1 John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth”

2 What should our attitude be toward GOD’s Word?

3 Purpose DefineInstructEncourage

4 Attitude: 1. Manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, esp. of the mind: a negative attitude; group attitudes. 2. Position or posture of the body appropriate to or expressive of an action, emotion, etc.: a threatening attitude; a relaxed attitude. Source: Dictionary.com “Attitude” Defined

5 Introduction Much said about hearing God’s Word! –Commanded to hear: Christ - Matt. 17:1-5 His Word - Jn. 12:48; 5:24 His Apostles - Matt. 10:7-15 –Faith comes by hearing: Rom. 10:17 –Christians have obeyed the word: Rom. 10:13-14 Must have the right attitude! –Christians must continually hear to remain faithful: Mk. 4:24; Lk. 8:18; Rev. 2:10b –Some do not hear: Matt. 13:15; cf. Acts 28:24-28; 1 Cor. 3:1-14

6 The Attitude of the Bereans! “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 honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few” (Acts 17:10-12).

7 The Berean Attitude They were free of Prejudice! –“they received the word with all readiness of mind” –“Prejudice” means: pre-judgment or judgment before considering the facts. Jn. 7:24; Matt. 13:15; Prov. 18:13

8 The Berean Attitude They were not Gullible! –“they searched the scriptures” 1 Thess. 5:21; 1 Jn. 4:1; Matt. 15:14 –“Gullible” means to be easily fooled or deceived. To accept something without investigation. –Bereans had a “ready” or open mind. –Commanded to NOT be deceived: 1 Cor. 6:9; 15:33; Gal. 6:9; Col. 2:6-8; Eph. 5:6-8 We must study - 2 Tim. 2:15

9 The Berean Attitude They had a Ready Mind! –“they received the word with all readiness of mind” Isa. 1:17-18; 34:16; Jn. 5:38-39; 2 Cor. 4:3-4 –We must have an eager mind to learn God’s word! Matt. 11:28-30; Acts 10:33 –This should be the attitude of ALL Christians! But some do not have a “ready mind”: –Jer. 6:16; 2 Tim. 4:3-4; 2 Pet. 2:10-22; 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7; 2 Tim. 3:1; Tit. 1:14

10 The Berean Attitude They were Energetic! –“searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” Rom. 12:11; Mal. 1:12-13; 1 Cor. 15:58 –Searching takes effort and is work! Eccl 12:12; 2 Pet. 3:16; Eph. 5:17; 3:3-5 –Laziness in service to God is wrong! Heb. 5:12-6:1; 1 Cor. 3:1-3; 13:11; 14:20; Eph. 4:14; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:17-18

11 The Berean’s Attitude They were free of Prejudice! They were not Gullible! They had a Ready Mind! They were Energetic! Do You Have The “Berean Attitude” Towards The Scriptures?

12 The Christian’s Attitude In Hearing God’s Word… Attentively! –Prov. 7:24; Neh. 8:1-3; Acts 2:14; Acts 16:14; Lk. 19:47-48 –Must remember - 2 Pet. 1:12-15 –Must “hold fast” – 1 Thess. 5:21; 2 Tim. 1:13; Heb. 2:1-3; 4:14; 10:23 Reverently! –Acts 10:33; 1 Cor. 10:12; Heb. 12:28; Rev. 4:11; Matt. 18:20 –Must recognize our presence before God! House of Cornelius came to hear all things commanded of God! Do we have this attitude? Honestly! –Matt. 13:15; cf. Lk. 8:15; Matt. 7:1-5; Acts 13:44-46 We show ourselves unworthy by being improper hearers of God’s word. Must honestly make application to our lives.

13 The Christian’s Attitude In Hearing God’s Word… Inquiringly! –Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1; 1 Thess. 5:21; Jn. 5:39 A true teacher of God’s word will be honored by those who examine his teaching by God’s word. –Most in error run and hide - Jn. 3:18-21 Personally! –Mk. 14:18-19; Isa. 6:8; 2 Sam. 12:1-7 This parable told for David’s benefit but he did not see himself as the application of the parable. –“Thou art the man” – vs. 7 –2 Cor. 13:5; Rom. 12:1-2 Obediently! –Matt. 7:21-27; Rom. 10:1-3; Jas. 1:21-25; Heb. 5:8-9; Acts 5:29 No value in hearing without obeying! Must be obedient hearers to have the proper attitude!

14 The Christian’s Attitude In Hearing God’s Word… Prayerfully! –Rom. 1:16; 2 Tim. 4:5; 2 Thess. 3:1; Eph. 6:18-20; Col. 4:2-4 We must pray for the effective work of the Gospel! –That ALL sinners will receive it! –That preachers and teachers will speak the truth boldly in love! Diligently! –2 Pet. 1:5-10; 2 Cor. 8:7; Heb. 6:11-12; Jude 3 “Diligence” - "speed", i.e. (by implication) dispatch, eagerness, earnestness:--business, (earnest) care(-fulness), diligence, forwardness, haste. (Strong) Hopefully! –Rom. 8:24-25; Eph. 4:4; Col. 1:5, 23-27; Tit. 1:2; 2:13; 3:7 Must not loose hope! The hope of a Christian is the eternal reward in heaven! –1 Pet. 3:15 Must finish the course to receive it! –2 Tim. 4:5-8

15 Conclusion! Christians must hear God’s word: Attentively! Reverently! Honestly! Inquiringly! Personally! Obediently! Prayerfully! Diligently! Hopefully! What Is Your Attitude Toward God’s Word?

16 Do We Have The Attitude of the Bereans? “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 honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few” (Acts 17:10-12).