READINESS OF MIND

What is your attitude toward the Holy Scriptures? 

I have shared many different truths from the Bible with many people in the past 40 years of my life and they have reacted in several ways’. First, there are those who are completely indifferent. They usually don't express direct opposition, but spiritual matters don't matter to them at all. They would rather talk about earthly things. Like politics, sports, or the weather, Second, there are those who are irritated, upset, and even hostile. They simply do not want to hear about sin, salvation, God, or Jesus Christ. The Bible is a fool's book to them. Some of them were atheists, others identified themselves with a particular religion, or spiritual viewpoint, but all of them in this category had negative feelings about "Bible Christian's." Finally, there were the few among the many who were eager to hear what God revealed in His Word. We find the latter crowd in the book of Acts, chapter 17. 

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

 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.

Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few (verses 10,11).

The key words in this story are the words "received the word with readiness of mind" (verse 10). Readiness (prothumia in Greek) denotes a disposition toward, and eagerness, or a willingness to hear. The result was that "many of them believed" (verse 11).  Those who come to accept Christ as their Savior are those who have a willingness to hear "thus saith the Scripture." It all begins with a positive attitude toward God's Word. The Holy Spirit will then take that Word to bring conviction of sin leading to salvation (John 16:8; Romans 10:17). Don't be indifferent or cynical toward the Bible. Be eager to receive it and you too can be among the noble Bereans. God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9).


Pastor Tom

WHAT REAL CHANGE LOOKS LIKE

Yesterday I preached a message, "What Real Chang Looks Like." I would encourage you to listen to it by going to www.faithsd.org. Click on "Hear a Sermon" in the quick links section. I pray that you are blessed by it. My outline consisted of the following points:

INTRODUCTION: Real change is possible because of the Almighty power of God

I. REAL CHANGE IS CHANGE WHICH PLEASES GOD

  

Romans 12:1,2; 2 Corinthians 5:8,9; Ephesians 5:8-10; Colossians 1:9,10; 11

II. GOD IS AT WORK TO BRING ABOUT REAL CHANGE IN OUR LIVES

Philippians 2:12,13

III. REAL CHANGE REQUIRES HARD WORK                                                                                                 

Philippians 2:12; Ephesians 6:14-18; 1 Timothy 4:7,8                                                      

IV. REAL CHANGE IS VISIBLE CHANGE

John 13:35; Ephesians 4:21-24; 2 Corinthians 7:1

V. REAL CHANGE IS LASTING CHANGE

John 15:7; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

VI. REAL CHANGE GLORIFIES GOD

1 Corinthians 10:31; Habakkuk 2:14

Close: Are you resolved to make real changes in your life for God’s glory?