WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.939 There is a kind of agony to communication at various points in your life. 00:00:11.380 --> 00:00:20.820 Particularly what I have in mind when I say that is the early stages of a relationship that you think has the potential of becoming romantic. 00:00:20.820 --> 00:00:31.960 The way that you talk, the way that you fashion your words means a lot to you and it means a lot to the person that you're pursuing or that you hope to pursue in those moments. 00:00:33.240 --> 00:00:43.179 The college that Julie and I attended, we had a nightly letter exchange program called the Pony Express. 00:00:43.179 --> 00:00:59.500 And it was through the Pony Express every night, you could send a note or a package or a class assignment that maybe someone needed help with if they cared about you enough to send that to you. 00:00:59.640 --> 00:01:01.079 They could exchange that with you. 00:01:01.140 --> 00:01:03.980 There would be two people after hours, after curfew for the college. 00:01:04.359 --> 00:01:06.299 Two people would be designated from the guys. 00:01:06.739 --> 00:01:08.840 Two people would be designated from the ladies. 00:01:09.200 --> 00:01:12.319 They would collect all the letters or packages that were going to be exchanged. 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:14.939 The guys would meet the ladies in the parking lot. 00:01:15.099 --> 00:01:19.439 They would exchange the baskets full of notes like the Pony Express. 00:01:19.759 --> 00:01:24.780 And then they would take it back to their respective dormitories and pass them out. 00:01:25.319 --> 00:01:36.759 Now, in that context, the early days of a relationship involved writing flirtatious notes that maybe if you really were interested in the person, 00:01:37.199 --> 00:01:40.119 spray a little bit of cologne on there if you had it. 00:01:40.120 --> 00:01:44.520 You hoped that if you got something in return that it didn't smell like paper. 00:01:44.840 --> 00:01:47.480 You wanted it to smell like something nicer than paper. 00:01:47.579 --> 00:01:49.480 That meant something significant, right? 00:01:50.280 --> 00:01:54.960 You would hope to receive maybe some brownies or cookies in return. 00:01:54.960 --> 00:02:01.300 Something that would show that the person you're writing to that you're interested in has some type of interest in you in return. 00:02:01.299 --> 00:02:08.539 And when Julie and I were first interested in one another, we would often utilize this system. 00:02:08.539 --> 00:02:18.579 But it was a bit of an agony that went along with it, determining exactly what words should I use as I'm writing this letter. 00:02:19.519 --> 00:02:21.060 You know, do I say, dear Julie? 00:02:21.180 --> 00:02:22.259 Does that say too much? 00:02:22.399 --> 00:02:23.099 Like, dear? 00:02:23.419 --> 00:02:24.419 Doesn't that mean beloved? 00:02:24.560 --> 00:02:25.780 Maybe I should just say Julie. 00:02:26.099 --> 00:02:27.959 Or maybe I shouldn't put her name at all. 00:02:28.180 --> 00:02:31.439 When you get to the end, you're trying to figure out how to actually sign off on this letter. 00:02:31.439 --> 00:02:34.579 I can't put love yet because I hadn't told her that. 00:02:34.680 --> 00:02:35.819 She's going to get the wrong idea. 00:02:35.960 --> 00:02:38.079 She's going to think I'm going to propose soon or whatever. 00:02:38.500 --> 00:02:41.280 And maybe I should put in Christ. 00:02:41.379 --> 00:02:42.639 But no, that's too formal. 00:02:42.900 --> 00:02:43.800 That's too Christian. 00:02:44.039 --> 00:02:45.439 We don't want to write that way either. 00:02:46.419 --> 00:02:47.280 It's agonizing. 00:02:47.379 --> 00:02:49.759 It's excruciating in the early days of those relationships. 00:02:49.879 --> 00:02:51.099 How do I communicate? 00:02:51.419 --> 00:02:52.340 How do I write these notes? 00:02:53.479 --> 00:02:57.280 You didn't want to be so casual that your interest wasn't adequately expressed. 00:02:57.280 --> 00:03:00.400 But being too forward might scare them away. 00:03:01.300 --> 00:03:04.039 Now, those in the younger generation, like my daughters, 00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:08.439 they don't know much about writing letters with paper and pen. 00:03:08.580 --> 00:03:09.360 They text message. 00:03:09.479 --> 00:03:10.599 That's the thing that they do, right? 00:03:10.719 --> 00:03:11.460 But they understand. 00:03:11.560 --> 00:03:12.680 You understand what it's like. 00:03:12.719 --> 00:03:13.479 It's the same thing. 00:03:13.699 --> 00:03:16.860 When you're writing, you're about to send that text message to somebody that matters to you, 00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:20.020 that you actually care about what they think and how they may read, 00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:23.060 you're plaguing yourself with, what punctuation should I use? 00:03:23.180 --> 00:03:26.139 You know, periods may make them think that I'm mad at them. 00:03:26.139 --> 00:03:29.219 Or explanation points may think that I'm too excited about this. 00:03:29.299 --> 00:03:30.599 How am I supposed to communicate? 00:03:31.019 --> 00:03:34.899 And the reason for that is even the simplest forms of communication, 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:40.879 they carry deep meaning, significant meaning. 00:03:41.099 --> 00:03:44.000 We care about that because we know words matter. 00:03:44.219 --> 00:03:46.539 And we know the structure of words matter. 00:03:46.859 --> 00:03:49.839 We know the way that we say things has significant meaning. 00:03:49.959 --> 00:03:51.619 And it's going to have a perceived meaning. 00:03:51.719 --> 00:03:52.899 It's going to have an actual meaning. 00:03:53.479 --> 00:03:54.899 And it's important. 00:03:54.900 --> 00:03:59.039 When we come to the opening verse of 1 Thessalonians, 00:03:59.180 --> 00:04:02.879 we find that this is really, it's a simple greeting, 00:04:03.879 --> 00:04:09.099 and yet it's still loaded with profoundly rich meaning. 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:13.860 It follows a pattern that's consistent with letter writing 00:04:13.860 --> 00:04:17.180 and the first century and Greco-Roman culture, 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:20.100 naming the letters authors and recipients, 00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:22.980 including a formal statement of greeting. 00:04:22.980 --> 00:04:25.439 Still, as we read through this, 00:04:25.439 --> 00:04:27.780 a thoughtful person will recognize 00:04:27.780 --> 00:04:32.120 that there's so much more to this opening formula than meets the eye. 00:04:33.460 --> 00:04:36.580 The authorship, these first three names that's listed, 00:04:36.700 --> 00:04:40.920 it points back to the glorious yet tumultuous beginnings 00:04:40.920 --> 00:04:44.640 of the church in Thessalonica. 00:04:44.639 --> 00:04:47.099 The recipient designation. 00:04:47.099 --> 00:04:50.139 The way that Paul and his team write it, 00:04:50.180 --> 00:04:55.180 it expresses an identity-shaping reality that, honestly, 00:04:55.279 --> 00:04:58.339 we're often prone to take for granted or to forget about. 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:03.459 The greeting itself, it presents a wonderful hope 00:05:03.459 --> 00:05:06.939 that not only sets the tone for the letter, 00:05:06.939 --> 00:05:12.139 but it provides the reader, particularly the reader in Thessalonica, 00:05:12.740 --> 00:05:17.459 with strength of faith and obedience until the day of the Lord's return. 00:05:17.800 --> 00:05:22.699 Three massive, meaningful truths here. 00:05:23.819 --> 00:05:28.040 Their beginnings, their identity, their hope. 00:05:28.040 --> 00:05:34.220 All three of them are teeming with gospel significance. 00:05:35.500 --> 00:05:40.280 And this focus on God's saving work through Jesus Christ 00:05:40.280 --> 00:05:45.860 is actually what gives this verse and all of the letter its substance. 00:05:46.840 --> 00:05:50.860 The fact that all of it is rooted in the gospel of Jesus. 00:05:51.580 --> 00:05:53.259 And what I want to do with this verse today, 00:05:53.420 --> 00:05:54.360 and as far as our study, 00:05:54.360 --> 00:05:56.500 is by way of introduction to the letter, 00:05:56.560 --> 00:05:58.680 I want to break down these three statements 00:05:58.680 --> 00:06:02.639 to expose for you their gospel significance, 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:03.840 their gospel meaning. 00:06:04.460 --> 00:06:05.259 And in doing that, 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:08.360 I hope to simultaneously kind of lay a groundwork 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:10.620 for what this letter is about 00:06:10.620 --> 00:06:12.600 and what its focus is 00:06:12.600 --> 00:06:14.280 and kind of give you a roadmap 00:06:14.280 --> 00:06:17.439 for our study in the coming months. 00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:18.920 And then, of course, 00:06:19.379 --> 00:06:21.980 I want you to be encouraged by these words 00:06:21.980 --> 00:06:23.900 in the way that I believe 00:06:23.900 --> 00:06:25.819 the Thessalonian Christians 00:06:25.819 --> 00:06:28.780 would have immediately been encouraged by these words, 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:33.000 even just the simple opening greeting of the letter. 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:34.920 First thing I want you to see here 00:06:34.920 --> 00:06:37.420 is their gospel beginnings. 00:06:38.379 --> 00:06:40.700 Their gospel beginnings. 00:06:41.080 --> 00:06:42.200 Look again at verse one, 00:06:42.280 --> 00:06:43.640 just the first three words here. 00:06:44.280 --> 00:06:47.620 Paul, Silvanus, who we know is Silas, 00:06:48.400 --> 00:06:49.819 and Timothy. 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:53.680 However else this letter might be described 00:06:53.680 --> 00:06:55.719 by those who are given to study it, 00:06:56.779 --> 00:06:59.319 it is first and foremost 00:06:59.319 --> 00:07:01.120 a letter of friendship. 00:07:01.959 --> 00:07:02.899 It's a letter of friendship. 00:07:03.980 --> 00:07:05.699 There's an incredible warmth 00:07:05.699 --> 00:07:07.259 and intimacy 00:07:07.259 --> 00:07:09.539 that envelops this letter, 00:07:10.399 --> 00:07:12.019 showing the depth of friendship 00:07:12.019 --> 00:07:13.319 enjoyed by the church 00:07:13.319 --> 00:07:16.100 and this ministry team that founded it. 00:07:16.100 --> 00:07:18.120 The Apostle Paul, of course, 00:07:18.180 --> 00:07:20.080 is the leader of that team, 00:07:20.160 --> 00:07:21.720 and the team included his, 00:07:22.080 --> 00:07:24.560 what we would describe as a senior associate. 00:07:25.140 --> 00:07:26.200 His name was Silas, 00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:28.420 and then also a junior associate 00:07:28.420 --> 00:07:30.800 whose name was Timothy. 00:07:31.900 --> 00:07:33.240 And we see that there are all three 00:07:33.240 --> 00:07:34.180 mentioned at the beginning 00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:35.500 because this letter really, 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:36.760 though Paul is the leader, 00:07:36.939 --> 00:07:39.160 he would be designated as the primary author. 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:41.040 Really, they're writing this as a team. 00:07:41.920 --> 00:07:43.020 Often throughout the letter, 00:07:43.019 --> 00:07:45.199 we find the first person plural pronouns 00:07:45.199 --> 00:07:45.799 being used, 00:07:46.159 --> 00:07:47.439 we and us, 00:07:47.819 --> 00:07:49.359 so that even though Paul 00:07:49.359 --> 00:07:50.539 is the primary author, 00:07:50.759 --> 00:07:52.279 he's writing on behalf 00:07:52.279 --> 00:07:54.240 of the three of them together. 00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:56.659 Therefore, all three are included 00:07:56.659 --> 00:07:59.019 as authors in the opening statements. 00:07:59.799 --> 00:08:01.199 However, to truly grasp 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:03.560 the relationship between these men 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:05.060 and the church, 00:08:05.560 --> 00:08:07.560 to understand the context 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:10.019 that gave way to the writing 00:08:10.019 --> 00:08:10.720 of this letter, 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:13.620 we need to trace Paul's movements. 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:15.959 And fortunately for us, 00:08:16.280 --> 00:08:17.620 they're provided for us 00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:18.500 in the book of Acts. 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:19.660 So I want you to turn with me 00:08:19.660 --> 00:08:22.620 to beginning at Acts chapter 15, 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:23.720 at the very end of it, 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:26.259 and I just want us to walk through 00:08:26.259 --> 00:08:29.240 tracing Paul's steps 00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:30.399 and his team's steps. 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:32.000 And along the way, 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:33.419 I hope what it's going to do 00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:34.579 is it's going to help us 00:08:34.579 --> 00:08:35.779 understand better 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:37.939 his relationship to this church 00:08:37.939 --> 00:08:39.279 in the context 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:40.799 that informs 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:42.579 the content of the letter. 00:08:43.439 --> 00:08:44.479 We first find 00:08:44.479 --> 00:08:46.319 at the end of chapter 15 00:08:46.319 --> 00:08:47.699 and the beginning of chapter 16 00:08:47.699 --> 00:08:49.159 that this team, 00:08:49.379 --> 00:08:51.000 Paul and Silas and Timothy, 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:52.979 are assembled at this moment 00:08:52.979 --> 00:08:54.479 for the very first time. 00:08:55.319 --> 00:08:56.000 Paul's already been 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:57.199 on one missionary journey 00:08:57.199 --> 00:08:57.980 up to this point. 00:08:58.399 --> 00:09:00.019 His partner was not these men. 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:01.539 His partner was a man 00:09:01.539 --> 00:09:02.519 named Barnabas, 00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:03.799 his senior associate. 00:09:04.360 --> 00:09:05.679 And then the junior associate 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:06.779 at that time was, 00:09:06.939 --> 00:09:07.779 at least temporarily, 00:09:08.319 --> 00:09:10.000 was a man named John Mark. 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:10.879 Unfortunately, 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:13.159 beginning in verse 36, 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:13.960 we're not going to read it, 00:09:14.039 --> 00:09:16.059 but just for your own notes, 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:17.399 if you'd like to keep track of it, 00:09:17.679 --> 00:09:18.579 in verse 36, 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:19.480 we find actually 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:20.539 a sorrowful moment. 00:09:21.620 --> 00:09:22.539 Paul and Barnabas 00:09:22.539 --> 00:09:23.819 are preparing to launch out 00:09:23.819 --> 00:09:25.279 on a second missionary journey. 00:09:25.579 --> 00:09:26.759 They want to visit the churches 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:27.720 that they established 00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:28.720 the first time around, 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:29.819 check on them, 00:09:29.820 --> 00:09:30.700 strengthen them. 00:09:31.700 --> 00:09:32.620 The problem is, 00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:34.680 Barnabas wants to take John Mark, 00:09:35.040 --> 00:09:35.800 and Paul thinks 00:09:35.800 --> 00:09:36.780 that's a bad idea. 00:09:37.040 --> 00:09:38.160 And he thinks it's a bad idea 00:09:38.160 --> 00:09:39.100 because John Mark 00:09:39.100 --> 00:09:40.060 had abandoned them 00:09:40.060 --> 00:09:41.040 on their first journey. 