Paul's Odyssey II #7 - Thessalonica
Part 2 of a 3-part study of the life and ministry of Paul. This summer segment will focus on Paul's Second Missionary Journey.
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be held on August 25th following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Barry County Cares could use donations of the following items which will be distributed to folks in need in Barry County. If you can help, drop items off in the church office.
Toilet Paper
Paper Towel
Laundry Soap
Dish Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Toilet Paper
Paper Towel
Laundry Soap
Dish Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Come help remove brush, fallen trees, and debris on the course paths.
Need tractors or ATV's with buckets, chain saws, pole saws, or wood chippers.
This will take place August 24 and 31 from 9:00 am to Noon.
Need tractors or ATV's with buckets, chain saws, pole saws, or wood chippers.
This will take place August 24 and 31 from 9:00 am to Noon.
Sunday 8/18 - Mary Burpee, Bill & Becky Wilson
Tuesday 8/20 - Megan Sams
Thursday 8/22 - Tony Hansen, Trevor Dykhouse
Friday 8/23 - Mindy Hasselback, Alex Nelson
Tuesday 8/20 - Megan Sams
Thursday 8/22 - Tony Hansen, Trevor Dykhouse
Friday 8/23 - Mindy Hasselback, Alex Nelson
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July through September our series is entitled: Paul's Odyssey II
Odyssey means "a long and adventurous journey or experience". It is the second of a three-part series about the life and ministry of Paul. The text for these three months will cover Acts 15 - 18, Paul's second missionary trip.
Odyssey means "a long and adventurous journey or experience". It is the second of a three-part series about the life and ministry of Paul. The text for these three months will cover Acts 15 - 18, Paul's second missionary trip.
This series is focussed on how the early Church spread Christianity amid a pagan society while enduring hostile religious persecution.
Last week we paused to consider the birth of the church in Philippi. We learned "What is the church?" from the 5 biblical images God gave us.
Last week we paused to consider the birth of the church in Philippi. We learned "What is the church?" from the 5 biblical images God gave us.
Today's scripture is Acts 17:1-9. In it, we will follow Paul and his team as they leave the Middle East and venture through the continent of Europe.
#1 The PATH of our Life. (Acts 17:1)
Acts 17:1
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1 When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
BSB
Previously the team had traveled 800 miles from Antioch to Troas. From Troas to Philippi was another 150 miles. In Acts 17:1 they complete an additional 100-mile journey from Philippi to Thessalonica on the Engatian Road.
Thessalonica was named after the half-sister of Alexander the Great and was the next largest city in Greece after Athens. It attracted the rich and famous with its large hot spring and beautiful harbor.
The book of 1 Thessalonians reflects the moral climate of the city - mostly pagan, with a large Jewish population, but also many God-fearing gentiles who were open to the basic teachings of the Jewish faith.
Thessalonica was named after the half-sister of Alexander the Great and was the next largest city in Greece after Athens. It attracted the rich and famous with its large hot spring and beautiful harbor.
The book of 1 Thessalonians reflects the moral climate of the city - mostly pagan, with a large Jewish population, but also many God-fearing gentiles who were open to the basic teachings of the Jewish faith.
The strategy Paul used when coming to a new city was as Jesus had modeled. Go to those closest to you, those with whom you have the most in common, and the venture out from there.
LESSON - God has prepared a path for each of us to travel, it's called His will. Along this path are places with people who He desires us to minister to and bring into His Kingdom. He has set them out for us and prepared a way, before we ever thought of them.
#2 - The PROCLAIMING of the story. (Acts 17:2-4)
Acts 17:2-4
BSB
2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared.
4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women.
3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared.
4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women.
BSB
1. Paul took his time and built relationships.
2. Paul used scripture in a way that opened their curiosity.
3. Paul helped them understand the culture and times of the Bible.
4. Paul used practical examples to help with application.
5. Paul focused on Christ.
6. Some will trust Christ, others will not.
2. Paul used scripture in a way that opened their curiosity.
3. Paul helped them understand the culture and times of the Bible.
4. Paul used practical examples to help with application.
5. Paul focused on Christ.
6. Some will trust Christ, others will not.
LESSON - Our role as a disciple is to tell the Story. It is God's role to save people, and it's the role of the person to whom we are talking to decide.
#3 The PROBLEMS we will face.
Acts 17:5-9
BSB
5 The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people.
6 But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here,
7 and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”
8 On hearing this, the crowd and city officials were greatly disturbed.
9 And they collected bond from Jason and the others, and then released them.
6 But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here,
7 and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”
8 On hearing this, the crowd and city officials were greatly disturbed.
9 And they collected bond from Jason and the others, and then released them.
BSB
1 Thessalonians 2:18
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18 For we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan obstructed us.
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1 Corinthians 14:33
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33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
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LESSON - Satan will bring problems and persecution to a person's life or a ministry that is committed to God's purpose for their existence. We have no control over the actions of Satan or the problems of life, only over our reactions to them.
Conclusion:
1. Paul cared about the places and people on his path.
2. Paul communicated the story to those he encountered.
3. Paul was committed to reacting in a godly way to the problems he faced.
1. Paul cared about the places and people on his path.
2. Paul communicated the story to those he encountered.
3. Paul was committed to reacting in a godly way to the problems he faced.
