Sermons

New Series - Topical Studies

Tips for Sermon Listening

Click for Audio; right click on sermon you wish to listen to.
Select "Open Link in New Tab" to Listen.
Back up one page from Audio Selections page to read Sermon Script & Study Guide here as you listen.

We're going to try something new today.
I've included the actual Sermon Script.
So you can read and listen!
Hope it gives you a greater learning experience of God's Word.

The Legacy Standard Bible

Beginning on Sunday, December 8, 2024, our Pastor began using the LSB version of the Bible in all of his teaching and preaching. This is the newly updated version of the NASB, which he has been using for a number of years. Here is some information on the LSB for those who would like to learn more. It also explains why Pastor Alan is now using this version of the English Bible.

The Legacy Standard Bible has been produced with the conviction that the words of Scripture as originally penned in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek are the eternal Word of God. The Holy Scriptures speak with authority to each generation, giving wisdom that leads to salvation, that people may serve Christ to the glory of God. Because it is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16), every word of it is inspired, every word is true, and every word must be conveyed to every nation, tribe, people, and tongue (Rev. 7:9), so that every word can be taught and obeyed (Josh. 23:14; Mt. 28:20; Jn. 17:17).

THE FOURFOLD AIM OF THE LOCKMAN FOUNDATION

1. These publications shall be true to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

2. They shall be grammatically correct.

3. They shall be understandable.

4. They shall give the Lord Jesus Christ His proper place, the place which the Word gives Him; therefore, no work will ever be personalized.

PREFACE TO THE LEGACY STANDARD BIBLE

In the history of the English Bible translations, the King James Version is the most well-known. This time-honored version of 1611, itself a revision of the Bishops’ Bible of 1568, became the basis for the English Revised Version, which appeared in 1881 (New Testament) and 1885 (Old Testament). Its American counterpart, a product of both British and American scholarship, was published in 1901. Recognizing the values of the American Standard Version, The Lockman Foundation felt an urgency to preserve the ASV while incorporating recent discoveries of Hebrew and Greek textual sources and rendering it into more current English. This resulted in the New American Standard Bible, a translation based upon the time-honored principles of translation of the ASV and KJV, along with other linguistic tools and biblical scholarship.

The Legacy Standard Bible reflects another iteration of such preservation and refinement. Worked on by a core translation team in conjunction with pastors and educators from different countries, it is designed to honor, maintain, and advance the tradition represented by the NASB.

PRINCIPLES OF TRANSLATION

Key Principles: The Legacy Standard Bible has worked to uphold the style and translational choices of the NASB as much as possible. Even more, it has endeavored to follow through on the NASB’s stated intent to be true to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. While the interpreter, teacher, and pastor have the goal of understanding what the text means, the translator is to provide them with what the text says. Consistently, the goal of this translation is to be a window into the original text. Within that goal, this revision has focused upon accuracy and consistency. It has checked that words and grammar have been carried over properly. It also established rules for the consistent translation of terms within their various nuances. This allows the reader to more easily reconstruct what the original texts said. It also helps the reader more easily trace the flow of argument within a text, identify when the same word is used in another passage, and make connections between texts.

There are limits to the application of this philosophy. In this edition, a word might not be translated consistently in order to maintain a highly familiar rendering of a text or to preserve a wordplay in the text that advances the inspired author’s message. Moreover, because Scripture is a literary masterpiece, some linguistic features could not be transferred to this translation, not even by a note. Nevertheless, ensuring that the original languages are precisely rendered paves the way for careful readers to discover these insights for themselves.

In this way, the LSB upholds the philosophy that a translation does not replace pastors or teachers but rather depends upon faithful believers and the church to study and live out what has been written (Acts 8:30-31). Translation is a tool for the church and must be done in that context so that each word of Scripture may be taught and lived.

Modern English Usage: The attempt has been made to render the grammar and terminology in contemporary English. When word-for-word literalness was determined unacceptable to the modern reader; a change was made in the direction of a more current English idiom. In the instances where this has been done, the more literal rendering has been indicated in the notes. There are a few exceptions to this procedure. Of note, while an effort has been made to incorporate conjunctions as much as possible, the conjunction “and” is occasionally not translated at the beginning of sentences because of differences in style between ancient and modern writing. Punctuation is a relatively modern invention, and ancient writers often linked most of their sentences with “and” or other connectives.

Alternate Readings: In addition to the more literal renderings, notations have been made to include readings of variant manuscripts, explanatory equivalents of the text, and alternate translations that may bring out a play on words difficult to maintain in the text. These notations have been used specifically to assist the reader in comprehending the terms used by the original author.

THE COMMITMENTS OF THE LEGACY STANDARD BIBLE

The Legacy Standard Bible aspires to be a legacy preserved – to uphold the work and tradition that is found in translations from the KJV, ASV, to NASB.

The Legacy Standard Bible aspires to be a legacy performed – to advance the commitments of past translations by bringing forth features of the original text relative to accuracy and consistency.

The Legacy Standard Bible aspires to be a legacy passed on – to equip generations to study Scripture and continue the philosophy of being a window.
~ The Lockman Foundation

For additional information we recommend you contact The Lockman Foundation -- https://www.lockman.org/legacy-standard-bible-lsb/

PAUL’S THESSALONIAN EPISTLES

Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Click For Audio

PAUL’S THESSALONIAN EPISTLES

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Prayer: Gracious Lord, as we ready ourselves to look into Your sacred Word, we acknowledge Your presence among us. May this time of communion with You open our hearts to receive the message of Your Word for us; and we beseech Your Holy Spirit to apply the truth to our hearts that we may live in ways that positively reflect the love of Jesus to others, for it is in His name I pray, Amen.

Introduction: Between our studies in Acts 17 & 18, as well as our most recent mid-week Bible Study, we now have some context for the letters to the Thessalonians. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at what Paul wanted to share with them.

I. PAUL ENCOURAGES THE THESSALONIANS (1 Thes. 1:1-10, 4:1-12, 5:1-11)

With Silas and Timothy’s arrival in Corinth, Timothy gave Paul a detailed report on how the church at Thessalonica was faring. This news greatly encouraged the apostle, for he cared deeply for the believers in every church he planted. Almost immediately after hearing Timothy’s evaluation, Paul wrote his first letter to the Thessalonians. Let’s begin with Paul’s introduction in 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10.

[READ 1 Thes. 1:1-10]

1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ before our God and Father, 4 knowing, brothers beloved by God, your election, 5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full assurance; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. 9 For they themselves report about us what kind of an entrance we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

1 Thes. 1:1-3

After naming the senders and recipients of the letter, Paul began by expressing his thanks for the Thessalonians. He identifies three reasons for his thankfulness for them:

(1) their work of faith;

(2) their labor of love; and

(3) the steadfastness of their hope.

1 Thes. 1:6-8

6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.
In verses 6-8, Paul points to the evidence of these traits by mentioning the strong example they were setting in proclaiming the gospel and living faithfully.

1 Thes. 1:9

9 For they themselves report about us what kind of an entrance we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God …
Verse 9 explains that the Thessalonians were demonstrating their faith in that they had turned from idols to serve and worship God; and also by the way they had gladly received Paul and his missions team.

1 Thes. 1:6

6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit …

We are reminded in verse 6, that the believing Thessalonians had received God’s word in much affliction (physical, mental, and financial).

Paul began his letter by encouraging the Thessalonian believers. They had welcomed Paul and his traveling companions and received the gospel message that they brought. They had apparently become well-known Map throughout Macedonia and Achaia (Greece) for their faith and boldness in sharing the gospel.

Many of the Thessalonians had turned from their idolatry to trust in Jesus Christ. Jason protected his new friends from the mob of angry Jews, even to the point of being brought to the authorities and fined. The believers helped the apostle and his group escape the city by night. And after Paul left, the church continued to flourish, proclaiming the name of Jesus, and acting in faith with brotherly love.

1 Thes. 2:13-14

If we were to continue reading on through chapter 2, we would see that the Thessalonians received Paul’s message as the word of God (2:13) and that they suffered at the hands of their countrymen for trusting in Jesus (2:14).

1 Thes. 3:2, 6

Through chapter 3, Paul explained how he longed to visit them but was hindered, and so he sent Timothy to exhort them and encourage them in their affliction (3:2). Timothy returned with a good report, relating the faith and love present among the Thessalonian believers (3:6).
In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul turned his attention to instruction and exhortation.

[READ 1 Thes. 4:1-12]

1 Finally then, brothers, we ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. 2 For you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. 7 For God did not call us to impurity, but in sanctification. 8 Consequently, he who sets this aside is not setting aside man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.
9 Now concerning love of the brothers, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, 10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to excel still more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, 12 so that you will walk properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.

1 Thes. 4:1

1 Finally then, brothers, we ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.

In verse 1, we see Paul urging the Thessalonians to walk in a way that pleases the Lord. This was not a rebuke because Paul indicates that they had been walking as they should, but he was encouraging them to continue and to do so more and more. The phrase “that you excel still more” speaks of progressive sanctification, or the process of becoming more and more Christlike with each passing day. Paul will use the word sanctification a couple of verses later.

1 Thes. 4:3-7

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. 7 For God did not call us to impurity, but in sanctification.

Regarding their sanctification, in verse 3, Paul specifically warns them to abstain from sexual immorality. Rather than pursing lustful passion, Paul exhorts them to control their bodies (physical desires) in holiness and honor. Paul often gives practical advice on wholesome actions and attitudes to replace the wicked ones. We’ll talk more about this theme in a future lesson, however, make a mental note that we will continue to see this pattern throughout Paul’s letters.

1 Thes. 4:9-10

9 Now concerning love of the brothers, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, 10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to excel still more ….

As verses 9-10 intimate, although they were already doing well, Paul encourages them to demonstrate brotherly love more and more.

1 Thes. 4:11-12

11 … And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, 12 so that you will walk properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.

Additionally in verse 11, Paul instructs them to live quietly, to mind their own business, and to work with their own hands. While these may seem to be casual tag-on ideas, you need to remember this exhortation; it will help make the connection to 2 Thessalonians easier. Before we move to the second letter, though, we need to consider one more thing about Paul’s message of encouragement in the first letter.

[READ 1 Thes. 5:1-11]

1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman who is pregnant, and they will never escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief, 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not appointed us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore, comfort one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

1 Thes. 5:1-3

The day of the Lord Paul is talking about in these verses refers to the second coming of Jesus. Although there are differing views about the details of the end times, the Bible teaches clearly that Jesus will return in bodily form, coming in judgment to punish those who rejected Him. Paul goes on to describe the coming of the Lord with the analogy of a thief in the night. Although our Lord’s coming is expected, God’s timing of this event will be sudden and unexpected.

Throughout this passage, Paul uses the imagery of a thief in the night, coupled with a contrast between night and day. He adds an additional simile to describe the coming judgment, likening it to a woman whose labor pains come on suddenly and inescapably.

1 Thes. 5:4-8

4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief, 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

Notice how Paul’s message shifts in verse 4. He uses the conjunction “but” to build a contrast. His readers had no need to succumb to fear or despair. Since they were not in the darkness, they did not need to be afraid of the thief. Still using his analogy, in verses 6-8, Paul charges the Thessalonian believers to stay awake and be sober (vigilant). This charge connects back to his main challenge in chapter 2 – to walk in a manner worthy of God (2:12). Paul was exhorting the Thessalonians to continue living faithfully in expectation of the Lord’s coming.

1 Thes. 5:8

8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

Does verse 8 remind you of anything? This verse is similar to the well-known analogy of the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-20). We will see many common themes and analogies throughout Paul’s writings, and revisit Paul’s teaching on spiritual armor in a future lesson. In Ephesians, the breastplate represents righteousness and the helmet represents salvation.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Paul uses two pieces of armor: the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of the hope of salvation.

Hope is one of those words that has a very different meaning in today’s culture than it did in biblical Greek. Today, hope is more like wishful thinking. Biblically, hope is the confident expectation of something that will happen in the future. In other words, biblical hope is waiting on something that is certain.

As we’ve seen, Paul has been commending the Thessalonians for their faith and love, and as he closes this letter, he points to the hope of their completed salvation when they kneel in the presence of Jesus, as the motivation for faithful living until that day.

1 Thes. 5:9-10

9 For God has not appointed us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.

In verses 9-10, Paul further points the Thessalonians to this hope. He clarifies that those who are following Jesus are not destined for wrath, even though Jesus will come in judgment. But instead of receiving the wrath of God, we will be given salvation through Jesus Christ.

This first epistle to the Thessalonians is somewhat unique in the fact that it contains very little admonishment and correction but rather focuses on encouragement. You may have noticed that throughout the letter, Paul often indicates that the Thessalonians already knew what he was writing to them about. They were already living faithfully, but Paul wrote to remind them of the things they had been taught, and to encourage them to continue faithfully in the face of affliction.

Throughout the letter, we see glimpses of what faithful living looks like – persevering through affliction, proclaiming the gospel, laboring diligently, abstaining from sexual immorality, and loving the brothers. We also see a connection between faithful living and hope. The Thessalonians understood that Jesus was going to return from heaven (1 Thes. 1:10), and they were waiting expectantly for that event. Paul pointed to this future hope – hope of Jesus’ return, of living with Him forever, of salvation from God’s wrath – as the encouragement and motivation to continue living faithfully. He closes this section of the letter with, “Therefore, comfort one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing” (v. 11).

II. PAUL CORRECTS THE THESSALONIANS (2 Thes. 1:1-4, 2:1-2, 13-17, 3:6-15)

Paul somehow kept in touch with the church at Thessalonica, and not long after the first letter, he wrote to them again. Paul begins his second letter as he did his first.

[READ 2 Thes. 1:1-4]

1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is only fitting, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another increases all the more, 4 so that we ourselves boast about you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.

2 Thes. 1:3-4

3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is only fitting, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another increases all the more, 4 so that we ourselves boast about you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.

From his introduction, we learn that the Thessalonian church was growing. Their faith was abounding despite the affliction they faced. They were still strong in faith, perseverance, and brotherly love.

After this encouraging greeting, Paul reassures the Thessalonians of God’s faithfulness and righteous judgment. As he did in the first letter, he draws their attention to the certainty of Jesus’ return and God’s judgment as encouragement to persevere under persecution and to continue living in a manner worthy of the gospel. The Thessalonians could continue to live faithfully because God would reward them for their faithfulness and punish their enemies (1:5-12).

Then Paul turns his attention to correction. Let’s look at the first issue he addresses.

[READ 2 Thess. 2:1-2, 13-17]

1 Now we ask you, brothers, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken in your mind or be alarmed whether by a spirit or a word or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come … 13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

2 Thes. 2:1-2

In verses 1-2, Paul lets the Thessalonian believers know he was concerned that they were being drawn away by false teaching about the end times. Apparently, someone had been teaching them that the day of the Lord had already come. Seeing how the Thessalonians were so strong in the faith, we might wonder why they had been swept up in this false teaching. It seems that someone had been writing to them, impersonating Paul (v. 2).

