27th Oct 26 | 04:00
Studies by Book
Priority to the Scriptures
📖 Acts 17:11-12
Acts 17 - Series 02/Episode 11 - Mon 19th Oct 2026 - Priority to the Scriptures - Acts 17:10-15 - MINISTRY IN BEREA - Proverbs 01:20-23
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.
The Lord tells us of how a rich man was in hell. This is a teaching that must chill us to our bones. The rich man was concerned only for himself but not for Lazarus, the beggar at his gate. Are we concerned about people at our gates? Do we speak with them? Do we know what they are going through? Do we extend a helping hand to them? Do we share with them the love of Jesus? If we don't, then what happened with the rich man will happen to us.
Isaiah 58:6-8 "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? (7) Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? (8) Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
The rich man was in hell and in torment. From hell, he sees Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham, and he begs Abraham to send Lazarus to cool his tongue with drops of water. Luke 16:24 "Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' Strangely, he knew that Lazarus would help him even though he had not cared for Lazarus.
Abraham tells him that this was not possible. Then the rich man, in his agony, thinks of his brothers, and he pleads with Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers to warn them. Again, it is intriguing to note that this rich man knew that Lazarus would be willing to go to his brothers to warn them. This tells us that the rich man had known Lazarus quite well but had never shown any love or compassion to him. We live busy, self-centred lives. Our schedules are tight, and we have decided that we do not have time to care for those with whom we already have a relationship.
It is in this context that Abraham tells the rich man about the importance of the Scriptures. Luke 16:27-31 "Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, (28) for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' (29) Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' (30) And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' (31) But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' "
The rich man and his brothers knew Moses and the prophets, but their theoretical knowledge of the Scriptures did not help them. They had to apply the Scriptures to their experience. They had to care for people like Lazarus who were at their gates.
Are we approaching the Scriptures with this sense of reverence and fear? Scriptures can't be read or heard as a ceremonial ritual. God's word must be obeyed. I Samuel 15:22 So Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, *to obey is better than sacrifice*, And to heed than the fat of rams. / James 1:21-22 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (22) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Do we give primary importance to the Scriptures in our obedience? People today are thrilled with exciting experiences. This excitement takes precedence over the Scriptures. We go from one excitement to the next. God's wisdom is calling out over the din, yet people are refusing God's word. Proverbs 1:20-23 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. (21) She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words: (22) "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. (23) Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
The Jews of Berea decided that they would give primary importance to the Scriptures.
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