00:09:41.940 --> 00:09:42.760 Hurt by that, 00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:43.620 no doubt, 00:09:43.940 --> 00:09:46.000 but also wanting to be wise 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:47.820 in the way that he carried out 00:09:47.820 --> 00:09:50.580 the next series of season 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:51.379 of his ministry, 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:52.500 Paul thought it would be 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:53.640 a bad idea to take them. 00:09:54.200 --> 00:09:55.000 And what we find 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:55.960 is that these two 00:09:55.960 --> 00:09:57.280 very close friends 00:09:57.280 --> 00:09:58.520 and colleagues in the gospel 00:09:58.519 --> 00:10:00.500 have such a sharp disagreement 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:01.720 that they decide 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:02.299 they're going to have 00:10:02.299 --> 00:10:03.840 to do this separately. 00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:06.120 Barnabas takes John Mark 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:07.220 and he goes to one area. 00:10:07.939 --> 00:10:10.579 Paul then picks up Silas, 00:10:10.699 --> 00:10:11.960 or Silvanus, 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:13.539 who had come from Jerusalem. 00:10:14.199 --> 00:10:15.699 After the Jerusalem Council, 00:10:15.819 --> 00:10:16.559 you can read about that 00:10:16.559 --> 00:10:17.319 in Acts 15, 00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:18.960 Silas is tasked 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:19.659 as one of the men 00:10:19.659 --> 00:10:21.059 to go to the Gentile churches 00:10:21.059 --> 00:10:22.439 to tell them 00:10:22.439 --> 00:10:23.980 about what had been discussed 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:26.080 and decided in terms 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:26.620 of the gospel 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:27.420 and its relationship 00:10:27.420 --> 00:10:28.440 to the Gentiles 00:10:28.440 --> 00:10:30.100 at the Jerusalem Council. 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:31.960 He's a faithful man, 00:10:32.420 --> 00:10:33.600 a skilled man, 00:10:34.259 --> 00:10:36.039 a ministry-minded man. 00:10:36.620 --> 00:10:37.879 Paul asked him to join him, 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:39.180 and that's exactly what he does. 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:40.379 Just look at chapter 15 00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:41.000 and verse 40. 00:10:41.379 --> 00:10:42.980 Paul chose Silas 00:10:42.980 --> 00:10:44.039 and departed, 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:45.539 having been commended 00:10:45.539 --> 00:10:46.240 by the brothers 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:47.899 to the grace of the Lord. 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:49.920 And the first place 00:10:49.920 --> 00:10:51.840 that Paul and Silas go 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:53.800 is to revisit some of the churches 00:10:53.800 --> 00:10:55.680 he had established earlier. 00:10:56.259 --> 00:10:57.200 They make it eventually 00:10:57.200 --> 00:10:59.180 to a place called Lystra. 00:10:59.860 --> 00:11:00.680 At the very beginning 00:11:00.680 --> 00:11:01.600 of chapter 16, 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:03.340 we find that while they're in Lystra, 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:05.460 they pick up another companion 00:11:05.460 --> 00:11:06.340 whose name is Timothy. 00:11:06.560 --> 00:11:07.740 Just look at verse 1 00:11:07.740 --> 00:11:08.680 of chapter 16. 00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:10.620 Paul came also to Derbe 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:11.500 and to Lystra. 00:11:12.200 --> 00:11:13.300 A disciple was there 00:11:13.300 --> 00:11:14.000 named Timothy, 00:11:14.660 --> 00:11:15.960 the son of a Jewish woman 00:11:15.960 --> 00:11:16.940 who was a believer, 00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:18.759 but his father was a Greek. 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:20.780 He was well spoken of 00:11:20.780 --> 00:11:21.400 by the brothers 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:22.600 at Lystra and Iconium. 00:11:23.199 --> 00:11:24.360 And Paul wanted Timothy 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:26.319 to accompany him. 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:27.620 And so he did. 00:11:28.199 --> 00:11:29.220 So this is how we see, 00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:31.039 even before the people 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:32.659 of Thessalonica 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:34.059 ever come into the picture here, 00:11:34.199 --> 00:11:35.439 we see God working 00:11:35.439 --> 00:11:36.579 in kind of a unique way, 00:11:36.840 --> 00:11:37.600 even in a way 00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:38.379 that we would say 00:11:38.379 --> 00:11:39.899 is probably sorrowful 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:40.620 and hurtful. 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:41.759 There's this, 00:11:42.159 --> 00:11:43.779 what we might think of 00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:45.340 as maybe a disintegration 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:46.220 of a close friendship 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:47.460 happening on one hand. 00:11:47.579 --> 00:11:49.000 Maybe it's not quite that extreme, 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:50.840 but certainly the breaking apart 00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:53.660 of a gospel ministry team. 00:11:53.920 --> 00:11:54.860 And what does God do 00:11:54.860 --> 00:11:55.420 through that? 00:11:55.660 --> 00:11:56.899 Well, God just keeps working, 00:11:57.000 --> 00:11:57.399 doesn't he? 00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:59.000 He continues to work 00:11:59.000 --> 00:12:00.120 in Barnabas and Mark. 00:12:00.280 --> 00:12:01.840 He continues to work in Paul 00:12:01.840 --> 00:12:03.060 and he begins to assemble 00:12:03.060 --> 00:12:03.600 this team, 00:12:03.780 --> 00:12:04.660 Silas and Timothy 00:12:04.660 --> 00:12:05.899 coming along with Paul. 00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:07.420 And so after they pick up 00:12:07.420 --> 00:12:08.860 Timothy and Lystra, 00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:10.040 they head out 00:12:10.040 --> 00:12:11.899 and Paul has tremendous plans. 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:13.259 So when we get to chapter 16, 00:12:13.320 --> 00:12:14.420 verses 6 through 10, 00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:16.180 we find that Paul has 00:12:16.179 --> 00:12:17.879 actually great plans 00:12:17.879 --> 00:12:20.120 for this particular journey. 00:12:21.199 --> 00:12:22.039 He wanted to go 00:12:22.039 --> 00:12:23.879 into Asia Minor 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:25.479 to preach perhaps 00:12:25.479 --> 00:12:27.039 in cities like Ephesus. 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:29.939 But you'll notice in verse 6 00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:32.279 that God kept them 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:33.019 from doing it. 00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:34.259 Look at verse 6. 00:12:34.459 --> 00:12:36.299 They went through the region 00:12:36.299 --> 00:12:37.639 of Phrygia and Galatia, 00:12:38.319 --> 00:12:39.939 having been forbidden 00:12:39.939 --> 00:12:42.319 by the Holy Spirit 00:12:42.319 --> 00:12:44.159 to speak the word in Asia. 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:46.559 Paul tells Silas and Timothy, 00:12:46.699 --> 00:12:47.019 we're going to go 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:48.399 into Asia Minor. 00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:49.759 We're going to try 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:51.579 to preach in some synagogues there 00:12:51.579 --> 00:12:52.399 if we can find some. 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:52.939 We're going to plant 00:12:52.939 --> 00:12:53.480 some churches. 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:54.559 And as soon as they do, 00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:55.360 he doesn't explain 00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:56.139 how this happens. 00:12:56.199 --> 00:12:56.679 He just says, 00:12:56.959 --> 00:12:57.919 God wouldn't let us do it. 00:12:59.019 --> 00:12:59.679 So they say, 00:12:59.719 --> 00:13:00.620 okay, what are we going to do? 00:13:00.679 --> 00:13:01.639 Well, why don't we try 00:13:01.639 --> 00:13:03.259 to go to Bithynia instead? 00:13:03.719 --> 00:13:05.779 But again, God says, 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:06.899 no. 00:13:07.459 --> 00:13:08.399 Look at verse 7. 00:13:09.199 --> 00:13:10.220 When they had come up 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:11.199 to Mysia, 00:13:11.199 --> 00:13:12.339 they attempted to go 00:13:12.339 --> 00:13:14.079 into Bithynia, 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:16.419 but the Spirit of Jesus 00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:19.579 did not allow them. 00:13:20.779 --> 00:13:21.699 Now, I've got the map 00:13:21.699 --> 00:13:22.679 on the screen for you here 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:23.679 if you care to see that. 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:24.740 You'll see where they started 00:13:24.740 --> 00:13:25.839 is over here in Syria 00:13:25.839 --> 00:13:26.799 in Antioch. 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:28.179 That was their sending church, 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:28.759 so to speak. 00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:31.120 Paul and Silas leave Antioch 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:32.620 and they jump up to Tarsus 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:33.740 and then over to Lystra. 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:35.319 That's where they pick up Timothy. 00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:37.199 And where they actually desire to go 00:13:37.199 --> 00:13:38.399 is in this yellow area. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:38.899 If you can see, 00:13:38.959 --> 00:13:39.839 I don't know how clear it is for you, 00:13:39.839 --> 00:13:41.259 but there's this yellow area 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:42.240 right in the middle of the picture. 00:13:42.439 --> 00:13:43.679 That's where they wanted to go. 00:13:43.979 --> 00:13:45.039 If you look far over 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:46.099 on the west side 00:13:46.099 --> 00:13:46.979 of that yellow area, 00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:48.059 you'll see Ephesus 00:13:48.059 --> 00:13:49.379 and Thyatira. 00:13:49.739 --> 00:13:50.599 If you read through 00:13:50.599 --> 00:13:52.059 the seven churches 00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:53.919 in Revelation 2 and 3, 00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:55.299 this would have been the cities 00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:57.000 that Paul would have been aiming 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:57.879 to go at. 00:13:58.139 --> 00:13:59.659 The churches that John 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:00.500 had actually addressed 00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:01.139 in that letter. 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:02.439 But as they're trying to go there, 00:14:02.539 --> 00:14:03.579 Paul's thinking in his mind, 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:04.839 I'm going to go preach the gospel. 00:14:05.779 --> 00:14:07.000 Surely God will bless us, 00:14:07.059 --> 00:14:07.479 but God says, 00:14:07.559 --> 00:14:08.019 no, I don't want you 00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:08.779 to preach the gospel 00:14:08.779 --> 00:14:09.459 in Asia Minor. 00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:10.500 So he says, 00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:11.799 okay, can't do Asia. 00:14:12.059 --> 00:14:13.419 Maybe we'll go north 00:14:13.419 --> 00:14:14.639 to Bithynia. 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.539 God doesn't let him 00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:17.220 do that either. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:19.440 Now, if you're like me, 00:14:19.700 --> 00:14:20.460 what you would do 00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:21.340 in that situation 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:21.919 is probably get 00:14:21.919 --> 00:14:22.659 a little frustrated. 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:24.919 Lord, here I am. 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:26.000 I'm trying to do your work. 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:28.139 I'm trying to preach 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:28.620 the gospel 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:29.500 where people haven't preached 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:29.879 the gospel 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:30.759 and you won't let me. 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:33.120 You ever make plans 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.279 and God gets in the way 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:36.379 and refuses? 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:37.360 It can be frustrating, 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:37.799 can't it? 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:40.120 What do they do? 00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:41.679 Well, Paul, 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:42.919 in really great wisdom, 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:43.939 goes to Troas. 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:45.039 You'll see it's 00:14:45.039 --> 00:14:46.139 on the west side of Asia. 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.399 They go the north end. 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.220 They take probably 00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:49.399 the Ignatian Way 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:50.279 is what that's called. 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:51.320 They go all the way 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:52.259 over to Troas, 00:14:52.439 --> 00:14:53.559 which is a port city. 00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:54.960 Now, I love that Paul 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:55.559 does this. 00:14:55.799 --> 00:14:56.899 You know why he does this? 00:14:57.139 --> 00:14:57.840 I'm convinced 00:14:57.840 --> 00:14:58.620 the reason he goes 00:14:58.620 --> 00:14:59.279 to Troas 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:00.360 is because he could 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.200 basically sail 00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:02.059 anywhere he needed 00:15:02.059 --> 00:15:03.600 to go from Troas. 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:04.820 So he goes there 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.379 and he waits. 00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:07.460 And what's he waiting on? 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:09.360 Clarity from the Lord. 00:15:10.580 --> 00:15:11.500 Lord, where do you want me to go? 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:11.899 I'll go wherever 00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:12.519 you want me to go. 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:13.580 You don't want me 00:15:13.580 --> 00:15:14.340 to go to Asia Minor? 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:14.840 That's fine. 00:15:15.059 --> 00:15:15.639 Don't want me to go 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:16.159 to Bithynia? 00:15:16.439 --> 00:15:17.080 That's fine. 00:15:17.320 --> 00:15:18.080 Wherever you want me to go, 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:18.840 I'm just going to wait 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:19.379 in Troas 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:20.720 and I'll be prepared 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:21.980 when you tell me. 