Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica

The Holy Spirit Empowers Christ Followers to Proclaim the Gospel

MINISTRY BEGIN IN THESSALONICA

INTRO: Paul, Silas, and Timothy’s ministry in Thessalonica and Berea took place during Paul’s second missionary journey as recorded in Acts 15:36 -18:22, this was in the years around 49-51 AD.

In the city of Thessalonica, Paul experienced a fruitful ministry despite opposition to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul's ministry in Thessalonica was marked by his passionate preaching of the gospel, which he delivered despite facing severe opposition and persecution. He spent a significant amount of time there, nurturing the new believers and encouraging them to grow in their faith, ultimately leading to the establishment of a strong Christian community.

Reception to Gospel Ministry

Acts 17:1–4 NKJV

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.

Reception to Gospel Ministry

Acts 17:1–4 NKJV                                                                                                        Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.

Upon arriving in Thessalopnica, Paul immediately searched out and located the local synagogue and immediately began to minister to the Jews, adlease on three different occasions he was permitted to do this.

Paul reasoned, that is discussed the scriptures with them. He opened up the texts so they understood what they’d been reading all their lives: that the Messiah absolutely had to be put to death, raised from the dead and there were no other options, and that“this Jesus I’m introducing you to is that Messiah.”

Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, the promise of a Messiah is clearly given. These messianic prophecies were made hundreds, sometimes thousands of years before Jesus Christ was born, and clearly Jesus Christ is the only person who has ever walked this earth to fulfill them.

Psalm 22:16 For dogs have surrounded Me;The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.They pierced My hands and My feet.

Isaiah 53, the classic messianic prophecy known as the “Suffering Servant.” prophecy, also details the death of Messiah for the sins of His people.

Paul pointed out that the Messiah must die and rise from the dead, which we all know Jesus did.

Some believed, the majority were Gentiles and some of the chief women of the city. Through this method relying on the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit the church was established.

Opposition to Gospel Ministry

 Acts 17:5 But the Jews who were not persuaded,becoming envious,took some of the evil men from the marketplace,and gathering a mob,set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

Again, while some of the Jewish people were persuaded most were unconvinced. These persons, jealous over the success of the ministry went into the market place to gather “lewed”people,fellows of a based sort.

The Greek word for “lewd fellows of the baser sort” literally means: agoraios (men of the marketplace), implying loafers, idlers, or riffraff hanging around with no good purpose.                           They were available for hire, ready to do dirty work.

They wanted to stir up the crowd

They assaulted Jason house (church)

They sought to bring them out to the people

And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. Acts 17:8

News of Pauls fruitful ministry among the Bereans reached Thessalonica and those who had opposed the Gospel went to Berea to stir up the people.

Powerful and Affirming Ministry

1 Thessalonians 1:1–5 NKJV

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

Certainty of the Thessalonians Faith

Perhaps no longer than a year after his visit to Thessalonica, Paul wrote his first letter to the Christians there.It was from Corinth that Paul had time to reflect the ministy in Thessalonica.

Paul gave thanksgiving to God for the Thessalonians church.

l Paul expressed thanks for their work of faith

l Their labor of love

l For their patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ

All three of these were evidence that the Thessalonian Christains had turned from paganism to the living God.

Paul encouraged the church:

1. “For our gospel did not come to you in word only…”

Paul says the Gospel was not just words—not a mere intellectual or philosophical message.

The Gospel is more than doctrine or a persuasive speech; it carries divine life and power.

Paul is rejecting the idea of preaching that is empty or powerless (2 Timothy 3:5 – “having a form of godliness but denying its power”).

…but also in power…”

The “power” (Gk: dynamis) refers to the transforming force of God at work.

This power was evident in:

Conviction of sin in the hearts of listeners (John 16:8).

Miraculous signs (sometimes accompanying apostolic preaching in the early church).

The supernatural transformation of lives in Thessalonica.

Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…”

…and in the Holy Spirit…”

The Holy Spirit is the One who empowers the message and makes it effective.

Without Him, preaching is just noise; with Him, it’s life-giving and soul-piercing.

The Spirit:

Opens hearts to believe (Acts 16:14 – Lydia’s heart was opened by the Lord).

Applies the work of Christ to sinners.

Convicts, comforts, and regenerates.

…and in much assurance…”

This phrase has a double meaning:

Paul’s bold confidence in preaching the Gospel, knowing it was true and Spirit-empowered.

The Thessalonians’ assurance as they received the Gospel with faith and certainty.

There was no doubt about the reality of what God was doing among them.

…as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.”

Paul appeals to their personal witness of his ministry.

The Gospel wasn’t only declared—it was demonstrated in the character and conduct of the apostles.

Their holy lives and sacrificial service validated the message they preached. 2 Corinthians 1:12 – “For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity…”

Key Takeaways

The Gospel is not powerless.

True Gospel preaching carries Spirit-filled power that changes lives.

The Holy Spirit is essential.

You cannot separate the message of the Gospel from the work of the Spirit.

The preacher must rely on the Spirit, and the hearer is dependent on the Spirit to understand and believe.

The messenger’s life matters.

The effectiveness of the Gospel is often confirmed by the integrity, love, and humility of those who proclaim it.

The Thessalonians Faithful Example

1 Thessalonians 1:6–10 NKJV

And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

First the church in Thessalonica evidenced trust in Christ by faithfully enduring persecution for their faith with Spirit enabled joy.

Their Spirit enabled joy allowed them to be examples to all believers

They expressed their joy by spreading the gospel

They expressed by sharing their own testimony

The Good News was that those who had believed receive Paul and the gospel gladly.

They had ceased to be idol worshipers and became exclusive servants of the one and only living God. Finally, they looked forward to and anticipated Christ’s return.

 God Pleasing Ministry

God Empowering and God Honoring Ministry

1 Thessalonians 2:1–7 NKJV

For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

Here, Paul addressed how God helped and empowered them as ministers of the gospel to proclaim God’s Word faithfully even in the face of great opposition

Paul and Silas had been jailed in Philippi

God empowered them to continue as ministers of the Gospel, even when they prisoners

they were miraculously released, rather than shrink back from preaching the Gospel for fear of persecution, they were empowered by God to continue preaching with boldness

Godly Affection for God’s Children

1 Thessalonians 2:8–12 NKJV

So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Summary

Paul reminds the Thessalonians how deeply he and his companions loved them, not only sharing the Gospel but also their own lives because of their affection for them. They worked hard, day and night, to avoid being a financial burden while preaching God’s message. Paul appeals to their memory of how he and his team lived with integrity, devotion, and blamelessness among them. Like a loving father, Paul exhorted, encouraged, and urged them to live lives worthy of God, who has called them into His kingdom and glory.

Key Points / Themes

Love in Ministry (v.8) – Paul’s ministry wasn’t cold or transactional; he shared his very life out of deep affection.

Hard Work and Sacrifice (v.9) – The apostles labored tirelessly to support themselves and avoid being a burden.

Godly Example (v.10) – They lived devout, just, and blameless lives before the Thessalonians.

Spiritual Fatherhood (v.11–12) – Paul exhorted and encouraged them like a father guiding his children to live for God’s glory.