Rejected by Some, Accepted by Others (Acts 17:1-15)

A. Sermon Text

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 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.” 4 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. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 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, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

Paul and Silas in Berea

10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 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. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. 13 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. 14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.

B. Opening Remarks

Welcome..General Remarks About Service

Reminder of Communion

Etc.

C. Review of Previous Sermon

The Disruptive Nature of the Gospel (Acts 16:16-40)

D. Preview of the Morning’s Sermon

Rejected by Some, Accepted by Others

The Gospel of Jesus Continues to Disrupt Producing the Fruit of Salvation...

Things We’ll Touch Upon

The Person/Work of Jesus

The Offensive Nature of the Gospel

The Importance/Significance of the Scriptures

Glorious Reach of Salvation

E. Reading of the Scriptures

Acts 17:1-15

F. Prayer of Illumination

G. Message

Opening Illustration

Ministry: How to Carry On Despite the Trying Nature of Service

Knowing One’s Calling

Knowing the One Who Calls

Fruit In the Midst of Hardship

Paul/Silas

Knew Calling

Knew Jesus

Witnessed the Fruit in the Midst of Hardship

Context/Explanation of the Text

The Good News of Jesus Spreading to the Ends of the Earth

From “Significant” Cities/Locales to “Lesser Known” Areas (From Jerusalem, Antioch, Philippi, Thessalonica to Berea)

Yet All Areas Important Enough for God to send forth such News

John 3:16

Explanation of Text

Paul/Silas and Team In Thessalonica Preaching, experiences fruit by ran out of City by Opposition…Goes to Berea and Experiences more fruit…Jews from Thessalonica hear about it, show up and chase Paul out of Berea...

Significant Elements of the Text

The Person/Work of Jesus

The Center and Source of the Good News

Many Blessings from the Gospel (Grace, Mercy, New Life, etc.)

All Such Blessings Flowing from the Person/Work of Christ

The Offensive Nature of the Gospel (Rejected by Some)

To Unbelieving Jews = Jesus as Messiah/Christ

To Romans = Jesus as King

To Greeks = Jesus as Wisdom

The Importance/Significance of the Scriptures

Paul/Silas in Thessalonica Reasoning from the Hebrew Scriptures (Greek Septuagint) in the Synagogue

Bereans Searching the Scriptures to see if what Paul/Silas were saying is Correct

The Glorious Reach of Salvation

In Thessalonica = Some Jews, Devout Greeks, not a Few Leading Women vs. 4

In Berea = Many Jews, Not a Few Greek Women of High Standing, and Greek Men

Lessons/Applications from the Word

Christ to You?

Proclaiming the Offensive/“Distasteful” Side of the Good News...

The Scriptures and You?

When Christ Calls/Saves the Unlikely (Accepted by Others)

Conclusion

Story…Leading to Communion

H. Closing Prayer

I. Communion

Explanation of the Table…Call to Reflection…Prayer…Words of Institution....Partaking…Prayer…Doxology

J. Benediction

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ...The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.