He and the Father are one - John 10:30
That He is from above. - John 8:23
He is the way, the truth, the life.  If you know Him you know the Father also.  John 14:6-7
He has authority to forgive sins - Luke 5:20-23
Before Abraham was, I AM.  John 8:58, Exodus 3
He flat out says He is the Messiah or the Christ in John 4:24-25 and is Christ/Son of God - Matt. 16:16-17 with Peter, and to the High Priest = Mark 14:61-63

We must believe in the real Jesus.  We must teach the real Jesus.

C.S. Lewis - said only three choices:  Liar, Lunatic, or Lord - there is no neutral ground on Jesus.  Can't change who He is.

Acts 17:4 - only some of the Jews?  This seems to be Paul's experience.  Is not the case everywhere he went, but disheartening.  He spent 3 Sabbaths expounding and explaining and trying to convince.

Don't be discouraged if you don't see the results you expect. 
We can't change hearts, but we can be faithful.  However, a large number of Greeks and not a few prominent women believed!  Probably not what Paul expected, but was awesome!

God can and does change our vision and our course - Prov. 16:9 

Acts 17:5 - Jews teamed up with the ruffians to riot and attack Paul and the believers.  Jason was a Jewish believer.  

Acts 17:6-9 The accusation wasn't wrong.  He WAS upsetting the order taking power and influence.  The message was used by God to turn the world upside down.   The message changed Greece, Rome, European world, History forever.  Another King?  Yes!  Jesus is the TRUE King of the world!
Early Puritans - no king but Jesus!!!

Polycarp was burned at the stake because he would not deny Christ. 
Paul was beheaded in Rome.
Timothy was beaten and dragged thru the streets for preaching against the Ruler of the time.

Question:
Is Jesus your King?  Are you telling the truth about the King.

Rom. 1:16 - the Gospel is powerful.

1 Thess. 2:3-4 - Trying not to please men, but God who tests our hearts.

 

How Jesus Sets the Captives Free

Recap:  Paul and Silas = 2nd. Missionary journey to check in with churches previously established, to strengthen their faith, as well as expand the territory.    Were seeking to go other places.  Holy Spirit directed them to Macedonia - city of Philippi.  They met with a women's prayer meeting at first and that meeting came to be the first church established in Philippi. 

How Jesus Sets the Captives Free

Acts 16:16-17 - possessed slave girl - had Spirit of Divination.  God's people forbidden to do this.  Was spiritual warfare going one.
Divination (Deut. 18:9-10) - the worship of other gods.  Paul connects to demons in 1 Cor. 10:20.  These things are making a comeback.  Young people,beware of this stuff on Tik Tok.  You are not messing around with this.  It is messing with you.  (witchcraft, the occult, spells)  -  All are connected to the worship of other gods (demons).

This slave girl proclaiming that Paul and Silas were sharing how to be saved.  On the outside, seems like a good thing.  However, demons know who Jesus is.  Her spirit knew Jesus.  They all do.  Mark 5, Mark 1:24
Demons believe in God (James 2:19) but they do not want to serve God.  They work against Him. The can not stand.  Phil. 2:10 = everybody

Acts 16:18 - Why did Paul cast out the demon? 
Possible reasons:  didn't want the association, disturbance, hindrance, annoying, not everything is brought on by a demon.  Often times because of our own selfish desires - James 4

Paul given that authority like the other disciples, Matt. 10:8, Luke 10:17
However, there were pretenders - Acts 19:14-16
We are all in bondage to our own sinful desires - Rom. 6:15-23
However, God has enough grace for even you - Rom. 6:20-23
Jesus sets us free to be what we are created to be.

Was a weird blend in Philippi - wealthy business woman (Lydia), demon-possessed girl, and a suicidal prison guard.  All with great testimonies. 

Every believer has a testimony.   

Acts 16:19-24 - magistrates violated their own law:  no trial or opportunity for defense, then whipped Roman citizens (1 Thess. 2:2 "Shamefully treated")

Note:  the Gospel can affect profits.  Examples:  Simon the magician in Acts 8, Demetrius - silversmith in Acts 19.  Wouldn't it be great if this happened in America where the lucrative, sinful businesses were just shut down because people were changed and following the Gospel.
Paul and Silas messed with the money, and thus the great opposition.  

