Last week we talked about the Berean’s. What stood out was that when the Word was preached, they searched the scriptures to see if what Paul and Silas said was true. They are examples for us. It lets us know that if they could learn, we can too.
Acts 17: 10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
We have difficulty with the scripture simply because it is the Word of God. It is God’s voice in written form. All of it is God breathed, not man concocted. We have 66 books ascribed to those who wrote them down, but Peter said it didn’t come by the will of man but holy men wrote it down according to the dictation of the Lord. Revelation is a good example. Jesus appeared to John on Patmos and told him to write it down. We have the Word of God. It is alive—living. The mechanism is like this. Open it. Read it. It goes to the brain to process it and then to our heart, the seat of our being. Whatever we receive of the Lord, it first goes through our eyes, into our mind, but it must go to our heart. It works its way out to our life, into our feet, in how walk and live.
The Berean’s had complete trust in the Word. They trusted the scriptures before they trusted Paul and Silas. They found the preaching complimented the scriptures and concluded it was true. Jesus came and fulfilled all things. When they heard the preaching of Jesus they saw the puzzle linked together. It resulted in their believing to the saving of their souls.
The Bible is the divine revelation of absolute truth. The only reason I still teach and preach the Word of God is there is no other source of truth. I’ve looked at religions objectively. I’ve read their writings and found error when it tried to connect it with the Word of God. Everything about the gospel has proved its truth. Why do I believe the Bible in these enlightened days? The Bible doesn’t go against itself. When you search it out, it fits together. The Word works! When I put into practice what the scriptures say, it always works. Nothing but absolute truth can do that. Psalms says the Word is our delight and our counselor. When we need advice, we look to the Word. It may not always be what I want to hear, but it is what I need.
When we study, we ask questions. The Lord wants us to ask him about it. We have the perfect teacher. The people called him Master. That means teacher. When Jesus taught, the children understood. So what is our problem with the Word? Why do we have it hard?
I Corinthians 2: 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
Here is our advantage. We’re saved and no longer have just the natural mind to rely on when it comes to the scriptures. We have a spirit-filled mind. We can compare scripture with scripture and spirit with spirit. We have unction with the Holy One. We have a special tutor—the Holy Spirit. Seek it out. Isaiah 34:16 says seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read. If we ask for understanding, the Lord will help us. Don’t panic. Don’t lose faith. If it doesn’t make sense, remember it is we who lack the sense. Seek. If we ask the questions, he’ll give us the answers.
There are three things we do with the Bible. We read. Examine the writing. Many of our forefathers couldn’t read a book, but they could read the Bible. The Holy Spirit teaches. We need the Word and need to understand it. If the Lord helped others, he’ll help us. We must first be willing to read it.
How serious are we about it? Does our mind wander? If we concentrate, we’ll find the second step—studying. Getting deeper. Delving into the meaning and applying our mind. Thinking about it. Never rush when reading the Word. Ask the questions. What does it mean? This leads to the last part and what the Berean’s were known for. They searched the scriptures. Searching is looking for something special. In order to find what we need, we have to search. If we search with all our heart, we will find. We must take time. We must think about it. The first thing that must happen is that it has to be an open book. It is meant to be read and put into our hearts.
Let reading become studying; then let it become searching. You will become a stronger believer. Talk to the Master as you study. Ask him to teach you. Call on his name and ask him to open the scriptures. We serve such a wonderful teacher. We can learn.
Study the scriptures every day. I’m glad the time is coming when we won’t need the Bible. We’ll be in heaven with the WORD.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 