Share Jesus with Those Who Know Scripture & Those Who Don't (Part 1)
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deliberate strategy? Seems like it. Ejected in Philippi - preaching in Jewish gathering place, beelines it to next synagogue, 100 miles past Amphipolis and Apolonia, by 24’ wide Via Egnatia - to port city, eventual capital of all four districts of Macedonia. And really Greece and Illyricium as well, TradeonAegean Sea . 2nd most populus city in Macedonia, with Ephesus and Corinth. Mjor cetnre! When civil war with Brutus and Cassius, defeated at Philippi - made a military colony, But Thessalonica not a Roman colony, but a free city - self governed(liker PIsidian Anitoch, Tarsus, Athens) - now have not just asembly of people, demus, city authoities/ politarchs!
And blessing as Roman citizen, one governing authority, one common language (greek) even though offcial language was Latin). Hits major Roman admin and influence centres, not just big population, but visitors like Lydia present… Hits major centres from where gospel rebound = intro in letter … thinko of family echoes, work echoes…
For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
A) Build a Relationship with Unbelievers in their Place
Raised past two other centres, didn’t have a synagogue. Stay basically one month, 3 Sabbath days. And what else was he doing? From Corinth wrote first epistles back, eager to return and says of his visit:
For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
Now remember Paul is going to hold his own in Athens, scholar, rabbi, remember manual labour among Greeks is work fit only for slaves. Paul like Rabbi’s dignity in trade, work like Adam, and in missionary context not a burden.
But where stays - Jason, Hellenized name for Jews… possbily ran a small hotel, inn (paid his own way) either way - Jason with Paul’s reputation big risk = Paul vulnerable to start new relatinoship - possibly came to bleieve gospel as shared in daily life … ordinary course of providence.. whether in syndagogue ior in home… Call these first places - work, where you live!
Actual church didn’t exist here yet, second place organization. But we can learn seomehting hear, he goes to where people gather. Cultural analyst says those places for hanging out - parks, coffee shops weere regularsgather disappearing - growthem. Barber shop, regular walking route, stop speak!
Didn’t skeop by this, because work of evangelism also means neighbouring well, friendship evangelism, context ut of which opprutnitiesoften arise. And this is no lone-ranger affair - Paul travels with company - two better one, four better, And in this month - not only some Jews, many god-feearers that believed, but we actually know the names of Aristarchus, Secondus .. these are converts that paul so shared ministering wwith - that they came with him, end of life -from Theslonica… Do well to ask are there people here I’m partnersing. if neighbour, or new memeber of our family - to come - whom woudl I spend time with with them - so Word of God echo… Thisis the context, but now we must turn to strategiy. Even though turend to Gentiles in Antioch when Jews don’there, still freedom to start with and go into assembly of his people Jewish synagogue .
B. With Unbelievers Who Know Scripture, Present the Gospel with Scripture
Where did he start? Where should you and I - in Athens … starts with their experience of God, not Scripture. Increasingly discernment in our culture, but with bor/sister who grew up knowing… But here as I think we shoud too - with people who know Scripture - begins with Scripture. They recognize something of God religion, but in their system missing, lacking, lost, . Palestinian homes taught sacred writigting from age 5. Why sole ground of authority for all matters of faith and practice: Comparable only to incarnation - both human and divine! ; ;
Listen carefully, in Athens, will teach truth of God’s Word, but cites extant literature and human experience to corroborate the truth of God’s Word in minds of pagan listeners … who don’t possess OT Scriptures. God’s Word in X’s death and resurreciton = b But for people who do … look at four quick words in vv.2-4
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Either way bibiclial goodnews saves! But when like these peope background in Scripture look how Paul does it:
Reasoned: (dialegomai) presented arguments (from Scripture) - not dailogue ask q/ arrive at compromise based on feelings and tastes of day. But consider worldviews and weigh them against what Scripture actually says! Common sense - in affairs of daily life - we speak on the basis of human reason alone, but in the affiars of God - doctrines of faith - God’s Word must lead our reasoning. John Calvin commentates that just about everyone agrees God ought to have the authority - but few hear Him speak in the Scriptures. That’s wwhat he does disputing diaologuing, reasoning from the Scirptures!
But Next he explained: (dianoigo)literally to open up ie. b
They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
One to One Bible Reading, bible survey, actually open it up, book of the Bible . Even in one time encounter, Bible reading at table read Isaiah , Read resurrection account, 1 cor 15. Van Prinster -Napolean, ENlightenment -god’s Word shoved out, closed - end up with democracy which is good but one without principles - end up with totalitiariansim. We need a faith and a witness groudned in the Wordof the LORD!
