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How did there come to be a vibrant Church of Jesus Christ in Thessalonica and what was its significance in these early days – but before we read this amazing letter to the Thessalonians – written probably around 52 to 53 AD – probably the first letter Paul wrote to the Church – we take time see how it all began.

In Acts Chapter 15 verse 36, we see something of Paul’s love for the people of God.

Chapter 15 verse 40 – Paul and Silas, go off on this missionary journey, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

Verse 41 – Paul and Silas and the team went through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches. Christians need to be confirmed – rooted – grounded – taught – encouraged – strengthened.

In Acts Chapter 17 we read of Silas and Paul arriving in Thessalonica - and they looked for the synagogue. They looked for the place of prayer. They looked for that setting where people at least had a belief in God. "As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue."

This man has had bad experiences among The Jews - and with The Jews - but still he realises that this is where he is to begin.

The past does not colour his present - and, like His Saviour, Jesus Christ, Paul goes back to the synagogue.

On the Sabbath day it was the custom of Jesus to go and worship in the synagogue at Nazareth. (Luke Chapter 4 verse 16)

When we belong to Jesus - when we are born again - converted - anointed with the Holy Spirit - there is that desire - that longing - to worship the living God - to praise and pray and hear His Holy Word - and to meet together in fellowship with the people who belong to Jesus.

This is one of the signs to the world that we are disciples of Jesus Christ - when we are found faithful in fellowship - among the people of God.

They were certainly a sign of the presence of God in Chapter 16 - Lydia - the girl with the python spirit - the jailer – the marks on their back - the baptisms which take place - and the pimps who had their income curtailed.

We are dealing with facts in these Chapters - these are actual events and incidents and happenings. These are real people - and all of this is so vivid. What we read of in Acts is almost in Technicolor.

To consider and meditate upon the lessons and implications of Chapter 16 will always be immensely valuable.

Acts Chapter 17 – Paul and Silas arrive in Thessalonica. For three Sabbaths Paul is reasoning with these Jews, from the Scriptures.

He is opening up The Word of God - teaching the people that it was necessary for Christ – the Messiah – to suffer and be crucified and rise again from the dead.

When Paul is speaking to Jews he quotes from the Scriptures - his desire is to ground his preaching and teaching upon The Word of God. Paul has a great love for the Word of God - and he seeks to impart that to people, everywhere he goes.

Paul is preaching - it is this Jesus who was crucified and who is risen - he is the Christ - the Messiah - he is the Saviour who is able to save you from your sins.

Jesus Christ is the one who is able to save us from our sins.

He not only saves us from the penalty of sin - but he gives us that ability to stop committing these sins. He takes away the taste for certain wrong actions. That desire to behave in a wrong way - Jesus takes from us.

There was a response - some believed and sided with Paul and Silas - quite a number realise that they were sinners and needed Jesus Christ to deal with their situation.

Some of the prominent women-folks realised that they too were sinners, requiring Jesus Christ the Saviour.

BUT !! The Jews who did not believe - were moved with envy. They allowed themselves to be influenced by bad motivation. Religious jealousy grew in their hearts, and that is a terrible thing. It can still be very real.

What is happening is this - religious people who were closed to Jesus Christ, see other people who were open to Jesus Christ, receiving his love and mercy and forgiveness and peace and blessing.

They become jealous, and they do horrible things out of jealousy.

These closed hard unbelievers got hold of some rabble-rousers of the worst kind - and they set the city in an uproar. This is a rent-a-gang – and there is a riot.

They assaulted the house of Jason - where Silas and Paul were based - and look at what they are accused of - "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here - they are defying Caesar's decrees - saying there is another king, one called Jesus."

The words of those hard, closed, critical men are filled with distortion, exaggeration, lies - and yet, what they say, there is a degree of truth - but NOT the whole truth. It is not all true.

They make false charges. It was everyone else who was upside down.

Paul and Silas - by their preaching and teaching - are seeking to turn the world the right way up - BUT unbelievers cannot see that - they never have - they never will.

We see here how disciples of Jesus are radical revolutionaries. They are always seeking to change people's wrong ideas about God - and wrong ideas about themselves.

Being a disciple of Jesus can mean a revolution in so many areas of our lives - and this is where we see one big difference between being religious and being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Paul was not preaching contrary to the laws of Caesar - yet, he was saying there was another King - JESUS - but not as a rival.

Similar things were said when Jesus was born.

“Loving Father – as we see this amazing response to the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – teach us what we need to learn and know and understand and come to terms with – show us from the Scriptures what is involved in mission – and hear as we pray for everyone involved in mission – no matter where they are – in Jesus name. Amen”

"Bible verse and quote" from Jan Couns

Bible and Quote - February 25 - March 1