"Faith and Love"

August 2, 2011

Faith and Love

Blessings Folk!

On one of his trips, Paul and his entourage entered Thessalonica.

Here is the account…

Acts 17
1 Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.

2 And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

3 explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”

4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women.

5 But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people.

6 When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also;

7 and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”

8 They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things.

9 And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them.
Paul at Berea
 
10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea...

We have examined a portion of this before - verse 6…”these men who have upset the world” (turned the world upside down - KJV).

I want us to see the context for a passage from 2 Thessalonians, so hang on.

Paul and friends entered the city.
They went to the temple, as was their habit.
They reasoned from the Scriptures - the Old Testament - for 3 Sabbaths - 2-4 weeks.
Paul explained from the Scripture that the Christ must suffer and rise again from the dead.
He explained this was fulfilled in Jesus.

Note what happens…
- Some of the Jews believed.
- A large number of the God-fearing Greeks (who would have been outside of the Jewish meeting area listening through the lattice&hellipWinking believed.
- A number of the leading women believed.

The Jewish leadership?

  • They became jealous.
  • They moved on this jealousy - hired wicked men from the market, formed a mob, and set forth an uproar in the city
  • They sought Paul and Silas and upon not finding them punished Jason, who had housed Paul and the group

The new believers immediately escorted Paul and Silas out of town under the cover of darkness.

This was the beginning of the Body of Christ in Thessalonica.

Some questions arose. Paul wrote to address them - 1 Thessalonians
Other questions arose, some misinterpretation of the first letter. Paul wrote again - 2 Thessalonians.

Now, read what the Spirit said to His Body through Paul…

2 Thessalonians

1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy,
   To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;

4 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.

They spoke grace and peace over them.
Then, they gave thanks to God for them.
Why?
Because their faith is greatly enlarged and the love of each one toward one another was growing greater.

Faith in the Lord.
Love of one another.

But there is more…

Paul spoke proudly of them among the churches due to their perseverance and faith in the midst of persecutions and afflictions.

This Body that began and continued in persecution and affliction...
This Body of diverse composition - Jew, Gentile, male, female…
This Body was enlarging, expanding, abounding in faith…
This Body loved one another and continued to grow in love…

How do we handle trials, tribulation and persecutions?

In faith.
In love for one another.

Remember the Word of the Lord…

John 13:35
By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

Conclusion:
Increase in faith.
Grow and abound in love for one another.
Proclaim Jesus Christ.
Reason from the Scripture.

...

We will resume studying the Word of God next week…
”The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”
If you are local, join us on either Mondays, 5:30 p.m. or Tuesdays, 9 a.m.
We meet at Victory Park .
If distant, you can participate online - JubileePrecept Online
Contact me for more details - dale@dalemoore.tv