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:23.419 And it's at this point 00:15:23.419 --> 00:15:23.939 in this text 00:15:23.939 --> 00:15:25.960 that we read about 00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:26.439 what is called 00:15:26.439 --> 00:15:27.939 the Macedonian call. 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:30.360 While he's in Troas, 00:15:30.940 --> 00:15:31.559 the Holy Spirit 00:15:31.559 --> 00:15:32.639 gives Paul a vision. 00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:33.860 He sees a man 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:34.799 of Macedonia 00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:36.659 calling him to come. 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:37.879 Paul takes that 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:39.019 as a sign from the Lord 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:40.079 that what he intends 00:15:40.079 --> 00:15:40.719 for him to do 00:15:40.719 --> 00:15:41.740 is not to go 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:42.539 to those other places 00:15:42.539 --> 00:15:43.919 but to go into Europe, 00:15:44.339 --> 00:15:45.099 into Macedonia, 00:15:45.219 --> 00:15:46.179 a place where the gospel, 00:15:46.559 --> 00:15:47.599 as far as we understand, 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:49.179 had not yet gone. 00:15:50.179 --> 00:15:51.259 And what does Paul do? 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:52.539 He goes. 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:53.919 Of course. 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:54.819 He goes. 00:15:55.819 --> 00:15:56.479 Now I want you to take 00:15:56.479 --> 00:15:57.679 a moment and consider 00:15:57.679 --> 00:16:00.779 God's sovereign work 00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:03.019 in this ministry endeavor. 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:06.139 It was not Paul's plan 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:07.099 to go to Macedonia 00:16:07.099 --> 00:16:07.799 at that time. 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:09.500 But God, 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:11.259 through the work 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:11.979 of the Holy Spirit, 00:16:12.179 --> 00:16:13.159 intervenes. 00:16:13.719 --> 00:16:14.120 Why? 00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:15.819 Because God had 00:16:15.819 --> 00:16:17.159 a saving plan 00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:18.299 for the people 00:16:18.299 --> 00:16:19.299 of Macedonia 00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:21.139 that Paul was totally 00:16:21.139 --> 00:16:21.980 unaware of. 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:24.000 but because he was 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:24.560 flexible 00:16:24.560 --> 00:16:25.360 and he was sensitive 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:26.159 to the leadership 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:27.120 of the Lord 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:28.000 in his life, 00:16:28.420 --> 00:16:29.940 he followed through 00:16:29.940 --> 00:16:31.019 and the Lord used him 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:32.800 to great effect. 00:16:33.680 --> 00:16:35.120 Proverbs 19, 21, 00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:37.000 many are the plans 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.139 in the mind of a man 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:40.220 but it is the purposes 00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:41.060 of the Lord 00:16:41.060 --> 00:16:42.539 that will stand. 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:44.920 A month from now, 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.620 we'll celebrate 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:46.600 five years 00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:47.360 as a church 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:48.379 and as a church plan. 00:16:49.200 --> 00:16:49.680 And those of you 00:16:49.680 --> 00:16:50.720 that have been with us 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:51.740 since the early days 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:52.620 will probably say 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:53.720 this is not exactly 00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:55.580 what we expected 00:16:55.580 --> 00:16:57.240 our church to look like 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:58.180 and where we expected 00:16:58.180 --> 00:16:58.680 to meet 00:16:58.680 --> 00:16:59.600 in the course 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.399 of five years. 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:02.160 That's okay. 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:03.720 That's okay. 00:17:04.600 --> 00:17:05.600 God's got a work 00:17:05.600 --> 00:17:06.100 that he's doing 00:17:06.100 --> 00:17:06.759 in our church 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.339 and that he's doing 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:08.120 through our ministry 00:17:08.120 --> 00:17:09.519 that we might not 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.380 ever understand. 00:17:11.360 --> 00:17:12.380 Our job is to be faithful, 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:14.000 to be faithful, 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.400 to follow his leadership, 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.100 be sensitive 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:17.359 to land. 00:17:18.459 --> 00:17:19.419 Paul's desire 00:17:19.419 --> 00:17:20.939 to obey the Lord 00:17:20.939 --> 00:17:22.379 created this flexibility 00:17:22.379 --> 00:17:23.079 of heart 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:24.240 so that he was willing 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:25.719 to go wherever God led him 00:17:25.719 --> 00:17:26.959 even if it meant 00:17:26.959 --> 00:17:28.240 abandoning all of his plans 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.039 in the process. 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:31.379 And what was the result? 00:17:33.219 --> 00:17:34.779 Really, really 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:37.199 incredible hardship 00:17:37.199 --> 00:17:38.959 was the result. 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:43.339 Tremendous persecution, 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:48.019 overwhelming stress, 00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:50.439 and also 00:17:50.439 --> 00:17:52.980 the miraculous conversion 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:54.839 of many, 00:17:54.959 --> 00:17:56.019 perhaps hundreds, 00:17:56.699 --> 00:17:57.839 of lost souls 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:58.879 who up to that point 00:17:58.879 --> 00:18:00.339 had never even heard 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.480 the name of Jesus Christ. 00:18:03.179 --> 00:18:04.000 Paul, I think, 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:04.559 would say 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:06.319 that's worth it. 00:18:07.379 --> 00:18:07.699 You see, 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:08.500 I think there's something 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:09.059 for us here. 00:18:09.159 --> 00:18:10.279 I think we need to learn 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:11.619 to hold our plans loosely 00:18:11.619 --> 00:18:12.179 in life 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:13.380 as hard as that is to do 00:18:13.380 --> 00:18:15.880 and to remain sensitive 00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:16.720 at all times 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.380 to the leadership 00:18:17.380 --> 00:18:18.100 of the Lord. 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:21.279 We need to always acknowledge 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.220 that God's plans 00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:22.720 for us 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:24.500 are not easy. 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:26.860 And if you've got 00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:28.039 an idea in your mind 00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:29.660 that to obey the Lord 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:30.640 and be faithful to him 00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:31.440 means that it will 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:32.120 always come 00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:33.220 in what we determine 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:33.900 as blessing, 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.220 then you've really 00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:36.120 got the wrong idea. 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.019 God's ways 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:39.500 are very often hard. 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:42.539 still yet, 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:43.220 God's ways 00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:44.480 are always good, 00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:46.839 always right, 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:49.079 always fruitful 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:49.940 for the gospel, 00:18:50.119 --> 00:18:51.799 for his saving work 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:53.119 and his sanctifying work 00:18:53.119 --> 00:18:53.660 and his people 00:18:53.660 --> 00:18:54.700 and his saving work 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.720 in others. 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:57.700 The gospel went 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.660 to Thessalonica 00:18:58.660 --> 00:18:59.900 not because Paul 00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:01.180 wanted to take it there, 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:02.400 but because God 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:03.059 was determined 00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:04.180 to get it there 00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:05.400 through Paul. 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:07.099 And how precious 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:08.279 of a thought this is. 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:09.220 How precious 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:09.920 of a thought 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:10.680 that God 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.879 would use our lives, 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:12.779 that he would use 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:14.059 a church like ours 00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:16.039 to reach people 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:17.460 in such a magnificent way, 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.960 even through hardship 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:20.259 and difficulty 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:21.299 and stress. 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:22.059 Yet, 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:23.099 is it worth it 00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:24.279 if the result 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:25.200 is the conversion 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:26.019 of the loss? 00:19:26.619 --> 00:19:27.299 And I'd say, 00:19:27.859 --> 00:19:29.039 it's worth every moment 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:30.519 if people come 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.339 to know Christ, 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:32.599 if he's determined 00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:33.299 to use us 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:33.859 in that way. 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.639 So the thing 00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:35.139 we establish, 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:36.379 at least up to this point 00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:37.079 in Paul's movements, 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:38.319 is what's happening 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:39.399 eventually when we get 00:19:39.399 --> 00:19:40.299 to the part 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:41.559 about Thessalonica 00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:42.899 is not Paul's plan. 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:44.399 This is God's work. 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.819 It's God's work 00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:46.259 of grace 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:47.220 that's unfolding here. 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:48.339 Well, 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:49.699 they go into Macedonia 00:19:49.699 --> 00:19:50.119 and when we get 00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:51.519 to verses 11 through 40 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:53.319 and it's a familiar story 00:19:53.319 --> 00:19:54.199 to you, 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:54.679 I'm sure, 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:56.559 we see Paul's exploits 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:57.279 in the city 00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:58.199 of Philippi. 00:19:58.919 --> 00:19:59.699 And let me just give you 00:19:59.699 --> 00:20:00.539 a couple highlights. 00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:02.619 Their time in Philippi, 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:03.639 it began 00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:04.559 with the conversion 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:06.279 of a wealthy woman 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:06.879 named Lydia. 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:08.879 Her family was converted 00:20:08.879 --> 00:20:09.519 and baptized 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:12.279 and then so was 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:13.579 a servant girl 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.619 who was being abused 00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:15.200 for money. 00:20:16.619 --> 00:20:16.899 Well, 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:17.679 the people who were 00:20:17.679 --> 00:20:18.259 abusing her 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:18.919 didn't appreciate 00:20:18.919 --> 00:20:19.679 the fact that they 00:20:19.679 --> 00:20:20.639 lost their income 00:20:20.639 --> 00:20:21.419 through the conversion 00:20:21.419 --> 00:20:22.500 of this servant girl. 00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:24.579 So Paul, 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.419 after being obedient 00:20:25.419 --> 00:20:26.079 to the Lord 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:26.879 and doing exactly 00:20:26.879 --> 00:20:27.339 what the Lord 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:28.039 told him to do, 00:20:28.159 --> 00:20:28.819 guess where he 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.879 and Silas land 00:20:29.879 --> 00:20:30.679 when they get 00:20:30.679 --> 00:20:31.419 to Philippi? 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:33.400 They're dragged 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:34.240 into the marketplace 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:35.600 before the city leaders. 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:37.279 They're stripped naked. 00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:38.580 They're beaten 00:20:38.580 --> 00:20:39.800 almost to death 00:20:39.800 --> 00:20:40.759 and then they're 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.960 cast into a jail cell. 