The Gospel in Thessalonica…  (3 things)

• 1^st – How the Gospel came to Thessalonica… vs. 5 (5 points)
  • 1^st – The Gospel did NOT come in Word only…
    • In the end Acts 17 Paul would preach the Gospel in the city of Athens – Acts 17:22-34
      • Athens was the university town of the Romans Empire…
      • Home to some of the greatest philosophers in history – Plato / Aristotle / Socrates…
      • Athens was also the most pagan city in all of the Roman empire…
      • Reportedly they had 30 thousand public statues – besides countless private ones in homes!
    • Pauls preaching there – amongst all Pauls recorded work – seemed the least fruitful…
      • Athens is the only city where we do not read of a church being established by Paul…
      • Yet it was by far Pauls most eloquent – intellectual – and impressive preaching…
      • But there was one thing missing – Jesus (not mentioned once in the sermon on Mars Hill)!
    • Paul would learn an invaluable lesson from his experience in Athens…
      • I Corinthians 2:1-5 – “When I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were NOT with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the SPIRIT and of POWER, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
      • It is not our fancy words – or eloquent teaching that brings men to salvation…
      • Its just Jesus – preaching Jesus – make sure that the message is all about Jesus!
      • Keep the message simple – keep the preaching all about Jesus!
  • 2^nd – The Gospel was given IN Power…
    • Paul was not a fancy speaker – he stumbled over his words – II Corinthians 10:10
      • But Pauls words were not what brought salvation – it was the power of Gods Word!
      • Power – dunamis (dynamite) – the explosive power of God to save sinners is in the Gospel!
      • Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the POWER of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
      • It is Better to share 2 words from the Bible – than a 1000 of the wisest words of men!
      • I think often we do not share the Gospel because we think we lack the right words…
      • Or we fear that our lifestyle – actions – do not line up with our message…
      • But it is not our words or actions that bring people to heaven…
      • The power of salvation – is the message – the simple truth of the Gospel!
  • 3^rd – The Gospel was given IN the Holy Spirit…
    • In Acts 2:37 The hearts of the Jews were hardened by sin – like dry packed earth – lifeless…
      • Yet when the people heard the message of Peter – they were deeply convicted… 
      • Cut (katanusso) used to describe horses denting hard earth with their hoofs…
      • Not because of Peter – but because of THE Word of God – and THE power of the Spirit!
      • Jeremiah 23:29 – “My word is like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces.”
    • The world is filled with empty churches / pastors vainly preaching to hardened hearts…
      • We have all experienced it – the blank stare we get when we talk about Jesus…
      • It seems people today are deaf when it comes to their need for Jesus…
      • As if the message of the Gospel had lost all power to reach sinners…
      • But the problem is not in the message – the problem is a lack of power!
    • WE cannot break the hardened hearts of sinful men – unwilling to admit their need for Jesus…
      • The seed of the Gospel cannot penetrate that hard soil with just the will of OUR words…
      • Our programs are like wadded up paper shot at steel reinforced concrete walls…
      • But the POWER of the Spirit can SHATTER – bring the greatest sinners to their knees!
      • The DYNAMITE of the Spirit to tear down even the hardest walls – opening up hearts to Jesus!
  • 4^th – The Gospel was given in MUCH assurance (confidence)…
    • The word assurance – used 4x in NT – can also be translated as confidence…
    • Paul did not come preaching a message that he was unsure about – he was CONFIDENT…
    • Do we believe that Jesus is the ONLY way to get to heaven – I Timothy 2:5 / John 14:6
    • Do we believe there is only one penalty for rejecting the Gospel – Romans 6:23
    • If we are CONFIDENT of those truths – then we are going to be PASSIONATE for the lost…
    • There is going to be an urgency in us to get out and share the Good News while there is time!
    • II Corinthians 6:2 – “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
  • 5^th – The Gospel was given along with an example…
    • As you KNOW what KIND of men we were among you for your sakes…
    • The people in Thessalonica could see (eido) what type (ohios) of person Paul was…
    • In other words there was something different about Paul and his companions…
    • They had love – joy – peace – patience – kindness – self control – Galatians 5:22-23
    • If I tell you about the HOPE of Jesus in one sentence – then curse and swear in the next…
    • Tell you I have the answer to life – then worry and fret about what will happen tomorrow…
    • Claim that I am a new creation – then act just like everyone else – would you listen
    • If we as Christians look and act just like those who do not know Jesus…
    • Why would anyone want to hear about Jesus – come to church…
    • We are called to be a light to the world – Matthew 5:14 – let them SEE Jesus in our lives!