The return of Christ is such a vital doctrine, Paul had to correct the misinformation they had received from this false teacher(s). As we’ve seen in 1 Thessalonians, it was the blessed hope in the second coming of Jesus that motivated and encouraged the Thessalonians to live faithfully and to endure the afflictions they had faced. If the day of judgment had already come, they had no hope of deliverance or justice. It’s easy to see why they may have been shaken or alarmed. If the Lord had already returned, why hadn’t they been gathered together with Him? Had they been taught a lie? Was God unfaithful? Had they done something terribly wrong? You can see how a misunderstanding of this future hope can spiral into doubt regarding many major doctrines.

After reassuring them that Jesus had not returned and that God would fulfill His promise to save, sanctify, and glorify believers, Paul called them to stand firm in the truths he had taught them.

2 Thes. 2:16-17

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

Paul’s words in verses 16-17 summarize the ideas we’ve seen in both letters. Being certain of the future coming of Jesus and the consummation of all things, including their own glorification, the Thessalonians could rest in the eternal comfort of God’s grace and the hope of the resurrection, allowing God to establish them in good works and words. With their hope secured, they could continue in faithful living. Now let’s move on to the second issue Paul addresses.

[READ 2 Thes. 3:6-15]

6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who walks in an unruly manner and not according to the tradition which they received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we did not act in an unruly manner among you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; 9 not because we do not have the authority, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would imitate us. 10 For even when we were with you, we used to command this to you: if anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat. 11 For we hear that some among you are walking in an unruly manner, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that working with quietness, they eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brothers, do not lose heart in doing good.
14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this letter, take special note of that person to not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15 And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Do you recall that when we were reviewing 1 Thessalonians earlier today, I told you to remember certain details that would connect us to 2 Thessalonians? In 1 Thessalonians 4:11, Paul told them to live quietly, to mind their own affairs, and to work with their own hands.

Some of the Thessalonians had apparently been prone to idleness and not minding their own business, though it did not warrant more than a passing comment in the first letter. Evidently, the issue had grown more pronounced because Paul felt the need to warn them about it in the second letter.

2 Thes. 3:7-8

7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we did not act in an unruly manner among you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you;

According to verses 7-8, Paul and his companions worked to provide for themselves while they were ministering in Thessalonica.

2 Thes. 3:9

9 … Not because we do not have the authority, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would imitate us.

In verse 9, notice the phrase “not because we do not have the authority.” What does Paul mean? In the first letter, he mentioned that they could have made certain demands as apostles of Christ (1 Thes. 2:6). As apostles sent by God, they had the right to ask for support from the believers.

2 Thes. 3:7-8

Paul and his fellow laborers worked to provide for themselves rather than living on the support of the church. This was because they didn’t want to be a burden, as well as, giving the Thessalonians a good example to follow.

2 Thes. 3:10-11

10 For even when we were with you, we used to command this to you: if anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat. 11 For we hear that some among you are walking in an unruly manner, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.

Besides not providing for oneself and becoming a burden on others, there Are other dangers of idleness Paul addresses. Some of these folks were not spending their time productively. Instead of working to provide for themselves, they were meddling in other people’s business.

2 Thes. 3:12-14

12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that working with quietness, they eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brothers, do not lose heart in doing good.
14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this letter, take special note of that person to not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15 And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

In verses 12-14, Paul demands that they not be idle, but to work quietly, earning their own living and minding their own business. He also instructs them to warn those who were idle and to have nothing to do with them if they refused to listen to Paul’s instruction.

III. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD
The Thessalonians were faithful believers who stood firm in the face of persecution. They had accepted the gospel with joy and quickly became an example for all believers throughout Macedonia and Achaia. But Paul still felt the need to write to them, reminding them of the truth they had learned and encouraging them in their faith.

By the time of the second letter, it was clear that a few issues needed to be addressed if the Thessalonians were going to stand fast in the faith. Like the Thessalonians, we can live faithfully no matter what affliction or temptation is set before us because we know that, as believers, our future is secure in Jesus Christ.

As Christians, we are called to faithful living. But the danger of faithful living is that we may begin to be prideful, looking at our own works of righteousness rather than the work of the Spirit in us. On the other hand, we may also fall into the trap of routine and monotony, living as we should but not living by faith. Another danger is becoming weary of doing good.

It’s hard work to do what is right all the time, and it is often a thankless job. Sometimes doing what’s right even leads to persecution and affliction. Sometimes, it can be more difficult to consistently maintain a faithful walk than it was to overcome that specific sin or weakness where you had a clear goal to grow toward. Defense tactics include maintaining a healthy prayer life and faithfully spending time in God’s Word, meeting regularly with other believers to hold one another accountable, and setting boundaries to keep from being overextended.

Finally, while there is much mystery in the details of future events, we can all be sure that Jesus will return, the dead in Christ will rise, and all things will be made new. As we have seen with the Thessalonians, this eternal hope and comfort is vital in driving us to live faithfully in the present and to stand steadfast in the face of affliction. It is our hope in the future, our assurance of what God has promised to accomplish, that should motivate us to live for Him and His kingdom in the present.

Prayer: O, blessed heavenly Father, how we praise You for Your faithfulness to accomplish everything You have promised us in Scripture. We humbly ask You to establish us in every good work and guard us against the evil one. Thank You for the hope You have given us in Jesus Christ and His second coming. I pray for these things in His precious name. Amen.

Invitation # 245: “What If It Were Today?” (3 vs.)

Benediction: Beloved, may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word. (2 Thes. 2:16-17).

PAUL’S THESSALONIAN EPISTLES - Study Guide

PAUL’S THESSALONIAN EPISTLES

Answers (Lesson 165) - May 4, 2025 - Rev. Alan Cousins

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

I. PAUL ENCOURAGES THE THESSALONIANS (1 Thes. 1:1-10, 4:1-12, 5:1-11)

Arriving in Corinth, Timothy gave Paul a detailed report on how the church at Thessalonica was faring. This news greatly encouraged the apostle, for he cared deeply for the believers in every church he planted. Almost immediately after hearing Timothy’s evaluation, Paul wrote his first letter to the Thessalonians.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

After naming the senders and recipients of the letter, Paul began by expressing his thanks for the Thessalonians. He identifies three reasons for his thankfulness for them:

(1) their work of faith;
(2) their labor of love; and
(3) the steadfastness of their hope.

In verses 6-8, Paul points to the evidence of these traits by mentioning the strong example they were setting in proclaiming the gospel and living faithfully.

Verse 9 explains that the Thessalonians were demonstrating their faith in that they had turned from idols to serve and worship God; and also by the way they had gladly received Paul and his missions team.

We are reminded in verse 6, that the believing Thessalonians had received God’s word in much affliction (physical, mental, and financial).

Paul began his letter by encouraging the Thessalonian believers. They had welcomed Paul and his traveling companions and received the gospel message that they brought. They had apparently become well-known throughout Macedonia and Achaia (Greece) for their faith and boldness in sharing the gospel.

In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul turned his attention to instruction and exhortation.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

As verses 9-10 intimate, although they were already doing well, Paul encourages them to demonstrate brotherly love more and more.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

II. PAUL CORRECTS THE THESSALONIANS (2 Thes. 1:1-4, 2:1-2, 13-17, 3:6-15)

Paul somehow kept in touch with the church at Thessalonica, and not long after the first letter, he wrote to them again. Paul begins his second letter as he did his first.

2 Thessalonians 1:1-4

Then Paul turns his attention to correction. Let’s look at the first issue he addresses.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, 13-17

After reassuring them that Jesus had not returned and that God would fulfill His promise to save, sanctify, and glorify believers, Paul called them to stand firm in the truths he had taught them.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

According to verses 7-8, Paul and his companions worked to provide for themselves while they were ministering in Thessalonica.

III. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD

The Thessalonians were faithful believers who stood firm in the face of persecution. They had accepted the gospel with joy and quickly became an example for all believers throughout Macedonia and Achaia. But Paul still felt the need to write to them, reminding them of the truth they had learned and encouraging them in their faith. By the time of the second letter, it was clear that a few issues needed to be addressed if the Thessalonians were going to stand fast in the faith. Like the Thessalonians, we can live faithfully no matter what affliction or temptation is set before us because we know that, as believers, our future is secure in Jesus Christ.

PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY (Part Four)

Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Click For Audio

PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY (Part Four)

PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY
(Part Four)

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Prayer: Gracious God, You have always cared for us as a loving Father. You lay out a perfect plan for what’s best for our lives. You’re always there to edify us when we do what’s right, and You’re there when we go astray, helping us get back on the right path. Teach us, Lord, to always be attentive to Your loving corrections. Help us to understand and remember our need to stay close to You. This morning, I pray that the Holy Spirit will help us find You in the pages of Your Holy Word, so that we might gain more wisdom in life, peace in the decisions we must make, and direction in the paths You would have us take. I ask You to give us these blessings and be present among us today, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Introduction: Before Holy Week, we were following Paul as he traveled throughout the known world, preaching in the name of Jesus. In the last few lessons of our chronological series through the NT, we saw how Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke proclaimed the gospel in Macedonia, while encountering persecution in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. Then we saw how Paul was sent on ahead to Athens because of the uproar in Berea. Let’s take a moment to review Paul’s time in Athens, before moving ahead to the next city on his itinerary.

* How did Paul pass the time in Athens as he waited for his friends to arrive?
He proclaimed the gospel in the synagogue and in the marketplace daily.

* What special invitation did he receive? He was invited to speak in the Areopagus, the meeting place for the leading men of the city.

* What was significant about the way Paul shared with them? He recognized that his audience did not have a Jewish foundation, so he started with the very beginning. He defined God as the sovereign, independent Creator who would judge their idolatry if they didn’t repent and trust in the One who rose from the dead.

When they heard about the resurrection from the dead, some mocked, some asked to hear more, and some believed and joined Paul. After leaving Athens, Paul went on to Corinth, where we will catch up with him today.

I. PAUL’S CORINTHIAN MINISTRY (Acts 18:1-11)

Before we read today’s Scripture lesson, let’s locate Corinth on our map and learn a little bit about its history and social dynamics before Paul’s arrival.

Corinth was in southern Greece, in what was the Roman province of Achaia. It was located about 45 miles from Athens. This lower part of Greece, the Peloponnesus, is connected to rest of Greece by a 4-mile-wide isthmus. Corinth is near the middle of the isthmus and is prominently situated on a high plateau. It was the commercial capital of the area: land traffic from Achaia to Macedonia and points north passed through the city, and most sea traffic from the eastern Mediterranean bound for Rome stopped at one of Corinth’s two ports. Also, the Isthmian games, one of the two most famous athletic events of that day, were hosted by Corinth, causing even more people-traffic.

Like most ancient Greek cities, Corinth had an acropolis, which rose 2,000 feet and was used both for defense and for worship. The most prominent edifice on the Acropolis was a temple to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Some 1,000 priestesses, who were “religious” prostitutes, lived and worked there and came down into the city in the evening to offer their services to male citizens and foreign visitors.

So, while Athens held sway as the intellectual capital of the region, when it came to the sensory and sensual life of Greece, Corinth was without peer. Corinth was rich and immoral; a city that lived without self-control. In the world of the first century, if you talked about “living like a Corinthian,” most everyone knew exactly what you meant. It was code language for indulging in a wild and unrestrained life.

[READ Acts 18:1-11]

1 After these things he departed Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, and his wife Priscilla, who recently came from Italy because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them, 3 and because he was of the same trade, he was staying with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. 4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks.
5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly bearing witness to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6 But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 Then he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a God-fearer, whose house was next to the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will lay a hand on you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Acts 18:2-3
2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, and his wife Priscilla, who recently came from Italy because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them, 3 and because he was of the same trade, he was staying with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers.

Paul arrived alone in Corinth, but God immediately provided him with two friends, Aquila and Priscilla. Most likely, they were already Christians when Paul met them, having come from Rome where a church was already established (see Rom. 1:7-8). Because of rising anti-Semitism in Rome, Emperor Claudius issued a decree expelling all Jews from the city in AD 49. It was this decree that forced Aquila and Priscilla to leave Rome.

As it turned out, both Paul and his new-found friends were tentmakers and leather workers by trade. This is how they made a livelihood and supported their gospel ministry.

Acts 18:4-5
4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks.
5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly bearing witness to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.

Paul lived and worked with Aquila and Priscilla, but on the Sabbath days he witnessed boldly in the synagogue. After all, that was why he had come to Corinth. When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia (18:5), they brought financial aid (2 Cor. 11:9) and this enabled Paul to devote his full time to the preaching of the Gospel. What a joy it must have been for Paul to see his friends and to hear from them the good news of the steadfastness of the Christians in the churches they had planted together. When we get to the epistle of 1 Thessalonians, we will find that Paul wrote that letter during his time in Corinth, after hearing Timothy’s report.

We all agree that Paul was a great Christian and a great missionary evangelist, but how much would Paul have accomplished alone? Friends like Aquila and Priscilla, Silas and Timothy, and the generous believers in Macedonia, made it possible for Paul to serve the Lord effectively. His Christian friends, new and old, encouraged him at a time when he needed it the most.

This reminds us that we should encourage our friends in the work of the Lord. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “God evidently does not intend us all to be rich or powerful or great, but He does intend us all to be friends.” “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” is the way Paul expressed it in Galatians 6:2. Humanly speaking, there would have been no church in Corinth were it not for the devotion and service of many different people.

Acts 18:5-6
5 … Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly bearing witness to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6 But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Whenever God is blessing a ministry, you can expect increased opposition as well as increased opportunities, “For a wide and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries,” Paul relates in 1 Corinthians 16:9. After all, the enemy gets angry when we invade his territory and liberate his slaves. As in Thessalonica and Berea (17:5-13), the unbelieving Jews who rejected the Word stirred up trouble for Paul and his friends (see 1 Thes. 2:14-16). Such opposition is usually proof that God is at work, and this ought to encourage us. Spurgeon used to say that the devil never kicks and dead horse!

Though Jewish opposition had forced Paul to leave Thessalonica and Berea, in Corinth, it only made him more determined to stay there and get the job done. It is always too soon to quit!

There are two interesting OT images found in verse 6. To shake out one’s garments was an act of judgment that said, “You’ve had your opportunity, but now it’s over. God’s patience has its limits!”

To have blood on your hands means that you bear the responsibility for another’s death because you were not faithful to warn them. The image comes from the watchman on the city walls whose task it was to stay alert and warn of coming danger (see Ezek. 3:17-21, 33:1-9). But having blood on your head means that you are to blame for your own judgment. You had the opportunity to be saved, but you turned it down (see Josh. 2:19). Paul’s hands were clean because he had been faithful to declare the message of the Gospel. The Jews had their own blood on their heads because they rejected God’s truth.

When Paul announced, “from now on I will go to the Gentiles,” he was stating he would leave these unbelieving Jews and offer Christ to the Gentiles. This change resulted in a number of Corinthians being saved.

Acts 18:7-8
7 Then he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a God-fearer, whose house was next to the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.

In verse 7, we are introduced to Justus, a Gentile who showed interest in the God of Israel and was somehow associated with the synagogue next door to his home. His name indicates he was a Roman, and since Romans usually had 3 names, some Bible scholars think his full name was Gaius Titus Justus and that he was the “Gaius my host” referred to in Romans 16:23. When Paul departed from the synagogue, he began using Justus’ house as his preaching station, right next door to the synagogue! This was a wise decision on Paul’s part, because it gave him continued contact with the Jews and Gentile proselytes; and as a result, the ruler of the synagogue was converted!