Note:  Sometimes it looks like the enemy is winning.  HE IS NOT!! 
Examples:  Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Joseph, the Cross, Peter, Satan, Satan and Judas
Even things meant for evil, God can use for good.  Rom. 8:28

Use Prayer, Praise, Proclamation - to fight off attacks of Satan.

These 2 had a tough day - beaten, bruised, blood, chained, can't sleep..... so what to do after a day like that??
Acts 16:25 - Phil. 4:4,  Col. 3:15-17 - Paul practiced what he preached.  Do you?
His life and his attitude were great testimony to the Lord Jesus.  Is yours?  Matt. 5:16

Your life is a testimony for Jesus.  Is it a good one?  at school?  work? ball field?  basketball gym?  business?

Some things to think about:

Acts 16:26-28 - Were the other prisoners believers ant this point?
Acts 16:30 - Their life did the majority of the work
Acts 16:31 - the Gospel
Acts 16:32-34 - Was it the same pool?  Jesus not only reconciles us to God, he also reconciles us to each other.  

Challenges: 
1)   Be reconciled to God
2)  Pray for enemies to be reconciled to God
3)  let your light shine before men.

Prioritize Praise

 Psm. 148:1-13

Many things we listen to leave us empty, stressed, afraid.  Give no benefit at all. 
However, when force self to worship (ie:  singing praises to God) - am never left empty.  

That's what we are created to do!!!

Worship:   To honor or show reverence for a divine being or supernatural power.  To regard with great or extravagant respect, honor or devotion.

There are many ways to worship.

Romans 12:1 - "I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies as a living sacrifice....."  ie:  our whole being, all that we are - we are to give God our very best.

How do we do that?

The 1st. mention of "Worship" in the Old Testament was when Abraham was preparing the sacrifice of Isaac.

But... a big part of worship is praise.

Praise = to express a favorable judgment of.  To glorify, especially by attributions of perfections.

Who doesn't like praise?  Is a natural response to good.

No one is worthy of praise (like the one who gave His life and redeemed us back.  We should spend time praising this One who is worthy of praise.  We were created to worship God.

Hallel (praise)  Yah (YHWH)- the Lord.  ie:  Praise the Lord!

All of creation was created to Praise the Lord.  Luke 9:40 - "He answered if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." God has created in the heart of man the desire to worship.

A)  Angels are commanded to Praise.  Psm. 89:5,  Psm. 103:20, Psm. 148:2 
We can catch a glimpse of eternity. 

B)  We can praise God with shouting - Psm. 33:1

C)  We can praise God with dance - Psm. 150:4

D)  We can praise God with instruments - Psm. 150:3-5

E)  But perhaps the easiest and most prescribed way to praise is through songs. - Isa. 12:5  Psm. 95:1-2

When we sing praises to God, He does and amazing work through those songs of praise.  He has a way of bringing peace, of blessing, of putting into perspective.  We are commanded to do this, and God has purpose in His commands.

Spiritual Disciplines.  - Make it a point to praise every day!  Sing unto God and high Hosannas raise!!

Closing Scripture:  Psm. 150:1-6

Acts 15 continued

Last week "Jerusalem Council" (addressed matter of Gentiles and the Law) - whether new Gentile believers needed to follow Jewish Law - mainly re. circumcision

Now ... Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch with that decision.  (with Judas and Silas, a church leader in Jerusalem, trusted by the council, called a 'prophet', Roman citizen/
Answer to the question:  No.  Gentiles did not have to keep the ceremonial laws or Jewish civil laws.  Only obligated to the Moral Law.

Acts 15:35 = "They and MANY OTHERS taught and preached...."
Point:  the church was growing and raising up their own leaders, teachers!
Paul and Barnabas remained there and taught and preached.

Acts 15:36 - '2nd. Missionary Journey' ... returning to churches established on first journey to check, correct, encourage, etc.  (This was because the early church had NO New Testament as of yet!!)  Apostles directed the churches by word of mouth.  New Testament writings came later.  Early churches could easily get off track.

