Foundation of Paul's Ministry and Message (062324)

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Scripture Reading: Acts 17:1-9.

Message: The Foundation of Paul’s Ministry & Message

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

We last saw Paul and his team as they headed out of Philippi.

Acts 16:40 KJV 1900

And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

This morning we come to Acts chapter 17.

In this chapter, we see Paul’s ministry in three different cities:

Thessalonica (vv 1-9)

Berea (vv 10-14)

Athens (vv 15-34)

This morning, we will just look at Paul’s ministry in…

Thessalonica

When Paul arrived in Thessalonica, he found the Jewish synagogue and, and four three weeks, began to preach the Gospel message.

Vs. 4 tells us that some believed.

Vs. 5 tells us that the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, stirred the entire city up against Paul and his ministry team.

Vs. 5 says that these unbelieving Jews were moved with envy.

While most take that phrase to mean that these unbelieving Jews were jealous of Paul’s success, I believe that it goes much farther than that.

The Greek word for envy also carries with it the meaning of being deeply committed to something or having deep concern for something.

These unbelieving Jews were deeply committed to and were deeply concerned for Judaism and the Law so much so that they were unwilling to accept that Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of the Law.

We see that in Paul’s own testimony before salvation:

Philippians 3:6 KJV 1900

Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Dr. John R. Rice wrote:

“…the Jews who did not turn to Christ, Jews who had a rabid adherence to the outward forms of Judaism but had never turned in heart to God for saving mercy, these Jews would be the most radical opponents of the Gospel everywhere Paul went.”

These unbelieving Jews - who opposed the message of the Gospel - were deeply committed to their cause!

Think of those who oppose Bible truth today:

The evolutionist

The atheist

The agnostic

The abortionist

The climate changer believer

The LGBTQ+ crowd

For the most part these individuals are deeply committed to and have a deep concern for their beliefs and the causes which they champion.

Are we as deeply committed to Bible truth? Are we as deeply concerned for Bible truth?

I think sometimes the zeal which these groups demonstrate put us - as Bible-believing Christians - to shame.

In the following verses, these unbelieving Jews, having set the entire city on an uproar, sought for Paul but, not finding him, instead took Jason and brought him and other certain brethren before the rulers of the city.

I would assume that Jason and these certain brethren were new-born babes in Christ; Paul had only been in Thessalonica for about a month.

Can you imagine how this persecution/pressure tested these young Christians? And yet, it doesn’t seem that they gave in to that persecution/pressure.

What about us? What amount of persecution/pressure does Satan need to bring against us to cause us to stop; to give up?

Ephesians 6:10–14 KJV 1900

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Like never before, we must put on the whole armour of God; we must have our loins girt about with truth - God’s truth!

Those groups - which I’ve already mentioned - who oppose the truth of God’s Word, have consistently accused us - Bible-believing Christians - of turning the world upside down when in fact it is their rejection of the truth which has turned the world upside down.

Who was it, in vs. 5, that set all the city on an uproar?

Who was it, in vs. 8, that troubled the people and the rulers of the city?

It certainly wasn’t Paul! Paul was seeking to turn the world right side up!

For us, while we are going to be accused of the same, must never yield in our proclamation of the Word of God!

Regardless, Vs. 9 tells us that Jason gave the city leaders some type of guarantee that Paul and his team were not trouble makers.

Then, in vs. 10, the believers in Thessalonica immediately sent Paul and Silas away. They headed for Berea.

As we stop here, I want you to consider this truth…

The Foundation of Paul’s Entire Ministry Was God’s Word.

Vs. 2 states that Paul reasoned with them out of the scriptures.

Reasoned: dialogue; conversed; discussed

1 Thessalonians 2:1–4 KJV 1900

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

What is the Gospel?

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 KJV 1900

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Acts 17:3 states:

Acts 17:3 KJV 1900

Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

Paul took the Old Testament Scriptures, which his listeners would have been well familiar with and set before them the truth that the crucified, risen Jesus was indeed the Messiah that they had been waiting for!

This is the pattern that we see throughout the book of Acts.

Acts 8:35 KJV 1900

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

Acts 18:28 KJV 1900

For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Acts 28:23 KJV 1900

And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

The results? Some believed. (vs. 4)

Isaiah 55:11 KJV 1900

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: It shall not return unto me void, But it shall accomplish that which I please, And it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

God’s Word is effective; it is powerful. We must simply be faithful to proclaim it.

Oliver B. Greene wrote:

“…whether [the Gospel] be preached by the Apostle Paul or by ministers called and ordained of God today, when the Word if faithfully preached SOME will be saved though not all will believe.”

Paul would later charge young Timothy with these words:

2 Timothy 4:2 KJV 1900

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

The Word of God - and only the Word of God - must be the foundation of the ministry of South Charlotte Baptist Church.

This week, during Neighborhood Bible Time, it is our desire to proclaim the message of God’s Word to the children who attend.

NBT teachers, be sure that you make God’s Word the foundation of your teaching.

NBT counsellors, be sure that you make God’s Word the foundation of your counseling to the children.

The Word of God - and only the Word of God - must be the foundation for our personal lives; our marriages; our families as well.

Matthew 7:24–27 KJV 1900

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

The foundation of our ministries - both collectively and personally - must only be and continue to be, God’s Word!