In verse 8, we’re introduced to Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue Paul had been forced to leave. Let me explain what it meant to be the ruler of the synagogue. We might think a person in this position was the lead teacher (rabbi) of the synagogue, but this wasn’t the case. It was the ruler’s job to see to it that the synagogue building itself was cared for and that the services were held in a regular and orderly manner (similar to a trustee in the church today). This was likely the same position held by Jairus at the Capernaum synagogue, whose daughter Jesus raised from the dead (see Mk. 5:22-24, 35-43). We have with Crispus’ family another instance of where an entire family turned to the Lord.

The conversion of Crispus presented more opportunities for evangelism and brought more opposition from the enemy. The Jewish community in Corinth was no doubt furious at Paul’s success and did everything possible to silence him and get rid of him. Although Luke doesn’t give us any details about this, I get the impression that between verses 8 and 9, the situation became especially difficult and dangerous. Paul may have been thinking about leaving the city when the Lord came to him and gave him the assurance that he needed.

Acts 18:9-10
9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will lay a hand on you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.”

It is just like our Lord to speak to us when we need Him the most. His tender “Fear not!” can calm the storm in our hearts regardless of the circumstances around us. Paul was encouraged not only by the presence of the Lord, but also by His promises. Jesus assured Paul that no one would hurt him and that he would bring many sinners to the Savior. The statement “I have many people in this city” (v. 10) implies the doctrine of divine election, for “the Lord knows those who are His” (2 Tim. 2:19). God’s church is made up of people who were “chosen … in Christ before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4).

Please note that divine sovereignty in election is not a deterrent to human responsibility in evangelism. Quite the opposite is true! Divine election is one of the greatest encouragements to preaching the Gospel with faith and courage. Paul’s responsibility was to obey the commission; God’s responsibility was to save sinners. If salvation depends on sinful man, then all of our efforts are futile; but if “salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2:9), then we can expect Him to bless His Word and save souls.

Acts 18:11
11 And he stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

According to verse 11, Paul continued in Corinth, knowing that God was with Him and that people would be saved. During those eighteen months of witness, Paul saw many victories despite Satan’s opposition. The church was not made up of many mighty and noble people (1 Cor. 1:26-31), but of sinners whose lives were transformed by the grace of God (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
Luke shared only one example of God’s divine protection during Paul’s ministry in Corinth, but it is a significant one.

II. GOD’S DIVINE PROTECTION (Acts 18:12-17)
[READ Acts 18:12-17]

12 But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, 13 saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you; 15 but if there are questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I am not willing to be a judge of these matters.” 16 And he drove them away from the judgment seat. 17 And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.

Acts 18:12-13
12 But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, 13 saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”

Gallio was proconsul of Achaia from July AD 51 to June AD 52. The arrival of this new official gave the unbelieving Jews hope that Rome might declare this new “Christian sect” illegal. They broke the law by attacking Paul and forcing him to go to “court.” As we’ve seen previously, this was not the first time that fanatical Jews had tried to prove that Paul was breaking the Roman law (Acts 16:19-24, 17:6-7).

The court, better “judgment seat,” (bema) was a large, raised stone platform in the marketplace, situated in front of the residence of the proconsul, where he would try public cases.

In verse 13, notice the phrase “contrary to the law.” While Judaism was not an official religion, it was officially tolerated in the Roman world, and to them Christianity (for all intents and purposes) was seen as sect of Judaism. Here we see the Jews in Corinth claimed that Paul’s teaching had nothing to do with their religion at all and therefore should be banned. Had Gallio ruled in the Jews’ favor, Christianity could have been outlawed throughout the Empire – but behind the scenes, God’s sovereignty was at work.

Acts 18:14-16
14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you; 15 but if there are questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I am not willing to be a judge of these matters.” 16 And he drove them away from the judgment seat.

Being a Roman citizen, Paul was prepared to defend himself; but this turned out to be unnecessary because Gallio defended Paul! Gallio was no fool and saw through the Jews’ plan. He refused to get caught up in what he viewed as an internal squabble within Judaism. In essence, he rendered what might be called a summary judgment – he officially ruled that no crime had been committed, that the dispute was over semantics, and threw the case out. Here’s the thing – by his “non-ruling” Gallio labeled Christianity as a legal religion on the same level as Judaism. This decision gave Paul missionary freedom through the next decade of his ministry.

Acts 18:17
17 And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.

Talk about their plan backfiring! Instead of going after Paul, the Greeks assaulted Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue (probably Crispus’ replacement). They had reasons for being hostile toward him; they were venting their general hostility toward the Jews on him, or they may have been angry with his unsuccessful attempt, as a leader of the Jews, at prosecuting the case against Paul. As ruler of the synagogue, he would have been the one who presented their case to Gallio.

This was certainly a display of anti-Semitism, but Gallio looked the other way. If this is the same Sosthenes mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:1, then shortly after this event, he believed in Christ and was saved; and the Jews had to find another ruler for their synagogue! It would be interesting to know exactly how all of this came about. Did Paul and some of the believers visit Sosthenes and minister to him? Perhaps his predecessor, Crispus, helped wash his wounds and used this as an opportunity to share the love of Christ.

How unusual and wonderful is the providence of God! The Jews tried to force the Roman proconsul to declare the Christian faith illegal, but Gallio ended up doing the exact opposite. By his refusal to try the case, Gallio made it clear that Rome would not get involved in cases involving Jewish religious disputes. As far as he was concerned, Paul and his disciples had as much right as the Jews to practice their religion and share it with others.

Throughout the Book of Acts, Luke emphasizes the relationship between the Roman government and the Christian church. While it was true that the Jewish council prohibited the apostles from preaching (4:17-21, 5:40), there is no evidence in Acts that Rome ever did so. In fact, in Philippi (16:35-40), Corinth, and Ephesus (19:31), the Roman officials were not only tolerant but almost cooperative. Paul knew how to use his Roman citizenship wisely so that the government worked for him and not against him, and he was careful not to accuse the government or try to escape its authority (25:10-12).

III. ON TO EPHESUS (Acts 18:18-21)

The city of Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia (Asia Minor). Located at the mouth of the Cayster River, on the east side of the Aegean Sea, the city of Ephesus was perhaps best known for its magnificent temple of Artemis (Diana) which was considered one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. It was also an important political, educational, and commercial center, ranking with Alexandria in Egypt.

[READ Acts 18:18-21]
18 And Paul, having remained many days longer, took leave of the brothers and put out to sea for Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. In Cenchreae he had his hair cut, for he was keeping a vow. 19 And they arrived at Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent, 21 but taking leave of them and saying, “I will return to you again if God wills,” he set sail from Ephesus.

Acts 18:18
18 And Paul, having remained many days longer, took leave of the brothers and put out to sea for Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. In Cenchreae he had his hair cut, for he was keeping a vow.

After 18+ months of ministry, Paul decided that it was God’s will for him to leave Corinth and return to his home church in Antioch. His friends Priscilla and Aquila accompanied him as far as Ephesus. The fact that they could accompany Paul means there was sufficient leadership in Corinth, with men such as Gaius, Sosthenes, and Crispus.

Cenchraea was the eastern seaport for Corinth, and there was a Christian congregation there (Rom. 16:1). “He had his hair cut, for he was keeping a vow.” To show God his gratitude for helping him through a difficult time in Corinth (perhaps right after the time when God appeared to him in the vision -- see Acts 18:9-10), he took a Nazirite vow – a special pledge of separation and devotion to God (see Num. 6:2-5, 13-21). This vow generally lasted for a specified period of time, although Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist were Nazirites for life. According to Jewish law, the person’s head was shaved at the completion of the vow, as Paul did here. Then the shorn hair had to be presented at the temple in Jerusalem within 30 days, along with the proper sacrifices.

Acts 18:19-21
19 And they arrived at Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent, 21 but taking leave of them and saying, “I will return to you again if God wills,” he set sail from Ephesus.

Priscilla and Aquila established their tent-making business and apparently lived in Ephesus for several years. At some point, a church met in their home (1 Cor. 16:19). We’re not told exactly how long Paul stayed in Ephesus on this visit, but it was evidently very short. He did take the time to speak to the Jews of the city in the synagogue while he was there. The Jews in Ephesus were much more receptive to the Gospel and wanted Paul to stay; but he wanted to get to Jerusalem to complete his vow, and then on to Antioch to report to the church. However, he did promise to return, if God allowed it.

IV. BACK IN ISRAEL (Acts 18:22)
[READ Acts 18:22]

22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and went down to Antioch.

Paul covered hundreds of miles: from Ephesus to Caesarea to Jerusalem to Syrian Antioch. Although Luke doesn’t give us many details, his description of the geography indicates that Paul went to Jerusalem to greet the church. Because Jerusalem was elevated over the surrounding region, travelers had to go “up” to get there and “down” to any other place. And remember, Paul also had to return to Jerusalem so he could complete the ceremonial portion of his vow. Then Paul went to his home church in Antioch and reported all that God had done on this second missionary journey. He had been gone from Antioch for about three years, and the saints were no doubt overjoyed to see him and hear about the work of God among the Gentiles.

Conclusion: Although there is no proof, it’s likely Paul kept reminding the believers in Antioch, “It’s always too soon to quit!” And this is a good reminder for us to heed today.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I ask You to give us a spirit of boldness and courage as we step out in faith to spread the good news of the Gospel. Fill us with holy confidence to share Your truth without fear or hesitation. Strengthen us in the face of opposition or rejection. Remove any timidity or self-doubt that may hinder our witness. Embolden our words and actions with Your love and power. Grant us the courage to step out of our comfort zones where need be. May we be vessels of Your light of truth, shining brightly in a world that so desperately needs Your hope. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Invitation # 302: “Share His Love” (3 vs.)

Benediction: Beloved, as you consider your situation, may you not be afraid of whoever or whatever appears to be a threat to you! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious. So, engage in spiritual warfare for your friends, your families, and your homes. Amen. (Neh. 4:14).

PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY ~ Part 4 - Study Guide

PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY ~ Part 4
Answers (Lesson 164, Part 4) - April 27, 2025 - Rev. Alan Cousins
Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Introduction: After leaving Athens, Paul went on to Corinth, where we will catch up with him today.

I. PAUL’S CORINTHIAN MINISTRY (Acts 18:1-11)

Corinth was located in southern Greece, in what was the Roman province of Achaia. It was located about 45 miles from Athens. This lower part of Greece, the Peloponnesus, is connected to rest of Greece by a 4-mile-wide isthmus. Corinth is near the middle of the isthmus and is prominently situated on a high plateau. It was the commercial capital of the area: land traffic from Achaia to Macedonia and points north passed through the city, and most sea traffic from the eastern Mediterranean bound for Rome stopped at one of Corinth’s two ports. Also, the Isthmian games, one of the two most famous athletic events of that day, were hosted by Corinth, causing even more people-traffic.
Like most ancient Greek cities, Corinth had an acropolis, which rose 2,000 feet and was used both for defense and for worship. The most prominent edifice on the Acropolis was a temple to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Some 1,000 priestesses, who were “religious” prostitutes, lived and worked there and came down into the city in the evening to offer their services to male citizens and foreign visitors.
So, while Athens held sway as the intellectual capital of the region, when it came to the sensory and sensual life of Greece, Corinth was without peer. Corinth was rich and immoral; a city that lived without self-control. In the world of the first century, if you talked about “living like a Corinthian,” most everyone knew exactly what you meant. It was code language for indulging in a wild and unrestrained life.

Acts 18:1-11
Paul arrived alone in Corinth, but God immediately provided him with two friends, Aquila and Priscilla. Most likely, they were already Christians when Paul met them, having come from Rome where a church was already established (see Rom. 1:7-8). Because of rising anti-Semitism in Rome, Emperor Claudius issued a decree expelling all Jews from the city in AD 49. It was this decree that forced Aquila and Priscilla to leave Rome. As it turned out, both Paul and his new-found friends were tentmakers and leather workers by trade. This is how they made a livelihood and supported their gospel ministry.

Luke shared only one example of God’s divine protection during Paul’s ministry in Corinth, but it is a significant one.

II. GOD’S DIVINE PROTECTION (Acts 18:12-17)

Acts 18:12-17
Gallio was proconsul of Achaia from July AD 51 to June AD 52. The arrival of this new official gave the unbelieving Jews hope that Rome might declare this new “Christian sect” illegal. They broke the law by attacking Paul and forcing him to go to “court.” As we’ve seen previously, this was not the first time that fanatical Jews had tried to prove that Paul was breaking the Roman law (Acts 16:19-24, 17:6-7).

The court, better “judgment seat” (bema), was a large, raised stone platform in the marketplace, situated in front of the residence of the proconsul, where he would try public cases.

III. ON TO EPHESUS (Acts 18:18-21)

Acts 18:18-21

IV. BACK IN ISRAEL (Acts 18:22)
Acts 18:22

Conclusion: Although there is no proof, it’s likely Paul kept reminding the believers in Antioch, “It’s always too soon to quit!” And this is a good reminder for us to heed today.

THE RESURRECTION: The Key to Everything

Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Click For Audio

THE RESURRECTION: The Key to Everything

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Prayer: Heavenly Father, today our hearts overflow with gratitude for the incomprehensible sacrifice of Your Son. Thank You for sending Jesus to bear the weight of our sin upon the cross. We stand in awe before such perfect love that willingly endured suffering to bring us salvation. The price You paid for our redemption humbles us beyond words. Thank You for the torn veil, the empty tomb, and the gift of direct access into Your presence. We acknowledge the immeasurable cost of our freedom and offer our deepest thanks for this priceless gift of grace. Through the work of Your Holy Spirit, help us to reflect Your love to everyone we encounter. And let our lives become a living expression of gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice. In Jesus’ glorious and powerful name I pray, Amen.

Introduction: It is always a challenge for me, leading up to this particular Sunday of the year, to know what the Lord would have me say after being here for what is today, my 37th Resurrection Sunday message. What would God the Father want me to say about the resurrection?

My thoughts this year have not been so much about what people would like to hear, nor what would gather their attention and hold it, but rather, what would God want me to say? What simple, straight forward, direct message could I bring that the Father Himself would want me to share concerning the resurrection of His Son?

I’m sure most of you are aware there has been a plethora of books, articles, theses, and dissertations written over the years about the resurrection. There have been many lectures, speeches, and sermons given through the years concerning Christ’s resurrection.

You might be surprised to learn most of these focus on how to prove the resurrection. In fact, the books which have been written on proving the resurrection is true would fill a huge number of library shelves. Since the resurrection is so central to our Christian faith, how do we prove it? What proves, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that Jesus really rose from the dead?

Actually, the answer to this question is very simple, the Bible, God’s authoritative and inerrant Word proves it. The Bible says Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and that settles it. When it comes right down to it, the real issue is not what proves the resurrection, but rather, what does the resurrection prove? And the answer to this question is basically that the resurrection proves the full redemptive plan and purpose of God which continues to go forward. You could say the Resurrection is the key to everything!

