[Anglican Communion 21 July 2020] Topic: The Berean Commitment
TOPIC: The Berean Commitment
READ: Acts 17:10-15 (NKJV)
Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily [to find out] whether these things were so.
Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.
But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds.
Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.
So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.
THE MESSAGE:
The word of God today takes us into one of the ministry encounters of the apostle Paul and Silas – at Berea. This encounter takes the reader into the realm of the workings of God’s word. Here, Paul and Silas have just preached the word of God which was eagerly received by many. However, this Berean audience has a lot to teach those of us who hear God’s word today. Not only did they hear and receive the word, but they went on to search the Scriptures by themselves to be sure of the message they were receiving. Unlike many so-called Christians today, these Berean converts were not lazy. They valued the message they received and went on to dig deeper. This obviously reflected on their personal and collective growth.
Unfortunately, our Christianity today suffers a lot from spiritual laziness. Many of us who profess the faith have no working relationship with the word of God. We tend to forget that faith can only come by hearing, listening to, meditating on, and obeying the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). Our commitment to the word of God is what develops in us a firm conviction. A Christian who is not committed to the word of God cannot stand when the winds of opposition begin to blow. Our commitment to the word of God is what guarantees our personal growth spiritually (1 Peter 2:2). The word of God has power to break the yoke of sin over our lives (Psalm 119:11; John 17:17); and it enlightens the mind and gives direction for life (Psalm 119:97-105). When we know the word of God, we will know God.
PRAYER: Lord, Please enlarge my appetite for Your word.
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