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:44.000 Can you imagine? 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:47.000 With wisdom, 00:20:47.120 --> 00:20:48.160 you've waited in Troas. 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:48.500 Lord, 00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:49.840 just send me 00:20:49.840 --> 00:20:50.320 wherever you want 00:20:50.320 --> 00:20:50.840 to send me 00:20:50.840 --> 00:20:51.720 and God says, 00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:52.920 go to Macedonia. 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.980 So they go to Macedonia. 00:20:54.100 --> 00:20:54.820 As soon as they get there, 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:55.360 a couple of people 00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:55.800 get saved 00:20:55.800 --> 00:20:56.240 but then they're 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:56.900 almost killed 00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:58.279 and then they're 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:58.820 put in prison. 00:20:58.819 --> 00:20:59.919 They're humiliated 00:20:59.919 --> 00:21:01.579 in the process of it. 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.220 And again, 00:21:03.399 --> 00:21:04.299 if you're like me, 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:05.720 you'd have been 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:06.639 a little discouraged, 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:08.659 probably a little angry, 00:21:09.659 --> 00:21:10.379 ready to quit. 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:13.119 Oh, not Paul and Silas. 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:14.000 You know what they did. 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:15.720 At midnight, 00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:16.720 they begin to pray 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.500 and sing praises 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.119 to the Lord 00:21:18.119 --> 00:21:19.019 and miraculously, 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.659 God unlocks 00:21:20.659 --> 00:21:21.339 their chains 00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:22.019 through an earthquake 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:22.799 and opens up the gates 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:23.859 but they don't leave anywhere. 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:25.319 And overwhelmed 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:26.299 by what he's heard 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:26.960 through the night 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.779 in their praises, 00:21:27.939 --> 00:21:28.799 the jailer, 00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:30.039 who is responsible 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:30.939 for the prisoners, 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:31.819 runs in, 00:21:32.159 --> 00:21:32.819 can't believe 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:34.279 that they're all still there 00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:35.500 and what is it 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.159 that he asks? 00:21:37.139 --> 00:21:38.000 What must I do 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.659 to be saved? 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:40.079 He asks the right question. 00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:41.359 What I have to do 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:41.879 to be saved? 00:21:41.939 --> 00:21:42.559 And Paul preaches 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.039 the gospel 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:44.019 and him and his family 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:45.359 get saved 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:46.000 and they're baptized. 00:21:46.179 --> 00:21:46.980 That's the beginnings 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:48.539 of the church 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.319 in Philippi 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:50.679 but that's not 00:21:50.679 --> 00:21:51.480 an easy beginning. 00:21:52.439 --> 00:21:53.319 That's hard. 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:54.819 Finally, 00:21:54.939 --> 00:21:55.639 the city leaders 00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:56.359 let them go 00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:57.019 but they tell them 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:57.740 they can't stay, 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.799 they're going to have to leave. 00:21:59.659 --> 00:22:00.259 And so Paul 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.079 and Silas 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:02.859 and Timothy 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:03.679 and Luke 00:22:03.679 --> 00:22:05.039 probably at this point 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:06.119 they leave 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:07.439 and guess where they went? 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:10.019 Another town over 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:12.079 called Thessalonica 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:13.519 or Thessalonica. 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.339 Now look with me 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:15.279 at chapter 17 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:16.879 and let's just read 00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:17.740 the first four verses. 00:22:19.099 --> 00:22:19.980 Now when they had passed 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:21.240 through Amphipolis 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.980 and Apollonia 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:25.500 they came to Thessalonica 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:27.299 where there was a synagogue 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:27.900 of the Jews 00:22:27.900 --> 00:22:28.980 and notice what Paul did. 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:30.099 Paul went in 00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:31.440 as was his custom 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:33.900 and on three Sabbath days 00:22:33.900 --> 00:22:35.859 he reasoned with them 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:37.339 from the scriptures 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:40.140 explaining and proving 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:41.319 that it was necessary 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.359 for the Christ, 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.039 the Messiah 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:44.119 to suffer 00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:45.880 and to rise from the dead 00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:47.200 and then saying 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:48.539 this Jesus 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:50.119 whom I proclaim to you 00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:51.899 is this Christ 00:22:51.899 --> 00:22:53.179 who suffered 00:22:53.179 --> 00:22:55.519 and rose from the dead. 00:22:56.159 --> 00:22:56.899 What do we find 00:22:56.899 --> 00:22:57.459 in these verses? 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:59.759 We find the gospel 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:01.119 beginnings 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:03.079 of the church 00:23:03.079 --> 00:23:04.199 of the Thessalonians. 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:06.140 And what we see here 00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:06.860 is that everywhere 00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:07.759 Paul went 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.920 his priority 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:09.700 was to preach 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:10.759 the gospel of Jesus 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:11.880 as a matter 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:13.140 of first importance. 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:15.240 There's a lot of things 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:16.080 he could have reasoned 00:23:16.080 --> 00:23:16.700 with them about. 00:23:17.340 --> 00:23:18.340 There's a lot of things 00:23:18.340 --> 00:23:18.900 you and I 00:23:18.900 --> 00:23:19.799 might reason 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:20.720 with people about 00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:22.039 in this world 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:23.000 and outside of the walls 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.819 of this church. 00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:26.160 But if the priority 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:26.980 of our proclamation 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:28.120 is not the gospel 00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:28.680 of Jesus 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:30.960 we're wasting our time. 00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:32.759 Paul knew that. 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:34.400 He knew in following 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:35.000 the pattern 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:36.039 of Jesus himself 00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:37.440 the priority must be 00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:38.079 the proclamation 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:39.140 of the gospel. 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.039 So that's what he does. 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.480 He finds the synagogue 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.460 which is his custom 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:43.440 and he goes in 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.680 and he takes his Bible 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:46.420 and he opens his Bible 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:47.859 and he shows them 00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:48.720 he proves to them 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.460 out of the scriptures 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:51.319 the Messiah must die 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:52.220 and rise again. 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:53.480 And by the way 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:55.339 somebody just did that. 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:56.720 Jesus 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:58.379 of Nazareth. 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.619 His preaching 00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:01.319 was rooted 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:03.019 in the Old Testament 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:04.099 law and prophets 00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:05.119 he explained 00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:06.259 from the scriptures 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:08.759 the gospel message 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.299 of Jesus. 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:12.659 This is the apostolic 00:24:12.659 --> 00:24:13.220 pattern 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:15.500 for all Christian ministry. 00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:18.439 We must faithfully 00:24:18.439 --> 00:24:19.839 preach Christ 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:21.899 from all the scriptures 00:24:21.899 --> 00:24:23.899 calling sinners 00:24:23.899 --> 00:24:24.759 to respond 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:26.159 to the gospel message 00:24:26.159 --> 00:24:27.240 in repentance 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:27.980 and faith. 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.180 faith. 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:30.480 This is the gospel 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:32.500 upon which a true church 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.120 is founded 00:24:33.120 --> 00:24:34.680 and it's the foundation 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.559 that was laid 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:37.140 for the Thessalonian church. 00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:38.299 If they didn't know 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.240 anything else 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.960 from Paul 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:41.039 and Silas 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:42.200 and Timothy's visit 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.400 in the early days 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:45.460 they knew the gospel message 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:46.920 and the gospel message 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.599 was enough 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:49.480 to transform them 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.860 and to empower them 00:24:50.860 --> 00:24:51.900 to move forward 00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:53.140 even despite 00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:54.220 the tremendous hardship 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:55.039 that was going to come 00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:55.500 their way. 00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:56.779 Amazing. 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:59.599 gospel beginnings. 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.359 Now read with me 00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:03.200 verses 5-10. 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.539 What happens 00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:06.720 after they are saved? 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:09.180 Let's start at verse 4 actually. 00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:10.680 Some of them were persuaded 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:12.139 and joined Paul and Silas 00:25:12.139 --> 00:25:13.079 as did a great many 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:14.200 of the devout Greeks 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:15.399 and not a few 00:25:15.399 --> 00:25:16.279 of the leading women. 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.180 Lots of people 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:18.200 coming to Christ here. 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.779 But the Jews were jealous 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.299 jealous. 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:24.039 Taking some men 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.819 of the rabble 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:27.059 they formed a mob 00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:28.519 set the city 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.279 in an uproar 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:30.559 and attacked 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.539 the house of Jason 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.779 who must have been 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.859 one of these early converts 00:25:33.859 --> 00:25:34.559 that was 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.299 perhaps the church 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:36.319 was meeting in his home. 