Gospel Engagement: Practical Observations from Thessalonica
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Introduction
Introduction
Yesterday, we prayer walked in the community surrounding the church property for the third time. This is the beginning of our efforts to engage our neighbors with the Gospel. I have often prayed and thought about what is required if we are to make an imprint on those who are around us whether they be in this community or people we are in around daily in the normal course of life.
Listen to what was said after the Apostle Paul entered Thessalonica during his second missionary journey.
6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
PRAYER
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
We need a relentless resolve (1a)
We need a relentless resolve (1a)
Now when they pad passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica
Relentless - steady and persistent, unyielding in severity or strictness
Resolve - Firmness of purpose
Paul and Silas had been beaten and imprisoned in Philippi. Amphipolis was about 30 miles from Philippi, Apollonia about 30 miles from Amphipolis, and Thessalonica just under 40 miles from Apollonia.
What was it that drove the Apostle Paul?
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Do you have a resolve to share the gospel and teach people the Word?
We need an unbending boldness (1b-2a)
We need an unbending boldness (1b-2a)
Where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
And Paul went in, as was his custom
Boldness - fearless and daring, exhibiting courage and bravery
Beginning in a synagogue was strategic for the Apostle, because the Scriptures were read and known there. However, the synagogue would have also been hostile toward Paul and his message. It was the Jews who had turned Jesus over to Rome. Paul knew the hostility, because he once held it himself. The possibility of suffering was great in entering the synagogue. Nevertheless, Paul made it his habit to preach there first.
Where is the type of boldness found?
1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— 27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
We need a long-suffering love (2b)
We need a long-suffering love (2b)
Three Sabbaths - patience
He reasoned with them - To talk with, argue logically and persuasively. Paul presented a view which was contrary to what the Jews believed.
How long would you last in a a meeting place with an entire group opposed to what you believe about anything? Most people are not able to discuss contested topics for more than a few moments. However, the Apostle Paul was able to dialogue with these Jews for three Sabbaths. How did he do it?
I do not know for certain, but I have a theory.
1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.
Sorrow and anguish - Pain and distress
Accursed - Anathema, cursed by God.
Where did Paul learn this patience?
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Think of God’s patience with you and how his patience was secured by Jesus. How long was Jesus patient with you before you became a Christian? How is he patient with you now? Ask Jesus to give you his tenderness toward the lost.
We need to know our absolute authority (2b)
We need to know our absolute authority (2b)
Where did Paul base his reasoning?
He reasoned with them from the Scriptures. Why?
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
Martin Luther– Just over three years after posting the 95 theses on the door of the castle church in Wittenburg, Germany in January of 1521 Martin Luther spoke these famous words in his defense at the Diet of Worms, “Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason — I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other — my conscience is captive to the word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe."
We need to declare Jesus’ provision and person (3, 7c)
We need to declare Jesus’ provision and person (3, 7c)
Explaining - opening up, to open us by dividing, to open thoroughly what had been closed.
Proving - demonstrating, to place beside or near. To set before
What did Paul set before his hearers?
Step One - Christ (the anointed One) was to suffer and be raised
Step Two - Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, Messiah.
Necessary - Established by the counsel and decree of God, related to the salvation of men by the intervention of Christ and which was disclosed in the Old Testament prophecies. Concerning what Christ was destined do undergo, his sufferings, death, resurrection and ascension.
Massacred Messiah
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Resurrected Redeemer
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
Crowned King
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you is the Christ.”
That he would be born of a woman - Genesis 3:15
That he would be born of a virgin - Isaiah 7:14
That he would be born in Bethlehem - Micah 5:2
That he would be in Egypt for a season - Hosea 11:1
That he would be called a Nazarene - Isaiah 11:1
That he would speak in parables - Isaiah 6:9-10
That he would be rejected by his own - Psalm 69:8
That he would make a triumphal entry into Jerusalem- Zechariah 9:9
That he would be crucified between two criminal - Isaiah 53:12
That he would suffer the piercing of his hands and feet - Ps. 22:16
27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
We need to eagerly expect conversions (4)
We need to eagerly expect conversions (4)
And some of them were persuaded - convinced
a great many devout Greeks and not a few leading women.
9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
Why would God not work through us to save his people, if we are willing to proclaim him and serve him?
We need to have the cost counted (5-9)
We need to have the cost counted (5-9)
How does Paul describe his ministry?
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
The Jews were jealous - to experience strong envy and resentment against someone. They were like dogs in pen.
Taking some wicked men of the rabble
They formed a mob
Set the city in an uproar
Attacked the house of Jason
They dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities.
And when they had taken money as a security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
May it be said of us that we made an impact upon Shreveport-Bossier City. Southern Hills for the sake of Jesus’ name.