This morning, I want us to look at several realities which are proven by the resurrection, making it an incontrovertible and inarguable truth. First of all …

I. THE RESURRECTION PROVES THE TRUTHFULNESS OF THE WORD OF GOD (Acts 2:23-32; Ps. 16:7-11; Acts 13:26-35; 26:22; Jn. 2:19-22; Lk. 24:25-27; 1 Cor. 15:3-4)

Turn in your Bible to Acts 2. Acts 2 takes us to a great day in the history of the church, it’s the day the church was born, the day of Pentecost. Believers have been filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, and Peter stands up to preach a great sermon, which the Holy Spirit uses to bring 3,000 people to salvation, and the church is born.

[READ Acts 2:22-24]

22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God did through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know -- 23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of lawless men and put Him to death. 24 But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.

Peter is speaking about Christ and His death in verse 23, and then speaks of His resurrection in verse 24, when he says God raised Him up again. This put an end to the agony of death since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. So, Peter is saying Jesus rose from the dead, because death was powerless to hold Him in its grip.

Then, as Peter moves into his sermon, he quotes an Old Testament passage starting in Acts 2:25.

[READ Acts 2:25-28]

25 For David says of Him,

I SAW THE LORD CONTINUALLY BEFORE ME;
BECAUSE HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.

26 THEREFORE MY HEART WAS GLAD AND MY TONGUE EXULTED;
MOREOVER MY FLESH ALSO WILL LIVE IN HOPE;

27 BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT FORSAKE MY SOUL TO HADES,
NOR GIVE YOUR HOLY ONE OVER TO SEE CORRUPTION.
28 YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE;
YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF GLADNESS WITH YOUR PRESENCE.’

Peter is quoting what David wrote in Psalm 16:7-11. Now some have said, “Well, David was writing this about himself.” But that cannot be true. Why? Three reasons: (1) because David’s soul did go into Hades (in this case used as the NT equivalent of the OT grave or Sheol), (2) David’s body did undergo decay, and (3) David has not returned alive into the world.

Notice how Peter interprets Psalm 16:10 in verse 29. Acts 2:29

29 “Men, brothers, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

In other words, Peter is saying, “David couldn’t have been referring to himself.” David has been abandoned, as it were, to death. He is still in the abode of the dead. His tomb is still present, and its location is known to our people. David has not returned to the ways of life. So, he couldn’t be referring to himself.

Acts 2:30-32

30 And so, because he was a prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SET ONE OF THE FRUIT OF HIS BODY ON HIS THRONE, 31 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER FORSAKEN TO HADES, NOR DID HIS FLESH SEE CORRUPTION. 32 This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.

It’s as clear as day, isn’t it? Peter says David was prophesying about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was Jesus Christ whose flesh would abide in hope, whose soul would not be abandoned in Hades, and who as the Holy One would never undergo decay. David was simply prophesying, by predicting the resurrection of Messiah, his greater Son. Then Peter concludes in verse 32 …

32 This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.

The OT, then, in Psalm 16 predicts the resurrection of Messiah. If He wasn’t resurrected, if Jesus Christ didn’t rise from the grave, then the Bible is not telling us the truth. So, what does the resurrection prove then? The truthfulness of the Word of God.

In Acts 13, Paul is speaking, in true apostolic fashion consistent with Peter’s. Paul is also preaching on the resurrection, which is the very heart of the Christian faith.

[READ Acts 13:26-30]

26 “Brothers, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us the word of this salvation was sent. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, recognizing neither Him nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning Him. 28 And though they found no ground for death, they asked Pilate that He be executed. 29 And when they had finished all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead; 31 and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people.

Verse 29, of course, is talking about the cross and Jesus being laid in a tomb. Then Paul says in verse 30, “But God raised Him from the dead;

Acts 13:32

32 And we proclaim to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers ….

There you have it. We’re preaching the resurrection. It is good news. We are witnesses to it. And it is that which was promised to the Jewish fathers, the OT saints.

Acts 13:33

33 that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘YOU ARE MY SON; TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU.”

Paul is telling us that when the Psalmist said this, he was predicting Jesus would be raised from the dead.

Acts 13:34

34 But that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to corruption, He has spoken in this way: ‘I WILL GIVE YOU THE HOLY AND FAITHFUL LOVINGKINESSES OF DAVID.”

This is a prophecy from Isaiah 55:3, which promises that the Messiah would not perish, but that He will inherit the holy and sure blessings promised to David. That is the promise of the kingdom.

Acts 13:35

35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm, ‘YOU WILL NOT GIVE YOUR HOLY ONE OVER TO SEE CORRUPTION.’

Here Paul is referencing Psalm 16, which we heard Peter quote earlier. Paul preaches the resurrection of Christ from three OT passages. This means the reputation of Scripture was at stake.
If Jesus didn’t rise, Psalm 2 is wrong, Psalm 16 is wrong, Isaiah 55 is wrong, and any other OT passage indicating the resurrection of Jesus Christ is wrong. Therefore, the Bible could not be trusted because it is not always true. If this were the case, then who could say when the Scripture is telling us the truth, and when it isn’t? But if Jesus did rise from the dead, then the prophesies are true; and the Word of God is proven trustworthy.

Acts 26:22

22 Therefore, having obtained help from God to this day, I stand here bearing witness both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place ….

What did the prophets say? What did Moses say? That Christ was to suffer, then by means of His resurrection from the dead, He would be the first to proclaim the hope of the resurrection to both Jews and Gentiles. Did you know that somewhere between 333 and 365 specific prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus at His first coming? Friends, the Word of God is reliable, it tells us the truth.

Now I want you to turn to John’s gospel, chapter 2. Here the Lord Jesus is speaking to the Jews who were asking Him about a sign. Jesus answered and said to them, “You want a sign? I’ll give you one.”

John 2:19

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.”

Folks, that’s a prophecy.

John 2:20-22

20 The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?” 21 But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body. 22 So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.

They knew the Scripture promised a resurrection. They knew Jesus, in speaking New Testament Scripture, promised a resurrection, and when it happened, they believed the Word of God. The resurrection of Jesus Christ should affirm our faith and confidence in the veracity and inerrancy of Scripture. What does the resurrection prove? It proves that Scripture is true.

In Luke 24, a familiar scene takes place on the road to Emmaus as two grief-stricken disciples are walking along. They think their Lord has perished for good, not knowing of His resurrection. They are sad. All is lost. Then Jesus is suddenly walking alongside them. Look at what He says to them.

Luke 24:25-27

25 And He said to them, “O foolish ones and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He interpreted to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

The picture of a once dead but then risen Messiah is all over the OT, in fact, it was seen every time a lamb was sacrificed. Every time such a sacrifice is noted in Scripture, it speaks of a dying Messiah. But every time it talks about Messiah’s ruling and reigning over His kingdom, it speaks of a living Messiah. It is obvious that the One who dies must come back to life. It is all over the OT. The Scripture’s credibility is vindicated by the resurrection.

1 Cor. 15:3-4

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures ….

Just as the OT said, just as Jesus Himself said, and just as the NT writers said, He would rise again! / Secondly, the resurrection not only proves the truthfulness of God’s Word; it proves the deity of the Son of God.

II. THE RESURRECTION PROVES THE DEITY OF THE SON OF GOD (Mk. 5:6-7; Jn. 9:1-34; Jn. 11:27; Rom. 1:1-4; Acts 2:36, 13:30; Rom. 6:4; Eph. 1:19-20)

In fact, no greater proof exists for the divine nature of Jesus Christ than His rising from the dead. This is the most monumental thing He did to verify that He was God; for only God can give life, and only God can conquer death.

As you read the NT, you find a myriad of individuals testifying that Jesus is God. Some are quite amazing, while others we might expect. For example, even demons affirm the deity of Christ.

[READ Mk. 5:6-7]

6 And seeing Jesus from a distance, he [the demon] ran up and bowed down before Him; 7 and crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What do I have to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!”

In John 9, we meet a man born blind, whom Jesus healed; a man who was sick so that the glory of God might be revealed. Jesus said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of man?” And he answered and said, “And who is He, Lord? That I may believe in him.” And Jesus said, “You’ve seen Him, and He is the one who’s talking with you.” And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him. The healed blind man knew he was dealing with God, but the religious leaders said, “We don’t where He’s from.” And the blind man said, “You mean He’s opened my eyes and you don’t know where He’s from?”

Then there were the disciples who gave testimony. Peter, on behalf of all of them, said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Thomas said, “My Lord and my God.” Nathaniel said, “Thou art the Son of God.” Matthew said, “He is God with us.” Mark said, “He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Luke said, “He is the Son of God.” The apostles, the writers of the NT, each affirm the deity of Christ. There was John the Baptist, His cousin who said, “I saw and bear record that this is the Son of God.” There was Martha, the sister of Lazarus, who affirmed, “I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world,” (Jn. 11:27). There was the testimony of a Roman soldier present at His crucifixion, “Truly this man is the Son of God!” Jesus, Himself, repeatedly made such claims. He said, “If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen the Father. I and the Father are one.”

We have the testimony of all these individuals to the deity of Christ, but none of them are as potent as the testimony of one other individual.

[READ Rom. 1:1-4]

1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, having been set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 who was designated as the Son of God in power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, ….

In verse 1, we’re introduced to the phrase “the gospel of God,” Verse 2 says God “promised it through the prophets.” Verse 3 says it was the gospel of God “concerning God’s Son.” Then verse 4 says it was the gospel of God concerning His Son “who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead.”

According to Luke 9:35, the Father spoke out of heaven and said, “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.” That was a strong word from God, but an even stronger word from God was that God raised Him from the dead. And God was, in essence saying, “This is My beloved Son. He is proven to be my Son by the fact that He has been raised from the dead. Now, does He have your attention? If so, then listen to Him.” Romans 1:4 is the testimony of God the Father; He is the supreme witness!

In Acts 13:30 it says, “God raised Him from the dead;” and He did it to testify of His deity. In Romans 6:4, it tells us that “Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father.” The Father wanted Christ raised from the dead, and so through His glory and power He raised Him.

Ephesians 1:19 talks about the “surpassing greatness of God’s power.” How great is it? Verse 20 reveals it is the power with which “He brought about the resurrection of Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand.” Again, God is the One who raised Jesus from the dead, and He did it to demonstrate His deity. According to Peter (in Acts 2:36), the resurrection shows Jesus to be both “Lord and Christ.” So, the resurrection not only proves that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, but it proves that He was God. / Thirdly

III. THE RESURRECTION PROVES THE COMPLETION OF THE SALVATION OF GOD (Rom. 4:22-25)

[READ Rom. 4:22-25]

22 Therefore it was also counted to him [Abraham] as righteousness. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was counted to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be counted, as those who believe upon Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered over on account of our transgressions, and was raised on account of our justification.

In order for God to justify us and declare us righteous, He had to raise Jesus from the dead. When the angel announced, “His name shall be called Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins,” he not only gave us the Messiah’s name, he also clearly revealed God’s purpose in sending Jesus to earth. To accomplish our salvation, God had to raise Christ from the dead.

The resurrection was the crucial evidence necessary to confirm the completion of God’s plan and the efficacious value of Jesus’ death. It was the Father’s way of saying, “Your death accomplished its intended purpose, and Your resurrection affirms that My justice has been satisfied.” If Jesus didn’t rise, from the dead, then His crucifixion was only the death of an ordinary man with absolutely no saving value. But He did rise from the dead, and He was raised by the Father for our justification. He was raised so that in the sight of God we might be made righteous, and our sins forgiven.

There are so many essential features in our salvation that are contingent on the resurrection. Let me take Romans 4:25 and split it into component parts for you:

• Eternal Life Is Dependent Upon the Resurrection

It was the death of Christ and His resurrection that grants us eternal life. If He never rose, He wouldn’t be alive. If He wasn’t alive, He couldn’t give us life (see Jn. 11:25).

• The Descending of the Holy Spirit Is Dependent Upon the Resurrection

If Jesus hadn’t risen from the grave, He never would have ascended back to the Father. If He hadn’t ascended back to the Father, He never would have sent the Holy Spirit (see Jn. 16:7).

• Forgiveness of Sins Is Dependent Upon the Resurrection

If Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead, then we would know the Father was not pleased with His sacrifice. But Jesus was raised from the dead, is seated at the throne of God on His right hand, is affirmed by God as having perfectly accomplished our redemption; therefore, there is forgiveness of sins (see Heb. 2).

• Jesus’ Ministry of Intercession Is Dependent Upon the Resurrection

His resurrection is inseparably linked to His work of intercession as He presents His petitions on behalf of weak and tempted Christians, interceding for us before the throne of grace (see 1 Jn. 2:1-2; Heb. 4 & 7).

• Bestowal of Spiritual Gifts Is Dependent Upon the Resurrection

Spiritual gifts are the divine, enabling abilities that the Holy Spirit gives to every believer so that we can serve God and His church (see Eph. 4:7).

• Our Spiritual Power Is Dependent Upon the Resurrection

Did you know that if you are a Christian, you have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead working in and through you? This would have been impossible without the resurrection (see Mt. 28:18; Acts 1:8; Eph. 1).

• Our Position of Blessing Is Dependent Upon the Resurrection

Jesus pours out His blessings on His people from heaven (see Eph. 1:3, 2:7).

All, of these spiritual realities hinge on the resurrection. If Christ didn’t rise, then none of it would have happened, or even be possible. / Fourthly …

IV. THE RESURRECTION PROVES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH OF GOD (Mt. 16:18; Eph. 1:20)

Our Lord said He would build His church. You remember those words in Matthew 16? “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower (prevail against) it.” What are the gates of Hades? It’s a Jewish expression meaning Death. I’ll build My church and death cannot stop it. Jesus was, in effect, saying, “Although I’m going to die, I will rise again. Death is not going to stop Me from building My church.”

[READ Eph. 1:20-23]

20 [God] worked in Christ, by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

When Jesus rose, He took His seat as the head of the church. But if there’s no resurrection, there’s no church. The true church is made up of those who have been given life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

John Calvin wrote, “This is the highest honor of the church. That until He is united to us, the Son of God reckons Himself in some measure imperfect. Without consolation it is for us to learn that not until we are in His presence does He possess all His parts or does He wish to be regarded as complete.”

In other words, the Messiah is not complete without His body. He is a head without a body. The church is His completion. And the church was born in the resurrection. It was the resurrection that transformed the apostles from scattered, fearful, faithless doubters into world-changing apostles. The little band of disciples, maligned and persecuted, grew to fill Jerusalem with their teaching, and soon turned the world upside down. Jews meeting on the Sabbath for centuries, suddenly became Christians meeting on Sunday. And the Sabbath was no more the day, Sunday is, because Jesus arose, and the church has marched through time triumphant in the power of its risen Lord.

The church lives today despite constant attacks, corruption, and counterfeiting. It lives because it is sustained by resurrection power. / Fifthly, and sadly …

V. THE RESURRECTION PROVES THE INEVITABILITY OF THE JUDGMENT OF GOD (Jn. 8:21-26a, 5:21-30; Acts 10:40-42, 17:30-31; Rom. 14:9; 1 Cor. 3:12; 2 Cor. 5:10)

When our Lord came into the world the first time, He was mocked and scorned, hated, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief, and He was humbled. He allowed Himself to be treated terribly. People said He was from Hell. They battered Him, they spit on Him, they shoved a crown of thorns into His head, they executed Him as a criminal, they drove nails through His hands and feet, they rammed a spear into His side, they put Him on display naked as a laughingstock. In many ways and places today, this ill-treatment of Jesus continues. But that’s not the last scene the world will have of Jesus. No, not at all. Nor was the ascension the last view the world will have of Jesus.