• 2^nd – The results of the Gospel in Thessalonica… vs. 6 (4 points)
  • 1^st – They became followers of Paul / Silas / Timothy…
    • The believers in Thessalonica became (passive) followers (mimētēs)…
      • As a result of hearing the Gospel they began to imitate the lives of those who shared it…
      • Paul – and those who were with him – were a good example…
      • Paul was moving towards Christ – if they followed him – they would also follow Jesus!
      • I Corinthians 11:1 – “Imitate [same word] me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
      • We need to be careful whom we spend time with – who we are influenced by… 
      • We all follow the example of someone – they lead us either towards or away from God…
      • Surround yourself with godly men – those who encourage your walk in the Lord!
    • Unfortunately there are many out there who are a bad example…
      • We are to avoid those who say they are Christians – but live like the world…
      • Because we might be tempted to follow the bad example of a brother in the Lord…
      • II Thessalonians 3:6 – “We command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.”
  • 2^nd – They became followers of the Lord…
    • Always the goal of the Gospel is to teach others to FOLLOW the Lord…
      • There are two very real dangers that occur when we do not…
      • Men would much rather look to someone they can touch and see…
      • Therefore they are much more inclined to trust in a man than God…
      • The problem is we are limited – and cannot always help those who look to us…
      • Maybe we can help them once – but when they come back – again and again…
      • We have limited abilities and resources – only God has limitless!
      • The problem is we are a VERY poor substitute for Jesus!
    • People tend to put spiritual leaders / pastors up on a pedestal…
      • There is the impression they are somehow bigger / more holy – than others…
      • The danger is every person / pastor is destined to fail – we are all sinners…
      • And if we have put our faith in a flawed man – rather than in a perfect Lord…
      • When that man stumbles – makes a mistake – we will fall with him!
  • 3^rd – They received the Word in MUCH affliction…
    • The word affliction – thlipsis – means wine press – crushing grapes till the juices boils out!
      • After Paul had be teachings at the Synagogue for three weeks – Acts 17:2-4
      • The Jews who did not receive the Gospel began to stir up trouble…
      • Acts 17:5-6 – “The Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, ‘These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.’”
    • The Jews accused the believers of taking Paul into their homes…
      • They would not have gotten in trouble if he had not been with Paul…
      • But because they wanted to hear about Jesus – they ended up being arrested!
      • If you do not go to church on Sunday – no one would say anything…
      • But when you do go to church on Sunday – the comments start!
      • I Peter 4:12 – “Do not be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you…”
      • Standing up for Jesus is far from a guarantee that life will be easier…
      • In fact if often means that you are going to face EXTRA challenges…
      • But they are worth it – because in the end we know heaven is our destination!
  • 4^th – They had JOY…
    • The believers had JOY in SPITE of their suffering (affliction)…
    • But note they had the JOY of the HOLY SPIRIT…
    • Happiness is not the same thing as Joy – happiness depends on our circumstances…
    • Joy is far deeper – it is NOT based on our circumstances – it is based on who is in us…
    • When we have the Holy Spirit in our lives – empowering us to look to Jesus…
    • Jesus who never changes – the same Yesterday / Today / and Forever – Hebrews 13:8
    • It means no matter what our circumstances – we can ALWAYS have Joy because of Jesus!
    • In fact the only way to have Joy in life is through the Holy Spirit – through Jesus…
    • So if we want a Joy filled life – be filled with the Spirit – get into the presence of Jesus!
    • Psalm 16:11 – “In Your presence is fullness of joy…”

Let us live every day – knowing today could well be the day we see Jesus!

3^rd – The results of the Gospel outside Thessalonica… vs. 7-10 (5 points)

1^st – They became examples in EVERY place… vs. 7-8

The word example – typos – could also be interpreted impression or impact…

The faith of the believers in Thessalonica had an impact on those around them…

First they had an impact on the believers in Macedonia and Achaia…

But not ONLY there – the word of God sounded (passive) out in EVERY place!

Sounded – exēcheō – only here NT – booming forth like the sound of the roaring of the sea!

