Surviving or Thriving?
Acts 17:1-12
Pastor Mark Olson
7/8/07
Some People Only Survive...Never Learn to Thrive
Story: Boy Scouts survival camp; TV “Man vs Wild”
Spiritually thrive - God’s power must be present & at work in your life
But how do you/I tap into this power?
Answer: means of grace/spiritual disciplines
To neglect these practices - thwarts God’s power
To Thrive, Turn to the Source: God’s Word
Collection of books/writings
Story of God’s plan of salvation
Created in God’s image Gen 1:26-27
Lost that image Gen 3
Being created anew in God’s image through Christ Col 3:10
Insights: Bible is-
Not just bare history, but history with a message
Prophet’s role - interpret history, reveal God’s plan in history
Events recorded were chosen - fit God’s story
Record of God’s dealings
Past: how he has worked his plan in individuals
Present: principles for daily living in God’s
Future: promises/ hope
Paul’s Example vv 2-4
Reasoned from the Scriptures:
Explained the Bible - lit. opened, unlocked its meaning
Demonstrated the truth: Jesus’ death & resurrection saves
Theme: Jesus is the Christ: salvation thru his death & resurrection
Goal: Persuade/win over/ satisfy people to believe in Christ
Action Points: Paul’s example invites you to intellectually engage the word, to weigh its teaching and to think deeply about them.
Witnessing: need to explain & demonstrate the truth in the Bible
focus on Jesus - death & resurrection
remember: goal is to persuade, not force-feed
Berean’s Example vv 11-12
Noble character: lit. of noble descent - open-minded, well-disposed
Received - eagerness = teachable, responsive, obedient
Tested Paul’s message = Bible is standard for truth, beliefs,
Insights: God works through his word when...
Your attitude is open, positive & teachable
You study His word - takes effort, must be a habit
Questions:
How much do you read (listen, etc) the Bible?
How well do you understand and grasp its contents?
Do you prioritize learning God’s word?
Are you merely surviving...or thriving?
Why You Need to Learn God’s Word
1. To know and understand God: nature, character, values, will
Relationship with God demands you know him personally
This requires knowing his word - revelation of his will
2. To learn your purpose in life: not self-evident, not written in the clouds or on the rocks (sunset is beautiful, but it doesn’t reveal your purpose in life). Only in God’s word is your purpose made known.
3. To know your goal of life: Is life going somewhere? What is my destiny? What happens after this earthly life? The bible contains answers - not total answers, but sufficient ones.
4. Spiritual warfare: We live in a battlefield - temptation, trials, hardships, difficulties, & questions test us, weigh upon us, try us - are you prepared? Do you grasp the nature of the conflict and why it happens? Do you know how to overcome?
5. Growth and development: You will only grow to the level of understanding God’s word (as pts 1-4 make plain)
Action Steps: To Thrive in God’s Word...
1. Decide right now that you are going to learn God’s word
2. Determine a plan: (A) Individual (B) Group
3. Follow through—stick to it! Story: Les Schwab Tire Stores
