A Gospel Fueled Insurrection

Sermon Preparation Worksheet

Name: Passage: 15

instructions: In your small group, you will have 5 minutes to present on each of your passages. For each of your assigned passages, please respond to the questions below and provide 10 copies of this one-page handout (front and back, typed) that will assist your group in offering productive feedback. If you do not understand any of these questions, please visit simeontrust.org/prepare/ to find additional advice.

1. How does the context inform the meaning of this passage? Please consider: a) the literary context (passages before and after the passage), b) the historical context (circumstances of the audience), and c) the biblical context (citations/allusions or historical connections to other books that the author is making).

Literary Context -

Paul’s continuing ministry in Macedonia

Noted last week that Ministry in Macedonia would look very different than in the regions closer to their home base in Antioch. There was a formula Paul usually followed.

There seems to be an escalation in the conflict as Paul pushes deeper in the epicenter of the Roman empire. This will climax as we see Paul’s engagement with the Areopagus in Athens next week.

Conflict moves from mostly internal (Jerusalem Council) to external (Aeropagus)

Juxtaposition between two parties

The jealous Jews and their wicked cohorts

The scripturally eager Bereans.

Historical Context -

Political Identity was very important to Roman citizens the close you got to the heart of the Roman Empire.

Place and importance of a synagogue

The founding of the church at Pentecost was world transforming movement across the Roman Empire. You can find any historical material for this time period that do not note the significant growth of this peculiar Jewish Sect.

The further away the Jewish culture got from its cultural center in Jerusalem, the more culturally integrated they became within the Greek culture.

Probably less Biblically literate…just were passed on cultural religious activity.

Biblical Context -

2. How has the author organized this passage? Please a) show the structure in sections with verse references and b) explain what strategies you used to see this structure.

v.1-4 - Ministry in Thessalonica continues (SETTING)

v.5-9 - The Jews stir up a Riot in opposition to Paul’s Ministry

v. 10-12 - Ministry in Berea

v. 13-15 -Tenacious Agitation of the Jews in Thessalonica

3. Drawing on your work to this point, state the author’s aim for his audience (in one short sentence).

Luke highlights the witness of the Gospel in the face of a truth resistant world.

4. What parts of this passage connect to the gospel of Jesus Christ? What part of the gospel is in view?

The world hates Jesus and His Church. The church will experience the wicked reaction of the world because what they are truly reacting to is the Lordship of Jesus. Jesus said so in , ,

The hope of the church today is not our strength as we endure the hatred of the world. It’s drawing strength through the Lordship that Jesus commands over this world.

- he has rescued [us] from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His Son...

“For everything was created by him in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible , whether thrones or dominions, or rulers or authorities.

- “Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds” [You were just like them!]

- “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publically; he triumphed over them in him.

“ Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up.

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

FATHERLY DISCIPLINE

3 For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

This is our GOSPEL HOPE

5. Drawing on your work to this point, what conclusion will you argue to your audience (in one short sentence)? What applications will you make for your audience?

MAIN CONCLUSION -

The church must press on in our mission in the face of worldly resistance because Christ overcame the hostility of the world through His cross and resurrection.

APPLICATION POINTS -

Believers

Confront -

Hate from the world should not be returned with hate for the world.

Beware of being sucked into a culture of public outrage. TWITTER-RAGE

Comfort

Jesus wins

Unbelievers

Confront

Examine the ground for which you reject the claims of Christianity.

Connect

Are you growing weary of the cultural wars that zig zag us from one extreme to another? May I ask you to consider the Gospel of Jesus!

6. What is your sermon title and your preaching outline?

SERMON TITLE

A Gospel-Fueled Insurrection

PREACHING OUTLINE

Faithful Ministry in Thessalonica [v. 1-4]

A “not so new” Insurrection [v.5-9]

A “new and steady” Insurrection [v.10-15]

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sermon Outline -

Introduction -

Cinematic History is littered with great examples of inspiring uprisings or what you might call “insurrections”

Definition of INSURRECTION - “an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established government”

300 Hundred -

Star Wars

Main Point of Sermon - “The church is strengthened and encouraged BY continuing in our mission to announce the Rule of King Jesus who has acted decisively on his cross and in his resurrection and therefore overthrown the rulers and principalities of this dark world.”

[The Setting]: A Faithful Ministry in Thessalonica [v.1-4]

[The Conflict] A “Not so New” Insurrection [v.5-9]

[The Climax]: A “New and Steady” Insurrection [v.10-15]

Main

[The resolution]: Gospel Courage to Keep Going -

Application Points