ACTS 17:10-15
SCRIPTURE IS THE PROOF OF THE TRUTH
What is truth?
While Pontius Pilate was questioning Jesus prior to ordering his execution by crucifixion, this exchange occurred-
Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”
John 18:38-39
What a foundational question. “What is truth?”
For the lack of it – mankind has followed all manner of mayhem.
Great evil has been done – all manner of lies have been told – and all while mankind in the absence of an objective truth, has chosen for himself what is true, what is right, what is good.
It is in the absence of the truth, that mankind justifies his pleasures, condones his passions, and lives his life free of the righteousness of God.
Understand that in our natural, fallen state, mankind has no desire for God’s truth. Nor are we able to receive it – because the truth revealed by God is revealed through the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Still, people need to hear the truth.
Fallen and lost people need faith to hear, faith to believe, but according to God’s truth, where does that faith come from?
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:17
Therefore, people need to hear the truth – for those whom God is calling to Himself are called through the Word of God – So that they might believe by faith.
Romans 10:14
How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?
Those who do not know the truth of God – Believe the truth of God – Need to hear the truth of God- How else can they ever hear, know, believe, and be saved?
Jesus prayed to God the Father-
John 17:17
“Sanctify them by Your truth; Your word is truth.”
A little over a week ago, the church lost a champion for the truth when Charlie Kirk was murdered for proclaiming the truth of God.
While shocked and saddened, we should not be surprised.
Jesus declared that He came to testify to the truth – and those who hated the message – murdered the messenger.
12 apostles – men who followed Jesus and committed their lives to testifying of His truth – were arrested, tortured, and most killed – by those who hated the message and so murdered the messengers.
Down through the ages – men and women around the world have paid the ultimate price for testifying the truth of the Word of God. Murdered by those who hated the message, and so murdered the messengers.
Charlie was known for setting up a table, and sitting down with a simple sign that read, “Prove me wrong.”
From this platform he would hear from all manner of people with all manner of beliefs.
His goal was to simply discuss and debate with them using verifiable truths to support his positions.
His passion was to go out to where the fallen and the lost were and engage their lack of knowledge, their absence of truth, and their self-serving lies, with the Word of God – that is, with the truth.
What is Truth? – The Word of God.
In today’s message, from ACTS 17:10-15, we are going to see the truth of the word of God presented, considered, and challenged.
We will see how the truth changes lives – Saving some, and condemning others.
And finally, we will see again that while persecuted, the mission of the church to be messengers of the truth will never be complete, until the day our Lord and Savior returns in His final revealing to judge the righteous and the wicked according to their works.
Last week- we read when Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke came to Thessalonica, Paul spent THREE WEEKS there-
Friends, I encourage us all to use this same model when proclaiming the truth to the lost and fallen people of the world.
Remember in your heart always – they are lost and fallen – because they have not heard and believed the Truth!
As Ambassadors of Jesus Christ, it should be a joy to tell others about our Savior!
It can be hard – frustrating – even scary at times – but none of those should detract us from our mission to share the Good News of the Gospel!
As we saw last week, there were SOME who heard the truth – and believed!
And THAT is why we keep proclaiming the truth – For those whom God will call to himself through the declaring of His Word.
But due to the aggressive opposition of those who despised the message and the messengers, the group was convinced to move on to the next city.
So, let’s join Paul and his companions as the mission to share the Gospel advances to the city of Berea.
Matthew 28:19–20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Remember that Jesus told Pilate-
I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
The command of our Lord to us who have heard, believed, and become the people of the Truth – was and is to teach others the truth He testified of.
As a prior military man, employee with supervisors over me, and husband of 37 years, I understand taking orders.
When the boss says go – you go.
I may not always ‘want’ to go. I may not always feel adequate to the task.
But friends, that doesn’t change the command to GO.
When we dismiss the command imperative tense of this commission to the church – to you and me – it becomes easier to justify all the excuses we manifest for not boldly proclaiming the truth of God to the fallen and the lost.
I challenge you to consider this reality-
II. (Acts 17:10-11) The Bereans' response to the Word
10 The brothers 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 people 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.
A "more noble" character.
The people of Berea were commended for their character, which is contrasted with the hostility of the Thessalonians.
Their nobility is not based on social status but on their spiritual disposition.
In Berea – the people were willing to listen – to consider – the revelations that Paul brought to them regarding the truth of God.
More than willing – they were eager to hear it -
The Bereans demonstrated a humility of character, a teachable attitude and an enthusiastic response toward the message from Paul and Silas.
