This morning we are going to go back in time to about the year 50 AD. This is about 20 years after Christ returned to heaven. We are going to travel with Paul and Silas on their second missionary trip. Turn with me to Acts 15:40. They travelled from Antioch of Syria through Cilicia confirming the churches (Ac 15:41). Then they stopped at Derbe and Lystra where Timothy joined them (Ac 16:1-3). They continued through Phrygia and Galatia edifying the churches Paul started on his first trip. When they came to Troas, God directed them to go to Macedonia. They preached Philippi, started a church, and spent time in prison for preaching. Travelling on foot for another 160 km, they preached at Amphipolis, and Apollonia, and then came to Thessalonica (Ac 17:1-10). This will be our destination for the next several weeks.

Thessalonica was a large city that was named after Thessalonica the sister of Alexander the Great. It was a busy port and located on one of the roads to Rome. Since many Jews lived in the city, they were able to have their own synagogue (a Jewish house of worship).Today the city is called Thessaloniki. D. Edmond Hiebert tells us that Thessalonica “is one of the few important New Testament centers that have maintained an unbroken continuity from the first century to the present.” The Thessalonian Epistles, p. 13

Transition

This morning, note with me three evidences of the Power of the Gospel in Thessalonica that ought to be true in your life as well.

The Gospel Saved Souls in Thessalonica

  1. Paul preached the gospel (Ac 16:1-3)
    1. He began preaching in the Thessalonian synagogue on the Sabbath (Saturday). We are told that this was his manner. This does not mean that Paul followed the Sabbath. It simply means that when a synagogue was present, he began there among the religious Jews. The synagogue was the best place to begin. Remember in Philippi he began near the river where Jews gathered to pray because they had no synagogue (Ac 16:13).
    2. For three Sabbaths he reasoned with them out of the scriptures. This reasoning involved presenting a fact of the gospel and then proving it with scripture. It included answering arguments against his preaching with scripture.
    3. In verse 3 we read that he was opening and alleging facts about the gospel (good news). The word “opening” describes either opening up the scrolls to an Old Testament verse or opening their minds to an Old Testament verse. (Psalm 119:130) “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” The word “alleging” speaks of setting something beside or near. In other words, he placed an Old Testament prophecy next to a fact of Christ’s gospel to prove the fulfilment. Here are the facts he presented:
      1. Christ must needs have suffered – it was necessary!
      2. Christ rose again from the dead – to give eternal life.
      3. Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) – the God/Man
    4. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Paul explained the gospel this way. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
      ☆ The world needs to hear the gospel message. There is convicting and saving power in the gospel. We must include these facts when we tell others about Christ. Paul said in (Romans 1:16) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
  2. Some believed and joined Paul and Silas (Ac 16:4)
    1. When the gospel is preached there are three possible responses.
      1. Some will believe, others will reject, yet others will think about it.
      2. We see this again when Paul preached in Athens. (Acts 17:32-34) “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.”
    2. There at Thessalonica some of the Jews believed and consorted (joined) with Paul and Silas. Many of the God-fearing Greeks believed, as well as many of the chief (upper class) women.
    3. We do not know exactly how long Paul and Silas preached in Thessalonica. We know they preached for three weeks in the synagogue, but he may have preached several months to the Gentiles before trouble started. Paul was there long enough to find work and support himself (1Th 2:9). Another evidence of a longer stay is Paul’s comment that he twice received gifts from Philippi while he was at Thessalonica. (Philippians 4:16) “For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.”
      ☆ Consider the gospel! How have you responded to the gospel? Have you repented of your sinful lifestyle and believed on Christ who alone can save your soul from hell?

The Gospel Gave Courage to New Believers

  1. Unbelieving Jews stirred up trouble
    1. These hateful Jews were envious when many people believed the gospel and followed Paul’s preaching (v.5).
    2. They hired lewd fellows of the baser sort (i.e., evil men who were marketplace loafers). These evil men gathered a mob and stirred up the city to the point of a riot.
  2. The new believers endured persecution
    1. God gave courage to those who believed the gospel. Though they were new Christians, they did not deny Christ when persecution started (v.6).
    2. Enemies attacked the house of Jason (v.5). Evidently, the preachers had been staying with him. Paul and Silas must have fled to hiding and the mob could not find them.
    3. They dragged Jason and other believers to the city rulers (v.6). They made two accusations against them:
      1. “These that have turned the world upside down hare come hither also; whom Jason hath received:” (v.6)
      2. “These all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.” (v.7)
    4. The first accusation is a powerful testimony of the gospel, but the second was a false charge of a serious crime.
    5. The rulers forced Jason and the other believers to pay a fine of some sort and let them go (v.9).
    6. The believers immediately sent Paul and Silas by night to Berea (v.10).
      ☆ When we share the gospel with people, we cannot expect that everyone will believe. Most will not believe. Some may even persecute us for telling them about Christ. Believing the gospel gave powerful courage to those new believes and this persecution did not turn them away. Is that true of your life?

The Gospel Changed the Lives of the Believers

Paul had two main reasons for writing to the Thessalonian church.

  1. Paul was responding to Timothy’s good report
    1. After leaving Thessalonica, Paul went to Berea and then on the Athens. While in Athens he was burdened for the Thessalonian believers. Were they living for God? Did they need spiritual help? Thus he sent Timothy to check on them (1Th 3:1-2). [Read if time]
    2. When Timothy returned with a good report that their lives had changed! Paul was thrilled and longed to let the Thessalonian believers know (1Th 3:6-8). [Read if time]
  2. Paul desired to edify the Thessalonian church
    1. He expressed his joy (1Th 1)
    2. He refuted false charges (1Th 2-3)
    3. He sought to build up the believers (1Th 4-5)

Conclusion

We have noted three evidences of the Power of the Gospel. The gospel saves souls! When we share the gospel, many will reject, but praise God, some will believe. The gospel gives courage during persecution. Persecution is normal if we will live for Christ. Don’t be ashamed of Christ. Let your life shine for Him. The gospel changes lives! When a person trusts Christ, do all that you can to build him up. Be his friend. Help him get started reading the Bible and praying. Encourage him. New Christians need godly friends who will mentor them.

If you have not yet believed the gospel, you will not go to heaven. Jesus died and rose again to forgive you and give you eternal life.

Song: Rescue the Perishing – 432
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The Power of the Gospel
3 January 2016 AM – 1Thes 1:1; Act 17:1-10 – 1Th2016 – Scott Childs