Stirred Hearts

Acts 17:10-23

INTRODUCTION: The words and deeds of men come forth from their hearts. Men say and do what they love and who they are. They act and react based on the stirrings of their hearts. The question is what stirs (the word entails disturbing) your heart. In fact, perhaps the greater question is who stirs your heart.

I. PAUL’S TROUBLES IN THESSALONICA (Acts 17:1-9)

A. Paul’s Manner (Acts 17:1-3)

1. The place of Paul’s ministry (Acts 17:1)
a. In a synagogue of the Jews
b. “To the Jew first” (Romans 1:16)
2. The extent of Paul’s ministry (Acts 17:2)
a. Three Sabbath days
b. Reasoning out of the scriptures—Old Testament
3. The message of Paul’s ministry (Acts 17:3)
a. The gospel of Christ
b. The identity of Christ

B. The Varying Responses (Acts 17:4-9)

1. The faith of some (Acts 17:4)
a. Their distinctions
1.) Jews
2.) Devout Greeks
3.) Chief women
b. Their fellowship—they “consorted with Paul and Silas”
2. The unbelieving Jews (Acts 17:5-9)
a. The culprits (Acts 17:5)
1.) The unbelieving Jews
2.) Lewd fellows of the baser sort
3.) A company
4.) The city
b. The troubles (Acts 17:5b-9)

II. PAUL’S FRUIT IN BEREA (Acts 17:10-12)

A. Paul’s Manner (Acts 17:10)

B. Paul’s Reception (Acts 17:11-12)

1. The nobility of the Bereans (Acts 17:11)
a. They received the word with all readiness of mind.
b. They searched the scriptures daily.
2. The faith of the Bereans (Acts 17:12)
a. Many believed
b. Of the honourable women which were Greeks
c. Of men, not a few

III. THE STIRRING OF HEARTS (Acts 17:13-23)

A. The Stirring of the Bereans (Acts 17:13-15)

1. The news to the Jews of Thessalonica (Acts 17:13)
2. The work of the Jews from Thessalonica (Acts 17:13)
a. They came to Berea.
b. They stirred the hearts of the people.
3. The dangers for Paul (Acts 17:14-15)

B. The Stirring of the Apostle (Acts 17:16-23)

1. The location of Paul (Acts 17:15-16)
2. The stirring of Paul (Acts 17:16)
a. His spirit was stirred in him.
b. He saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
3. The reaction of the apostle (Acts 17:17-23)
a. He disputed in the synagogue (Acts 17:17).
b. He disputed in the market (Acts 17:17).
c. He disputed before the philosophers (Acts 17:18-23)

CONCLUSION: What stirs your heart? What cause moves you to lift your voice? What disturbs you to the point of action?