Their willingness to receive and to consider the word of God stands in stark contrast to those who reject the gospel out of hand.
Luke contrasts them with the Jews in Thessalonica, who had responded with hostility and formed a mob, driving Paul and Silas out of town.
The Bereans instead welcomed Paul and his companions. But this does not mean they were naive or blindly accepting.
Instead, their willingness to listen and eagerness to receive was paired with diligent and critical thinking.
The key attributes of the Bereans' eager attitude for us to see are this-
“Be like the Bereans” is a phrase resulting from the way these people handled new revelation—listening with an open mind, but always testing it against the truth of the Bible.
What was it they found in the scriptures that proved the message Paul brought was true?
Remember from Acts 17:2-3 the teaching of Paul-
(Paul) reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”
Scripture is the Proof of the Truth
First and foremost, God has declared that it is true.
Secondary to that is the hundreds upon hundreds of fulfilled prophecies. In Paul’s case, specifically proving that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ.
We read in Luke 24:27 that following the resurrection, Jesus appeared to two of the disciples, walking and talking with them on the road to Emmaus.
Jesus provided to them a Christological exegesis.
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.
How amazing…The Bible-
Yet seamlessly declaring one theme-
The God of the scriptures is God alone. The uncreated, living, creator God – who perfectly and eternally exists in THREE persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Mankind being created by God for His glory has rebelled against God’s sovereignty and stands rightly judged guilty and condemned to death.
But God – for no other reason than His love of mankind and to further His glory –
Sent the Son to die on the cross for the sins of mankind so that those who receive Him by faith have their sins covered by the blood of Christ.
Those who believe are then sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit for eternal life in the place of God’s blessing.
The fallen, the lost, the condemned – NEED to hear this message!
Therefore, you and I need to examine the scriptures to prepare ourselves to give an account, to give a response, and to argue against the forces of darkness.
For those who have ears to hear – We know the Scripture as the ultimate authority for truth.
The Bereans did not trust the messenger alone but used the Word of God as the ultimate filter for all truth.
Their nobility was not in blind acceptance but diligent, personal study.
This is one of the primary reasons God gave us the scriptures – so that we could know the truth! And rightly apply it.
David inquired of the Lord-
Psalm 119:33–36
Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law
We read in 2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Now, while this certainly applies FIRST to you and me as we diligently study the scriptures-
This idea of teaching, reproving, correcting and training absolutely has application as we go forth to proclaim the truth of God to the fallen and the lost.
And understand, that when we in obedience, courage and faith talk with people about the truth of God’s word – IT WILL HAVE AN EFFECT!
Isaiah 55:11
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty,Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
Some will hear – some will consider – some will be humbled – some will be saved!
Others will reject the truth – and the truth they reject will be their judge on the final day…
Jesus declared-
There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. John 12:48
III. (Acts 17:12) The result of the truth
12 Therefore, many of them believed, along with a significant number of prominent Greek women and men.
Friends understand – the truth of the word changes lives.
And this is the reason we declare the light of the truth into the darkness of the world – so that some – SOME – might “hear” the truth and be saved.
Because of the Bereans commitment to studying the Word of truth – they were ready and able to receive the Word of truth.
Consider some of the benefits of spending time Examining the Scriptures
IV. (Acts 17:13-14) The opposition to the truth
13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds.
14 Then immediately the brothers sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.
Nothing changes.
We praise God for every heart turned – every soul saved through the sharing of the truth of the Word of God.
But now as then- there are always those among the masses who will not stand for the truth.
Those who will agitate and stir up the crowds.
And WHY?
Because at their core level they love their sinful state and despise that God is greater than they are.
They refuse to submit to His righteousness or acknowledge the truth of His word.
Listen to the truth-
John 3:16-21
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.
It is so hard to watch haters hate the truth.
I have followed Charlie Kirk on social media for years and watched many videos of him debating with those who so love the darkness.
We pray that more would “hear” - More would “see” - More would “know” – that judgement is coming for those in the dark and the light of world – Christ Jesus whom they have rejected – is the righteous judge.
Frequently in the book of ACTS we see this “back and forth” of those who receive the Word of God and those who do not.
What we are seeing is the practical application of the parable teaching that Jesus gave in Matthew 13 on the sower and the seed.
“Behold, the sower went out to sow; 4 and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. 8 And others fell on the good soil and *yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.9 He who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 13:3-9
The seed is the truth of the Word of God – the good news that man who is already condemned because of his sin – can be forgiven and have their relationship with God FULLY restored!
