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