1 Thessalonians:1

Hunter Strength

Beacon Baptist Church

1 Thessalonians • Sermon • Submitted 3 months ago • Presented 3 months ago

1 Thessalonians 1:1

Acts 17:1–9

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If I were to ask you how the gospel has made you feel lately, would you know how to respond? Have you even thought about it at all? You see, as Christians in this hectic world, we can often get so caught up in what is going on around us that we don’t remember to think about the God who invaded this life to save us and all of the blessings that came along with that. So, maybe today you’ve grown cold, I hope this will encourage you. Because, as we look in 1 Thessalonians 1 and Acts 17, we will find that the Gospel confronts sin, transforms hearts, and compels us to go into all the world.

The Gospel Penetrates All Cultures.

In Acts 17:1 we read,

Acts 17:1 NKJV

1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.

So, for a little background information, Paul has just finished up a rather exciting trip in Philippi where he saw Lydia saved and baptized, he and Silas were imprisoned and experienced a large earthquake that destroyed the jail and led to the salvation of the Philippian Jailer, and then they were released from imprisonment once the government discovered that Paul was a Roman.

Now, after this, Paul and Silas travel down through Amphipolis, through Apollonia and finally arrive in the city of Thessalonica.

The City of Thessalonica

Thessalonica, which is called Thessaloniki today, was a city of around 200,000 people at the time of Paul. It was the capital city of the Macedonian provenance in the Roman Empire that was located in a prominent area since it had rivers, lakes, and the Thermaic Gulf beside it. Not only did it have quality water resources, but it was also surrounded by forest filled mountains and hold gold, silver, copper, iron and lead mines.

Thessalonica was a powerful, prominent and influential city during the time of Paul and was a prominent hub that would’ve had soldiers, sailors, tradesmen, miners, travelers and more coming through the area as it had a major road leading into Rome. When it comes to religion, this city had a commitment to the imperial cult, or emperor worship, of Rome which may have contributed to how powerful of a city it became. Not only did it have a temple dedicated to the Emperor, but it also had temples to the Greek gods, the Egyptian gods and a Jewish synagogue which meant that there must have been a decent, though maybe small, Jewish population in the city.

In short, Thessalonica was a large, wealthy, and bustling city that was a melting pot of different job opportunities and religious commitments. So, there is no doubt that in Paul’s mind he wanted to minister to this city in hopes that a church would be started and, because of her influence and access to travelers, the gospel might launch out from this area like a hub. And so, in the mind of the apostles, the gospel is a message meant to penetrate and apply to every city and culture in the world. In a little while, we will return to this text to see the cultures reaction to this message, but for now, I think it is good for us to ask ourselves, “Do I really believe the gospel is THE message that Burlington needs to hear? And if so, does my life walk in step with that?” The reason it is the message that Burlington needs to hear is because

The Gospel Powerfully Transforms

Acts 17:2–4 NKJV

2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.

So, verse two tells us a little bit about how Paul liked to do things. First, he would go to a city and find a synagogue and then he would begin sharing the gospel with them. This text tells us a little bit about how he went about witnessing to them that I think we should learn from today.

Paul’s Methodology

Paul took his time.

Notice, it says that Paul took three Sabbath days to reason with them from the Scriptures. This wasn’t a simple meeting on the street, though there’s nothing wrong with that as we know Paul did meetings like this too. But in this specific situation, Paul took time. I think it’s important for us to learn from this that things might not always happen as fast as we expect them to, but we need to stay committed.

Paul taught the Scriptures as Christ-centered.

Notice that verse three says that Paul explained and demonstrated Christ from the Scriptures. He wasn’t sharing tips on a more moral life, and he wasn’t giving dry lectures from the OT. Paul was making a clear statement to these Jews that the Old Testament is a Christ centered book. It is a Christian book. From this, we need to remember that our mission isn’t to get side tracked on making people better or running into debates about things that are primary. We want them to hear about Jesus Christ and how He is the savior of those who come to Him.

Paul applied the meaning of Scriptures to their lives.

Notice that Paul shows them the facts, and turns to them and says, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” He isn’t just giving empty facts that these people can act like don’t apply to them. He’s showing them that Jesus is the suffering servant of God who died for sinners and that they are in need of Him. Not their aunt or uncle only, but them personally.

Well, in verse 4 we read that there were several who responded to the gospel and believed. which takes us to 1 Thessalonians 1:1 which says:

1 Thessalonians 1:1 NKJV

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, with this passage in mind, I want to spend a few minutes talking about how Paul viewed these believers as we look at this passage.

The Church at Thessalonica

The first thing I want us to notice is

Their Belonging

Paul calls these believers the “church of the Thessalonians.” Now, we’ve all grown up hearing this word and if we aren’t careful it can have virtually no affect on us. However, there’s something rich here. You see, this word “church” is an Old Testament word that was always used to refer to the people of God or Israel. So, what Paul is teaching us here is that these believers, the Jews, the Greeks and the women who believed are, in Paul’s mind the true people of God. They’re God’s people, the true Israel. As far as Paul’s concerned, they belong.

The second thing I want us to notice is that this church is “in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Now, this is a little more difficult because it could mean one of two things. Some argue that this phrase is saying that the church was brought into being by God, which is definitely not wrong since God did the saving work. However, another side argues that by saying they are “in God...” Paul is stating that this is a people who are in the presence of God by their union with Him. In all honesty, I see it both ways. This is a congregation that was brought into being by being united to God by the work of Jesus Christ and that because of this they are in His gracious presence.

Also, I want you to notice that Paul says, “God the Father.” Which is a way to communicate the loving, fatherly care of God towards these believers and then He calls Jesus “the Lord.” In short, Paul is reminding these folks that they are the people of God and that their God, who they are united with, cares for them and is in control.

Their Blessing

Next, Paul wishes them grace and peace. The word “grace” would remind these believers of the saving work of God in their lives in saving them as undeserving sinners as well as His continual goodness toward them as His people. This saving grace is also the result of the “peace” that Paul has in mind. “Peace” or “shalom” in the Jewish world reflects a since of unity and wholeness found in their relationship with God. Now, in Acts 17:5-9 we will find that their beginning was anything but peaceful, but by the goodness of God in Jesus Christ, they have a peace that passes all understanding.

Do you feel like you’ve forgotten your place as a child of God? Have you taken your eyes off of your privileges and began to be concerned with the things going on all around you? As you read this greeting, Paul isn’t just speaking to a group of Christians 2,000 years ago, but these very truths apply to us today. The fact you are a believer is by the work of God in your life and because of this, He is your Father and Lord and your present situation might not be enjoyable, but your heavenly reality is that you live in the grace and peace of God.

In Acts 17:5-9 we read,

Acts 17:5–9 NKJV

5 But 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. 6 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. 7 Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.” 8 And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. 9 So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

What could keep everyone encouraged to keep going with all of this going on around them? The grace and peace of God.

Lessons

Whenever you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to think of the goodness of God.

Whenever you feel distant, remember the gospel applies to all of life.

Whenever you feel cold, remember the gospel is for all lives.

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