We’ve had some uninvited houseguests for years. I’m talking about ants. Although we’ve tried to make it clear that they’re unwelcome, they keep coming over unannounced. We’ve found only one thing that prevents them from stopping by every day—a mixture of poison and sugar sprinkled around the perimeter of our home. Combining the two ingredients means that the ants gobble up the toxin along with the sweet stuff, and experience the lethal results.
When Paul and Silas spoke about Jesus and His resurrection in a Berean synagogue, the people there didn’t simply swallow what they were served—although the message was enticing. Rather, they “searched the Scriptures . . . to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth” (Acts 17:11).
Although Paul used the Scriptures to support the idea that Jesus was the Messiah (Acts 17:2-3), the Bereans didn’t take the apostle’s word for it—even though Paul was Jewish just like they were! (Philippians 3:5). They unrolled their scrolls, read, and processed the words for themselves. This went on day after day. Ultimately, their study led many of them to accept Paul’s message (Acts 17:12). The people of Berea were aware that it could be hard to discern what’s entirely true as opposed to what is mostly true.
We who know the truth about Jesus and His resurrection will encounter all kinds of so-called “divine” ideas. Will we critique these concepts based on what’s in the Bible, or base our opinions on what seems right to us or convenient to believe? When we’re searching for an accurate understanding of our world, God’s Holy Spirit will guide us (John 16:13), and His Word will “teach us what is true” (2 Timothy 3:16).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Nehemiah 5:1-19
More:
Look up John 4:29-30 and Acts 10:30-33 to see some examples of people who were hungry for spiritual truth.
Next:
Is the Bible the highest source of authority in your life? Why or why not?
Gary Shultz on April 30, 2017 at 5:24 am
Hi Jennifer: You said a lot of good and noble things, if we would apply them. The results of the Berean’s should, by and large, be the way we live the Christian life. God’s Word was meant to be a straight edge for life. If we don’t trust or believe the Scriptures how will anything else be in spiritual focus. A service each week, although I hope encouraging, certainly will not cover life for the rest of the week. Christ said “behold I stand at the door and knock” wanting a response from us. He said He wanted to have fellowship and a close relationship. If we let Christ and his word stand on the front porch, a “Christ like life” is not happening, and we live in “reactive” ignorance. We fear doing certain wrongs; however, not many fear having the words of God and not reading and listening to them. How do you explain yourself before God with all that we have, and yet seem to always ignore the words of God? They are powerful! Thanks Jennifer.
jennifer benson schuldt on April 30, 2017 at 6:34 pm
Hi Gary,
Much of what you said reminded me of the importance of reading, meditating on, and memorizing scripture. When we take God’s Word into our hearts and minds, it helps us to be discerning, and consequently, it can help us to avoid the obstacles that disrupt our relationship with God. May we be faithful to acknowledge God in all our ways (Proverbs 3:5-6), through regularly thinking on His Word!
goojunta1 on April 30, 2017 at 8:24 am
The Berean method points towards a true way of accepting the messages we hear. Searching and studying the scriptures daily positions us to test all messages we hear even from our church services and make sure they are true messages. The Holy Spirit who is our great teacher will guide us into all truth and will not allow us to embrace false doctrines. We should only aspire to listen and hear God’s voice and not man’s voice so that our trust and belief system will not be misdirected.
jennifer benson schuldt on April 30, 2017 at 6:48 pm
I agree with you–all of the ideas and voices we hear must be filtered through our knowledge of Scripture. When what we’re hearing consistently matches what God’s Word says, we’ve likely found a good source of spiritual teaching!
1esther on April 30, 2017 at 6:31 pm
Hello Jennifer, thank you for today’s lesson and for your love of God’s Word. I thank God for ODB family, ODJ family.
Your Promises
Elevation Worship
When the weight of the world begins to fall
On the Name of Jesus I will call
For I know my God is in control
and His purpose is unshakable
Doesn’t matter what I feel
Doesn’t matter what I see
My hope will always be
In Your promises to me
Now I’m casting out all fear
For Your love has set me free
My hope will always be
In Your promises to me
As I walk into the days to come
I will not forget what You have done
For you have supplied my every need
And Your presence is enough for me
Doesn’t matter what I feel
Doesn’t matter what I see
My hope will always be
In Your promises to me
Now I’m casting out all fear
For Your love has set me free
My hope will always be
In Your promises to me
You will always be more than enough for me
You will…
Doesn’t matter what I feel
Doesn’t matter what I see
My hope will always be
In Your promises to me
Now I’m casting out all fear
For Your love has set me free
My hope will always be
In Your promises to me
Songwriters: Christopher Joel Brown / Mack Donald Iii Brock / Steven Furtick / Wade Joye
Your Promises lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Essential Music Publishing
jennifer benson schuldt on April 30, 2017 at 6:51 pm
1esther,
We sang a song with similar lyrics this morning at church! It’s so good to be reminded that we don’t have to live in fear, that God’s love frees His children from bondage, and that God is beyond what we feel and see. He never changes. His grace never stops flowing. He always keeps His promises. Praise His name!
tjbims on April 30, 2017 at 9:31 pm
Thanks so much for writing this words or song, just the right words at the right time for me in my life right now. God bless you.
minkjh on April 30, 2017 at 7:03 pm
Our morning message at worship today touched on this very idea of searching the scriptures. Much of the problem stems from lack of personal prioritization as we seem to have time for everything but God’s Word on a daily basis. It’s impossible to grasp the true treasure of scripture if we only hear it read for a few minutes one day in seven, and that’s granting we’re at worship. Grateful to the many voices of RBC that have shared and spread the Good News for these many years providing inspiration for personal spiritual growth.