Sermon Title: The Berean Way

The gospel is not only powerful, it’s PROVEABLE!
3 He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead....

The gospel is for all, but NOT ALL listen!
4 Some of the Jews...along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women.

13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. ...the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” - Matthew 7:13-14

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” - 2 Peter 3:9

What do we know about Berea? Berea was:
● A Macedonian city with a Jewish synagogue;
● Home to a Jewish community that was eager and thoughtful in
their religious study;
● Likely more intellectually open or hospitable than some other
cities (such as Thessalonica);
● Culturally mixed, with Greek & Roman influences present due to
its location & time period.

What do the Bereans teach us today:
First: “And the people of Berea were more open-minded ... and they
listened eagerly...” - vs. 11a
Q: Are you pressing into the preaching of God’s Word?

Second: “They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and
Silas were teaching the truth.” - vs. 11b
Q: Do you search the scriptures yourself?

Acts 20:29, “I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave...”

Matthew 24:11,“And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.”

2 Timothy 4:3, “... They will follow their own desires and will look for
teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.”

Last: “As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.” - vs. 12
Q: Are you letting Jesus change you completely?

Life change through Jesus changes everything, and the Bereans, jews and gentiles alike, said yes to that change, when they believed in Jesus.

Today’s take home:
It’s not just hearing Bible teaching, it’s leaning in.
It’s not just hearing Bible teaching, it’s searching.
It’s not just hearing Bible teaching, it’s being changed.