But...PROBLEM!!! - Acts 15:37-38 - John Mark
(1)  young cousin of Barnabas
(2)  with Paul and Barnabas on 1st. Missionary Journey
But  (3)  "deserted them" (early on/ BEFORE the persecutions!!) - not reliable
Nevertheless, LATER (4)  grew in the Faith - 2 Tim. 4:9-11 - been a change in Mark"           
                           and Reconciled to Paul - Col. 4:10 - he grew up in the faith.
And (5)  (eventually) wrote the Book of Mark  (Peter's account) - Both Paul and Peter refer to him as 'son'.

So... Acts 15:39-41  - Paul and Barnabas split - Barnabas and Mark go to Cyprus to the churches there.  (where the 1st. Missionary Journey began.
Paul and Silas went to the churches on the Mainland  (land route)

So.. Paul & Silas visited Lystra (where Paul was stoned!)  Found the church alive and well.
They found a young disciple named Timothy known in Lystra and Iconium (20 miles apart). Had a good reputation in both places.  His mother = Jewess, father = Greek (probably deceased as no mention of him in the scriptures) - was the recipient of the two letters (1st. and 2nd. Timothy) from Paul.
Later = pastor of major church at Ephesus - was called "my true son in the faith" - 1 Tim. 1:2

But - never circumcised!! Acts 16:3 - So......was circumcised  "because of the Jews" - who lived in the area and who they were trying to reach.
On one hand, Paul staunchly resisted the notion that Gentiles mus keep the Law.
However, he recognized we should sometimes bend so no to offend!!
Example:  Jesus - Matt. 17:24-27  (Temple tax, 2 days wages)  Did so as to not offend unnecessarily.

Acts 16:4-5 - "so..."the church grew in numbers and strength"  was it a consequence of... efforts of early converts?  Timothy's circumcision?  Encouragement & teaching?  accepting the Council's decision? 
all of the above?  "the church grew in numbers and strength = (similar statement 5 times in Acts.)

This passage is RICH in teachings, lessons, illustrations FOR US today! 
Are going to start at the end of the passage and work our way back)

#1,  The aim of the church is to GROW ... in BOTH numbers and in the Faith - Acts 16:5 
Which = evangelism AND discipleship (need both) - Eph. 4:11-15 - purpose of teaching and equipping the body.  We are all babies when we accept Christ.  Church members need to be involved in personal evangelism and discipleship as well as does the church.

#2.  APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY is as important today as it was then.   The same authority the early church was going by.
They didn't have the New Testament  therefore needed the words of the Apostles
We have the New Testament ... which IS the word(s) of the Apostles!
In other words, same measuring tool.... Verbal or Printed.
We have to decide if the Bible is the Word of God and whether the men who walked with Christ, were taught by Christ, witnessed His resurrection know more about God or some 21st. century liberal academic who says he has it all figured out.

#3.  We are sometimes called to compromise on NON-ESSENTIAL issues! 
1 Cor. 8:8-9, 9:19, Rom. 14:19-21, Rom.15:1
Example:  Timothy's circumcision.  Church unity is more important than your personal liberties.
Be careful!!  Don't jettison long standing church traditions without a thorough examination!! - We are all subject ot this because of our pride, arrogance, hard headedness.

#4.  Christians will sometimes disagree on church issues.
Differences in Worship Style, church government, Bible translation, mission projects, etc.
But contrast "can't cooperate with that" vs. "can't fellowship with you".   This does not include fundamental, orthodox doctrines = truths all Christians must hold.

#5  future church leaders need current church support.
(discipleship, training, encouragement, support...) - Prime example is John Mark
Great Commission = share Christ - "Make disciples"

#6.  don't quickly abandon Christians who mess up.  example:  John Mark - THEN  & LATER! 
Everyone who is born again is a baby, and can mess up from time to time.
However ... there comes a point.... example: Demas - Col. 4:14  (Philemon 23 & 24)
Contrast 2 Tim. 4:9-10 - Good start doesn't always mean a good ending.

FINAL APPLICATION: 
(1) have you accepted Christ?
(2)  have you made it known?  (baptism, public testimony)
(3)  are you training a disciple?

Closing Scripture:  Heb. 13:20-21