Be More “Noble-Minded”

1. Be More “Noble-Minded” Acts 17:11

2. Acts 17:10-11 (NASB) 10 And the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea; and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.

3. What does it mean to be Noble-Minded? • The Bereans being noble was not in reference to being “well born, of noble race” or of “high rank” (e.g., Luke 19:12; 1 Cor. 1:26). • The Bereans showed they were “noble-minded” people (or “fair-minded” / “noble character”).

4. What does it mean to be Noble-Minded? • To be noble-minded is to think higher thoughts of moral excellence.

5. Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.”

6. What does it mean to be Noble-Minded? • To be open-minded, without prejudice; a seeker of the knowledge of the truth.

7. Give a fair hearing to others before giving an answer or conclusion: James 1:19 (NASB) This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;

8. Proverbs 1:5 (NASB) A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,

9. Proverbs 15 :14 (NASB) The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

10. Failure to be noble-minded leads to a failure to find the truth. Proverbs 18:13 (NASB)He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.

11. "The discovery of truth is prevented more effectively, not by the false appearance things present and which mislead into error, not directly by weakness of the reasoning powers, but by preconceived opinion, by prejudice."-- Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860)

12. Why Were the Bereans Declared to Be “More Noble-Minded”? • They received the word with great eagerness.

13. Acts 17:11 (NASB) Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness (readiness of mind – KJV; i.e. ), examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.

14. Quite the opposite of rebellious Israel! Zechariah 7:11 (NASB) “But they refused to pay attention, and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing.”

15. Acts 17:11 (NASB) Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness (readiness of mind – KJV; i.e. ), examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.

16. Why Were the Bereans Declared to Be “More Noble-Minded”? • They received the word with great eagerness. • They searched the Scriptures.

17. Acts 17:11 (NASB) Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining (searched – KJV) the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.

18. Why did the Bereans work so hard as to search the Scriptures as they did? • The Bereans understood the great value of obtaining the truth of GOD’S word.

19. The noble-minded desire to think “higher thoughts”! Isaiah 55:8-9 (NASB)8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

20. What effort are you willing to make to find the truth? Proverbs 2:1-5 (NASB)My son, if you will receive my sayings, And treasure my commandments within you, 2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; 3 For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD, And discover the knowledge of God.

21. Why Were the Bereans Declared to Be “More Noble-Minded”? • They received the word with great eagerness. • They searched the Scriptures. • They searched the Scriptures daily.

22. Acts 17:11 (NASB) Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scripturesdaily, to see whether these things were so.- Contrast this to a weekly commitment (Thessalonians - Acts 17:2).

23. Can you relate to the Psalmist’s affection for the word of God? Psalm 1:2 (NASB) But his delight isin the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.

24. Can you relate to the Psalmist’s affection for the word of God? Psalm 119 (NASB) 48 And I shall lift up my hands to Thy commandments, Which I love; and I will meditate on Thy statutes. 97 O how I love Thy law!It is my meditation all the day. 167 My soul keeps Thy testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.

25. Why Were the Bereans Declared to Be “More Noble-Minded”? • They received the word with great eagerness. • They searched the Scriptures. • They searched the Scriptures daily. • They searched the Scriptures forthemselves.

26. They accepted their own responsibility to study God’s word. Acts 17:11 (NASB) Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.

27. Too often, people depend on others to do their studying for them.

28. Ephesians 4:14 (NASB) As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;

29. Bible study is not just for scholars, theologians, or preachers, but for every Christian (2 Tim. 2:15).

30. Why Were the Bereans Declared to Be “More Noble-Minded”? • They received the word with great eagerness. • They searched the Scriptures. • They searched the Scriptures daily. • They searched the Scriptures themselves. • They held Paul accountable for what he was preaching.

31. Acts 17:11 (NASB) Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.

32. The commitment to searching the Scriptures ourselvesis an important safeguard against false doctrine(1 Tim. 6:20-21; 2 Pet. 3:16-17;Acts 20:28-30; 2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 3-4)

33. 1 John 4:1 (NASB) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

34. Helping one another teach as accurately as possible will require a commitment on everyone’s part to Bible study (e.g., Acts 18:24-26).

35. Why Should We Be Noble-Minded? • It leads to greater faith.

36. Acts 17:12 (NASB) Many of them therefore believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men. – cf. Romans 10:17

37. Why Should We Be Noble-Minded? • It leads to greater faith. • It leads to spiritual growth.

38. 1 Peter 2:2 (NASB) like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.

39. Why Should We Be Noble-Minded? • It leads to greater faith. • It leads to spiritual growth. • It leads to greater confidence that our conduct is pleasing to God.

40. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NASB) 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

41. Let us imitate the Noble Example of the Bereans!