I. EXORDIUM:
Are you an open-minded person? Do you want to open your mind on GOD's Words?
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Believers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To be like the Bereans
IV. TEXT:
Acts 17:11 (NLT)
11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
Pray: Father-heart GOD, teach us to be like the Bereans in their attitudes toward GOD's Words.
V. THESIS:
Be like the Bereans in their attitudes.
VI. TITLE:
Bereans
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Author: Luke, the beloved physician
B. Main Theme: Missionary Campaigns in the early church.
C. Key Text: Acts 1:8
Acts 1:8 (NLT)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
D. History: First early church activities
VIII. MAIN BODY:
A. Characteristics/ Attitudes of the Bereans.
1. Open-minded
a. Understands GOD's Words (Matthew 13:23)
Matthew 13:23 (NLT)
23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
b. Opens their homes for GOD's Words (Luke 10:38)
Luke 10:38 (NLT)
38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home.
c. Accepts GOD's message (Acts 2:41)
Acts 2:41 (NLT)
41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
2. Listened eagerly - received the message with great eagerness. (Luke 21:38)
Luke 21:38 (NLT)
38 The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear him.
a. early attendance in the temple
b. Example of Cornelius and family (Acts 10:33)
Acts 10:33 (NLT)
33 So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.”
3. Searched the Scriptures - examined GOD's Words
a. Diligently studied (John 5:39)
John 5:39 (NLT)
39 “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!
b. Endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures (Romans 15:4)
Romans 15:4 (NLT)
4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
4. To see if they're teaching the truth
a. JESUS is the Only Truth (John 14:6)
John 14:6 (NLT)
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
b. JESUS, the Truth will set us free (John 8:32)
John 8:32 (NLT)
32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
IX. CONCLUSION:
Be like the Bereans desire to be like them and pray for it.