But then look at next word maybe a little more intimidating for us, but something we’re to learn, especially if you have teaching function, as paretnt, SS Teacher, Apologetics = PROVED, “paratithemi” - this means to carefully answer questions. Anticipate and respond to objections! Put togher it is a an poeing of the mind and understanding to the truth. Literally to stand up - prophechies and predictions, put right berside fulfillment of Christ - dying and him rising
And finally he proclaimed - pass official announcements down to others = one of 3 words for preaching… When it comes to the message about Jesus no tmie for complacency and indiffernce, eternal destiny on line, and only few encounters… not all at once but urgency.
Put togher it is a an poeing of the mind and understanding to the truth. And finally he proclaimed - pass official announcements down to others = one of 3 words for preaching… When it comes to the message about Jesus no tmie for complacency and indiffernce, eternal destiny on line, and only few encounters… not all at once but urgency.
C. Make the Content of your Discussion CHRIST!
But most important of all is what he reasoned, explained,/opened up, proved, and proclaimed! Not lifestyle, not philosophy, not history, culture, politics, not new or old idea - If you had spent a month holiday and visited synagogue -you couldn’t fail to appreciate what Paul was presenting - Person, Living Person - Jesus! about him - birth, life, and death on Cross, what he had done, and what he is accomplishing now because of it. .
But most importnatn of all is what he reasoned, explained,/opened up, proved, and proclaimed! Not lifestyle, not philosophy, not histoory, culture, politics, not new or old idea - If you had spent a month holiday and visited synaggoue -you couldn’t fail to appreciate what Paul was presenting - Person, Living Person - Jesus! about him - birth, life, and death on Cross, what he had done, and what he is accopmlishing now because of it. .
For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
It would bhave been incredibly interesting to have Paul Gamiel’s Pharisee student, moralize on pressing social issues of there, day, fascinating to speculate about end time prophecy comparing it with Roman and Barabarian activity in Newspaper, BUT not heart of mnistry. If lost people are going to be converted to life with Christ… including you and me - knowing CHRIST!
For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
People need to constantly hear of Christ and his claims upon every areas of Life! This was Paul’s goal, and it must be the goal of the church today!
Do we here, do we in our homes - do our kids - pick up message isn’t about us, our rules, our religion, its about Jesus. Aside: want ads - church profile - list of qualities -innovative leader, team builder, creat minstiry team… dynamic, catalytic relelevant . Pauls’ day Wanted: a love of Jesus Christ; Able to provide a reasonable apologetic and refure error; Prepared to go anywhere for the gosepl, Suffer any trial and pain, Even to be beatn and imprisoned; Ready to die for Jesus at a moment’s notice? Why Apostle of Heart Set Free…
And here was must learn from both Jesus and Paul. Remember on the road to Emmaus - two disciples Cleopas and companion - faces drawn and “looking sad”. Why of course knew about Messiah, kingdom, great teaching, believed in miracles… BELIEVE what? spirituality isn’t saving - Listen to Jesus risen from the dead, his passion in talking with those who know the Scriptures:
And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Not just the facts of X’s death and resurrection. But the OT teaches it was necessary for the Messiah - the Cross, the Resurrection - no new life, no kingdom of God, - no acceptance, no chidlren of God without it - Imagine ;
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. 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.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
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. 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.
This isn’t a complex but simple truth, yet so personal- no release from guilt, no pardon from punishment of sins against God and each other - without sacrificial lamb - testimony that was Christ . People, including you and me, have cognitive dissonance; make up a fantasy land of make-believe that corresponds to our inner longings! We do that with our with our sins - don’t want to come to terms with our own - ie. Coach after terrible game, interviewer what happened, -often bad refereeing.. Smoking Kills - Person had terrible abuse block it out - paint picture of idealic childhood memories… Real death for real sins, real release possible! We were the reason he suffered and died!
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Cor 5:21
But not just Jesus death for our sin, but His resurrection imagine
Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.
imagine
But not just Jesus death for our sin, but His resurrection imagine
“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.
“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.
Necessary says Daniel after holy one cut off, rise and his atoning for iniquity, would bring in everlasting righteousness, new life, new kingdom.
It will be no different next week when we look at how to share Jesus with someone who has no background in Scriptures - Consider death, consider judgement Day, Now look at this Jesus - God has raised him form the dead, resurrection - necessary to give assurance - you can face death, everlasting righteousness, new life has a new beginning… Q. Do people realize this about your trust in Jesus - alive today, reigning, beyond PM you have a king! Presently in this world though falling apart, you have hidden resources, supply line behind enemies lines… Believe got a different strategy - so many living as if world’s going to wear out, so live it up all there is, do they see, Jesus world, , got long term plans for it, mission, redeeming it; why not to hell in a hand basket! Coming again.
