Church of Christ Sermons and Lessons from Thessalonians

A Church Is Planted 

Introduction:

     It is always a great privilege to study one of the books of the Bible.  Today we begin a series of lessons from I Thessalonians which is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the young congregation at Thessalonica.  Our lesson today will focus on the beginning of that congregation sometime around 50 A.D. – only about twenty years after the church was started in Jerusalem. 

Text:

     Acts 17:1-9 

Body:

      I.  Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

     Paul, with his traveling companion, Silas, leaves Antioch in Syria and travels through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the various congregations.  Acts 15:40-41 They travel on to Lystra where Timothy joins them.  Acts 16:1-4  When they had gone through the region of Galatia, the Holy Spirit forbids them to preach the word in Asia.  Acts 16:6  He also did not permit them to go into Bithynia.  So they came to Troas on the eastern shore of the Aegean Sea where Luke joins them.  There Paul receives a vision in which a man of Macedonia appears and pleads with them to come over and help.  Acts 16:9  Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia.  They reach Philippi first (also in Macedonia) where Lydia and her household are baptized.  Paul and Silas are put in prison and through their efforts their jailor is converted.  Acts 16:33 

     II.  Paul Enters Thessalonica  Acts 17:1

• Thessalonica was some 100 miles from Philippi.  It was an old city, a thriving commercial center, even in Paul’s day – a city which is still in existence today, now called Salonika.  In the first century, its inhabitants were mostly idolaters.  To the south of the city lay Mt. Olympus, a center of mythical Grecian gods and goddesses.  A Jewish element existed in the city because there was a synagogue.  Paul and Silas wasted no time in finding it.
• Paul’s Custom Acts 17:2  He often used the synagogue as a base of operations.  Possible reasons:

a. Coming from a Jewish background, he understood the Jewish mind and how it worked .  

      b. Having himself been converted from Judaism to Christianity, he

       fervently desired his fellow countrymen to experience what he had.

      c. The Jews had a knowledge of the Old Testament scripture which

       prophesied concerning Christ and His church.  They were also

       accustomed to hearing about the One True God. 

     III.  Paul’s Approach Acts 17:3

     On three Sabbath days, Paul went to the synagogue.  They were Jews so he knew they would be worshipping on Saturday.  They were still observing the old law, which had been abolished.  Paul himself didn’t worship with them, but he used it as an opportunity to teach them.  Paul didn’t condone, but used this to teach the truth. He appealed to them by use of reason, by using the logic of the mind.  Recall:  Isaiah 1:18  “Come now and let us reason together, says the Lord . . .”  His source was Scripture, not man’s philosophies, traditions, ideas, opinions, . . .  He did not rely solely on feelings and emotions.  This included explaining and demonstrating – “to set subjects before one’s hearers by way of discussion, argument and proof.”  He showed conclusively from Scripture that Jesus had to suffer and to rise from the dead to fulfill Old Testament prophecies. [Probably such as Psalms 16 or Isaiah 53]  We need to do the same today. 

      IV.  The Response  Acts 17:4

     Some of the Jews were convinced by Paul’s reasoning and obeyed the gospel.  So did a large number of devout Greeks (Gentiles) and many of the city’s leading, influential women.  This is a great triumph for the cause of Christ.  A church of Christ is started! 

      V.  The Opposition  Acts 17:5-9

     Unbelieving Jews saw this as a clear threat to them and their faith.  Jealous, they started an uproar.  This is the very thing they accused Paul and Silas of doing!  They falsely accused the disciples, Paul and Silas, of saying that Jesus was a political rival of Caesar.  Paul must have preached about the kingdom of Christ being in existence!  This caused rulers of the city to be troubled.  Jason and other disciples had to make some kind of guarantee that no further problems would occur.  Acts 17:10  Paul and Silas, sent by the disciples, leave by night.     

 NOTE:  Preaching of the gospel either brings peace or a sword.  It brings peace when hearers believe and obey – peace especially with God.  Romans 5:1             It brings a sword when hearers reject the message.  II Corinthians 2:14-16           To those who believe, it is the aroma of life leading to life.  To those who refuse to believe, it is the aroma of death leading to death. 

      IV.  Why Paul Writes to the Church

         Paul was concerned with the young church; so he sends Timothy back to Thessalonica.  I Thessalonians 3:1-2  In the meantime, Paul travels on to Corinth where Timothy joins him later.  Timothy reports that the congregation is faithful in their service, but has questions about the second coming of Christ.  So six months to a year after the church was started, Paul writes to them exhorting them to remain steadfast as well as addressing their concerns about the Lord’s second coming. 

Invitation:

     The church was planted in Thessalonica when the seed, which is the Word of God, was sown.  Christians, the fruit, result when that seed comes into contact with good soil which is honest and receptive hearts.  The same can happen today.

Bobby Stafford

April 3, 2011