Paul and Silas in Thessalonica

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica

How the gospel came to Thessalonica

Before the Lord ascended to heaven, He revealed this plan to the apostles and church:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth ()

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

C. So the book of Acts was written to tell the story of how the gospel eventually reached not only to Thessalonica but also to the whole world.

1. First, Peter and the apostles preached to the Jews in Jerusalem (Chs. 1-6:7)

2. Then, Stephen and Philip took the gospel to Judea and Samaria (Chs. 6:8-8:40)

3. Finally, Paul took it to the uttermost part of the world (Chs. 9-28)

D. Our passage could be divided into three headings

I. GOD’S WILL REVEALED (v. 1; see 16:6-10)

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews (Acts 17:1)

A. The Close Doors : Asia and Bithynia

1. Before Paul reached Thessalonica, he was twice forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach in Asia:

“having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia” (16:6)

2. Not allowed to enter Bithynia

“And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.” (16:7)

B. The Open Doors: Europe -Macedonia

And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them (, ).

1. They first went over to Philippi

2. And travelled through Amphipolis and Apollonia

3. Finally arriving at Thessalonica (v. 1a).

II. GOD’S WILL OBEYED (v. 2, 3).

A. The Method

1. In Asia Minor

This was the strategy he adopted: he would go to the Jews first and when the Jews rejected the gospel, he would turn to the Gentiles (see )

And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.

2. In Europe

When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.

And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." (, )

B. The Manner (v. 2, 3)

1. The Authority of the Message - He reasoned with them from the Scriptures (v. 2b), i. e., the Old Testament.

2. The Delivery of the Message (v. 2, 3).

He reasoned

He expounded

He presented proofs

2). Paul presented the prophecies regarding the Messiah’s death and resurrection as being fulfilled by Jesus Christ.

He proclaimed (v. 3b)

C. The Message (vs. 3)

He preached: Christ’s death and Resurrection

a. His Death

b. His Resurrection

He preached: Jesus promised Messiah

b. He is God-incarnate = Jesus

c. He is the Coming King (v. 7)

“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (, )

and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (, )

III. GOD’S WILL PREVAILED (vs. 4- 9)

A. The Establishment of the Church (vs. 4)

Their Identity

b. Many God-fearing Greeks

Their Response

c. Many prominent women

2. Their Response

a. They were persuaded

b. They joined Paul and Silas: sided with them

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 (Acts 17:4)

B. In spite of Hostile Opposition (vs. 5-9)

Their Attitude

Their Actions

2. Their Actions

b. They caused uproar in the city

Their Accusations

c. They attacked Jason and his people

d. They dragged Jason and some believers to the city officials

3. Their Accusations

1). These people were trouble makers

2). These people were number one public enemies of peace.

3). These people spread a message to topple Caesar.

b. Jason had to post bail for his foreign guests.

CONCLUSION

Our passage shows that:

A. God is fully in charge of directing His messengers in the progress of the kingdom message: Sovereignty

1. In the same way. God is fully in charge of directing the work of Filadelfia.

2. The question is : Are you working with your church to fulfill God’s will? Are you willing to do His will? Are you obedient to God?

a. Where He wants you to go?

b. What He wants you to do?

B. God’s plan includes the whole world: from Jerusalem Jews to Roman Gentiles

1. God’s heart is very big. He not only blessed the Jews, He also wants to bless the whole world.

2. That’s why He sent Paul to Europe and to Rome so that the whole world can hear the gospel.

3. God has you and your country in mind.

a. Have you accepted His Son Jesus Christ as your Savior?

b. And If you have, are you sharing Jesus with those around you?

C. God will established His Church to be His witness everywhere.

1. We see that God planted His church in Thessalonica through Paul in a very short time and under difficult circumstances.

2. Paul had to leave the city yet the church still survives. You will find the proofs in Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians.

3. This church from start to finish is the work of the Lord. Jesus Christ will build His Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it ().

4. This is also true of Filadelfia BP Church. God is at work in all of us.

a. Will you let Him do His work in your hearts?

b. Will you stand firm and hold to what you were taught?

c. Will you shine as lights for Christ in your home, school, work place and anywhere you may go?