The four soils represent the four conditions of the heart that people have-
Beside the road - represents people with hard, pride-filled hearts who refuse to listen, and the truth never takes root to grow.
The rocky places- represent a person with a shallow heart- They may initially consider the truth, and even show some small changes, but with the first trials or temptations they turn away.
Among the thorns- represents those with a worldly heart whose love of the world quickly chokes out the truth in their heart.
But then, there is the good soil – which represents a person ready to hear – to consider the truth – to search out, reason, and reckon with God’s truth in their lives.
And for each of these that hear – and the truth takes root in their life – they become ALIVE – and they THRIVE – and they then become sowers of the truth themselves.
The thing is – we are not responsible for the seed – it is God’s truth.
We are not responsible for the soil – that is between the hearer and God.
BUT – you and I are called to sow.
In Matthew 9:37 – Jesus told His disciples- "The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the workmen are few.”
IN CLOSING
In response to the execution of Charlie Kirk, what we have seen so far – Is the Holy Spirit of God moving across this land and around the globe to move the hearts of His people to take an even bolder stance.
Followers of Christ challenging the voice of the world that despises the message of the truth.
Defying the commands of governments and the ungodly to stay silent regarding the truth as they codify into the law of man things that God has declared as sinful and abominations.
Choosing to exercise the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within the redeemed.
As the Apostle Paul so encouraged the young evangelist Timothy-
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:6-7
This is the legacy that martyrs leave behind.
The Apostles understood this – Paul understood this – down through the ages numerous champions of the faith have understood this.
Charlie Kirk knew this. He knew the truth. Had been saved by the truth. And desired intently to share that truth with others.
People like this diligently, commit themselves to the study of God’s word to equip themselves to wade into the midst of the storm - To challenge the lies of the world and to respond with the truth of God.
Understand, that while this was the work of evil hands that took Charlie’s life– God ordained, allowed, and sanctioned, this act – for the glory of His Kingdom.
God raised Charlie up, equipped him with the word of truth and the power of the Holy Spirit and sent him out.
But friends, you and I are no different – we hold in our hands the same word of truth – we hold in our heart the same Holy Spirit.
I would never presume to understand the full will of God -
But see what God has done through this time of suffering-
You can always find coincidences and connections if you search hard enough. But still, One I saw this past week is encouraging and worth sharing-
Charlie was shot and died at 12:23pm
In John 12:23 we read this from our Lord-
And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
In the following passages he continues-
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. “
If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
Jesus spoke here of Himself – He would die – that all who trust in Him by faith would have their sins forgiven – Their condemnation justified- by his sacrifice.
Rather than face the judgement of God – those who trust in Jesus, will be honored by God the Father.
This truth has been passed down through ages. And is true today for you and I-
If you want to follow Christ – you must serve Him and obey Him.
In doing so, some of us will stand before governments. Some of us will suffer. Some will be executed.
But NOTHING should deter you and I from our love of God and for those who are perishing in their sins to prevent us from proclaiming the TRUTH to the LOST, to the haters and to the mockers.
Hundreds of thousands of conversations regarding God and Jesus Christ have been had this past week in response to Charlie’s murder.
Multitudes have sought to know more –
Today is the memorial, the celebration of Charlie’s life.
A 60,000 seat stadium in Arizona with reservations that filled it to capacity so that additional nearby venues were reserved to broadcast the event to a crowd estimated to exceed 100,000 people
Yesterday I read a post from Charlie Kirk’s producer;
“I was just told that we have more press interest in Sunday’s Celebration of Charlie Kirk’s life and legacy than there is for the Super Bowl.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is about to be proclaimed to the largest audience in the history of humanity.
To God be the Glory.”
Friends- Every day is the right time to share the truth with people– but let us not sit idly by while God is moving across this land and in the hearts of people!
Pray for God to work through you and me – that through us - His truth might find ears to hear –
That those who are lost might be found.
That those who are dead in their sins – might be set free by the Grace of God.
If we will submit to the God of the scriptures –
Serve Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord –
Embrace the power of the work of the Holy Spirit in our life –
Then you and I can commit to present ourselves as an ambassadors for the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the ONE- Holy, Living God.
Knowing we are sealed by His Holy Spirit for an eternal reward that the ways of man have no power over so we shall fear no evil.
WHAT IS TRUTH? – THIS. The Word of God.
And if you do not know this as truth today – we would love to have a conversation with you – in love -
AMEN? To God be the glory.
And I shall observe it to the end.
And keep it with all my heart.
Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
Incline my heart to Your testimonies
And not to dishonest gain.