You see, this same Jesus is coming back to our planet again. And when He does, He will come back as the judge of this world and every soul in it. Listen to John 8, a very, very powerful testimony. Jesus says to the Jews who have rejected Him …

[READ Jn. 8:21-26a]

21 Then He said again to them, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews were saying, “Surely He will not kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He [God], you will die in your sins.” 25 So they were saying to Him, “Who are You?” Jesus said to them, “What have I been saying to you from the beginning? 26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you ….

Back a couple of chapters in John 5, Jesus speaks specifically about this judgment.

[READ Jn. 5:21-30]

21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. 22 For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

25 Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; 27 and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.

30 “I can do nothing from Myself. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

Jesus is coming back as the righteous, rightful King of this earth, but He’s coming back as more than the King. He’s coming back as judge, jury, sentencer, and executioner. God has testified to that.

[READ Acts 10:40-42]

40 God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He appear, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and solemnly to bear witness that this is the One who has been designated by God as Judge of the living and the dead.

Why did Jesus appear to the apostles? According to verse 42, He ordered them to preach the gospel to people and solemnly testify that He is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. He will come back as the God-appointed judge.

Two weeks ago, we were studying in Acts 17. You will remember Paul was preaching on Mars Hill in Athens. I want to zero in on two verses from Paul’s sermon.

[READ Acts 17:30-31]

30 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now commanding men that everyone everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He determined, having furnished proof to all by raising Him from the dead.”

And how did God furnish proof that Christ was this Man? “By raising Him from the dead.”

In Romans 14:9, Paul says: “For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.” In the next three verses he continues, “For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,
“AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, TO ME EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS TO GOD.” So then, each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

Jesus is not only the judge of the unbeliever, but He is also the judge of every believer. We must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:10, and Jesus will be there to test our works, to see if they’re wood, hay, and stubble; or gold, silver, and precious stones. / One more proof, and I’ll be done.

VI. THE RESURRECTION PROVES THE ETERNAL BLISS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD (Jn. 14:1-3)

Jesus’ resurrection is the guarantee of our eternity in heaven. Listen to these wonderful and familiar words.

[READ Jn. 14:1-3]

1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

Once again, Jesus is predicting His resurrection. He’s headed to death, but He says, “I’m going right through death into the Father’s house to get a place ready for you, and I’ll be back to get you.” So, you see, if there’s no resurrection, there’s no place prepared for us. If there’s no place prepared for us, there’s no heaven for us. Everything depends on the resurrection.

VII. WHAT HAVE WE HEARD FROM GOD’S WORD?

If you do away with the resurrection, you have removed the keystone of the Christian faith, all of God’s redemptive plan falls apart, and we have no hope.

But Jesus did rise from the dead and the tomb is still empty today! Can I get a witness? Listen to me now, I believe Jesus is coming back soon. At that time, He will either take you to the place He has prepared for you, or He will send you to the place He has prepared for the devil and his fallen angels. He will either gather you into His presence in heaven where there is forgiveness, blessedness, joy and fulfillment; or because of His righteous judgment, He will send you to an awful hell of damnation and punishment that is outside of His presence forever. Friends, your eternity is at stake, and you have a choice to make. I hope you will choose wisely.

Prayer: Father, I pray that Your Holy Spirit will work in every life, every heart, every mind, so that no one can shake off the truths of Your Word shared today. This is not just something that can be ignored or treated with indifference. Our eternal destiny turns on the issue of will I commit my life to the One who rose to be my Savior, or will I reject Him and face Him as my Judge?

Lord, I also pray that across the world today as the resurrection of Jesus is preached, heaven will be rejoicing because many will be turned from death to life, darkness to light, hell to heaven, despair to hope, and sin to righteousness. Work Your will in every heart, and for the glory of Christ, in whose name I pray, Amen.

Invitation Hymn # 105: “He Is Lord” w/ verses & tag

Benediction: Beloved, may our strong and powerful God,
who raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, provide you with every good thing you need in order to do His will. May
the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you now and forever. Go in peace, as witnesses of the risen Christ. Amen.

THE RESURRECTION: The Key to Everything - Study Guide

THE RESURRECTION: The Key to Everything

Resurrection Sunday - Apr. 20, 2025 - Study Guide

TEXT: Selected Scriptures (LSB)

INTRODUCTION: When it comes down to it, the real issue is not what proves the resurrection, but rather, what does the resurrection prove? And the answer to this question is basically that the resurrection proves the full redemptive plan and purpose of God which continues to go forward.

I. THE RESURRECTION PROVES THE TRUTHFULNESS OF THE WORD OF GOD (Acts 2:23-32; Ps. 16:7-11; Acts 13:26-35; 26:22; Jn. 2:19-22; Lk. 24:25-27; 1 Cor. 15:3-4)

II. THE RESURRECTION PROVES THE DEITY OF THE SON OF GOD (Mk. 5:6-7; Jn. 9:1-34; Jn. 11:27; Rom. 1:1-4; Acts 2:36, 13:30; Rom. 6:4; Eph. 1:19-20)

III. THE RESURRECTION PROVES THE COMPLETION OF THE SALVATION OF GOD (Rom. 4:25)

• Eternal Life Is Dependent Upon the Resurrection (Jn. 11:25)

• The Descending of the Holy Spirit Is Dependent Upon the Resurrection (Jn. 16:7)

• Forgiveness of Sins Is Dependent Upon the Resurrection (Heb. 2)

• Jesus’ Ministry of Intercession Is Dependent Upon the Resurrection (1 Jn. 2:1-2; Heb. 4 & 7)

• Bestowal of Spiritual Gifts Is Dependent Upon the Resurrection (Eph. 4:7)

• Our Spiritual Power Is Dependent Upon the Resurrection (Mt. 28:18; Acts 1:8; Eph. 1)

• Our Position of Blessing Is Dependent Upon the Resurrection (Eph. 1:3, 2:7)

IV. THE RESURRECTION PROVES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH OF GOD (Mt. 16:18; Eph. 1:20)

V. THE RESURRECTION PROVES THE INEVITABILITY OF THE JUDGMENT OF GOD (Jn. 8:21-26a, 5:21-30; Acts 10:40-42, 17:30-31; Rom. 14:9; 1 Cor. 3:12; 2 Cor. 5:10)

VI. THE RESURRECTION PROVES THE ETERNAL BLISS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD (Jn. 14:1-3)

VII. WHAT HAVE WE HEARD FROM GOD’S WORD?

If you do away with the resurrection, you have removed the keystone of the Christian faith. All of God’s redemptive plan depends on this essential reality. All the redemptive plan of God in its fullness, completed through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, will either mean heaven or hell to you.

JESUS: ON THE WAY TO THE CROSS

Mt. 21:1-11 & Selected Texts from LSB

Click For Audio

JESUS: ON THE WAY TO THE CROSS

Text: Mt. 21:1-11 & Selected Texts from LSB

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, who on this day entered the rebellious city that later rejected You: we confess that our wills are as rebellious as Jerusalem’s, that our faith is often more show than substance, and that our hearts are in need of Your cleansing.
Have mercy on us, son of David, Savior of our lives. Help us to lay at Your feet all that we have and all that we are, trusting You
to forgive what is sinful, to heal what is broken, to welcome our praises, and to receive us as Your own. Merciful God, as we enter this Holy Week, turn our hearts again to Jerusalem, and to the life, death, and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Stir up within us the gift of faith so that we may not only praise Him with our lips but also follow Him with our hearts. For it is in the holy and blessed name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

Introduction: When I was a kid, I got hooked on hiking. I loved to go hiking, especially through the mountains. I guess I caught hiking fever from my scoutmaster, Albert Wood.

While I was at Liberty, I lived very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. I would usually go hiking once or twice a month on Friday afternoons or Saturdays. One of my favorite hikes was the Apple Orchard Mountain Trail. It was a very refreshing time for me, as it was a good way to be alone with the Lord and renew my spirit.

When I got married, I tried to interest Debbie in hiking to no avail. Then, when our kids came along, I tried to interest them in hiking, also a dead end. And they all have flat out refused to go hiking with me again since my “forced” 4th of July hike at Point of Rocks Park between Chester and Hopewell. But that’s a story for another time.

You know Jesus was quite a hiker Himself. He covered a lot of trails and roads in His 33 years on this earth. Did you know that the Bible mandates that as Jesus’ followers we must carefully study each step He took?

[READ 1 Jn. 2:5-6]

5 By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

It is important for us as Christians to study the roads Jesus walked and the way He walked them, for by doing so we gain wisdom which helps us reflect Jesus in our own journey down the pathways of life.

Without a doubt the most important roads Jesus walked were those He traversed during the last week of His earthly ministry. The Gospel writers knew how crucial these last eight days were ... for they focused more on the events of this one week than on any other portion of Jesus’ ministry. In fact, it seems that the biblical record slows down rather than speeds up when it gets to Holy Week. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke each devote a third of their precious pages to these 8 days. And John writes fully one half of his account chronicling the events of the first Holy Week. All taken together, the gospel writers are saying that these were the most important days of Jesus’ ministry and so as His followers we must be experts on the lessons He taught and the things He said during this brief period of time.

With this goal in mind, let’s get started on our hike from Bethany to Jerusalem. Tighten your shoelaces, grab a bottle of water, and let’s get going! Our journey actually begins a few days before Palm Sunday.

[READ Luke 9:51]

51 Now it happened that when the days for Him to be taken up were soon to be fulfilled, He set His face to go to Jerusalem ….

Jesus not only planned the destination of His journey, but the time of His arrival as well. He came to Jerusalem during the most important of all the Jewish feasts ... Passover. As you well know, this annual celebration commemorated Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage -- so there was always a sense of expectancy that perhaps another great deliverance would come at Passover.

The excitement this particular Passover season was palpable, because many people sensed the inevitable confrontation which would occur between Jesus and the Jewish rulers.

[READ Jn. 11:55-56]

55 Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem from the region before the Passover to purify themselves. 56 So they were seeking Jesus, and were saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That He will not come to the feast at all?”

The chief priests and Pharisees hoped Jesus would show up.

[READ Jn. 11:57]

57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he was to report it, so that they might seize Him.

The Talmud is a commentary on the Jewish law. It was written over a seven-century period, from about 200 BC to AD 500. It contains an indictment against one Heshu Hannosri. Some scholars believe this was the Hebrew name for Jesus of Nazareth.

Here’s what it said: “Wanted Heshu Hannosri: He shall be stoned because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy. Anyone who can say anything in his favor, let him come forward and plead on his behalf. Anyone who knows where he is, let him declare it to the great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.”

So, the city was crowded with people who were familiar with this “Israel’s Most Wanted” poster, and they sensed that something was about to happen.

During Passover, Jerusalem was always crowded with Jews. The normal population in 1st century Jerusalem was somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000 souls. At the time of Jesus, Jerusalem was only about 220 acres in size. I know this can be hard to visualize, so let me make a comparison. You could have set the entire city of Jerusalem into the middle of King’s Dominion Park with 60 acres left over. So, if they had had radios in those days, and if we were able to tune-in to the commuter traffic report, it would have announced the town was literally filled to overflowing ... every road and street packed with people. This was partially because every adult male Jew living within twenty miles of Jerusalem was required to attend the Passover. However, every Jew (including women and children) no matter where they lived, hoped to attend this feast at least once in their lifetime. Then, add to that number the many Jewish proselytes who came from all over the world to attend this religious celebration, plus all of the Roman soldiers dispatched there to maintain order. I ran across this figure in my research this week: 30 years after this noteworthy Passover, the Roman Governor took a census of the number of lambs prepared for this feast, which was about 250,000. Since one lamb was required for a minimum of 10 people and up to 20 (Josephus), this would mean that at least 2½ million people would have been in attendance in Jerusalem when Jesus arrived on that first Palm Sunday.

Jesus knew the city would be packed with Jews from all over the world ... and He purposely selected this time to throw down the gauntlet and claim to all the people, “I am the prophesied Messiah ... the Son of God.” Up until this point in His earthly ministry Jesus had avoided public recognition ... repeatedly urging those He healed to keep quiet about it for His time had not yet come. But now all the reserve was over. When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, He entered it publicly claiming to be God’s Messiah.

Since Jerusalem was packed to the gills with Passover participants, there was no room for Jesus and His disciples in the local inns. And perhaps the lack of accommodation in Bethlehem 33 years earlier had been enough for one lifetime. Scripture infers that Jesus and His disciples stayed in the home of His dear friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus during the week leading up to Passover. This family’s hometown was Bethany, which was not quite 2 miles from Jerusalem. The comfortable nature of old friendships was just what Jesus needed at this crucial time. He knew what was waiting for Him in Jerusalem. Good Friday wouldn’t catch Him by surprise. And so, for a little while He needed the sustaining power of a good meal and old friends. According to John 12:1 He arrived in Bethany probably on Friday afternoon, and used the time to make all the necessary arrangements for His royal entry into Jerusalem.

Okay, the journey is about to begin. I ask you to pay close attention as we follow Jesus’ steps. As His modern-day disciples what can we learn that will help us reflect Jesus in our own walk-through life? The first thing we must learn is …

I. TRUST GOD’S TIMING (Mt. 21:1-11)

[READ Mt. 21:1-3]

1 And when they had approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

After leaving Bethany on the Mount of Olives headed toward Jerusalem, Jesus passed near the town of Bethphage (5/8 of a mi. down the road), there He gave a couple of the disciples somewhat secretive instructions for securing a colt and its mother. Apparently, Jesus had made these arrangements without informing His disciples. Have you ever wondered why? We must remember our Lord was moving according to a divine timetable. Though His hour was fast approaching, it hadn’t yet arrived. Certain things had to happen first -- Messianic prophecies must be fulfilled.

[READ Mt. 21:4-5]

4 And this took place in order that what was spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled, saying,

5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and mounted on a donkey,
And on a colt, the foal of a pack animal.’”

Verse 5 is a direct quote of Zechariah 9:9: “Behold, your king is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Lowly and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a pack animal.” Jesus knew this prophecy would be on people’s minds during Passover, so He had to enter Jerusalem in this way to be recognized as the Messiah. He also knew the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders for His arrest. Maybe He had seen His own “wanted” poster.

If Jesus had revealed His plans even to the Twelve, it would have given Judas an advanced warning of where He would be and when. No doubt, He would have been arrested before He had the chance to fulfill prophecy by His entry into Jerusalem. He could not enter Jerusalem as a criminal in bondage. He must do so as a king, hence the need for secrecy.

Because Jesus’ triumphal entry focused everyone’s attention on Him, all eyes were watching Him that last week. Due to this publicity, He was recognized everywhere He went, and people heard every word He said. You see, Jesus had perfect timing, and He was in total control of that week. Jesus was not a leaf on the stream of events floating uncontrollably wherever the current took Him. His enemies did not manipulate Him, rather He manipulated them. There was an atmosphere of mastery surrounding Him as He purposefully walked the roads during Passion Week. Later, when He stood before the council, then Pilate, and Herod there was not even a hint of fumbling or hesitancy. Jesus said almost regally, “No man takes My life from me ... I lay it down Myself.” Jesus was in control, not Satan, nor His enemies. Jesus knew exactly what He was doing, and His eternal perspective literally gave Him perfect timing.