It will be no different next week when we look at how to share Jesus with someone who has no background in Scriptures - Consider death, consider judgement Day, Now look at this Jesus - God has raised him form the dead, resurrection - necessary to give assurance - you can face death, everlasting righteouness, new life has a new beggingin… Q. Do people realize this about your trust in Jesus - alive today, reigning, beyond PM you have a king! Presently in this world though falling apart, you have hidden resources, supply line behind enemmies lines… Believe got a different strategy - so many living as if world’s going to wer out, so live it up all there is, do they see, Jesus world, , got long term plans for it, mission, redeeming it; why not to hell in a hand basket! COmoing agqain.
It will be no different next week when we look at how to share Jesus with someone who has no background in Scriptures - Consider death, consider judgement Day, Now look at this Jesus - God has raised him form the dead, resurrection - necessary to give assurance - you can face death, everlasting righteouness, new life has a new beggingin… Q. Do people realize this about your trust in Jesus - alive today, reigning, beyond PM you have a king! Presently in this world though falling apart, you have hidden resources, supply line behind enemmies lines… Believe got a different strategy - so many living as if world’s going to wer out, so live it up all there is, do they see, Jesus world, , got long term plans for it, mission, redeeming it; why not to hell in a hand basket! COmoing agqain.
It will be no different next week when we look at how to share Jesus with someone who has no background in Scriptures - Consider death, consider judgement Day, Now look at this Jesus - God has raised him form the dead, resurrection - necessary to give assurance - you can face death, everlasting righteouness, new life has a new beggingin… Q. Do people realize this about your trust in Jesus - alive today, reigning, beyond PM you have a king! Presently in this world though falling apart, you have hidden resources, supply line behind enemmies lines… Believe got a different strategy - so many living as if world’s going to wer out, so live it up all there is, do they see, Jesus world, , got long term plans for it, mission, redeeming it; why not to hell in a hand basket! COmoing agqain.
But now you put the necessity of this Jesus dying and rising together, and Paul’s argument is simple - not only necessary - this is the very Son of God and him doing all of this in hisotyr, for you and me, him rising so that now today - universe different place, because sits on a thorne as our mediator, hears our prayers, pleads our dlieverance, bringing kigdom amid kingdoms f this world, building a church all thse forces of hell can’t stop! What is the conclusion we must bring people to in speaking not of just rleiigino, ethics, phioophy - speak ofJesus whY? Look at
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.”
Now Jews could get that, Pual willhave to unpack it differently forthoe with n o Scripture background, but conclusion both need pressed on them - Saviour, Lord, King and Friend - that like Peter stoopinginto the tomb, conversion of sorts - OH I ge tit who this Jesus is - THis Jesus… is the Christ! Anointed One for Jews undertand PSalm 2 kiss the king, , , For Gentiles - get it God’s special agent sent to us in this world! This is the sum of the faith - no hope unless you’re reconciled by the sacrfice of Christ! , and having him as Saviour get way more in also having HIm as your living Kingo f righteouenss. Beleive in that resurrection and you will have the life of the world!
Application : more noble - not in birth , but inward spiritual character = examined the Scritpures daily
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.
Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.
For themselves, some time since only a few LXX< … eagerness frame of our minds to receive sermon, teaching Collect of Thomas Cranmer 16th century “Blessed Lord, who has caused all holy Scripture to be written for our learning, grant us that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou has given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
= Eagerly received, diligently examined! Receive, researched, and responded! Expectancy …ie at packed sports event… ; Remember first times reading |bible myself, not teachers who tyrannicaly indoctrinate, but consider and throughtfully respond!
Right and responsibility of each individual not interp anyway but to read receive seek together!> Here many believe =llok for how we are to rewsond each time
Don’t underestimate how important. Just about skipped over this text, nothing here for us.. let’s skip to juicy Athens part - real exciting ministry there. Interesting don’t read of Athens church later. But Thesalnica. Quiet small reveial took place - grou or several dozen, plavce trust in Jesus as their and the world’s Messiah - What happend … Look who is from Thess alnica and what they do … Partnership here too!
D. Expect Some Opposition and Respond to It
C.
Certianly a theme starting to notice. Each time could say, count the cost, look at comittment. Like Paul and Barnabass told the belivers after the first missionary as they returned to Antioch:
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
But tehre is more going on here. v.5 Jealousy of Jews… “rent a mob” . They try to find Paul and Silas to bring them out to the CROWD, Demas, Peoples Assembly! But not there, so take there landlord, or host, to politarchs/magistrates 5 of them in Thessalonica. These men: turn world upsdie down = the way they use it like Egyptian rebellion. .. Interesting to note how Paul said after being shameflly treaeted in Philippi, then attaced with mob violven ince in Thesslanoica - how he resonded:
But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
No retalitiation. Mob violence is unpredictable explosive, confrontational - fiery personality like Paul - could have flown off handle, stand up on priciple, but just like pHilippi returns to Lydia and hurch - didn’t flee, or fight but establshed there safttey … So too here -Jason and brothers don’t freak out, don’t legally fight back - well being of the church, magistrates not lost there minds - just post bond that these gospel people behave and Jason gldaly does it!
