Acts 17:10-15

"Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed..." (Acts 17:11-12, NIV)

From the earliest days of the church, the mission of spreading the gospel has continued. What began with Jesus in Luke’s Gospel moves forward through the apostles in Acts, and still carries on today. The word of God is powerful and active, reaching across all boundaries — to Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, men and women. In Acts 17, we see the example of the Bereans, who didn’t just hear the word — they received it eagerly, examined it carefully, and believed it deeply.

What made the Bereans noble was not their social status, but their posture toward God's word. They were eager and teachable, but also discerning and thoughtful. They listened, but they also searched the Scriptures daily to confirm the truth. This combination of hunger and wisdom is what made their hearts good soil for the gospel.

Even today, God is planting seeds in places that may surprise us. In a city like London, there are people like Anne in Vauxhall — not famous or high-ranking, but open and ready. When she heard the word, she believed it. Now, she shares it with neighbours, prays with others, and lives out her faith in community. Her story reminds us that good soil is not about status — it’s about receptiveness and faithfulness. And when we find people like Anne, we are called not to pass by, but to invest time and care into their growth.

But we should also be prepared for opposition. In Acts, fruitfulness and resistance often go hand in hand. The word goes out, some believe, and some oppose it. That hasn’t changed. Yet the gospel still advances. In our time, people from all backgrounds — including Muslim-background believers and young working-class men — are coming to faith. The Spirit is still at work, and the word is still bearing fruit.

So what does this mean for us? First, we are called to be like the Bereans — eager to receive God’s word, committed to examining it, and grounded in truth. Second, we must look for good soil around us and be ready to invest when we find it. Whether that’s buying Bibles, starting conversations, or walking alongside someone exploring faith, we are called to plant and to water. And third, we should expect both fruit and resistance. But we don’t give up, because God’s word does not return void.

May we be people who are willing to go the distance, like the Bereans who escorted Paul by boat and returned to support the mission. May we invest in others with servant-hearted faithfulness. And may we not overlook the everyday people in our cities who are ready to believe, grow, and bear fruit.

How might you respond this week?

• What are some practical ways you can develop a heart like the Bereans — eager to receive God’s word and committed to examining it carefully?
• Who around you might be open to the gospel, like Anne in Vauxhall, and how can you invest in their growth through prayer, support, or sharing your faith?