Acts 17 : 1 - 10

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Holy Spirit made Paul turn west

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1When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. 4Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women. 5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.

Acts 17 (NIV)

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6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.

Acts 17 (NIV)

(1)Bypassing some towns to reach a target town. (vs 1: passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia and went to Thessalonica)

(2) Same as in Chapter 14 – preached only in Galatia, and a few towns in Asia Minor.

(3) Paul obviously cared about Amphipolis and Apollonia better chances of reaching these by preaching in Thessalonica and Berea first.

PRINCIPLE: preach to a certain place or certain people for strategic reasons

1. Prophetic and strategic preaching

2. Choose entry points wisely

(1)As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue ….

(2) on three Sabbath days he ….

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3explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. 4Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.

Acts 17 (NIV) (Thessalonica)

3. Bring Christ into people’s stories

(1)Paul explained and reasoned with the audience from the texts that they were familiar with.

(2) Jesus is the promised Messiah: suffered, died and resurrected according to scriptures.

4. Gospel preached – Kingdom response

(1)Gospel is always a message about a kingdom:

Invitation to people ready and willing to honour the King

Curse to those who need to protect a different kingdom from that of the real King

(2) At Thessalonica people listened to the gospel regardless of Jews, gentile, race, age or education Holy Spirit witness the Truth in their

spirits Some people respond to the gospel

and believe

5. Gospel preached – Opposition arises

(1)Hear the same message in the synagogue:

yielding up earthly status, earthly power and earthly values in favour of serving king Jesus

(2) Jealous Jews show demonic inspired responses Stirred up trouble for Paul and new

believers

(3) Jealous Jews … complain to city officials Speak prophetically when trying to

destroy Like Jewish leaders at crucifixion

(John 12:19)

6. Strategic withdrawal but no turning back

(1)Paul and team moved on immediately, secretly by night and went to Berea.

(2) Reproducing power of “NoPlaceLeft” people was firmly established in the new believers.

(3) Paul and Silas preach the gospel in Jewish synagogues in Berea.

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7. So what ….??• Seek Holy Spirit to know the

strategic/target place/people preach to

• What entry points/synagogues are there for your target people, e.g., coffee catch, sport, common thing?

• Bring Christ into people’s story

• Think and practice grooming leaders/multiply disciple from Day #1