Thessalonians - Who? When? Why? Series

You can listen to the full message here:-

http://www.nec.org.au/strong-and-ready/

Message

1 Thessalonians 1:1

Who? When? Why?

The year is 51AD.

In that year the plans for, what is known, as the second missionary journey of Paul start to take place. You can read all about this journey in Acts 15:36 - 18:22. It is a missionary journey that takes about 3 years and covers approximately 2300km on land and 2000km by sea.

Paul was going to take Barnabas on this journey, but they had such a disagreement that they parted company. (Acts 15:39). So Paul took Silas instead. Silas was also known as Silvanus. We first read about Silas in Acts 15:22 where the Jerusalem council has decided to write a letter to the Gentiles. The letter needs to be sent with reliable people.

22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers. 23 With them they sent the following letter:

Acts 15:22-23

Apart from a time when Paul goes to Athens by himself, Silas sticks by Paul right through the three years of the journey – including the times they were in prison, and beaten, and driven out of towns. We know from Scripture that Paul has high regard for Silas. In 1 Peter 5:12 Paul describes Silas as a “faithful brother”.

Fairly early in the journey when they get to Lystra, we meet Timothy for the first time.

1 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.

Acts 16:1-2

Paul had previous visited Lystra and Iconium 2-3 years earlier during the first missionary journey. A new church was planted the, and now this church had grown, and Timothy had been encouraged and supported and taught by the church. So much so that Paul takes Timothy with them. One day Paul will say that Timothy “has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.” (Philippians 2:22).

Indeed in future years Paul will send Timothy to Corinth to sort out the issues the church is going through – issues that pushed the ministry experience of Paul.

Paul, Silas and Timothy.

A ministry team making their way through, what at the time, was Asia Minor on their way to Greece. Now let’s read 1 Thessalonians 1:1

Paul, Silas and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you.

1 Thessalonians 1:1

Sometimes the language we use to describe Scripture gives a general summary. Language like:-

Paul’s missionary journeys.

The churches Paul planted.

The letters of Paul.

There is nothing inherently wrong with this general language – as long as we also keep in mind a more specific picture.

During all of the missionary journeys Paul rarely travels by himself – there is a team. A team with mature qualified commended leaders, and others who are built up and encouraged and equipped. They support Paul in the ministry work. At times their names are attached to letters:-

1 Corinthians 1:1 – Paul and Sosthenes

2 Corinthians, Philippians and Colossians – Paul and Timothy

1 & 2 Thessalonians – Paul, Silas and Timothy

It is a reminder that churches grow because of a team effort. People working together, supporting one another, getting behind the key leaders and upholding their ministry and their calling.

That’s how churches grow – especially new churches.

The churches in Lystra and Iconium have been going for a few years – as has the church in Antioch. Now possibly some of the people from Asia and Phrygia who witnessed the day of Pentecost – that time when they saw tongues of fire and heard preaching in their own language – possibly some of them have come home and shared the Gospel.

Aside from this, no missionary journey has gone past Antioch.

So when the team enter Thessalonica it is a place where the Gospel is unknown.

What sort of city have they come to?

A Large City.

Thessalonica had a natural harbour which was deep and protected. Lots of trade came through the port – along with the riches associated with trade. The city was also on a major highway. Its location enabled it to become one of the top 10 largest cities in the Roman empire in the 1st century AD.

The size of the city meant it had everything.

All the entertainment you wanted. Plays. The theatre. A gymnasium for sport.