Prepare For Sunday | October 11th, 2026
The Bereans: True Nobility | Acts 17:10-15
Every culture has its own version of “nobility”—the people we admire, respect, and aspire to become. For example, in Jane Austen’s England, it was even more explicit. Nobility was largely a matter of birth: your family, your name, your connections, your inheritance.
In our culture, nobility may not come with a title or an estate, but we still have our markers: success, education, influence, wealth, achievement, and the right connections.
But in Acts 17, Luke introduces us to a group of people in the obscure town of Berea whom he calls “more noble”—and then completely redefines what nobility means. The Bereans’ nobility wasn’t found in their pedigree, education, influence, or status. It was revealed in the way they responded when they encountered the Word of God. They received it eagerly, returned to it daily and together, and examined it carefully to see whether what they were hearing was true.
Their story raises an important question for all of us: What makes someone truly noble in Christ’s Kingdom?
Join us this Sunday as we discover the marks of true nobility—and how the Scriptures ultimately lead us to Jesus, the truly Noble Son who brings us into the family of God.
The Bereans: True Nobility
Acts 17:10–15
Big Idea: True nobility is revealed in how we receive the Word of God.
1. EAGERNESS — The Attitude
“They received the word with all eagerness…” — Acts 17:11
2. DAILY — The Habit
“…examining the Scriptures daily…” — Acts 17:11
3. EXAMINATION — The Method
“…to see if these things were so.” — Acts 17:11
The Gospel: The Truly Noble Son
“Therefore many of them believed…” — Acts 17:12
Eagerness describes the attitude.
Daily describes the habit.
Examination describes the method.
Not well-born. Born again. That is true nobility.
Call to Worship
John 1:9–14
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory,
glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Confession of Sin
Leader: Almighty God, You have spoken to us in Your Word, but we confess that we have not always been eager to hear Your voice.
Congregation: We have been quick to listen to voices that confirm us and slow to receive the Word that corrects us.
Leader: We have neglected Your Word, trusted our own understanding, and allowed the voices of the world to shape our hearts and minds.
Congregation: We have been proud when we should have been teachable, careless when we should have been discerning, and isolated when we should have sought wisdom among Your people.
Leader: Forgive us for wanting Your Word to agree with us rather than humbly submitting ourselves to You.
Congregation: Merciful Father, give us eager hearts, discerning minds, and a deep hunger for Your Word. Teach us to receive Your truth with humility, to search the Scriptures faithfully, and to follow wherever they lead. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news:
“To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
Brothers and sisters, our hope is not that we have listened perfectly, understood perfectly, or obeyed perfectly. Our hope is Jesus Christ, the eternal Son who became flesh for us, suffered for us, and rose again for us.
To all who receive Him by faith, God gives a new name, a new birth, and a place in His family.
In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. You are received. You are children of God. Thanks be to God!
