The Thessalonians # 2 (2 Of 2)

For three Sabbath days he preached nothing to them but that Christ

• Came.

• Suffered.

• Died.

• Rose from the dead.

• Was the Son of God.

We find that churches are not spiritually strong that are built on a music program, as important as that may be, nor on a youth program, as important as that may be, or on any other “programs” as important as they may be. THE STRONGEST CHURCHES IN THE WORLD TODAY ARE THOSE BUILD UPON CHRIST!

Illus: The Lord asked His disciples, Matt. 16:13, “...Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” He addressed this question to all of His disciples, but they said, verse 14, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.”

Jesus said, paraphrase, “That’s fine, but who do you say that I am,.” Then Peter gave the positive answer, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Bingo! Peter was absolutely correct. Once he had proclaimed that truth, Jesus said, (paraphrase), “Peter, on the proclamation you just made, I will build my church.”

Paul recognized that was the foundation that God builds His church upon. That was why, when he arrived in Thessalonica, he preached for three Sabbaths that Christ

• Must come.

• Must suffer.

• Must die.

• Must be raised to life again.

• Was the Son of God.

All across this nation, churches are falling apart, or meeting as a social gathering. It should not surprise us when we find it is because they are building on the wrong foundation.

Paul preached the gospel and multitudes of people believed in it.

Verse 4 tells us that many of them were prominent women in Thessalonica. Some things never seem to change. It has always been that women seem to be more sensitive to the gospel than men. Why? It could be a number of things:

(1) It could be that since men are to be the spiritual leaders Satan does more to keep them from receiving the gospel. He recognizes if he can keep the head of the house from coming to know the Lord, it will cause constant disruption in home. That seems to be the case across this country.

(2) It also could be they feel they have to live up to a “Tough man,” image and they do not think they can do that as a Christian. Yet, the criteria they measure toughness by in the world is often an empty image.

For example, television ads would try to make you believe it is tough to drink certain alcoholic beverages. Is that tough? You can go to any hog farm and pour a six pack in a trough and a big old fat hog can come along and suck it up. Does that make him tough? Not in the slightest!

Well, for whatever the reason, more women seem to respond to the gospel message than men. Could it be they are TOUGHER than men when it comes down to it? Luke makes a special point to mention that along with the devout Greeks that not a few of the chief women also believed. Once they did, the Bible tells us, 1 Thess. 1:9, that those who accepted Christ, “...turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” They introduced a new lifestyle to their fellow citizens. THEY HAD INTEGRITY. But also...

II. THEY HAD INTENSITY

That is, what they had came from their HEARTS, not from their MINDS. This was why they were being accused of turning the world upside down with the new teaching!

Look at 1 Thess 1:8. We read, “For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad.” One of the ways you can tell that a Christian has this Gospel deep in his heart is because you can not shut him up. Paul wrote and commended them because long after he had left the scene they were still spreading the gospel. They spread it in Macedonia, Achaia, and everywhere.

When a church has this INTENSITY they will want to send missionaries around the world with this gospel. They want everyone to know about the Savior they have come to know.

Illus: As Peter and John stood before the Sanhedrin in Acts 4:19-20, they said, “...Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

The Thessalonian Christians wanted everyone to know that Christ-

• Came.

• Suffered.

• Died.

• Rose from the dead.

• Was the Son of God.