There comes a time when it seems like all the pathways we travel, are rough ones. When this happens, we tend to doubt our Heavenly Father’s guidance, yet in these circumstances we must have faith in God’s timing. There is a gospel song that says, “God is too wise to be mistaken. God is too good to be unkind ... so when you don’t understand ... when you don’t see His hand ... when you can’t trace His plan ... trust His heart.” True disciples, who want to walk as Jesus walked, must learn to trust God’s timing and His heart. Next, we learn that …

[READ Mt. 21:6-8]

6 And the disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, 7 and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their garments on them; and He sat on the garments. 8 And most of the crowd spread their garments in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road.

As Jesus began His 1½ mile donkey ride from Bethphage toward Jerusalem, the crowds began to grow. The Jews, coming down the Mount of Olives from Bethany, were merging with the Galilean believers, who were coming out of Jerusalem to visit Jesus in Bethany. When they encountered Him along the way, they spread their cloaks and palm branches in front of Him, while loudly singing the words of Messianic praise from Psalm 118, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!”

[READ Mt. 21:10-11]

10 And when He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Saying the whole city was “stirred” is an understatement. The word translated “stirred” is sīō and is used to describe earthquakes and apocalyptic upheavals. These people were wild with excitement; they were rocking the city with their praises and singing. Their fervor temporarily deterred the authorities, who would have otherwise arrested Jesus at once. Luke’s gospel records that the religious leaders complained saying, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!” He answered them, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!” (Lk. 19:39-40). Jesus was saying, “Don’t you understand? This is the moment My Father has been preparing for since the foundation of the world. I am the Messiah for whom you have been waiting, I am officially here. If I stop My disciples from singing these psalms of praise, then you are going to hear a literal rock concert!”

Let’s take note of a second thing we must learn if we are to be disciples of Jesus. If we are going to walk as Jesus walked, then we must know that ...

II. WHEN WE GIVE JESUS OUR TIME, TALENTS, & POSSESSIONS, HE IS GLORIFIED

As I mentioned earlier, in order to fulfill Messianic prophecy, Jesus needed a colt to ride into Jerusalem. So, this whole wonderful occasion was made possible in part because of a nameless citizen of Bethphage who was willing to loan Jesus the animal on which He rode. Jesus received His just acclaim that day, in part, because an unnamed individual was willing to respond to the fact that Jesus needed what was his! It’s always that way! When we place what we have at the disposal of Jesus -- our TALENTS, our PRESENCE in His house, our MONEY, our SERVICE -- they become the means by which Jesus receives the praise and acclaim that are His due! The Kingdom of God grows, souls are saved, people are blessed when we simply give Jesus what we claim as ours because, like this little colt, our Lord has need of it.

Bill Wilson was pastor of an inner-city church in New York City. His mission field was a very violent place. He himself had been stabbed twice as he ministered to the people of the community surrounding the church. Once a Puerto Rican woman became involved in the church and was led to Christ. After her conversion she came to Pastor Wilson and said, “I want to do something to help with the church’s ministry.” He asked her what her talents were, and she could think of nothing (she could barely speak English) but she loved children. So, he put her on one of the church’s buses that went into surrounding neighborhoods and transported kids to church. Every week she faithfully performed her duties. She would find the worst-looking kid on the bus, sit them on her lap and whisper over and over the only words she had learned in English: “I love you and Jesus loves you.”

After several months, she became particularly attached to one little boy. The child didn’t speak. He rode the bus every week to Sunday School with his sister. He always sat by this lady, but he never made a sound. Every week she would tell him all the way to Sunday School and all the way home, “I love you and Jesus loves you.”

One day, to her amazement, the little boy stammered, “I---I---I love you too!” Then he put his arms around her neck and gave her a big hug. That was at 2:30 on a Sunday afternoon. At 6:30 that night he was found dead. His own mother had beaten him to death and thrown his body in the trash. “I love you and Jesus loves you,” were some of the last words this little boy heard in his short life from the lips of a Puerto Rican woman who could hardly speak English. This woman gave her one talent to God and because of that a little boy who never heard the word “love” in his own home, experienced and responded to the love of Christ.

Beloved, what can you give? What is your “colt.” You and I each have something in our lives, which, if given back to God, could, like that donkey colt, move Jesus and His message further down the road. Maybe you have a knack for working with children, or maybe you can sing, or maybe you love to welcome people when they enter the Lord’s house, or maybe you can set up a web page, or maybe you can write a check, or maybe you know how to use a hammer, paint, or run a lawn mower.

Whatever talent or ability you have that’s your “colt.” Could it be that God wants to ride your “colt” to carry His love to another city, another nation, or another heart? If you would be His disciple, you must give it as that nameless colt owner did, because when we give God is glorified.

The third thing a disciple must learn if he or she is going to walk as Jesus walked is that …

III. WE MUST LOVE PEOPLE AS MUCH AS HE LOVES PEOPLE (Lk. 19:41-44)

Jesus’ travels on that first Palm Sunday took Him over the crest of the Mount of Olives. This mountain commands a spectacular view of Jerusalem. When Jesus’ procession arrived at this vista, He did something almost unbelievable ... He cried!

[READ Lk. 19:41-44]

41 And as He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He cried over it, 42 saying, “If you knew in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, 44 and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

Jesus, God in the flesh, was so deeply moved by what He knew was going to take place in Jerusalem in just a few years, that He could not hold back the tears. Imagine that – the great Creator crying for the created. The Almighty, holy God crying for sinful people like you and me!

Jesus cried because the people He loved so dearly were going to reject Him. God passionately yearns to be in a loving relationship with the people He created. It is not that God’s disposition is friendly, it is far more than that, God is love. The very essence of His being is love and He is always going to act toward us in love. We can count on that. Love is the way He is. And He wept because He loved them so much, but knew they would not reciprocate in love. In fact, many of them would reject Him and His plan to save the world, then end up suffering the painful consequences of their decision.

If we are to walk as Jesus walked, then we not only need to know how much He loves us, but we must love people as He does. We must be moved by their pain even as God is.

A little girl was sent on an errand by her mother, but she took an inordinate amount of time in returning. So, her mother demanded an explanation when she finally arrived back home. The little girl explained that on her way back she had met one of her friends who was crying because she had broken her doll. “Oh,” said her mother, “then you stopped to help her fix her doll?” “Oh, no,” the little girl answered, “I stopped to help her cry.”

Like this little girl, we must be moved with empathetic tears by the pain of those around us who hurt because they have rejected God in their lives. That’s what Jesus does, and if we’re walking in His footsteps, then we will follow His example.

And finally, as disciples …

IV. WE MUST LEARN THAT JESUS’ WAY LED TO THE CROSS (Mt. 26:26-28; Lk. 9:23)

When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem for this most significant Passover in history, He became the Paschal Lamb. He came for the express purpose of dying on the cross as the once and for all sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. Do you recall Jesus’ words to His disciples the night they ate Passover and He brought the Lord’s Table into being?

[READ Mt. 26:26-28]

26 Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it. And giving it to the disciples, He said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

Jesus was preparing to die for the sins of the world. It was for this very reason He came into the world (see Jn. 12:27). He came to die so that others might live. But most of the crowd in Jerusalem for the Passover didn’t understand this. They were absorbed in their own desire of a Messianic king who would return the glory to Israel rather than their need of One to save them from their sins.

When Jesus didn’t turn out to be their type of Messiah they abandoned Him. Many of the people who participated in Jesus’ parade on Palm Sunday, rained on His parade five days later. They were of course missing the whole point of Jesus’ humble entrance into Jerusalem. God’s plan was to use the nation of Israel as a kingdom of priests proclaiming His love to all the world. But they missed this because they were so self-absorbed.

This really hasn’t changed much in our own day. Our whole culture seems to be just as egotistical as the crowds pressing in around Jesus on Palm Sunday. Self-interest alone is the way of the world, but as followers of Christ we must walk a different path – Jesus’ way is the way of the cross. He came to embody the message of self-denial rather than self-interest.

Jesus came to die for the needs of the world; if we would follow His example we must live lives of self-denial as well. Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Lk. 9:23). Jesus commands all who will follow Him to choose between the way of the world or the way of the cross.

V. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM THE WORD (Mk. 10:46-52)

The last miracle Jesus performed before He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday took place a few days before as He and His disciples were passing through Jericho on their way to Bethany. Mark records this miracle for us.

[READ Mk. 10:46-52]

46 … And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus … was sitting by the road. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” …. 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” …. 50 And throwing off his outer garment, he jumped up and came to Jesus.  51 And Jesus answered him and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.

Jesus transformed Bartimaeus from a beggar beside the road to a disciple on the way. Did you notice that Bartimaeus didn’t just receive the healing, he followed Jesus along the road of selfless ministry to others. Quite honestly, faith which doesn’t lead to discipleship is not saving faith. Whoever asks for healing from Jesus must be willing to follow Him -- even along the steep, twisted, tortuous road to the cross.

This implies obedience to Christ on every road of life we have touched on this morning -- our time, our talents, our possessions, our willingness to love and serve others -- nothing is excluded.
But know this my friend, your life will never be the same once you get “on the road” with Jesus.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come before You now with hearts full of gratitude for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior and King. As we remember His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, we are reminded of His love and sacrifice for us.
O God, help us to welcome Jesus into our lives by laying down our burdens and sins at His feet, trusting in His grace and mercy to deliver us. May the Holy Spirit help us follow His example of humility and service, spreading Christ’s love and gospel wherever we go. Fill our hearts with hope and peace, knowing that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have the promise of eternal life. Strengthen us to face our challenges with courage and to live each day in a way that honors You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Invitation Slides: “Lamb of God” (Hymns of Grace, # 265)

Benediction: Beloved, may Jesus, our Savior, whose arms were outstretched on the cross to embrace the whole world, help us to take up our crosses and follow Him. May Jesus, our King of kings, make His rule known in your life. May the glory of Jesus, our God, give you strength and excite you with reasons to worship as we pray for His saving power to be encountered by all peoples who live in our world, convicting them to repent of their sin, and believe in Him. May Jesus’ promises give you hope to endure the dark storms that are raging in our present world, along with the assurance that one day soon He will make all things new. Amen.

JESUS: ON THE WAY TO THE CROSS Study Guide

JESUS: ON THE WAY TO THE CROSS
Palm Sunday - Apr. 13, 2025 - Study Guide

TEXT: Selected Scriptures (LSB)

INTRODUCTION: Without a doubt, the most important roads Jesus walked were those He traversed during the last week of His earthly ministry. The Gospel writers knew how crucial these last eight days were for they focused more on the events of this week than on any other portion of Jesus’ ministry. As Jesus’ followers today, we really should strive to be experts on the lessons He taught and the things He said during this brief period of time.

Luke 9:51 & John 11:55-57
What can we learn from Jesus’ steps during Passion week that will help us reflect Jesus in our own walk-through life? The first thing we must learn is ….

I. TRUST GOD’S TIMING (Matt. 21:1-11)

If we are going to walk as Jesus walked, a second thing we must know is that …

II. WHEN WE GIVE JESUS OUR TIME, TALENTS & POSSESSIONS, HE IS GLORIFIED

The third thing a disciple must learn if he or she is going to walk as Jesus walked is that ….

III. WE MUST LOVE PEOPLE AS MUCH AS HE LOVES PEOPLE (Luke 19:41-44)

As disciples ….

IV. WE MUST LEARN THAT JESUS’ WAY LED TO THE CROSS (Matt. 26:26-28; Luke 9:23)
V. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM GOD’S WORD TODAY (Mark 10:46-52)

As soon as Bartimaeus was healed, he followed Jesus along the road of selfless ministry to others. Quite honestly, faith which doesn’t lead to discipleship is not saving faith. Whoever asks for healing from Jesus must be willing to follow Him – even along the steep, twisted, tortuous road to the cross.

This implies obedience to Christ on every road of life we have touched on this morning -- our time, our talents, our possessions, our willingness to love and serve others -- nothing is excluded. But know this my friend, your life will never be the same once you get “on the road” with Jesus.

PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY (Part Three)

Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Click For Audio

PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY (Part Three)

PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY
(Part Three)

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Prayer: Gracious Father, we come before You now with hungry hearts and open minds as we prepare to examine the wisdom of Your Word. Clear away any distractions and doubts. Help us to clearly hear and see the message You have ordained for us today. May our hearts be fertile soil, ready to receive the seeds of Your truth, so that the Holy Spirit can bring forth fruit from our lives that is well-pleasing to You. I ask for these blessings in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Introduction: Three Sundays ago, we began looking at Paul’s second missionary journey. The church at Antioch sent Paul out to proclaim the gospel and strengthen the churches. After a disagreement with Barnabas the two men left on separate journeys. Barnabas took John Mark with him, and Paul chose Silas to go with him.

Paul and Silas set out from Antioch and traveled through Galatia, strengthening the churches that had been planted during Paul’s first journey. As they passed through Derbe and Lystra, they met Timothy and took him along with them. After passing through Galatia, Paul and his group were forbidden by the Holy Spirit from preaching in Asia and Bithynia. Instead, while he and his companions were in the seaport of Troas, Paul saw a vision of a man calling to him to come into Macedonia and help them.

Last week we spent time with Paul and company in Philippi and saw how God transformed Lydia and her family and the jailer and his family. After being released from prison, receiving a public apology, and being asked to leave the city, Paul and Silas encouraged the Christians and departed.

The group then traveled to Thessalonica, where many of the Jews rioted against them; and the Christian brothers sent them away for their own safety. They continued on to Berea, where the Jews accepted them eagerly.  But jealous Jews from Thessalonica came to Berea and stirred up the crowds. The brothers immediately sent Paul away, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea. Paul was transported to Athens, and he waited there for Silas and Timothy to rejoin him. Today, we’re going to look at Paul’s ministry in Athens as he waited on his friends’ arrival.

I. PAUL PREACHES IN ATHENS (Acts 17:16-34)

[READ Acts 17:16-21]

16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. 17 So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be present. 18 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, “What would this idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,” -- because he was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is which you are speaking? 20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. So we want to know what these things mean.” 21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something newer.)

Acts 17:16
16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols.

According to verse 16, while Paul waited on his friends to arrive, he scrutinized the place. Everything Paul encountered in Athens provoked his spirit within him. He was upset (righteously indignant) with the city because it was so full of idolatry.

As Paul entered Athens, he was confronted with unbridled Hellenism (i.e., Greek culture). The city was full of idols, with statues, altars, and sanctuaries in the marketplace and throughout the city. Paul would have seen statues of Poseidon, hurling his trident, Athena, Zeus, Apollo, and Hermes. In the agora (marketplace) there was the altar of Mercy and a bronze statue of Ptolemy (one of Alexander the Great’s generals). Athens was home to the Sanctuary of the Mother of the gods, the Sanctuary of the Dioscuri, the Temple of Zeus, the Sanctuary of Dionysus, and many more. There was even a shrine to “the unknown god” (Acts 17:23). Wherever Paul turned, he encountered statues, temples, and shrines. It was this abundance of pagan gods that provoked his spirit.

