To Listen ‘Open Message from Title’ and click on Listen Now or To Save: Right Click and ‘Save Target as’ How many of you have spent any time in Virginia City during the summer? What would be some of the observations you make of the city during this time? Busy with people from all over the world coming to visit, problems arising from that diversity of cultures, mixed atmosphere of partiers and families visiting, businesses catering to each group. What are some other things you can think of? Do you know what a poke and plum town is? For a little poke and plum town it has some very interesting features during the summer tourist season. Everyone who works there has to persevere through the troubles that diversity brings and find ways to continue to work with others who don’t agree with what you are doing because you’re not doing it the way they would. But there are still opportunities to reach into the people’s lives who come and those who live there.
As we begin our series on Thessalonians it will be helpful for us to learn about the city of Thessalonica and the reason Paul comes to it, what things he faces there and perseveres through for difficulties and for blessings. This is why we begin our series in the book of Acts.
Thessalonica is a city that has flourished for hundreds and hundreds of years. It became a prominent Roman Provincial seaport with a harbor that ranked high as a hospitable place to anchor. It was also on one of the major Roman Highways, the Egnatian Way, which connected Rome with the Orient. This put this city in direct contact with many other important cities of the Roman Empire and beyond. It had contact with other countries not only by land but also through its great seaport, hosted by the city.
If there was a city that had opportunity to influence the outside world, this was it. It was a strategic location both governmentally and militarily. It had in NT times an estimated population of about 200,000 people and even today is home to about 300,000 people.
The people who made up the population inhabiting the city were mostly Greeks but there were also Romans, Orientals and Jews who made the city their home. The Jews were well known as good businessmen and had great influence on the city and the synagogue reached into many prominent Greek households. Vs 4. Because of this many of the Greeks had turned to God becoming known as God-fearers. So, when Paul came to the city it was not difficult to reach them with the gospel. Empty life of drinking and carousing. In Thessalonians we will see what the moral climate of the city was like, the Pagan Greek religion was the largest component of the population which produced many forms of immorality, leaving some wanting something else, something deeper, more spiritual rather than the carnal lifestyle many lived. This is one reason why the Jewish faith reached into the Greek community because it offered something deeper than physical lustful desire.
Where did Virginia City get its name? The city itself was built in 315 BC by Cassander, one of Alexander the Greats generals. He had married Alexander’s half sister Thessalonica and named the city after her. He chose this place to build the city because of its location with the hospitable coastline and seaport to be developed.
Later when the Romans took over they divided the area of Macedonia into 4 districts and named Thessalonica as the capitol of one of them. Then in 42 BC the city received the coveted status of a free city of the Roman Empire. They received this status because of their support of the Romans in conquering other areas. This meant that they were still a part of the Roman Empire but now had the right to govern themselves as a Greek city state.
During WWII the Nazis had invaded Macedonia and took 60,000 Jews out of the city and executed them. The Jews were still to that time a prominent part of the city.
Now back to our passage; Paul had finished his 1st missionary journey and traveled again to visit the churches he had planted when he lands in Troas, Acts 16:6-10. There he had a dream of a man in Macedonia crying out for help. So he and his companions, Timothy, Silas and Luke headed out for Macedonia. The 1st city they entered was Philippi where Paul had great success in preaching the gospel until an uproar came about where Paul and Silas ended up being flogged and imprisoned. This is where the Philippian jailer came to faith. Paul and his companions left the city at the request of the magistrates.
What would you do if you had suffered this way, quit or go on? They traveled along the Egnatian Way through the cities of Amphipolis and Appolonia, where it seems there was no receptiveness to the gospel. They traveled on about 100 miles from Philippi and reached the city of Thessalonica.
Paul then began to introduce the gospel to those whom he had most in common with, the Jews in the Synagogue. They were familiar with the OT and the prophesies of the Messiah. He was invited to speak there because he was a trained teacher. Phil. 3:4–6 If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. Vs 17:2-3. His message was basic and clear proving from the OT that the Messiah, the Christ, would suffer, die and be raised from the dead, and that all of the prophesies about Him were fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth. 1 Cor 15:3–4 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, Though Luke does not state it there is evidence that Paul also taught that the Messiah would also return to set up His kingdom here on earth. Vs 7. The result of this was many of the Thessalonians were interested in the gospel Paul was preaching as we see from vs 4. Where’s the beef? One thing is sure, Paul got to the meat of spiritual matters teaching the Thessalonians the deep truths of God’s Kingdom and desire in a fairly brief time. Vs 5-10 Doing this kind of teaching Paul made some enemies quickly because of his success. The Jews, who refused to believe the message, plotted against Paul raising a mob to try to get rid of him. They went so far as to hire bad characters to make false accusations against Paul. Not finding Paul at the home of his host Jason, they hauled Jason off in front of the city magistrates, were they accused Jason of housing a revolutionary who was preaching and teaching against Caesar. This would be treason. If this was true the city would be in danger of loosing its coveted free status, having the Romans move in and take over.
Thankfully the city magistrates were smart enough to recognize that the Jews were jealous and they just made Jason post a bond to assure that Paul and his companions would not disturb the peace in the city. I wonder would we be willing to put up our own money for the sake of the gospel. How far would we go or how much are we willing to risk for Christ? Vs 10 Paul and Silas leave Thessalonica and travel about 40 miles to Berea and there again begin to proclaim Christ. One problem is that the believers in Thessalonica have questions about what Paul was teaching. So Paul out of deep concern for the believers there sends Timothy back to see how the folks are doing. Timothy returns to Paul with many questions from the believers there. So, Paul sets out to answer their questions in this 1st letter and then a follow up letter, 2 Thessalonians.
One of the main things Paul focuses on in his letter is encouraging the believers because of the continuing persecution they are suffering from the Jews as well as addressing their questions from his teaching. It is clear that the Holy Spirit led Paul to write these letters to meet several needs of the believers. His encouragement to hold tight to their faith despite of the persecution is clear. He also refutes the false charges made against him by his enemies that he was in it for the money, prestige and personal benefits of preaching. It seems they also accused him of being a coward and a hypocrite because he did not return to the city because he was afraid. Another thing Paul addresses in his letters is some wrong ideas that have entered the church which need clearing up. He also teaches about what happens to a believer who dies before Christ returns. These and many more we will study together over the next several weeks.
Some things to take away from this today is the fact that Paul loved the Lord so much that he did not give up when times got tough but persevered on leaving an example for the believers to follow. He held up the new believers in faithful prayer, instructing and encouraging them to live for Christ both by word and example.
How wonderful would it be if we could do the same.
Benediction: 1 Thess. 5:23-24