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.379 They were seeking 00:25:38.379 --> 00:25:39.379 to bring them out 00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:40.000 to the crowd 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:41.859 and when they could not 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.460 find them 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:44.139 they dragged Jason 00:25:44.139 --> 00:25:45.420 and some of the brothers 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.660 before the city authority 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.180 shouting 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:48.600 these men 00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:49.259 who have turned 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:50.759 the world upside down 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:52.100 have come here also 00:25:52.100 --> 00:25:53.460 and Jason 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:54.660 has received them 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:56.060 and they are all 00:25:56.060 --> 00:25:56.880 acting against 00:25:56.880 --> 00:25:58.279 the decrees of Caesar 00:25:58.279 --> 00:26:00.120 saying that there is 00:26:00.120 --> 00:26:00.940 another king 00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:01.700 Jesus 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:03.680 and the people 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:04.279 of the city 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:06.000 and the city authorities 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:07.380 were disturbed 00:26:07.380 --> 00:26:08.620 when they heard 00:26:08.620 --> 00:26:08.960 these things. 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:09.660 This was frightening. 00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:11.680 It actually terrified 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:12.480 them to think 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.920 as a Roman 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:15.240 free city state 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:16.920 that there is 00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.500 a movement 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.220 that's happening 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.240 within their city 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:21.079 that would somehow 00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:22.200 go against Caesar 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:23.120 that would threaten 00:26:23.120 --> 00:26:23.859 their independence 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.539 it would threaten 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.079 their freedom 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:25.620 it would threaten 00:26:25.620 --> 00:26:26.259 their safety 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:28.180 so they're disturbed 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:29.240 verse 9 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:30.900 and when they had 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:31.460 taken money 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:31.960 as security 00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:32.620 from Jason 00:26:32.620 --> 00:26:34.680 and the rest of them 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.859 they let them go 00:26:35.859 --> 00:26:37.519 and the brothers 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:38.680 immediately sent 00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:39.720 Paul and Silas 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.779 away by night 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.940 to Berea. 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.559 Okay we got 00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:44.559 gospel beginnings 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:47.339 in Thessalonica 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:49.500 we have a different 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.240 type of a beginning 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:51.099 in Thessalonica 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:51.700 as well. 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:54.299 Severe persecution 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:56.240 severe 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:58.299 Christians being 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:58.899 dragged out of 00:26:58.899 --> 00:26:59.500 their homes 00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:02.579 taking by riot 00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:05.299 into the mobs 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:05.919 of people 00:27:05.919 --> 00:27:07.279 in marketplaces 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:07.799 or perhaps 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.539 wherever it was 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:09.379 that they had 00:27:09.379 --> 00:27:10.059 gathered before 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.879 the city leaders 00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:12.259 their lives 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:12.980 are being threatened. 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:15.900 Can you imagine 00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:16.839 something like this 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.519 happening here? 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:18.920 Davidson, 00:27:19.140 --> 00:27:19.740 Cornelius 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:21.000 just imagine 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.559 today 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:23.640 a mob of people 00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:24.380 come into the 00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:25.140 elementary school 00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:26.099 they drag us out 00:27:26.099 --> 00:27:26.480 they're going to 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.079 take us down 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:27.819 to the town hall 00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.460 down the street 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:29.220 where perhaps 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:29.900 hundreds of people 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.339 have gathered 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.099 calling for us 00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:31.700 to be killed 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.539 because of their 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:33.839 faith in Christ 00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:34.660 because he is 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.259 our Lord. 00:27:36.900 --> 00:27:37.360 Now 00:27:37.360 --> 00:27:38.480 many of you are 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.120 seasoned Christians 00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:39.759 you've been Christians 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.900 long enough to know 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:42.100 that that's a reality 00:27:42.100 --> 00:27:42.600 that's probably 00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:43.140 going to happen. 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.640 These believers 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:46.300 in Thessalonica 00:27:46.300 --> 00:27:48.300 they're brand new 00:27:48.300 --> 00:27:48.780 Christians 00:27:48.780 --> 00:27:51.040 and that's how 00:27:51.040 --> 00:27:51.980 their faith starts 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:53.500 with that kind 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:54.700 of hardship. 00:27:56.860 --> 00:27:57.860 The young Christians 00:27:57.860 --> 00:27:58.640 protect Paul 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.259 and Silas 00:27:59.259 --> 00:27:59.780 they help them 00:27:59.780 --> 00:28:00.480 escape under 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.220 cover of darkness 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:02.960 but the trouble 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:03.759 of persecution 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:05.340 from Thessalonica 00:28:05.340 --> 00:28:06.060 wasn't over 00:28:06.060 --> 00:28:07.019 it was far from over. 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.640 Well that takes us 00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:09.060 to the next one 00:28:09.060 --> 00:28:09.460 we're going to move 00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:10.120 fairly quickly 00:28:10.119 --> 00:28:10.839 through the next part. 00:28:12.379 --> 00:28:13.159 We get to verses 00:28:13.159 --> 00:28:14.079 10 through 15 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:15.000 in chapter 17 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:16.199 we find that 00:28:16.199 --> 00:28:16.919 Paul and Silas 00:28:16.919 --> 00:28:18.379 go about 45 miles 00:28:18.379 --> 00:28:20.699 west of Thessalonica 00:28:20.699 --> 00:28:21.559 to Berea 00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:23.639 and what's important 00:28:23.639 --> 00:28:24.459 for us to recognize 00:28:24.459 --> 00:28:25.199 here is that 00:28:25.199 --> 00:28:26.239 as they were preaching 00:28:26.239 --> 00:28:26.939 people were being 00:28:26.939 --> 00:28:27.539 saved again 00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:28.399 and then when the 00:28:28.399 --> 00:28:29.299 people that hated 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:29.979 them so much 00:28:29.979 --> 00:28:30.799 in Thessalonica 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:32.139 heard that the people 00:28:32.139 --> 00:28:32.679 in Berea 00:28:32.679 --> 00:28:33.619 were coming to faith 00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:35.299 they made the journey 00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:35.679 too. 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:37.379 They went all the way 00:28:37.379 --> 00:28:37.939 to Berea 00:28:37.939 --> 00:28:39.199 and what did they do 00:28:39.199 --> 00:28:39.859 while they were there? 00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:40.919 They incited 00:28:40.919 --> 00:28:41.779 another riot 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:43.439 threatening the lives 00:28:43.439 --> 00:28:44.579 of Paul and Silas 00:28:44.579 --> 00:28:45.019 and Timothy 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.740 and their team 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.219 Luke 00:28:46.219 --> 00:28:47.319 at this point 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.579 so not only 00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:49.479 is there persecution 00:28:49.479 --> 00:28:50.559 in Thessalonica 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.759 but the kind of 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.240 persecution 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:52.799 that's happening 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:52.959 there 00:28:52.959 --> 00:28:54.099 it's so strong 00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:54.879 that it's actually 00:28:54.879 --> 00:28:55.879 spreading to the 00:28:55.879 --> 00:28:56.419 other cities 00:28:56.419 --> 00:28:58.019 and the home base 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:59.159 for the persecutors 00:28:59.159 --> 00:29:00.439 was the backyard 00:29:00.439 --> 00:29:01.919 of the new church 00:29:01.919 --> 00:29:03.439 in Thessalonica 00:29:03.439 --> 00:29:04.399 that's their condition 00:29:04.399 --> 00:29:06.119 that's their life 00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:06.619 now. 00:29:06.619 --> 00:29:08.579 when we get a little 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.519 further in the chapter 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.359 we find that 00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:11.879 Paul goes to Athens 00:29:11.879 --> 00:29:13.559 that's about 300 miles 00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:15.219 south of Berea 00:29:15.219 --> 00:29:15.819 so now he's getting 00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:16.659 far enough away 00:29:16.659 --> 00:29:17.459 where perhaps 00:29:17.459 --> 00:29:18.259 they don't want to 00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:19.079 travel this far 00:29:19.079 --> 00:29:20.379 to cause a problem 00:29:20.379 --> 00:29:21.000 particularly 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:22.699 in a city like 00:29:22.699 --> 00:29:23.359 Athens. 00:29:23.679 --> 00:29:24.299 Now I want to 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:25.000 encourage you to go 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:25.979 and read this particular 00:29:25.979 --> 00:29:26.919 section on your own 00:29:26.919 --> 00:29:27.519 this afternoon 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:28.579 and we won't have time 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:29.159 to go through it 00:29:29.159 --> 00:29:30.419 but it's an amazing text 00:29:30.419 --> 00:29:31.500 and it's an amazing 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.179 sermon 00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:34.220 that Paul preaches 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:35.100 to what would be 00:29:35.100 --> 00:29:35.799 the equivalent 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.980 in our day 00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:38.539 of an agnostic situation 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:40.140 amazing sermon 00:29:40.140 --> 00:29:41.279 that would be 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.100 worth your time 00:29:42.100 --> 00:29:43.480 but the point 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.160 for us to piece 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.920 together now 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:45.860 is the movements 00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:46.160 here 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:46.640 okay 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:48.400 Paul preached 00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:49.120 through Athens 00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:50.400 but he sent 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:51.539 Silas and Timothy 00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.600 back 00:29:52.600 --> 00:29:54.420 into Macedonia 00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:56.060 he wants them 00:29:56.060 --> 00:29:56.700 to go and check 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.299 on the churches 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:57.600 there 00:29:57.600 --> 00:29:58.940 he's the one 00:29:58.940 --> 00:29:59.519 that the people 00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:00.299 are most upset 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:00.720 with 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:02.259 he sends Timothy 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:03.860 to Thessalonica 00:30:03.860 --> 00:30:04.920 to check on the people 00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:06.500 he sends Silas 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:06.779 somewhere 00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:07.160 we don't know 00:30:07.160 --> 00:30:07.980 if it was Thessalonica 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:08.860 maybe it was Philippi 00:30:08.860 --> 00:30:09.740 or another place 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.579 but what we know 00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:11.120 is he's alone 00:30:11.120 --> 00:30:11.620 in Athens 00:30:11.620 --> 00:30:12.960 and he preaches 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:13.480 the gospel 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:14.319 while he's there 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:16.259 to great effect 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.539 or to minimal effect 