Needless to say, the Greeks in Athens worshiped a variety of idols, and many of their worship practices were polluted with sexual immorality and hedonism. As Paul walked through the city, he was concerned for all those who were placing their trust in these futile idols and leading other astray.

Acts 17:17
17 So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be present.

Rather stand idly by, according to verse 17, Paul immediately began teaching in the synagogue and the marketplace daily. In the synagogue, Paul reasoned with the Jews and devout persons. As was his custom, Paul sought out the synagogue first and shared the truth about Jesus with his Jewish brethren. But also, whenever Paul went to the marketplace, he reasoned with whomever he encountered there.

Acts 17:18
18 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, “What would this idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,” -- because he was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.

In verse 18, we learn that Paul also conversed with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Let me see if I can explain their positions in a way that will make sense. Let’s start with the Epicureans. These philosophers followed the system of Epicurus. They believed that the world is just a series of chance combinations of atoms and the highest good is one’s own pleasure. The Epicureans were basically the evolutionists of their day. Stoic philosophy was completely different from that of the Epicureans. The Stoics held to the philosophical system that taught that people should seek to attain a state of emotional self-control. In other words, people should be free from both excessive joy and grief, focusing instead on reason.

Acts 17:19-20
19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is which you are speaking? 20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. So we want to know what these things mean.”

The philosophers from both groups seemed somewhat enamored by Paul’s preaching. They were certainly curious, determining that he was speaking of a foreign deity. They apparently didn’t fully understand what he was saying, since they asked him to explain these “strange things.” The philosophers invited Paul to go with them to the Areopagus, which was the main meeting place of the governing body of Athens.

Acts 17:21
21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something newer.)

In verse 21, we learn the reason why the philosophers were so eager to hear Paul’s preaching. The Athenians dedicated themselves to learning about and discussing new ideas.
Athens was a city rampant with idolatry and hedonism, yet Paul was invited to share the gospel with the leading thinkers. These men were eager to hear these new ideas, and Paul was equally eager to preach the message of Christ. Let’s keep reading to see how he addressed the philosophers at the Areopagus.

[READ Acts 17:22-34]

22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to inhabit all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His offspring.’ 29 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to suppose that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the craft and thought of man. 30 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now commanding men that everyone everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He determined, having furnished proof to all by raising Him from the dead.”
32 Now when they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” 33 In this way, Paul went out of their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

Acts 17:22
22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects.

Notice that Paul addressed the gathering respectfully, calling them “men of Athens” and opening with what they would have taken as a compliment. In this, Paul was not offering approval for their religious practices and idolatry, rather he was pointing to something they understood to build a bridge so he could proclaim the gospel. In fact, after presenting the gospel to them, he circled back around to speak out against idolatry (v. 29).

Acts 17:23
23 For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

Because they were so concerned with pleasing the gods, verse 23 points out that they even had an altar to an unknown god just to cover their bases. Paul pointed out this altar explaining it was this unknown God he was now proclaiming to them. The God Paul declared is the Creator God, maker of all things and Lord of all things in heaven and on earth.

Acts 17:24-27
24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to inhabit all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;

In verses 24-27, Paul clarifies the nature of God by explaining He is independent, needing nothing from man. Rather, He provides for man, graciously granting life, breath, and everything else needed for our existence. And He is sovereign over all peoples of the earth, even having determined when and where they should dwell.

Acts 17:28
28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His offspring.’

In verse 28, Paul quotes Greek literature, which the men of Athens would have been familiar with. Again, he was using what they knew to bridge to the truth of the gospel.

Acts 17:29-30
29 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to suppose that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the craft and thought of man. 30 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now commanding men that everyone everywhere should repent,

In verses 29-30, Paul warns the Athenians that God would no longer overlook their idolatry (thinking God was gold or silver or stone), but He commanded them to repent.

Acts 17:31
31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He determined, having furnished proof to all by raising Him from the dead.”

According to verse 31, God appointed Jesus, the God-Man, to judge the world. The assurance of this judgment taking place is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

Acts 17:32-34
32 Now when they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” 33 In this way, Paul went out of their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

In the closing verses of chapter 17, we find that some of the people mocked Paul when he began talking about Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Others wanted to hear more about Jesus, and some believed in Christ and were saved that very day. Black

Most of the encounters we have studied so far involved Jews or those who were at least familiar with the Jewish religion. Because of their national history and heritage, as well as the OT Scriptures, the Jews understood that God is the Creator of all things. All of this was important to their understanding of the gospel.

They already knew who God was and that the Messiah was coming. With this background, the apostles could begin the gospel message with, “Jesus is the Messiah you’ve been waiting for; trust in Him.” But Paul’s encounter in Athens was different. Those to whom Paul was speaking had an entirely different worldview. They had no background in understanding who God was or the teachings of the OT.

Paul recognized this cultural difference, and did not begin by proclaiming, “Jesus is the Messiah.” Instead, he started at the beginning, pointing to the Creator God who could not be fashioned by human hands, but rather fashioned all things by the power of His word. This independent, eternal, sovereign Creator God made man in His own image and desires that mankind should seek Him. Paul then pointed to the idolatry of the Greeks and warned them to repent before the day of judgment.

It is important to realize that Paul did not speak about God in generic terms that the people would have accepted. His goal wasn’t to win the favor of people; his goal was to preach the gospel. He didn’t want the Athenians to simply add his God to their list of deities; he wanted them to repent of their idolatry and worship God alone. So, he defined who God is. Theism is not the same thing as Christianity, and we must be careful that we are serving and sharing the One, true, triune God of the Bible.

II. GOD CHANGES HEARTS (Gal. 2:7-8; 1 Cor. 3:5-9; 1:18 – 2:5)

Paul’s sermon to the Athenians in Acts 17, sounds very different than some of his other sermons we’ve read. You may also recall when we looked at Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost and the beginning of the church.

While the reaction in Athens was less hostile than some of the other cities Paul visited, it still seems very few repented and believed. On the other hand, when Peter preached in Acts 2, the response was overwhelming. The people listened to him and were saved, and the church continued to grow. So, does this mean Peter was a better preacher than Paul?

Really, this is a pretty silly question to ask.
Peter and Paul were both chosen apostles of Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel in certain contexts. They were fellow servants, and their success was not based on how many people turned to Christ. Let’s briefly look at a few passages that demonstrate how Paul would react to this question.

[READ Gal. 2:7-8]

7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised 8 (for He who worked in Peter unto his apostleship to the circumcised worked in me also unto the Gentiles),

Remember, Paul wrote to the Galatian church to offer a defense of his apostleship. He was speaking about his conversion and his interaction with the apostles in Jerusalem. The Jerusalem apostles recognized that Paul had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, or the Gentiles. Does this mean the gospel to the uncircumcised is different from the gospel to the circumcised?

No. The gospel is not different, but their ministries looked different. Peter spent most of his time in Judea and Jerusalem. Paul spent most of his time journeying around the known world. They also encountered different audiences. Peter spoke mostly to Jews, and although Paul spoke to Jews in every city, he was specifically called to take the gospel to the Gentiles.

Verse 8 clarifies the common ingredient of their two ministries. God, through the guiding work of the Holy Spirit, worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the Jews and through Paul for his apostolic ministry to the Gentiles.

[READ 1 Cor. 3:5-9]

5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

The context of this epistle is that the Corinthians were allowing divisive factions within the church. Some were claiming to follow Paul, and others were following Apollos. The role of both ministers was that of planting and watering the seed of the gospel, but it was God’s role to give the growth.

Paul clarified that the one who plants and the one who waters are one. They are fellow workers, but only God can give the growth. In other words, Paul refused to be held up as a religious leader. Rather, he saw himself as a fellow servant, a worker called by God to proclaim the gospel, leaving the results (the growth) up to God.

[READ 1 Cor. 1:18 – 2:5]

1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,

“I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE,
AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.”

20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased, through the foolishness of the message preached, to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For consider your calling, brothers, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may abolish the things that are, 29 so that no flesh may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

2:1 And when I came to you, brothers, I did not come with superiority of word or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the witness of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.  3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 4 and my word and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

1 Cor. 1:18
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.

According to verse 18, the message of the cross is received in one of two ways: either it is seen as folly and foolishness to those who are perishing (unsaved), or as the power of God to those who believe (saved).

1 Cor. 1:20-21
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased, through the foolishness of the message preached, to save those who believe.

Verses 20 and 21 contrast two forms of wisdom: God’s wisdom and the world’s wisdom.

1 Cor. 1:22-23
22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,

Verses 22-23 verify the truth we have witnessed from Paul’s missionary outreach concerning the cross. The Jews generally wanted a sign to prove the message, because they saw the cross as a stumbling block to believing. The Greeks (Gentiles) generally wanted the cross explained with the “wisdom” of the world, otherwise it was folly to them.

1 Cor. 1:24
24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

However, as verse 24 states, those who are called (whether Jew or Gentile) receive the message of the cross as wise and powerful in Christ.

1 Cor. 1:27-29
27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may abolish the things that are, 29 so that no flesh may boast before God.

According to verses 27-29, God has chosen the foolish, weak, and lowly things rather than what the world values so that He alone may receive the glory in salvation. It should never be credited to the wisdom of the hearer or the speaker.

1 Cor. 2:1-5
1 And when I came to you, brothers, I did not come with superiority of word or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the witness of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 4 and my word and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

In the opening verses of chapter 2, Paul explains that as he proclaimed the gospel to the Corinthians, he did not try to persuade them with worldly wisdom, but in the power of the Spirit and the testimony of God alone. He declared to them the “foolish” message of Jesus Christ crucified. God’s sovereignty and wisdom are clearly taught in this passage.

Paul made it abundantly clear that it is the omnipotence of God’s declaration and the crucifixion of Jesus applied through the power of the Holy Spirit that brings about salvation in an individual. It was not Peter, or Paul, or Apollos that brought salvation. All three of these, along with many others, were faithful to proclaim the gospel and serve the church in their various callings and ministries, but it is God alone who can make one alive to salvation (see Eph. 2:4-7). While we must communicate clearly, it is not the persuasiveness of our words or the wisdom with which we deliver them that changes a heart of stone to a heart of flesh – only God can bring about that change.

III. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM GOD’S WORD

Paul’s sermon to the men in the Areopagus is a great example of the importance of context in communicating the gospel. We know that God can work without us, He can work in spite of us, but He chooses to work through us. This should encourage us to take our role in sharing the gospel seriously. We should take care to communicate the message in a way that our audience can understand. Clearly, Paul spoke differently to the men of Athens than he did when he spoke in the synagogues and to those who worshiped God. And Peter shared differently with the men of Judea than Paul did among the nations. But Paul also made it clear that it is not the eloquence of the messengers that brings salvation.

The gospel is a powerful, life-changing message. Our job as ambassadors of Christ is to proclaim His gospel in a way that can be understood by our hearers. We should not rely on our smooth words or our vast knowledge, but simply the power of God to save sinners through the message of the cross and work of the Holy Spirit. We do this so that no one else receives the glory that is only due to God, and so that the faith of those who believe is grounded in the power of God alone.

Prayer: Father God, we praise You for Your wisdom in calling people to salvation through the message of the cross. We ask You to give us the same holy boldness You gave to Paul and Peter to proclaim Your gospel, and may the blessed Holy Spirit bring regeneration to the hearts of those who are lost. Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace through our Savior Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray, Amen.

Invitation # 447: “Freely, Freely” (2 vs.)

Benediction: Beloved, cast your burdens upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow His righteous ones to be shaken. Amen. (Ps. 55:22).  Goodbye Slide

PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY ~ Part 3 - Study Guide

PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY ~ Part 3
Answers (Lesson 164, Part 3) - April 6, 2025 - Rev. Alan Cousins

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Introduction: When we last left Paul and Silas, they had left Thessalonica for Berea about 45 miles to the southwest. They were well received in Berea, but jealous Jews from Thessalonica followed them there and stirred up the crowds, so Paul had to move again. He was transported by the brethren to Athens where he waited for Silas and Timothy to rejoin him. Today, we’re going to look at Paul’s ministry in Athens as he waited on his friends’ arrival.

I. PAUL PREACHES IN ATHENS (Acts 17:16-21)

Acts 17:16-21
According to verse 16, while Paul waited on his friends to arrive, he scrutinized the place. Everything Paul encountered in Athens provoked his spirit within him. He was upset (righteously indignant) with the city because it was so full of idolatry.

The Greeks in Athens worshiped a variety of idols, and many of their worship practices were polluted with sexual immorality and hedonism. As Paul walked through the city, he was concerned for all those who were placing their trust in these futile idols and leading other astray.

In verse 18, we learn that Paul also conversed with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Let’s start with the Epicureans. These philosophers followed the system of Epicurus. They believed that the world is just a series of chance combinations of atoms and the highest good is one’s own pleasure. The Epicureans were basically the evolutionists of their day. Stoic philosophy was completely different from that of the Epicureans. The Stoics held to the philosophical system that taught that people should seek to attain a state of emotional self-control. In other words, people should be free from both excessive joy and grief, focusing instead on reason.

In verse 21, we learn the reason why the philosophers were so eager to hear Paul’s preaching. The Athenians dedicated themselves to learning about and discussing new ideas.

Athens was a city rampant with idolatry and hedonism, yet Paul was invited to share the gospel with the leading thinkers. These men were eager to hear these new ideas, and Paul was equally eager to preach the message of Christ. Let’s keep reading to see how he addressed the philosophers at the Areopagus.
Acts 17:22-34
Notice that Paul addressed the gathering respectfully, calling them “men of Athens” and opening with what they would have taken as a compliment. In this, Paul was not offering approval for their religious practices and idolatry, rather he was pointing to something they understood to build a bridge so he could proclaim the gospel. In fact, after presenting the gospel to them, he circled back around to speak out against idolatry (v. 29).

In verse 28, Paul quotes Greek literature, which the men of Athens would have been familiar with. Again, he was using what they knew to bridge to the truth of the gospel.

In verses 29-30, Paul warns the Athenians that God would no longer overlook their idolatry (thinking God was gold or silver or stone), but He commanded them to repent.

According to verse 31, God appointed Jesus, the God-Man, to judge the world. The assurance of this judgment taking place is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

II. GOD CHANGES HEARTS (Gal. 2:7-8; 1 Cor. 3:5-9; 1:18 – 2:5)

Paul’s sermon to the Athenians in Acts 17, sounds very different than some of his other sermons we’ve read. You may also remember when we looked at Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, when we learned about the beginning of the church.

No. Peter and Paul were both chosen apostles of Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel in certain contexts. They were fellow servants, and their success was not based on how many people turned to Christ. Let’s briefly look at a few passages that demonstrate how Paul would react to this question.

Galatians 2:7-8

Verse 8 clarifies the common ingredient of their two ministries. God, through the guiding work of the Holy Spirit, worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised and through Paul for his apostolic ministry to the Gentiles.

1 Corinthians 3:5-9

1 Corinthians 1:18 – 2:5

Verses 20 and 21 contrast two forms of wisdom: God’s wisdom and the world’s wisdom.

However, as verse 24 states, those who are called (whether Jew or Gentile) receive the message of the cross as wise and powerful in Christ.

