More Noble?

The banana is a treelike tropical or subtropical plant of the genus Musa Sapientum, a widely cultivated species having long, broad leaves and hanging clusters of bright yellow edible fruit. The crescent-shape fruit of a banana plant has a pulpy white flesh with a thick, easily removable yellow skin. A favorite of both, children, adults and animals, this fruit has multiple applications. It can be fashioned into bread, a cake, puddings, or mixed with several scoops of ice cream and flavored syrups and nuts and fruits and whipped cream, making what may be the ultimate epicurean delight!

What’s an Epicurean Delight? First we would have to learn about Epicurus, a man who lived from 341-270 B.C. He had a refined taste in food and wine. He was devoted to luxurious living and sensuous pleasure. He sought freedom from pain and emotional disturbance. There was one thing he didn’t believe in. He rejected a belief in the afterlife. He not only rejected the belief, he was adamant about it. Like many people, he wanted the beauty and fragrance of roses, but without the thorns! Many of us want the fragrance without even the roses.

In the Book of Acts, chapter seventeen, Paul and his traveling companion, Silas traveled to Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. What were they doing? Paul was preaching the gospel. “He reasoned with them from the Scriptures explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead.” (Acts 17:3) From there they traveled to Berea. Same task, same message, same approach. But something was different here. He preached to the Berean's in the marketplace, in the synagogues and everywhere he was allowed to speak. “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11) How do you evaluate sermons messages and teachings? The people of Berea opened the Scriptures for themselves and searched for absolute truths to verify or disprove the messages they heard. They were eager to learn. Always compare what you hear with what the Bible says. A teacher or preacher who gives God’s true message will never contradict or explain away anything that is found in God’s Word.

When they traveled to Athens, a group of Epicurean philosophers argued with them about the message they were preaching. The men of Athens were religious but that was merely window dressing, they had no substance. Paul preached that life was more than a banana split. Some believed, some didn’t.

Bottom line: “When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, We want to hear you again on this subject.” Acts 17:32 Paul did not hold back the truth. He did change his approach to fit his audience, but he never changed his basic message.