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.259 excuse me 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:20.319 and then he decides 00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:20.920 to move on 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:21.660 to Corinth 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:23.059 and that's where 00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:24.120 the passage picks up 00:30:24.120 --> 00:30:25.620 in chapter 18 00:30:25.620 --> 00:30:27.299 I want you to look 00:30:27.299 --> 00:30:27.980 with me just at 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.860 the first few verses 00:30:28.860 --> 00:30:29.720 of chapter 18 00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:31.000 this is about 50 miles 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:31.839 west of Athens 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:33.860 remember Silas and Timothy 00:30:33.860 --> 00:30:34.940 are not with him right now 00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:35.700 he's by himself 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:36.720 perhaps Luke is 00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:37.460 with them still 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:39.960 after this Paul left Athens 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.759 and went to Corinth 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:42.600 and he found a Jew 00:30:42.600 --> 00:30:43.279 named Aquila 00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:44.380 a native of Pontus 00:30:44.380 --> 00:30:45.680 recently come from Italy 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:46.779 with his wife Priscilla 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:48.180 because Claudius 00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:48.700 had commanded 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:49.299 all the Jews 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:50.019 to leave Rome 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:52.000 and he went to see them 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:53.220 and because he was 00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:54.360 of the same trade 00:30:54.360 --> 00:30:55.700 he stayed with them 00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:56.200 and worked 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:57.140 for they were tent makers 00:30:57.140 --> 00:30:57.799 by trade 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:58.639 and he reasoned 00:30:58.639 --> 00:30:59.339 in the synagogue 00:30:59.339 --> 00:31:00.500 every Sabbath 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:02.700 tried to persuade Jews 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:05.539 and Greeks 00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:07.079 now let's just pause 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:07.539 for a second 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:10.359 this has been 00:31:10.359 --> 00:31:11.460 a frustrating journey 00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:12.539 right 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:14.399 fruitful 00:31:14.399 --> 00:31:15.119 sure 00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:17.180 also frustrating 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:18.379 first 00:31:18.379 --> 00:31:19.059 God changes 00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:19.759 all of his plans 00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:20.240 and sends him 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:20.859 to Macedonia 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:22.539 everywhere he goes 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:23.159 in Macedonia 00:31:23.159 --> 00:31:24.079 people want to kill him 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:27.000 this man is tired 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:28.799 he's traveled 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.679 hundreds of miles 00:31:29.679 --> 00:31:30.119 on foot 00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:32.679 he's been beaten 00:31:32.679 --> 00:31:33.359 nearly to death 00:31:33.359 --> 00:31:34.379 at least once 00:31:34.379 --> 00:31:35.879 maybe a couple 00:31:35.879 --> 00:31:36.240 of times 00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:36.779 at this point 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:39.599 is it any surprise 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:40.259 that when we get 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:41.079 to 1 Corinthians 00:31:41.079 --> 00:31:41.779 chapter 2 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:43.839 Paul reflecting 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:44.699 on this moment 00:31:44.699 --> 00:31:45.720 in Acts 18 00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.099 says 00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:47.079 when I came to you 00:31:47.079 --> 00:31:49.000 I came to you 00:31:49.000 --> 00:31:50.599 in weakness 00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:51.439 weakness 00:31:51.439 --> 00:31:52.419 and in fear 00:31:52.419 --> 00:31:53.659 and trembling 00:31:53.659 --> 00:31:57.079 weakness 00:31:57.079 --> 00:31:58.039 fear 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:58.500 trembling 00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.779 that's the story 00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:00.500 of Paul's life 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.079 at this moment 00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:02.219 but what is it 00:32:02.219 --> 00:32:02.879 that he does 00:32:02.879 --> 00:32:03.759 in verse 4 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:06.319 he just kept going 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:08.319 he's in the synagogue 00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:10.119 every day 00:32:10.119 --> 00:32:11.179 every Sabbath 00:32:11.179 --> 00:32:13.419 preaching the gospel 00:32:13.419 --> 00:32:15.659 trying to persuade 00:32:15.659 --> 00:32:16.500 Jews and Greeks 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:17.639 and he enjoys 00:32:17.639 --> 00:32:18.899 wonderful fruitfulness 00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:19.519 there he stays 00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:20.160 for at least 00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:21.140 a year and a half 00:32:21.140 --> 00:32:21.820 where the Lord 00:32:21.820 --> 00:32:22.300 is blessing 00:32:22.300 --> 00:32:22.840 his ministry 00:32:22.840 --> 00:32:23.500 there in Corinth 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:24.519 surely 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:25.880 a sign of God's 00:32:25.880 --> 00:32:26.440 blessing 00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:27.480 and the renewal 00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:28.840 and refreshment 00:32:28.840 --> 00:32:30.259 of his ministry 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:31.040 for a season 00:32:31.040 --> 00:32:32.759 but look at verse 5 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:34.840 Silas and Timothy 00:32:34.840 --> 00:32:35.420 show up 00:32:35.420 --> 00:32:37.640 when Silas and Timothy 00:32:37.640 --> 00:32:38.840 arrived from Macedonia 00:32:38.840 --> 00:32:39.640 where he had sent them 00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:41.140 Paul was occupied 00:32:41.140 --> 00:32:41.860 with the word 00:32:41.860 --> 00:32:43.140 testifying to the Jews 00:32:43.140 --> 00:32:44.640 that the Christ 00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:45.140 was 00:32:45.140 --> 00:32:46.259 Jesus 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:47.519 now 00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:48.540 here's the point 00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:49.480 and we'll get back 00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:50.420 to verse Thessalonians 00:32:50.420 --> 00:32:52.319 eventually 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:53.480 Silas and Timothy 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:54.200 joined Paul 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:54.700 in Corinth 00:32:54.700 --> 00:32:55.500 to update him 00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:56.139 on the condition 00:32:56.139 --> 00:32:57.180 of the Thessalonians 00:32:57.180 --> 00:33:00.599 and it was there 00:33:00.599 --> 00:33:01.859 in Acts 18 00:33:01.859 --> 00:33:03.740 at some point 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.720 after they arrived 00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:06.099 that the three of them 00:33:06.099 --> 00:33:06.920 sat down 00:33:06.920 --> 00:33:09.099 perhaps Silas 00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:09.700 is the writer 00:33:09.700 --> 00:33:10.500 we know he wrote 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:11.200 for Peter 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:12.000 at one point 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:13.480 and Paul says 00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:14.539 Silas write this 00:33:14.539 --> 00:33:15.519 Paul 00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:16.980 Silvanus 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:18.039 Timothy 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:19.759 to the church 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.759 of the Thessalonians 00:33:20.759 --> 00:33:21.700 and God the Father 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:24.480 and the Lord Jesus Christ 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:26.279 grace to you 00:33:26.279 --> 00:33:27.200 and peace 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:29.140 now 00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:30.559 when that letter 00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:31.680 actually makes it 00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:33.039 to Thessalonica 00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:35.860 and those dear people 00:33:35.860 --> 00:33:38.460 hear just the opening greeting 00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:39.960 you want to tell me 00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:40.579 that that was just 00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:41.279 a simple greeting 00:33:41.279 --> 00:33:41.740 for them 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:43.900 I don't think so 00:33:43.900 --> 00:33:45.800 I don't think so 00:33:45.800 --> 00:33:50.000 just the first three words 00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:52.240 the names 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:53.160 of the missionaries 00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:53.700 that had 00:33:53.700 --> 00:33:54.960 sacrificed 00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:56.860 their very lives 00:33:56.860 --> 00:33:58.019 to bring them 00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:58.940 the gospel message 00:33:58.940 --> 00:34:00.620 that had transformed them 00:34:00.620 --> 00:34:02.060 oh no 00:34:02.060 --> 00:34:03.340 this would have recalled 00:34:03.340 --> 00:34:03.759 for them 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:05.400 their gospel beginnings 00:34:05.400 --> 00:34:07.540 their gospel love 00:34:07.540 --> 00:34:08.920 and friendship 00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:10.960 and camaraderie 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:12.460 those were more 00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:13.619 than just names 00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:14.400 to these people 00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:16.340 they were God's 00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:16.980 instruments 00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:18.240 for bringing them 00:34:18.240 --> 00:34:19.260 the gospel message 00:34:19.260 --> 00:34:21.300 that changed their lives 00:34:21.300 --> 00:34:22.380 for all of eternity 00:34:22.380 --> 00:34:24.699 what do we know 00:34:24.699 --> 00:34:25.639 about the church 00:34:25.639 --> 00:34:27.139 and of the Thessalonians 00:34:27.139 --> 00:34:28.039 well the first thing 00:34:28.039 --> 00:34:28.639 we know is that 00:34:28.639 --> 00:34:29.880 they had a gospel rich 00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:30.639 beginning 00:34:30.639 --> 00:34:31.599 second 00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:33.179 and quicker 00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:35.280 I want you to see 00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:36.559 their gospel identity 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:37.300 here 00:34:37.300 --> 00:34:39.079 gospel beginnings 00:34:39.079 --> 00:34:40.319 gospel identity 00:34:40.319 --> 00:34:41.019 as a result 00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:41.819 of those beginnings 00:34:41.819 --> 00:34:43.659 now just look at 00:34:43.659 --> 00:34:44.739 1 Thessalonians 1 00:34:44.739 --> 00:34:46.340 verse 1 again 00:34:46.340 --> 00:34:46.860 Paul 00:34:46.860 --> 00:34:47.779 Silvanus 00:34:47.779 --> 00:34:48.299 Timothy 00:34:48.299 --> 00:34:50.059 to the church 00:34:50.059 --> 00:34:51.199 of the Thessalonians 00:34:51.199 --> 00:34:52.259 in God the Father 00:34:52.259 --> 00:34:54.299 and the Lord Jesus Christ 00:34:54.299 --> 00:34:56.400 now in our culture 00:34:56.400 --> 00:34:56.960 church 00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:57.519 the word 00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:59.079 is universally 00:34:59.079 --> 00:34:59.940 associated 00:34:59.940 --> 00:35:01.019 with religion 00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:01.799 particularly 00:35:01.799 --> 00:35:03.159 Christianity 00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:05.400 that was not 00:35:05.400 --> 00:35:06.000 the case 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:07.380 in the first century 00:35:07.380 --> 00:35:08.579 church 00:35:08.579 --> 00:35:08.739 church 00:35:08.739 --> 00:35:09.819 or as you've heard me 00:35:09.819 --> 00:35:10.480 say many times 00:35:10.480 --> 00:35:10.840 before 00:35:10.840 --> 00:35:11.719 ecclesia 00:35:11.719 --> 00:35:12.619 would be 00:35:12.619 --> 00:35:13.759 the Greek word 00:35:13.759 --> 00:35:15.219 in Greco-Roman 00:35:15.219 --> 00:35:15.840 society 00:35:15.840 --> 00:35:17.059 it wasn't 00:35:17.059 --> 00:35:17.900 a religious word 00:35:17.900 --> 00:35:19.480 it was a civic word 00:35:19.480 --> 00:35:21.799 it was used 00:35:21.799 --> 00:35:22.739 secularly 00:35:22.739 --> 00:35:23.420 to describe 00:35:23.420 --> 00:35:24.779 formal gatherings 00:35:24.779 --> 00:35:26.400 formal assemblies 00:35:26.400 --> 00:35:27.079 of people 00:35:27.079 --> 00:35:29.159 for civic purposes 00:35:29.159 --> 00:35:31.639 about 200 years 00:35:31.639 --> 00:35:32.319 BC 00:35:32.319 --> 00:35:34.779 somebody 00:35:34.779 --> 00:35:35.500 some Greeks 00:35:35.500 --> 00:35:36.739 take the Hebrew Bible 00:35:36.739 --> 00:35:37.939 and they translated 00:35:37.939 --> 00:35:38.519 into Greek 00:35:38.519 --> 00:35:38.979 we call it 00:35:38.979 --> 00:35:39.899 the Septuagint 00:35:39.899 --> 00:35:40.559 or sometimes 00:35:40.559 --> 00:35:41.219 you'll see it 00:35:41.219 --> 00:35:42.219 abbreviated 00:35:42.219 --> 00:35:43.539 as an LXX 00:35:43.539 --> 00:35:44.419 to refer to 00:35:44.419 --> 00:35:45.399 the Septuagint 00:35:45.399 --> 00:35:46.219 it means 70 00:35:46.219 --> 00:35:48.119 and that is 00:35:48.119 --> 00:35:48.659 just a Greek 00:35:48.659 --> 00:35:49.139 translation 00:35:49.139 --> 00:35:50.539 of the Old Testament 00:35:50.539 --> 00:35:51.539 and when this 00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:52.259 Greek translation 00:35:52.259 --> 00:35:53.079 of the Old Testament 00:35:53.079 --> 00:35:53.779 comes out 00:35:53.779 --> 00:35:54.779 what we find 00:35:54.779 --> 00:35:55.539 is that 00:35:55.539 --> 00:35:56.259 ecclesia 00:35:56.259 --> 00:35:58.179 is the Greek word 00:35:58.179 --> 00:35:58.739 that's used 00:35:58.739 --> 00:35:59.500 to describe 00:35:59.500 --> 00:36:00.399 the assembly 00:36:00.399 --> 00:36:02.399 of God's people 00:36:02.399 --> 00:36:03.319 in particular 00:36:03.320 --> 00:36:04.420 so if you were 00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:04.980 to go back 00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:05.300 and read 00:36:05.300 --> 00:36:06.039 in your Old Testament 00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:06.740 there's a number 00:36:06.740 --> 00:36:07.360 of references 00:36:07.360 --> 00:36:08.420 where the Greek 00:36:08.420 --> 00:36:08.780 translation 00:36:08.780 --> 00:36:09.660 actually uses 00:36:09.660 --> 00:36:10.220 ecclesia 00:36:10.220 --> 00:36:11.740 now that gives us 00:36:11.740 --> 00:36:12.200 an idea 00:36:12.200 --> 00:36:12.940 for what Paul 00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:13.440 is trying to 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:14.220 communicate here 00:36:14.220 --> 00:36:15.460 now the fact 00:36:15.460 --> 00:36:16.080 that Jesus 00:36:16.080 --> 00:36:17.120 and the apostles 00:36:17.120 --> 00:36:18.260 use this specific 00:36:18.260 --> 00:36:19.620 word for Christians 00:36:19.620 --> 00:36:20.480 in the New Testament 00:36:20.480 --> 00:36:21.620 reflects their 00:36:21.620 --> 00:36:22.160 understanding 00:36:22.160 --> 00:36:23.080 that Christians 00:36:23.080 --> 00:36:24.760 even Gentiles 00:36:24.760 --> 00:36:25.260 which would have 00:36:25.260 --> 00:36:26.019 mattered in this 00:36:26.019 --> 00:36:26.480 circumstance 00:36:26.480 --> 00:36:27.440 and in this context 00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:28.820 even the Gentiles 00:36:28.820 --> 00:36:29.880 constituted 00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:31.240 the new 00:36:31.240 --> 00:36:32.920 people of God 00:36:32.920 --> 00:36:34.880 when Paul 00:36:34.880 --> 00:36:35.519 calls this 00:36:35.519 --> 00:36:36.180 congregation 00:36:36.180 --> 00:36:37.539 the church 00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:38.700 of the Thessalonians 00:36:38.700 --> 00:36:39.659 he's speaking 00:36:39.659 --> 00:36:40.380 of them both 00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:41.360 as a physical 00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:42.019 assembly 00:36:42.019 --> 00:36:42.860 that is they're 00:36:42.860 --> 00:36:43.700 a group of people 00:36:43.700 --> 00:36:44.639 that gather 00:36:44.639 --> 00:36:46.760 but he's speaking 00:36:46.760 --> 00:36:47.460 of them also 00:36:47.460 --> 00:36:48.360 as the assembly 00:36:48.360 --> 00:36:49.880 of God's people 00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:51.400 who gather 00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:51.920 together 00:36:51.920 --> 00:36:53.139 in the name 00:36:53.139 --> 00:36:54.139 of the Lord 00:36:54.139 --> 00:36:54.920 Jesus Christ 00:36:54.920 --> 00:36:55.780 that was the 00:36:55.780 --> 00:36:56.340 distinction 00:36:56.340 --> 00:36:57.940 so they're an 00:36:57.940 --> 00:36:58.720 assembly in a 00:36:58.720 --> 00:36:59.320 civic sense 00:36:59.320 --> 00:37:00.119 they're a physical 00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:00.599 gathering 00:37:00.599 --> 00:37:01.460 that's what a church 00:37:01.460 --> 00:37:01.940 is 00:37:01.940 --> 00:37:03.720 they're also 00:37:03.720 --> 00:37:04.720 God's people 00:37:04.720 --> 00:37:05.860 as Christians 00:37:05.860 --> 00:37:07.179 and that distinction 00:37:07.179 --> 00:37:08.079 comes through 00:37:08.079 --> 00:37:09.059 the Lord 00:37:09.059 --> 00:37:10.720 Jesus Christ 00:37:10.720 --> 00:37:11.860 they are the church 00:37:11.860 --> 00:37:12.679 of the Thessalonians 00:37:12.679 --> 00:37:13.000 that would have 00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:13.340 mattered 00:37:13.340 --> 00:37:14.300 now 00:37:14.300 --> 00:37:15.740 the recipient 00:37:15.740 --> 00:37:16.380 designation 00:37:16.380 --> 00:37:17.200 moving on 00:37:17.200 --> 00:37:17.800 from there 00:37:17.800 --> 00:37:19.639 is all about 00:37:19.639 --> 00:37:20.099 this 00:37:20.099 --> 00:37:21.700 church's 00:37:21.700 --> 00:37:22.960 gospel identity 00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:25.780 Christ's church 00:37:25.780 --> 00:37:26.460 finds its 00:37:26.460 --> 00:37:27.400 very existence 00:37:27.400 --> 00:37:28.440 the preposition 00:37:28.440 --> 00:37:28.760 here 00:37:28.760 --> 00:37:29.300 in 00:37:29.300 --> 00:37:30.840 the very 00:37:30.840 --> 00:37:31.360 existence 00:37:31.360 --> 00:37:32.200 of Christ's church 00:37:32.200 --> 00:37:33.120 is in 00:37:33.120 --> 00:37:34.320 the sovereign 00:37:34.320 --> 00:37:35.420 plan of God 00:37:35.420 --> 00:37:36.200 the Father 00:37:36.200 --> 00:37:37.780 brought about 00:37:37.780 --> 00:37:38.720 through the 00:37:38.720 --> 00:37:39.539 saving work 00:37:39.539 --> 00:37:40.300 of his son 00:37:40.300 --> 00:37:41.720 Jesus Christ 00:37:41.720 --> 00:37:42.180 our Lord 00:37:42.180 --> 00:37:42.760 and Savior 00:37:42.760 --> 00:37:44.600 it was the 00:37:44.600 --> 00:37:45.300 father's 00:37:45.300 --> 00:37:46.280 sovereign plan 00:37:46.280 --> 00:37:47.280 in ages 00:37:47.280 --> 00:37:47.960 past 00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:49.680 to send 00:37:49.680 --> 00:37:50.519 his son 00:37:50.519 --> 00:37:51.180 to die 00:37:51.180 --> 00:37:52.180 for our sins 00:37:52.180 --> 00:37:53.120 to rise 00:37:53.120 --> 00:37:53.680 from the dead 00:37:53.680 --> 00:37:54.660 for our salvation 00:37:54.659 --> 00:37:55.920 and to call 00:37:55.920 --> 00:37:56.960 out of this 00:37:56.960 --> 00:37:57.539 world 00:37:57.539 --> 00:37:59.480 people whom 00:37:59.480 --> 00:37:59.920 he would 00:37:59.920 --> 00:38:00.500 redeem 00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:02.399 on whom 00:38:02.399 --> 00:38:02.719 he would 00:38:02.719 --> 00:38:03.099 bestow 00:38:03.099 --> 00:38:03.899 his eternal 00:38:03.899 --> 00:38:04.500 atonement 00:38:04.500 --> 00:38:05.079 and forgiveness 00:38:05.079 --> 00:38:05.839 they would 00:38:05.839 --> 00:38:06.239 become 00:38:06.239 --> 00:38:07.379 his people 00:38:07.379 --> 00:38:08.299 this was 00:38:08.299 --> 00:38:09.039 the sovereign 00:38:09.039 --> 00:38:09.920 plan of God 00:38:09.920 --> 00:38:10.639 through 00:38:10.639 --> 00:38:11.739 Jesus Christ 00:38:11.739 --> 00:38:12.440 that's their 00:38:12.440 --> 00:38:13.039 identity 00:38:13.039 --> 00:38:15.279 this was 00:38:15.279 --> 00:38:15.859 Paul's very 00:38:15.859 --> 00:38:16.219 argument 00:38:16.219 --> 00:38:16.719 when he went 00:38:16.719 --> 00:38:17.559 to Thessalonica 00:38:17.559 --> 00:38:18.239 and preached 00:38:18.239 --> 00:38:20.339 he used the 00:38:20.339 --> 00:38:20.619 scriptures 00:38:20.619 --> 00:38:21.219 to prove 00:38:21.219 --> 00:38:21.799 this 00:38:21.799 --> 00:38:22.819 but their 00:38:22.819 --> 00:38:23.599 gospel identity 00:38:23.599 --> 00:38:23.980 it was very 00:38:23.980 --> 00:38:24.759 personal as 00:38:24.759 --> 00:38:25.299 well wasn't 00:38:25.299 --> 00:38:25.519 it 00:38:25.519 --> 00:38:26.719 you just 00:38:26.719 --> 00:38:27.239 read about 00:38:27.239 --> 00:38:27.380 it 00:38:27.380 --> 00:38:27.799 the history 00:38:27.799 --> 00:38:28.059 of the 00:38:28.059 --> 00:38:28.480 church 00:38:28.480 --> 00:38:29.539 it was 00:38:29.539 --> 00:38:30.039 God's 00:38:30.039 --> 00:38:30.339 sovereign 00:38:30.339 --> 00:38:30.739 plan 00:38:30.739 --> 00:38:31.599 to intervene 00:38:31.599 --> 00:38:32.219 in Paul's 00:38:32.219 --> 00:38:32.759 plans 00:38:32.759 --> 00:38:34.219 so that the 00:38:34.219 --> 00:38:34.860 gospel of 00:38:34.860 --> 00:38:35.440 Jesus would 00:38:35.440 --> 00:38:36.019 be taken 00:38:36.019 --> 00:38:37.440 to Thessalonica 00:38:37.440 --> 00:38:39.860 it is the 00:38:39.860 --> 00:38:40.480 sovereign 00:38:40.480 --> 00:38:41.679 plan of 00:38:41.679 --> 00:38:42.119 God 00:38:42.119 --> 00:38:43.219 through the 00:38:43.219 --> 00:38:43.779 work of 00:38:43.779 --> 00:38:44.599 Jesus Christ 00:38:44.599 --> 00:38:45.319 that made 00:38:45.319 --> 00:38:45.819 them what 00:38:45.819 --> 00:38:46.619 they were 00:38:46.619 --> 00:38:48.259 it was their 00:38:48.259 --> 00:38:49.299 very identity 00:38:49.299 --> 00:38:50.799 as a people 00:38:50.799 --> 00:38:52.059 and it is 00:38:52.059 --> 00:38:52.699 no different 00:38:52.699 --> 00:38:53.500 for us 00:38:53.500 --> 00:38:54.780 than it 00:38:54.780 --> 00:38:55.199 was for 00:38:55.199 --> 00:38:55.539 them 00:38:55.539 --> 00:38:58.079 our very 00:38:58.079 --> 00:38:58.579 identity 00:38:58.579 --> 00:38:59.260 as a people 00:38:59.260 --> 00:38:59.639 as a 00:38:59.639 --> 00:39:00.840 true church 00:39:00.840 --> 00:39:02.480 is rooted 00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:02.900 in the 00:39:02.900 --> 00:39:03.280 sovereign 00:39:03.280 --> 00:39:03.820 plan of 00:39:03.820 --> 00:39:04.099 God 00:39:04.099 --> 00:39:04.920 to save 00:39:04.920 --> 00:39:05.380 us 00:39:05.380 --> 00:39:06.019 through the 00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:06.940 crucifixion 00:39:06.940 --> 00:39:07.619 and resurrection 00:39:07.619 --> 00:39:08.179 of Jesus 00:39:08.179 --> 00:39:08.739 Christ 00:39:08.739 --> 00:39:09.880 his sinless 00:39:09.880 --> 00:39:10.280 son 00:39:10.280 --> 00:39:12.199 the sovereign 00:39:12.199 --> 00:39:12.719 plan of 00:39:12.719 --> 00:39:13.079 God the 00:39:13.079 --> 00:39:13.400 father 00:39:13.400 --> 00:39:13.980 has brought 00:39:13.980 --> 00:39:15.579 this particular 00:39:15.579 --> 00:39:16.139 group of 00:39:16.139 --> 00:39:16.480 Christians 00:39:16.480 --> 00:39:17.019 together 00:39:17.019 --> 00:39:18.860 as an 00:39:18.860 --> 00:39:19.380 assembly 00:39:19.380 --> 00:39:20.659 in the 00:39:20.659 --> 00:39:21.139 name of 00:39:21.139 --> 00:39:21.440 Jesus 00:39:21.440 --> 00:39:22.079 Christ 00:39:22.079 --> 00:39:22.319 Christ 00:39:22.319 --> 00:39:24.719 it's who 00:39:24.719 --> 00:39:25.400 we are 00:39:25.400 --> 00:39:27.239 the very 00:39:27.239 --> 00:39:28.000 core of 00:39:28.000 --> 00:39:28.980 our identity 00:39:28.980 --> 00:39:29.799 as a people 00:39:29.799 --> 00:39:31.119 here might 00:39:31.119 --> 00:39:32.299 be adequately 00:39:32.299 --> 00:39:33.440 described as 00:39:33.440 --> 00:39:34.759 the church 00:39:34.759 --> 00:39:36.239 of Lake 00:39:36.239 --> 00:39:36.759 Norman 00:39:36.759 --> 00:39:38.599 in God 00:39:38.599 --> 00:39:39.299 the father 00:39:39.299 --> 00:39:40.360 and the 00:39:40.360 --> 00:39:40.860 Lord Jesus 00:39:40.860 --> 00:39:41.360 Christ 00:39:41.360 --> 00:39:43.099 church is who 00:39:43.099 --> 00:39:43.539 we are 00:39:43.539 --> 00:39:46.299 and if we 00:39:46.299 --> 00:39:46.920 ever get to a 00:39:46.920 --> 00:39:47.500 point that we 00:39:47.500 --> 00:39:48.119 start to think 00:39:48.119 --> 00:39:48.619 that our 00:39:48.619 --> 00:39:49.500 belonging and 00:39:49.500 --> 00:39:49.819 that our 00:39:49.820 --> 00:39:50.340 existence 00:39:50.340 --> 00:39:51.559 and that this 00:39:51.559 --> 00:39:52.100 group of 00:39:52.100 --> 00:39:52.900 people as a 00:39:52.900 --> 00:39:53.200 formal 00:39:53.200 --> 00:39:53.680 covenanted 00:39:53.680 --> 00:39:54.400 group has 00:39:54.400 --> 00:39:55.039 anything to 00:39:55.039 --> 00:39:56.080 do other 00:39:56.080 --> 00:39:56.940 than the 00:39:56.940 --> 00:39:57.440 gospel of 00:39:57.440 --> 00:39:58.160 Jesus Christ 00:39:58.160 --> 00:39:58.780 then we 00:39:58.780 --> 00:39:59.360 will cease 00:39:59.360 --> 00:39:59.780 to be a 00:39:59.780 --> 00:40:00.340 true church 00:40:00.340 --> 00:40:02.680 who we 00:40:02.680 --> 00:40:03.940 are as 00:40:03.940 --> 00:40:04.460 Christians 00:40:04.460 --> 00:40:06.039 we are 00:40:06.039 --> 00:40:06.760 God's people 00:40:06.760 --> 00:40:08.420 meeting in the 00:40:08.420 --> 00:40:08.900 name of our 00:40:08.900 --> 00:40:09.400 Lord Jesus 00:40:09.400 --> 00:40:09.940 Christ 00:40:09.940 --> 00:40:11.820 to glorify his 00:40:11.820 --> 00:40:12.340 name in this 00:40:12.340 --> 00:40:13.700 world and to 00:40:13.700 --> 00:40:14.559 do his work 00:40:14.559 --> 00:40:15.760 until he 00:40:15.760 --> 00:40:17.080 returns and 00:40:17.080 --> 00:40:17.460 there's a lot 00:40:17.460 --> 00:40:18.140 of implications 00:40:18.140 --> 00:40:19.200 crucial implications 00:40:19.199 --> 00:40:19.759 of that for 00:40:19.759 --> 00:40:20.119 us 00:40:20.119 --> 00:40:22.960 everything we 00:40:22.960 --> 00:40:23.319 are as 00:40:23.319 --> 00:40:24.000 individuals and 00:40:24.000 --> 00:40:24.619 as a church 00:40:24.619 --> 00:40:25.619 that means that 00:40:25.619 --> 00:40:26.359 it is a work 00:40:26.359 --> 00:40:26.899 of God's 00:40:26.899 --> 00:40:27.399 grace 00:40:27.399 --> 00:40:29.099 we're going to 00:40:29.099 --> 00:40:29.579 get to that in 00:40:29.579 --> 00:40:30.199 the next point 00:40:30.199 --> 00:40:32.359 it also means 00:40:32.359 --> 00:40:32.819 that it only 00:40:32.819 --> 00:40:33.599 makes sense 00:40:33.599 --> 00:40:36.559 that born 00:40:36.559 --> 00:40:37.659 again believers 00:40:37.659 --> 00:40:40.639 who have 00:40:40.639 --> 00:40:41.639 expressed saving 00:40:41.639 --> 00:40:42.299 faith in the 00:40:42.299 --> 00:40:42.739 Lord Jesus 00:40:42.739 --> 00:40:43.419 Christ only 00:40:43.419 --> 00:40:44.119 they can really 00:40:44.119 --> 00:40:44.980 truly belong to 00:40:44.980 --> 00:40:45.519 this assembly 00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:47.299 when we talk 00:40:47.299 --> 00:40:48.099 about meaningful 00:40:48.099 --> 00:40:48.779 membership in 00:40:48.780 --> 00:40:49.120 our church 00:40:49.120 --> 00:40:49.519 that's what 00:40:49.519 --> 00:40:50.080 we mean 00:40:50.080 --> 00:40:52.519 there is no 00:40:52.519 --> 00:40:53.280 belong before 00:40:53.280 --> 00:40:53.760 you believe 00:40:53.760 --> 00:40:54.380 dynamic here 00:40:54.380 --> 00:40:54.920 that's foreign 00:40:54.920 --> 00:40:55.580 to the scriptures 00:40:55.580 --> 00:40:56.440 and we want 00:40:56.440 --> 00:40:57.040 unbelievers to 00:40:57.040 --> 00:40:57.519 come and be a 00:40:57.519 --> 00:40:58.000 part of our 00:40:58.000 --> 00:40:58.820 worship services 00:40:58.820 --> 00:40:59.220 we want them 00:40:59.220 --> 00:40:59.600 to hear the 00:40:59.600 --> 00:41:00.260 gospel but you 00:41:00.260 --> 00:41:00.940 cannot be a 00:41:00.940 --> 00:41:01.320 part of the 00:41:01.320 --> 00:41:01.860 church if you 00:41:01.860 --> 00:41:02.400 are not in 00:41:02.400 --> 00:41:02.840 Christ 00:41:02.840 --> 00:41:05.000 that matters 00:41:05.000 --> 00:41:05.320 we need to 00:41:05.320 --> 00:41:06.000 care about that 00:41:06.000 --> 00:41:06.620 as a church 00:41:06.620 --> 00:41:07.540 as we think 00:41:07.540 --> 00:41:08.280 about membership 00:41:08.280 --> 00:41:10.280 our gospel 00:41:10.280 --> 00:41:11.160 identity it must 00:41:11.160 --> 00:41:12.000 be the motivation 00:41:12.000 --> 00:41:13.140 and the goal of 00:41:13.140 --> 00:41:13.900 everything we do 00:41:13.900 --> 00:41:14.420 as a Christian 00:41:14.420 --> 00:41:14.920 church 00:41:14.920 --> 00:41:16.900 we've been 00:41:16.900 --> 00:41:17.460 called as 00:41:17.460 --> 00:41:18.079 God's people 00:41:18.079 --> 00:41:18.680 in Christ 00:41:18.680 --> 00:41:20.280 and this will 00:41:20.280 --> 00:41:21.599 dramatically affect 00:41:21.599 --> 00:41:22.300 the way that we 00:41:22.300 --> 00:41:23.000 relate to one 00:41:23.000 --> 00:41:23.340 another 00:41:23.340 --> 00:41:25.380 and the way that 00:41:25.380 --> 00:41:25.940 we relate to 00:41:25.940 --> 00:41:26.680 those outside of 00:41:26.680 --> 00:41:27.180 our church 00:41:27.180 --> 00:41:28.340 it is who we 00:41:28.340 --> 00:41:28.800 are 00:41:28.800 --> 00:41:30.760 we are gospel 00:41:30.760 --> 00:41:31.800 people 00:41:31.800 --> 00:41:33.480 by the sovereign 00:41:33.480 --> 00:41:34.240 plan of God 00:41:34.240 --> 00:41:35.380 in the Lord 00:41:35.380 --> 00:41:36.059 Jesus Christ 00:41:36.059 --> 00:41:37.280 thirdly and 00:41:37.280 --> 00:41:37.579 finally 00:41:37.579 --> 00:41:39.000 we see their 00:41:39.000 --> 00:41:39.940 gospel hope 00:41:39.940 --> 00:41:41.539 their gospel 00:41:41.539 --> 00:41:41.980 are you still 00:41:41.980 --> 00:41:42.340 with me 00:41:42.340 --> 00:41:43.519 we're almost 00:41:43.519 --> 00:41:43.840 there 00:41:43.840 --> 00:41:46.800 Paul 00:41:46.800 --> 00:41:47.360 Silvanus 00:41:47.360 --> 00:41:47.880 and Timothy 00:41:47.880 --> 00:41:49.559 to the church 00:41:49.559 --> 00:41:50.480 of the Thessalonians 00:41:50.480 --> 00:41:51.039 and God the 00:41:51.039 --> 00:41:51.559 Father and the 00:41:51.559 --> 00:41:51.980 Lord Jesus 00:41:51.980 --> 00:41:52.420 Christ 00:41:52.420 --> 00:41:54.920 grace to you 00:41:54.920 --> 00:41:56.740 and peace 00:41:56.740 --> 00:41:58.740 Paul