Paul’s Ministry In Thessalonica Series

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 25

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

Acts 17:1-9

Introduction

- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”

-- In 2023 we unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise)

-- And we looked ahead, anticipated the coming & victory of Jesus (Revelation)

-- But, in order to get to the end, we have to be busy doing the work now (Acts)

- Last week we examined a very specific encouragement to the Church:

-- When God moves, when God responds, when God delivers – the praise is His!

-- The worship of what He has done is why we get to celebrate and rejoice!

- Don’t lose sight: What He has done is our focus, and must be our driver!

-- We don’t get to claim His victory as our own – but we do get to share in it!

- This week, we are going to begin looking at several cities Paul visits

-- This morning we will focus on Thessalonica, and Paul’s ministering in it

- Read Acts 17:1-9 / Pray

Point 1 – Thessalonica’s reaction to the Gospel

- The first city Paul ministers in is Thessalonica; the capital of Macedonia

-- It is a free city – governed by its own laws and has a locally run government

-- Huge outpost for trade as it has a natural harbor and was on the Roman road

- The Church in this city contained Jews and Greeks & was founded by Paul

-- They did not support Paul; he actually worked a secular job while there

-- 1 Thessalonians 2:9, “Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you.”

-- He was, however, supported by the church in Philippi (ref: Phil 4:16)

-- Naturally the church suffered lots of persecution -- but were well organized

- As Paul traveled, he preached the Gospel as a great example to believers

-- Item to consider: this is the same message we need to proclaim today!

-- CH: If Who the message is about doesn’t change, why would we change it?

-- APP: It is what set the ancient world upside down, and could still do it today!

- Let’s talk about what Paul did in Thessalonica:

- Despite great opposition and persecution, Paul preached weekly (vv1-2)

• Clearly, Paul wanted to be sure the message was widely heard

• First he spoke with those who would be familiar with God (in synagogue)

• Then, he would preach to those who did not know God (Greeks)

- We can learn from this: have a plan, and stick to it (consistency)

• APP: We cannot willy-nilly go about sharing and hope it lands

• There is something to be said for unswerving, relentless sharing of faith

-- 1 Peter 3:15, “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”

- The message Paul preaches is critical: (vv2-3)

• Don’t miss: The primary foundation is on the scriptures (ref: prophecies)

• This is what gives him/us authority, purpose, and direction to share

• APP: Without it, a minister (or believer) is relying on themselves (ego)

- Paul preached a very simple message (3 points):

1. Jesus suffered and died

2. Jesus rose from the dead

3. Jesus is the Messiah - the one promised to us

- The results of this testimony would be that many believed (v4)

• Greek: peithó; to persuade, to have confidence

• We see that some even joined with Paul and Silas in following Jesus

• Even devout Greeks and influential women believed this testimony

o Note: Macedonian women were more independent than many in the Roman Empire (for example: Lydia who ran a business in Philippi)

• KEY: The focus of Paul’s ministry was very simple to hear & grasp

• He would later pen this statement we can see at work: Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.”

- The people who believed were those who:

• Had become sick and tired of the idolatry and immorality of society

• They sensed a righteous Spirit at work, sensed presence of the One true God

• They saw in the Jews and the scriptures that hope was available!

• Deeper: They were drawn to what God had done for them

-- Promise of Old Testament basis heavy in the faith: Deuteronomy 4:29, “But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.”