Some Little Faith

Acts 17:10-12

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

See how the Lord works here. He has been so good in providing free transportation for Paul. Yet to gain it he did nothing. I know you might not be scared. But these early believers were afraid enough of the persecution that they did something. Nor can you fault them for this. Remember now was the time of the church which had suffered much for Christ. It is not recklessness which causes some to stay nor yet cowardice which makes others go. Rather, the gospel of Christ was of such importance that it needed guarding with their very lives. It is like the story often told of the lifeboats and the helicopter sent to rescue the man whose house flooded. He declined all of them for soon, he believed, the Lord would save him. At the end, he met Jesus in Heaven and asked him, 'why.' The Lord ever so gently reminded him of the many failed rescue attempts. Paul himself feared the same sort of situation as we see in 2 Corinthians 10:1-8. He calls himself base in presence but bold in absence. Now lest you think he got rather large for his britches, consider this. Paul is not bold after the manner of the flesh. For so he walks "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ." See, it is okay to accept the help of Christ and his people today. But see that you do not do so for selfish reasons. So should our only reasons be that the gospel is spared, and Christ glorified. Let us look now at where Paul has gone. In that day the name Berea meant heavy, but not the same word as the weighty glory of God. Here Paul goes to Berea, the heavy church with some faith. So, he goes from one area of hushed silence to another mountain place of Macedonia. See how much faith Matthew 17:20 requires in moving these high places. For it seems Paul can say with certainty that God has done it again. Have a little faith today.

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.

Some of you might be wondering where Titus went. See, he was not suddenly overcome with a suicidal spirit like the jailor; given all the trials faced such a notion would not be far-fetched indeed. Rather the text will make it abundantly clear that he continued in his own ministry. Now I know the Catholic Church teaches that if you commit suicide, you lose yourself. But how many know that for the suicidal there is none greater than Christ. So, in him alone find some comfort, little church. Of such things have you been made great. I am here to tell you that even when you lose you still gain Christ. This is why Philippians 1:21 says to die is loss but to Christ is gain. It is important to see this so you might fully understand what is to come. For he is the God of all: no matter what was, what is, nor yet those things to come. It seems Paul rather rejoices in distress, necessities, and reproaches for Christ name's sake. In the partnership of three there is only you and God. So let each one live before him as unto him only. Now it is important not to misunderstand what Paul is saying. He does not mean that the church there was the Who's Who collection of saints and cool cats of that day.

Indeed, he makes it abundantly clear that the outward appearance matters little. If you are getting married, looks matter to your spouse a good deal. But when you are traveling with Jesus, it is better to check your roadmap given in Scripture. Of far more importance is the believer's searching daily to make their calling sure. See, Paul has found he is no longer the only one traveling. Because of this, the believers took care that they did not lose themselves. For so were both the apostles and these believers Christ's. Believe me, he takes care to lose none of his travelers. Look with me at what the text refers to as the noble mind if you will. Sure, some could boast of their power, position, and authority. But rather these should boast themselves in the Lord. See, God gave them gifts for a building-up purpose not a tearing down. Sometimes the old saints reach the end of their lives with nothing but regrets to look upon. Some of you really ought to do more building up of his temple and less tearing it down day by day. For then Paul says would you feel no shame before him; so also, would you have a life full and well-lived. Even if you feel you have nothing of a noble mind now, trust him. He is better to you than you could ever ask, think, imagine, or know.

Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

Now are mentioned the honorable female and male believers of the faith. It should be seen that their deeds make them so. Paul says they "walk in the flesh" yet not warring with it. How good is it to live a life so submitted to God that you need not have a boxing match with yourself daily as do some. Indeed, Paul was so concerned about the issue that he goes into further detail. Remember, there are spiritual weapons just the same as physical ones. Nor are these spiritual weapons built after the flesh. Those are known as carnal weapons. It would be rather strange if a soldier went to battle with just his fists or a boxer with a chair. But rather these are the sorts of things that break generational strongholds. You might know of some personal things offhand. Then again, I imagine we all know the generational sins of abuse, trauma, drunkenness, prostitution, gluttony, strife, envy, and so on. How many behave a certain way because 'my parents and their parents did it; this is all I know.' Now that we are naming them honestly, let us look again at the text. Strongholds can manifest themselves as imaginations, thoughts, attitudes, and every high place "against the knowledge of God."

I want to ask a question of you softly. For I know this is a tender area. What in your life keeps you from knowing God today? Some of you might easily be able to spot the issue in your family; but you are less able to separate it from yourself. This is why once you start, you cannot give up. The text speaks here of the daily searching the maps of the Lord. Everything in your life must be brought captive to the obedience of Christ. No, it is not easy. Sometimes the journey can be very painful and the road long. But the weapons of the Spirit led you to your house and say, 'this ends here, today.' There are some strongholds in your life that God has called you to pull down. More than that he has called us mighty through himself to do so. Now do not worry so much about the other people who do such anyway. Allow God to be your vengeance and your justice today. Herein is the obedience of Christ made complete. How many of you know where Jesus walked when he was here. His steps led through the garden, up to the cross, and down into an empty tomb. So, he is your obedience and answer for all life's issues faced today.