But examine the charge :
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,
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, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”
A) v.6 Turnt he world upsdie down? True? In one sense NO. Christ reconciles brings together. The devils work is to divide and work chaos. THe gospel keeps usin peace. Paul - like in Philippi works to establish this the gospel is good for Rome! We need courage to stand up to the slander of the enemeis of the gospel to the watching world. Dawkin - Why Religion is Bad and is Destorying this World. - individuals pressing rights, divide conflict… Paul calls the king, ceasar God’s minister - when properly functioning - obeyed in civil matters, No not upseting status quo.
Gospel will have very relevant things to say to us about the conduct of politics and formulation of social policy. Lordship of Jesus down to earth ethical impliaction for civil governemnt and our social relations.. But the gospel isn’t a political credo per se. Paul didn’t say, Hey dont vote for Caeasar don’t obey him, Vote for Jesus , Don’t obey Casear but Christ. That wasn’t the choivce.
Don’t you remember the Pharisees and the Herodians trying to trap Jesus like that: Jesus conclusion?
Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.
These Jews knew spiritual movement, but used Paul’s use of the term Kingdom of God and of Chirst’s REutrn - Parousia, an oofficial term for a king visiting, to be revolutionary political terms: Egyptian terrorist who stirred a revolt by leading 4000 assassins out into the wilderness . It was jealous enemies of the gospel who charged Paul and Silas of the same thing!
But so right in another way: ie. When British Amry surrender in Yorktown, effectively ending the AMerican War of Indepenednce - The Biritish army marched away to the tune of “The world turned upside down” … Impact of the X ding, rising, and pouring out the Holy Spirit, world never the same again! Heart ans minds of men and mwone and hchildren changed in most fundamental way.
OUR WORLD IS DOWNSIDE UP - and wihtout plitical reovlution, the job of a Christiqan is to graps how the gospel does turn the world right side up, transformation the gospel way - not just a private faith , or just one option in spluralisit spectrum . Clear clashes on Christian principles on issues like abortion, work
Risk this charge, because the gospe is how God turns the world around, and we’lll never preach it if we fear the consequenes! To preach new way is to risk sideways glances, checkle, and even scron. Present suffering is worth it, for glory of those who are reconciled to God through Christ.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Thoams Manton: Christian courage is willingess to suffer great things out of “faith and submission to God’s will..” Requires i. a heart weaned from the world (), ii. a heart entirely devoted to God (, heart purged from sin (or else our seal in not uniform, besides our lusts will weakne our courage… iv. a heart that lies under a deep sense of eternity and the things to come = not looking backward buy fowrad. Eeys on the goal, wherever the Lord has placed us!
But the second part of the charge is taht they b) acted contrarty to decree (dogmaton) of the emperor by saying another King named Jesus - true that some emperorors took divinity seriously - acting aagainst = SEDITION = carried death penalty. Claudius actually passed a law no prediction sof fu\ture kings. - but no ; perhaps seizing on Paul’s teaching on Second Coming figured greatly … But not overthrow of civil authority, ready to winsomely press claims of Christ as King , different king, work for good of cities we live in… see the peace…
How do we do that in our city… citizens for good, with allegiance to our government and the goverment higher at the same time. Expect natural that there will be opposition but press on .. .On they go to another big centre Berea - like a paradise away from conflict, but then on to Athens! It is hard work - to keep missions going, Paul will be 60 years old when he goes on his third missionary journey. hard for us not to grtow tired of seeking partnerships and then not only funding them but praying gfor their missions, Hard for you and me to seek opportunities to speak for Christ. But these stories of not just a few jews and a whole bunch of Gentile godfearers turnignto Christ, but personal friends of Paul ought to encourage us - Christ is building his church - will use our witness, our supoprt of missionary project, use our meeting in palces - . Satan will never cease to weary us in the take, either open war, secret lying in waits, domestic strife father of lies… But Christ says I will buildmy church, and gates of hell shall not prevail against it!
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Paul beelined 100 miles maybe even without stopping to Thessalonica, then underthe cover of night, praobably legal ban with bond, so as not to bring more social uprising, another 50 miles southwest to Berea, different district, and now door shut there too. Press on this time probably by sea. 300km, Athens.