When Paul left Philippi he passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia – Acts 17:1-2

Amphipolis is 50km from Philippi – Apollonia 50km from Amphipolis…

Both cities were along the main Roman road that ran through Greece (Macedonia)…

Both were large cities – with LOTS of people that needed to hear the Gospel…

Yet Paul did not stop in either one of them – he continued on to Thessalonica

As was His custom – Paul went into the Jewish church to preach Jesus…

Thessalonica had a Jewish church (the suggestion is the other citied did not)…

Paul choose cities that had synagogues because it provided opportunities…

First he could relate the best to the people there because he was also a Jew…

But Jews were not the only ones saved when Paul preached in the synagogues…

Anyone who hung around the Jews was someone who was interested in God…

Paul used this to his advantage to reach an audience that was eager to listen!

We cannot reach everyone with the Gospel of Jesus Christ…

We will be the most effective in reaching those whom we relate the best to!

That does not mean those we do not reach will not hear the Gospel…

Those who received the message in Thessalonica had a huge impact on their city…

And the other cities all around them in Macedonia and Achaia (Amphipolis – Apollonia)

The local believers were much better equipped to share than a stranger like Paul…

Paul had the Gospel but did not know their culture / language / traditions…

They knew the language / culture / traditions – and they had the Gospel!

As we reach out to with the Gospel to those we relate best to…

They then reach those they relate to – helping spread the Gospel to the whole world!

2^nd – An example of faith… vs. 8

Their faith towards God had gone out so that Paul no longer needed to say anything…

Paul was used powerfully by the Lord to spread the Good news…

Over three missionary journeys – 13 epistles – he never stopped!

But he was still just one man – in one place at a time – with just so many hours…

But with their example faith – there were now more hands to help spread the Word!

There is nothing quite as wonderful as seeing men step up and help in ministry…

There is only so much that one man can do – so many hours in one day…

But as men step up to help out – co-labor – the work of the ministry expands…

God rarely does a work through just one man – God uses an army!

3^rd – An example of hospitality… vs. 9

They themselves Declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you…

Other people were now telling Paul how the believers in Thessalonica treated him…

Hebrews 13:2 – “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!”

James 1:27 – “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble…”

We are commanded to care for others – even strangers…

When we take the time to give food the hungry and drink to the thirsty…

By doing so we show the Love of God to others – the goodness of God – John 13:35

Through which we give them the opportunity to know Jesus – Romans 2:4

More than that – we when we care for strangers we are actually ministering to Jesus!

Matthew 25:40 –  “[Jesus] will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

4^th – An example of holiness… vs. 9

It was well known that the believers in Thessalonica had turned from idols…

Rather than worshiping lifeless images – they now served the LIVING and TRUE God!

What a contrast – from dead and false idols – to the LIVING and TRUE God!

The church had come to understand the foolishness of trusting in an idol…

The idea that something I create – can then turn around and save me…

Isaiah 44:19-20 – “The person who made the idol never stops to reflect, ‘Why, it’s just a block of wood! I burned half of it for heat and used it to… roast my meat. How can the rest of it be a god? Should I bow down to worship a chunk of wood?’” (NLT)

There are many today who trust in idols – to answer prayers / help in hard times…

Even those who do not look to idols – still tend to trust in our money…

We forget what our money is made of – paper is a wood product…

We look to Manuel Roxas (P100) / Benigno Aquino (P500) / Jose Santos (P1000)

Idols may have feet / ears / eyes / mouth – but they cannot walk / see / hear / or speak!

Psalms 115:8 – “Those who make them [trust in them] are like them.”

If we trust in statues – or we trust in pretty printed-paper – we become like them…

If we are trusting in idols then we are no longer looking or listening to God…

Where God has the power to help us / save us – idols can do nothing…

So if we are trusting in idols rather than in God – nothing happens!

5^th – An example of patience… vs. 10

The believers were an example because they waited for Jesus whom God raised…

The word WAIT – anamenō – only here in the NT – comes from the root word ABIDE…

In order to wait for the return of Jesus – we have to be daily abiding in Jesus!

John 15:5 – “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Good fruit – Galatians 5:22 – is the byproduct of a being connected to Jesus!

You never see the branch of an apple tree struggling to make an apple…

There is no effort – the fruit is a result of the branch being connected to the tree!

In the same way as long as we are connected to Jesus – we will patiently wait for Him!

We do not have to work at it – it is the result of our relationship with Him!

The Jesus who delivers us from THE WRATH to come…

THE WRATH to come – speaks of the Tribulation – Revelation 6-18

The good news is Jesus if we WAIT – Matthew 25:13 – He will deliver us…

I Thessalonians 5:9 – tells us we as believers are not appointed to wrath! 

Instead we will be raptured – I Thessalonians 4:16-17 / I Corinthians 15:51-52