had this 00:41:58.740 --> 00:42:00.120 unique way 00:42:00.120 --> 00:42:00.740 of turning 00:42:00.740 --> 00:42:01.380 everything he 00:42:01.380 --> 00:42:02.039 set his hand 00:42:02.039 --> 00:42:02.860 to into 00:42:02.860 --> 00:42:03.680 gospel 00:42:03.680 --> 00:42:04.880 significance 00:42:04.880 --> 00:42:07.320 these words 00:42:07.320 --> 00:42:08.039 are a subtle 00:42:08.039 --> 00:42:09.220 yet significant 00:42:09.220 --> 00:42:10.240 departure from 00:42:10.240 --> 00:42:10.920 the typical 00:42:10.920 --> 00:42:12.300 greeting of 00:42:12.300 --> 00:42:13.320 letters in that 00:42:13.320 --> 00:42:13.740 culture 00:42:13.740 --> 00:42:15.500 the traditional 00:42:15.500 --> 00:42:16.180 greeting in 00:42:16.180 --> 00:42:17.100 Hellenist culture 00:42:17.100 --> 00:42:18.420 was a word 00:42:18.420 --> 00:42:18.800 called 00:42:18.800 --> 00:42:19.780 kairain 00:42:19.780 --> 00:42:21.280 it literally 00:42:21.280 --> 00:42:22.240 translates to 00:42:22.240 --> 00:42:22.980 rejoice but 00:42:22.980 --> 00:42:23.539 in a letter 00:42:23.539 --> 00:42:24.240 it meant just 00:42:24.240 --> 00:42:25.100 simply greetings 00:42:25.100 --> 00:42:26.680 explanation point 00:42:26.680 --> 00:42:27.560 if you're a 00:42:27.560 --> 00:42:27.880 texter 00:42:27.880 --> 00:42:28.780 greetings 00:42:28.780 --> 00:42:30.380 we say 00:42:30.380 --> 00:42:30.900 hello 00:42:30.900 --> 00:42:31.780 which means 00:42:31.780 --> 00:42:32.500 health to you 00:42:32.500 --> 00:42:33.180 in English 00:42:33.180 --> 00:42:34.260 when we greet 00:42:34.260 --> 00:42:35.000 somebody and we 00:42:35.000 --> 00:42:35.380 say hello 00:42:35.380 --> 00:42:36.080 what we mean is 00:42:36.080 --> 00:42:36.860 I hope things 00:42:36.860 --> 00:42:37.560 are well for you 00:42:37.560 --> 00:42:38.500 when they met 00:42:38.500 --> 00:42:39.580 somebody formally 00:42:39.580 --> 00:42:40.280 in their culture 00:42:40.280 --> 00:42:41.000 they would say 00:42:41.000 --> 00:42:41.700 kairain 00:42:41.699 --> 00:42:43.059 I rejoice 00:42:43.059 --> 00:42:43.739 with you 00:42:43.739 --> 00:42:45.299 greetings to you 00:42:45.299 --> 00:42:45.879 I hope things 00:42:45.879 --> 00:42:46.679 are well with you 00:42:46.679 --> 00:42:47.819 Paul just makes 00:42:47.819 --> 00:42:49.259 a subtle change 00:42:49.259 --> 00:42:50.219 in this word 00:42:50.219 --> 00:42:50.739 he doesn't use 00:42:50.739 --> 00:42:51.259 kairain 00:42:51.259 --> 00:42:52.059 he uses a word 00:42:52.059 --> 00:42:52.899 charis 00:42:52.899 --> 00:42:53.719 it's almost 00:42:53.719 --> 00:42:54.639 exactly the same 00:42:54.639 --> 00:42:55.079 if you see it 00:42:55.079 --> 00:42:55.460 written out 00:42:55.460 --> 00:42:56.219 except it doesn't 00:42:56.219 --> 00:42:56.799 mean rejoice 00:42:56.799 --> 00:42:57.639 it means 00:42:57.639 --> 00:42:58.859 grace 00:42:58.859 --> 00:43:00.399 grace 00:43:00.399 --> 00:43:02.299 unmerited 00:43:02.299 --> 00:43:02.919 favor 00:43:02.920 --> 00:43:04.920 peace 00:43:04.920 --> 00:43:05.440 peace 00:43:05.440 --> 00:43:06.440 peace 00:43:06.440 --> 00:43:08.440 peace 00:43:08.440 --> 00:43:10.440 peace 00:43:10.440 --> 00:43:11.059 in the sense 00:43:11.059 --> 00:43:12.099 of wholeness 00:43:12.099 --> 00:43:12.840 and well-being 00:43:12.840 --> 00:43:13.420 now what's 00:43:13.420 --> 00:43:13.940 Paul saying 00:43:13.940 --> 00:43:14.420 in this 00:43:14.420 --> 00:43:16.119 he's wishing 00:43:16.119 --> 00:43:16.800 upon them 00:43:16.800 --> 00:43:17.800 the continued 00:43:17.800 --> 00:43:19.019 outpouring 00:43:19.019 --> 00:43:19.760 of God's 00:43:19.760 --> 00:43:20.340 grace 00:43:20.340 --> 00:43:21.840 and peace 00:43:21.840 --> 00:43:23.039 but again 00:43:23.039 --> 00:43:23.760 he intends 00:43:23.760 --> 00:43:24.280 a gospel 00:43:24.280 --> 00:43:25.139 connection here 00:43:25.139 --> 00:43:26.099 the grace 00:43:26.099 --> 00:43:26.619 and peace 00:43:26.619 --> 00:43:27.220 of God 00:43:27.220 --> 00:43:28.220 he knows 00:43:28.220 --> 00:43:29.059 can only 00:43:29.059 --> 00:43:29.619 come 00:43:29.619 --> 00:43:30.840 through the 00:43:30.840 --> 00:43:31.260 person 00:43:31.260 --> 00:43:31.680 and work 00:43:31.680 --> 00:43:32.080 of Jesus 00:43:32.080 --> 00:43:32.660 Christ 00:43:32.660 --> 00:43:34.640 God's grace 00:43:34.640 --> 00:43:35.520 is supremely 00:43:35.520 --> 00:43:36.400 revealed to us 00:43:36.400 --> 00:43:37.260 in sending 00:43:37.260 --> 00:43:37.940 his son 00:43:37.940 --> 00:43:38.380 to die 00:43:38.380 --> 00:43:39.200 for our sins 00:43:39.200 --> 00:43:39.960 and in 00:43:39.960 --> 00:43:40.340 offering 00:43:40.340 --> 00:43:40.920 forgiveness 00:43:40.920 --> 00:43:42.420 and reconciliation 00:43:42.420 --> 00:43:43.420 and eternal 00:43:43.420 --> 00:43:43.960 life 00:43:43.960 --> 00:43:45.020 to undeserving 00:43:45.020 --> 00:43:45.500 sinners 00:43:45.500 --> 00:43:46.680 as a free 00:43:46.680 --> 00:43:46.960 gift 00:43:46.960 --> 00:43:47.960 that's the 00:43:47.960 --> 00:43:48.260 grace 00:43:48.260 --> 00:43:48.620 that he's 00:43:48.620 --> 00:43:49.300 wishing upon 00:43:49.300 --> 00:43:49.680 them 00:43:49.680 --> 00:43:51.280 and it is 00:43:51.280 --> 00:43:51.980 as a result 00:43:51.980 --> 00:43:52.420 of that 00:43:52.420 --> 00:43:53.020 grace 00:43:53.020 --> 00:43:54.080 that we 00:43:54.080 --> 00:43:54.580 are made 00:43:54.580 --> 00:43:55.140 truly 00:43:55.140 --> 00:43:55.820 whole 00:43:55.820 --> 00:43:57.760 experiencing 00:43:57.760 --> 00:43:58.540 the peace 00:43:58.540 --> 00:43:59.140 of God 00:43:59.140 --> 00:44:00.440 that surpasses 00:44:00.440 --> 00:44:01.240 all understanding 00:44:01.239 --> 00:44:03.599 Gordon Fee 00:44:03.599 --> 00:44:04.439 writes this 00:44:04.439 --> 00:44:05.599 the sum 00:44:05.599 --> 00:44:06.059 total 00:44:06.059 --> 00:44:06.699 of God's 00:44:06.699 --> 00:44:07.259 activity 00:44:07.259 --> 00:44:08.139 toward his 00:44:08.139 --> 00:44:08.939 human creatures 00:44:08.939 --> 00:44:09.500 is found 00:44:09.500 --> 00:44:10.039 in the word 00:44:10.039 --> 00:44:10.639 grace 00:44:10.639 --> 00:44:12.259 God has 00:44:12.259 --> 00:44:12.879 given himself 00:44:12.879 --> 00:44:13.299 to his 00:44:13.299 --> 00:44:13.659 people 00:44:13.659 --> 00:44:14.399 bountifully 00:44:14.399 --> 00:44:15.259 and mercifully 00:44:15.259 --> 00:44:15.899 in Christ 00:44:15.899 --> 00:44:17.039 nothing is 00:44:17.039 --> 00:44:17.639 deserved 00:44:17.639 --> 00:44:18.799 nothing can 00:44:18.799 --> 00:44:19.559 be achieved 00:44:19.559 --> 00:44:21.139 and the sum 00:44:21.139 --> 00:44:21.779 total of 00:44:21.779 --> 00:44:22.500 those benefits 00:44:22.500 --> 00:44:23.319 as they are 00:44:23.319 --> 00:44:24.000 experienced 00:44:24.000 --> 00:44:24.399 by the 00:44:24.399 --> 00:44:24.839 recipients 00:44:24.839 --> 00:44:25.519 of God's 00:44:25.519 --> 00:44:25.839 grace 00:44:25.839 --> 00:44:27.359 is peace 00:44:27.359 --> 00:44:29.119 God's 00:44:29.119 --> 00:44:30.099 eschatological 00:44:30.099 --> 00:44:30.859 shalom 00:44:30.860 --> 00:44:32.000 both now 00:44:32.000 --> 00:44:32.280 and to 00:44:32.280 --> 00:44:32.599 come 00:44:32.599 --> 00:44:34.079 the latter 00:44:34.079 --> 00:44:34.900 peace 00:44:34.900 --> 00:44:36.320 flows out 00:44:36.320 --> 00:44:36.680 of the 00:44:36.680 --> 00:44:37.160 former 00:44:37.160 --> 00:44:38.240 grace 00:44:38.240 --> 00:44:39.720 and both 00:44:39.720 --> 00:44:40.180 together 00:44:40.180 --> 00:44:40.760 come from 00:44:40.760 --> 00:44:41.180 God our 00:44:41.180 --> 00:44:41.559 father 00:44:41.559 --> 00:44:42.780 through our 00:44:42.780 --> 00:44:43.280 Lord Jesus 00:44:43.280 --> 00:44:43.720 Christ 00:44:43.720 --> 00:44:44.160 gospel 00:44:44.160 --> 00:44:44.840 beginnings 00:44:44.840 --> 00:44:46.160 gospel 00:44:46.160 --> 00:44:46.820 identity 00:44:46.820 --> 00:44:48.200 gospel hope 00:44:48.200 --> 00:44:48.519 now let's 00:44:48.519 --> 00:44:48.900 finish it 00:44:48.900 --> 00:44:49.280 this way 00:44:49.280 --> 00:44:52.240 why 00:44:52.240 --> 00:44:52.660 first 00:44:52.660 --> 00:44:53.320 Thessalonians 00:44:53.320 --> 00:44:54.019 why is Paul 00:44:54.019 --> 00:44:54.599 writing this 00:44:54.599 --> 00:44:54.880 letter 00:44:54.880 --> 00:44:56.280 well first 00:44:56.280 --> 00:44:56.720 because he's 00:44:56.720 --> 00:44:57.260 concerned 00:44:57.260 --> 00:44:58.400 the first 00:44:58.400 --> 00:44:59.020 three chapters 00:44:59.020 --> 00:44:59.760 is basically 00:44:59.760 --> 00:45:00.700 him speaking 00:45:00.700 --> 00:45:01.120 to dear 00:45:01.120 --> 00:45:01.720 friends about 00:45:01.720 --> 00:45:02.340 which he is 00:45:02.340 --> 00:45:03.580 concerned not 00:45:03.580 --> 00:45:04.000 only for their 00:45:04.000 --> 00:45:04.560 spiritual health 00:45:04.560 --> 00:45:04.820 but their 00:45:04.820 --> 00:45:05.420 physical health 00:45:05.420 --> 00:45:06.600 and it comes 00:45:06.600 --> 00:45:07.100 through clearly 00:45:07.100 --> 00:45:08.960 but there's 00:45:08.960 --> 00:45:09.600 another reason 00:45:09.600 --> 00:45:11.360 this simple 00:45:11.360 --> 00:45:11.960 greeting it 00:45:11.960 --> 00:45:12.840 communicates the 00:45:12.840 --> 00:45:13.740 gospel hope 00:45:13.740 --> 00:45:14.440 that the 00:45:14.440 --> 00:45:15.040 Thessalonian 00:45:15.040 --> 00:45:15.480 church 00:45:15.480 --> 00:45:16.480 desperately 00:45:16.480 --> 00:45:17.200 needed to be 00:45:17.200 --> 00:45:17.960 reminded of 00:45:17.960 --> 00:45:20.320 the dominant 00:45:20.320 --> 00:45:21.820 theological theme 00:45:21.820 --> 00:45:22.500 in this letter 00:45:22.500 --> 00:45:23.620 both letters 00:45:23.619 --> 00:45:23.940 really 00:45:23.940 --> 00:45:25.500 is the 00:45:25.500 --> 00:45:26.039 return of 00:45:26.039 --> 00:45:26.460 Christ 00:45:26.460 --> 00:45:28.000 the nature 00:45:28.000 --> 00:45:28.359 of it 00:45:28.359 --> 00:45:29.440 the timing 00:45:29.440 --> 00:45:29.900 of it 00:45:29.900 --> 00:45:30.839 what it will 00:45:30.839 --> 00:45:31.259 be like 00:45:31.259 --> 00:45:31.619 and when it 00:45:31.619 --> 00:45:32.119 will happen 00:45:32.119 --> 00:45:33.719 in fact 00:45:33.719 --> 00:45:34.739 each chapter 00:45:34.739 --> 00:45:35.539 explicitly 00:45:35.539 --> 00:45:36.480 refers to it 00:45:36.480 --> 00:45:38.819 now why do you 00:45:38.819 --> 00:45:39.500 think the church 00:45:39.500 --> 00:45:40.539 was so concerned 00:45:40.539 --> 00:45:41.059 about that 00:45:41.059 --> 00:45:41.880 particular doctrine 00:45:41.880 --> 00:45:44.279 and why do you 00:45:44.279 --> 00:45:45.259 think that Paul 00:45:45.259 --> 00:45:46.679 pointed them to 00:45:46.679 --> 00:45:47.279 the promise 00:45:47.279 --> 00:45:47.880 of Christ's 00:45:47.880 --> 00:45:49.059 return so often 00:45:49.059 --> 00:45:49.539 in the letter 00:45:49.539 --> 00:45:52.480 because it was 00:45:52.480 --> 00:45:53.059 a congregation 00:45:53.059 --> 00:45:54.299 facing severe 00:45:54.299 --> 00:45:54.880 hardship 00:45:54.880 --> 00:45:57.960 their questions 00:45:57.960 --> 00:45:58.820 and concerns 00:45:58.820 --> 00:45:59.679 about Christ's 00:45:59.679 --> 00:46:00.779 return had 00:46:00.779 --> 00:46:01.480 everything to do 00:46:01.480 --> 00:46:02.420 with the difficulty 00:46:02.420 --> 00:46:03.099 with which they 00:46:03.099 --> 00:46:04.420 were living 00:46:04.420 --> 00:46:05.000 as Christians 00:46:05.000 --> 00:46:07.239 and Paul knew 00:46:07.239 --> 00:46:07.820 only the hope 00:46:07.820 --> 00:46:08.420 of the gospel 00:46:08.420 --> 00:46:09.480 could ground 00:46:09.480 --> 00:46:09.860 them 00:46:09.860 --> 00:46:12.559 God's eternal 00:46:12.559 --> 00:46:13.420 grace and peace 00:46:13.420 --> 00:46:13.880 through Jesus 00:46:13.880 --> 00:46:14.440 Christ is the 00:46:14.440 --> 00:46:15.179 only thing 00:46:15.179 --> 00:46:16.340 that would make 00:46:16.340 --> 00:46:16.799 the difference 00:46:16.799 --> 00:46:17.380 for them in that 00:46:17.380 --> 00:46:17.759 moment 00:46:17.759 --> 00:46:18.799 put yourself 00:46:18.799 --> 00:46:19.480 in their shoes 00:46:19.480 --> 00:46:22.199 you've heard 00:46:22.199 --> 00:46:22.639 of the return 00:46:22.639 --> 00:46:23.019 of Christ 00:46:23.019 --> 00:46:23.539 Paul was at 00:46:23.539 --> 00:46:23.920 least there 00:46:23.920 --> 00:46:24.339 long enough 00:46:24.339 --> 00:46:25.000 probably there 00:46:25.000 --> 00:46:25.400 for a few 00:46:25.400 --> 00:46:25.879 months before 00:46:25.879 --> 00:46:26.319 the riot 00:46:26.319 --> 00:46:29.119 they had heard 00:46:29.119 --> 00:46:29.839 at least enough 00:46:29.839 --> 00:46:30.299 of the return 00:46:30.299 --> 00:46:30.619 of Christ 00:46:30.619 --> 00:46:31.119 and the hope 00:46:31.119 --> 00:46:31.599 of Christ's 00:46:31.599 --> 00:46:31.980 return 00:46:31.980 --> 00:46:33.259 that they were 00:46:33.259 --> 00:46:33.819 concerned to 00:46:33.819 --> 00:46:34.460 ask about it 00:46:34.460 --> 00:46:35.039 so there was 00:46:35.039 --> 00:46:35.679 some familiarity 00:46:35.679 --> 00:46:36.099 there 00:46:36.099 --> 00:46:36.759 but why would 00:46:36.759 --> 00:46:37.079 they ask 00:46:37.079 --> 00:46:37.359 about it 00:46:37.359 --> 00:46:37.900 because every 00:46:37.900 --> 00:46:38.379 day they're 00:46:38.379 --> 00:46:38.900 fighting for 00:46:38.900 --> 00:46:39.319 their lives 00:46:39.319 --> 00:46:39.859 as Christians 00:46:39.859 --> 00:46:40.699 and surely 00:46:40.699 --> 00:46:41.119 they're looking 00:46:41.119 --> 00:46:41.579 around and 00:46:41.579 --> 00:46:41.940 they're saying 00:46:41.940 --> 00:46:43.019 Paul you said 00:46:43.019 --> 00:46:43.319 he's coming 00:46:43.319 --> 00:46:43.819 back and you 00:46:43.819 --> 00:46:44.119 said he's 00:46:44.119 --> 00:46:44.619 coming soon 00:46:44.619 --> 00:46:47.000 can you help 00:46:47.000 --> 00:46:47.659 us understand 00:46:47.659 --> 00:46:48.699 when that's 00:46:48.699 --> 00:46:49.139 going to happen 00:46:49.139 --> 00:46:50.379 have we missed 00:46:50.380 --> 00:46:51.960 it is part 00:46:51.960 --> 00:46:52.180 of their 00:46:52.180 --> 00:46:52.599 question 00:46:52.599 --> 00:46:54.640 they're hurting 00:46:54.640 --> 00:46:56.099 and what is 00:46:56.099 --> 00:46:56.500 the answer 00:46:56.500 --> 00:46:57.160 Paul gives 00:46:57.160 --> 00:46:58.140 it's the 00:46:58.140 --> 00:46:58.539 gospel 00:46:58.539 --> 00:47:00.420 the same 00:47:00.420 --> 00:47:01.000 faith that 00:47:01.000 --> 00:47:01.460 calls us 00:47:01.460 --> 00:47:02.099 to salvation 00:47:02.099 --> 00:47:02.680 calls us 00:47:02.680 --> 00:47:03.420 to trust 00:47:03.420 --> 00:47:03.820 in the 00:47:03.820 --> 00:47:04.340 promise 00:47:04.340 --> 00:47:05.460 of Christ 00:47:05.460 --> 00:47:05.940 return 00:47:05.940 --> 00:47:07.280 it's the 00:47:07.280 --> 00:47:07.720 grace of 00:47:07.720 --> 00:47:08.160 Christ that 00:47:08.160 --> 00:47:08.840 saves us 00:47:08.840 --> 00:47:09.440 it's his 00:47:09.440 --> 00:47:09.880 grace that 00:47:09.880 --> 00:47:10.579 keeps us 00:47:10.579 --> 00:47:11.420 it's his 00:47:11.420 --> 00:47:11.860 grace that 00:47:11.860 --> 00:47:12.420 unites us 00:47:12.420 --> 00:47:12.780 with other 00:47:12.780 --> 00:47:13.360 believers in 00:47:13.360 --> 00:47:13.860 the context 00:47:13.860 --> 00:47:14.460 of the church 00:47:14.460 --> 00:47:15.500 and eventually 00:47:15.500 --> 00:47:16.099 it will 00:47:16.099 --> 00:47:17.119 relieve us 00:47:17.119 --> 00:47:18.539 it will 00:47:18.539 --> 00:47:19.059 relieve us 00:47:19.059 --> 00:47:19.380 of every 00:47:19.380 --> 00:47:19.859 pain 00:47:19.859 --> 00:47:21.239 of every 00:47:21.239 --> 00:47:21.839 sorrow 00:47:21.839 --> 00:47:22.960 of every 00:47:22.960 --> 00:47:23.500 struggle 00:47:23.500 --> 00:47:25.079 of everything 00:47:25.079 --> 00:47:25.639 we face 00:47:25.639 --> 00:47:25.940 in this 00:47:25.940 --> 00:47:26.299 life 00:47:26.299 --> 00:47:27.980 and peace 00:47:27.980 --> 00:47:28.339 in this 00:47:28.339 --> 00:47:28.940 world may 00:47:28.940 --> 00:47:29.639 be scarce 00:47:29.639 --> 00:47:30.759 and for sure 00:47:30.759 --> 00:47:31.380 it is 00:47:31.380 --> 00:47:32.920 but eternal 00:47:32.920 --> 00:47:33.679 peace with God 00:47:33.679 --> 00:47:34.539 is a reality 00:47:34.539 --> 00:47:35.880 for all who 00:47:35.880 --> 00:47:36.719 are in Christ 00:47:36.719 --> 00:47:37.359 by faith 00:47:37.359 --> 00:47:39.539 and you can 00:47:39.539 --> 00:47:40.139 trust it 00:47:40.139 --> 00:47:41.819 and what 00:47:41.819 --> 00:47:42.940 first Thessalonians 00:47:42.940 --> 00:47:43.619 will help us 00:47:43.619 --> 00:47:45.639 do is learn 00:47:45.639 --> 00:47:46.779 how to live 00:47:46.780 --> 00:47:47.440 in light 00:47:47.440 --> 00:47:47.820 of that 00:47:47.820 --> 00:47:48.820 gospel truth 00:47:48.820 --> 00:47:51.280 until he 00:47:51.280 --> 00:47:51.780 comes