29th Oct 26 | 04:00
Studies by Book
Open to His Word
📖 Acts 17:11-12
Acts 17 - Series 02/Episode 04 - Mon 12th Oct 2026 - Open to His Word - Acts 17:10-15 - MINISTRY IN BEREA - Proverbs 02:01-05
Acts 17:11-12 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. (12) Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.
Let us consider the excellent qualities that the Jews in Berea possessed. They were fair-minded. The Bible calls these people wise. Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, Wise people are those who accept that they have much to learn and apply in their lives. The Bible consistently links humility, teachability, and true wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. Behind all the resistance of the Jews to the Gospel is their pride. Jeremiah 13:15 Hear and give ear: Do not be proud, For the LORD has spoken. It is only when we are humble to learn and obey that the Lord will lift us. James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
God's word tells us clearly the basis for growth. Not the growth and success that the world glorifies, but the true growth of a man, society and nation, before God. Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, (2) So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; (3) Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, (4) If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; (5) Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God.
Do we treasure the commands of the Lord? What is the treasure that we pursue in life? The treasure that we pursue is material gain, which the Lord knows. Ezekiel 33:31 So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain.
The Lord God sees us as those who love to hear the word of God, but we will not do them, for our hearts pursue our own gain. When confronted regarding the motives of the heart, we see how friends and loved ones become angry and turn to be enemies. We must have the humility to incline our hearts to receive and apply the word of God into our everyday lives. The human heart and mind are so deceptive that we harbour a love for material gain in our inner man but externally sound and behave as pious people.
The Rich Young Ruler is a telling example. He came asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. He was respectful and humble. He had kept all the commandments since he was a youth. The Lord loved him and longed for him to come into the true relationship of being His disciple.
Mark 10:17-21a Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" (18) So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. (19) You know the commandments: 'DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,' 'DO NOT MURDER,' 'DO NOT STEAL,' 'DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS,' 'Do not defraud,' 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER.'" (20) And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth." (21a) Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, ...
Jesus, looking at us, loves us, and He longs for us to come out of the deception of materialism into which we have fallen. However, we choose to remain in our deception and justify our materialistic choices by citing specific instances that indicate we were doing God's will, as well as Scripture we received as confirmation.
The Lord told the Rich Young Ruler what he needed to do to have eternal life. Mark 10:21b and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." The Rich Young Ruler went away sorrowful, for the basis of his life was his possessions. Mark 10:22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. He wanted to hold on to the basis of his life, which was his material things, and also wanted a relationship with God at the same time.
The Jews, to a large extent, have the same attitude as the Rich Young Ruler. Whereas the Jews in Berea were willing to let God change them by His word. They were open to correction and change.
Learning: Let us be open to God's word to correct us.
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