Paul made it abundantly clear that it is the power of the testimony of God and the crucifixion of Jesus applied through the power of the Holy Spirit that brings about salvation in an individual. It was not Peter, or Paul, or Apollos that brought salvation. All three of these, along with many others, were faithful to proclaim the gospel and serve the church in their various callings and ministries, but it is God alone who can make one alive to salvation (see Eph. 2:4-7). While we must communicate clearly, it is not the persuasiveness of our words or the wisdom with which we deliver them that changes a heart of stone to a heart of flesh – only God can bring about that change.

III. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM GOD’S WORD
* Since God chooses to work through us, it should encourage us to take our role in sharing the gospel seriously.

• Our job as ambassadors of Christ is to proclaim His gospel in a way that can be understood by our hearers.

• We should only rely on the message of the power of God to save sinners through the cross and work of the Holy Spirit.

• This is so no one else receives the glory that is only due to God, and so that the faith of those who believe is grounded in the power of God alone.

PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY (Part Two)

Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Click For Audio

PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY (Part Two)

PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY
(Part Two)

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for this opportunity to again consider truth from Your Word. Thank You for creating us to enjoy fellowship with You. We are grateful to You for all the blessings of life, and especially for forgiveness of sins, for justification, for membership in Your forever family and the body of Christ. Thank You for our great High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us, and advocates for us when we sin. Thank You for the blessed hope we have as believers. We praise You for providing the Bible which is a light unto our feet, a lamp unto our path, which is sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit; and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of our hearts. Thank You, Lord, for giving us every opportunity, every privilege, and every incentive to please You with our lives and serve You faithfully. We ask that our thoughts may constantly be directed by the Holy Spirit and that we may always cleave to You. May our study today contribute to this end, I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Introduction: Last Sunday we began learning about Paul’s second missionary journey. When we left Paul and Silas they were fastened in stocks in a jail in Philippi. Their crime? Paul, by the power of Christ, had cast a demon out of a young slave woman who was forced to tell peoples’ futures. Her angry owners, who could no longer financially benefit from her “gift,” lied to the city’s magistrates, saying that Paul and Silas were riling people up and sowing discord within the city.

The magistrates, whose job it was to maintain peace in their jurisdictions, believed the lies the men told about Paul and Silas, and without a formal inquiry or trial, turned them over to the jailer. He was given the task of keeping them doubly secure, so he put their legs in stocks, which we learned wasn’t just a security measure, it was also a painful torture.

I. SONGS AT MIDNIGHT (Acts 16:23-34)

Let’s pick up the narrative in Acts 16 …

[READ Acts 16:23-34]

22 And the crowd joined together to attack them, and the chief magistrates, tearing their garments off of them, proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted them with many wounds, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely, 24 who, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 And suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the jailhouse were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. 27 And when the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!” 29 And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your house.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his household. 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly with his whole household, because he had believed in God.

Did you happen to notice anyone missing from those who were thrown into jail? Yes, Luke and Timothy were not imprisoned. We’re not told why. Perhaps because they were Gentiles and not Jews (although Timothy was half Jewish). Another possibility is that they were not the main preachers presenting the gospel but were assisting Paul and Silas in less pressing matters so they would be free to concentrate on evangelism.

Acts 16:25
25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

Verse 25 indicates how Paul and Silas were responding to their circumstances. They were praying and singing praises to God. Notice they were singing hymns to God, not hymns about God. Paul and Silas were not angry with God over their arrest and imprisonment.

Phil. 2:14-16
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 so that you will be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to boast because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.

The preachers’ singing must have been pretty good since all the prisoners in the jail were listening quietly to their spiritual songs – although they were a captive audience! Perhaps they found the music and message soothing to them in their dire situation.

Acts 16:26
26 And suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the jailhouse were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.

I want to point out that the mention of the midnight hour (v. 25) refers to the timing of this earthquake, not the beginning of their praying and singing. It seems that they had been praying and singing, up until midnight when the earthquake hit. We’re told the earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, opening all the doors and even unfastening the bonds of the prisoners.

Acts 16:27
27 And when the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.

I wonder if the jailer had been listening to the prayers and singing? Maybe he had earlier, but by the time of the earthquake he was fast asleep. Abruptly awakened by the roar of the earthquake, he jumped out of bed to find the doors of the jail were opened and supposed that all his prisoners had escaped. If a Roman soldier or jailer allowed a prisoner to escape (no matter what the reason), he was put to death for his negligence. Instead of waiting to face humiliation and a painful execution, the jailer was about to take his own life.

Acts 16:28
28 But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!”

The jailer didn’t have time to carry out his suicide. He heard Paul calling out to him to let him know that all the prisoners were still there. This was indeed a miracle! Paul and Silas saved the jailer’s life by remaining in the jail after the earthquake had freed them, and by some miraculous means God had also kept the rest of the prisoners there.

Acts 16:29-30
29 And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

After entering what remained of his prison with a light, the jailer found that Paul’s information was true – all prisoners were present and accounted for. The jailer fell trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas. If he fell at their feet, obviously they must have been standing and were free from the stocks in which he had bound them. Overwhelmed by all that had transpired in the last half hour or so, the jailer asked Paul and Silas what he had to do to be saved.

Acts 16:31-32
31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your house.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his household.

In verse 31, Paul explains to the jailer that if he will believe in the Lord Jesus, he will be saved as well as his household. Does this mean all the jailer’s household would be saved if he believed? No, but each person in his household could be saved if they believed in Jesus. Was “believe in the Lord Jesus” the only thing the jailer and his household heard from Paul and Silas? No, Paul and Silas “spoke the word of the Lord” (v. 32) to the jailer and his family. We should understand this to mean that they explained the gospel message to them more fully than only telling them to believe in Jesus.

Remembering that we should use Scripture to interpret Scripture, what does it mean to “believe in Jesus”? We see similar phrases in many places, and we must look at all of them together to understand what is meant here, especially since we don’t know what else Paul spoke about on this occasion. Based on texts like John 3, Mark 1:15, Romans 10:9-11, and others, to “believe” is to acknowledge who Jesus is and what He has done for sinners, and to place one’s trust in Jesus for salvation. It cannot mean just a simple acknowledgement of His existence or just a knowledge of the facts of His life, because many people knew Jesus was a real person (and still do today) but did not acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior. You will recall that James said even the demons know there is a God (Jas. 2:19).

Acts 16:33-34
33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly with his whole household, because he had believed in God.

In verse 33, we learn that the jailer and those in his household accepted the gospel and believed in Jesus, then they were baptized. After being baptized the jailer rejoiced, having believed in God, and ministered to Paul and Silas. Now that the jailer was saved, his response in verse 34 was similar to Lydia’s after her salvation. He took Paul and Silas into his home and cared for them, providing them with food and treating their wounds. We see that both Lydia and the jailer responded to the gospel by believing in Christ, and the heart transformation worked by the Holy Spirit was immediately evident in their actions toward others. We do not know what became of the other prisoners because the text skips that detail, focusing on the jailer and his family.

II. THE MAGISTRATES’ MISTAKE (Acts 16:35-40)

Remember the magistrates from last week’s sermon who hastily condemned Paul and Silas without a proper investigation, had them beaten and thrown into prison? Boy, did they make a huge blunder!

[READ Acts 16:35-40]

35 Now when day came, the chief magistrates sent their policemen, saying, “Release those men.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “Having beaten us in public without trial, men who are Romans, they have thrown us into prison. And now are they sending us away secretly? No indeed! But let them come themselves and bring us out.” 38 And the policemen reported these words to the chief magistrates. They were afraid when they heard that they were Romans, 39 and they came and appealed to them, and when they had brought them out, they kept requesting them to leave the city. 40 And they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia, and when they saw the brothers, they encouraged them and left.

Acts 16:35-36
35 Now when day came, the chief magistrates sent their policemen, saying, “Release those men.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Therefore come out now and go in peace.”

Perhaps the earthquake shook some sense into the Philippian magistrates. They must have been having some second thoughts about their part in the illegal proceedings the day before. By quietly releasing Paul and Silas, they probably hoped to forestall any repercussions for their actions. Verse 36 seems to imply that one of the conditions of being released from their incarceration was that they would immediately leave town; but if that was their intention, the magistrates were in for a shock.

Acts 16:37-38a
37 But Paul said to them, “Having beaten us in public without trial, men who are Romans, they have thrown us into prison. And now are they sending us away secretly? No indeed! But let them come themselves and bring us out.” 38 And the policemen reported these words to the chief magistrates.

The crime committed by the magistrates in beating and imprisoning Roman citizens without due process of law was a serious one. The well-established Valerian and Porcian laws exempting Romans from degrading forms of punishment had been in force for centuries. No documentation was required. The simple statement, “I am a Roman citizen,” took all proceedings against a prisoner out of the hands of local authorities. If you’re wondering why Paul and Silas didn’t make their citizenship known the day before while they were being punished, the answer is no doubt they had tried. The magistrates simply refused to listen. Maybe a day later, they remembered these protests and that led them to release Paul and Silas so early in the morning the next day. There is also the possibility that the policemen in charge of the beating didn’t communicate the preachers’ protests to the magistrates.

Paul’s refusal to leave the jail without being personally escorted out by the magistrates was genius. I’m sure it vividly established the legality of their ministry in the minds of the populace; at least it was a source of infinite encouragement to the brethren. Moreover, the magistrates’ condition that they should immediately leave town was also negated. Although Paul’s likely intention was to depart from Philippi soon, by demanding an apology from the magistrates he avoided any appearance of being thrown out of the city.

Acts 16:38b-39
38b They were afraid when they heard that they were Romans, 39 and they came and appealed to them, and when they had brought them out, they kept requesting them to leave the city.

They were afraid … This was natural, because there were plenty of instances where even high Roman officials lost their positions and suffered drastic penalties for violating the traditional laws regarding Roman citizens.

They appealed to them … In context, having to personally release Paul and Silas was humiliating to the magistrates. Their consent to do so proves their concern over the violations they had committed. The facts here, with the words “when they heard they were Romans,” strongly suggest that Paul and Silas’ protests at the time of punishment were not relayed to the magistrates.

They requested them to leave the city … This wording shows that the apostles were not ordered, but asked, to leave the city, a request Paul and Silas honored, yet without doing so hastily.

Acts 16:40
40 And they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia, and when they saw the brothers, they encouraged them and left.

Before Paul and Silas left Philippi they encouraged the Philippian believers. Luke, the author of Acts, writes, and when they saw the brothers, they encouraged them and left. There is a little difference of opinion about why the believers were gathered in the house of Lydia. Some think they were there praying that God would release Paul and Silas from jail, similar to how the believers in Jerusalem had prayed in the house of Mary for Peter during his imprisonment (Acts 12:12). Others think that a gathering of the brethren was called together in the house of Lydia one last time to say goodbye to Paul, Silas, and Timothy. Personally, I believe that at its recent inception, the Philippian church was actually meeting in Lydia’s home, so it is probable that both of the last two points are true.

Remember, the assembly of believers in Philippi was very small at this point. Luke doesn’t tell us of any who believed in Jesus other than Lydia, the jailer, and their households. Maybe some of the other women from the riverside prayer meeting had believed too (Acts 16:13). In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he names two women, Euodia and Syntyche, who belonged to the Philippian church, whom he encourages to make peace with one another (Phil. 4:2-3).

I wonder if the jailer and the believers in his household were also invited to this gathering of believers at Lydia’s home. Though the church in Philippi started out small, we know from future events that occurred that its congregation would grow to become Paul’s most faithful and generous supporters (Phil. 4:15).

It is obvious from verse 40 that Paul, Silas, and Timothy had a final conversation with the new Philippian believers to give them hope, perseverance, and assurance of God’s love for them. Paul would come back to Philippi years later during his third missionary journey. It was probably in this very meeting that he promised the Philippians he’d write to them and return some day (Phil. 1:1, Acts 20:6).

Because Luke’s written account of these events changes from first person pronouns to third person pronouns. It is believed that he stayed behind in Philippi, working to establish the fledgling church there. He rejoins Paul about 6 years later when Paul returns to Philippi. In Acts 20:5-6, Luke begins using first person pronouns again.

III. ARRESTS IN THESSALONICA (Acts 17:1-10a)

Leaving Philippi behind, Paul and his companions traveled along the Egnatian Way in southwesterly direction through Macedonia spreading the gospel as they went. However, their target destination was Thessalonica.

[READ Acts 17:1]

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

First, let’s take a moment to reference our map so we can get a visual perspective of their journey.

The first stopover was Amphipolis. It was about 30 miles from Philippi. The second stopover was in Apollonia, 30 miles beyond Amphipolis. The narrative indicates that the missionaries stopped only for the night in these cities. Forty miles beyond Apollonia was Thessalonica, the capital city of Macedonia with a population of about 200,000, in Paul’s day! Thessalonica was a major port city and an important commercial center. You will recall there was no Jewish synagogue in Philippi, but there was in Thessalonica – and Paul made it his first stop upon arriving.

[READ Acts 17:2-10a]
2 And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and setting before them that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is that Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a great multitude of the God-fearing Greeks and not a few of the leading women.
5 But the Jews, becoming jealous, taking along some wicked men from the marketplace, and forming a mob, set the city in an uproar. And attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the assembly. 6 And when they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also; 7 and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”
8 And they disturbed the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. 9 And when they had received the bond from Jason and the others, they released them. 10a And the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea,

Acts 17:2-3
2 And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and setting before them that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is that Christ.”

As we’ve seen before, whenever there was a Jewish synagogue in a city, Paul began his ministry there. The three Sabbaths were just the length of his initial public ministry. The actual amount of time spent in Thessalonica would have been longer, perhaps as long as 3 or 4 months when we take into account organizing the new church.

During his three weeks teaching in the synagogue, Paul preached Jesus crucified and risen again to those in attendance. There are several notable aspects to Paul’s presentation of Jesus. First, he reasoned with them from the Scriptures. The Greek word translated “reasoned” is the root for our English word dialogue. This means there was an exchange of questions and answers. He dialogued with them from the Scriptures.

Secondly, he explained the Scriptures. This word literally means “opening.” Paul opened up the Scriptures revealing them with clarity and simplicity.

Thirdly, Paul set before them the evidence of why Jesus had to suffer and rise again from the dead. It’s the idea of presenting persuasive evidence to his listeners.

In all of this, Paul emphasized who Jesus is, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is that Christ,” and what He had done for them through His death and resurrection.

Acts 17:4
4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a great multitude of the God-fearing Greeks and not a few of the leading women.

Among Paul’s listeners there was a positive response from many of them. Most of these – actually, a great multitude of them – were God-fearing Greeks (most of these would have been Jewish proselytes), along with many prominent Jewish women. By all accounts, Paul and Silas’ ministry here was an overwhelming success with many accepting Jesus as their Savior.

Acts 17:5-6
5 But the Jews, becoming jealous, taking along some wicked men from the marketplace, and forming a mob, set the city in an uproar. And attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the assembly. 6 And when they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also;

Did any of you experience a little déjà vu as I read this verse? Doesn’t it sound exactly like what happened on the first missionary journey in Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra? Here Paul is once again opposed by a mob incited by envious Jews.

We don’t know exactly how much time had passed since Paul and Silas began their ministry in Thessalonica, it is reasonable to think a month or two had passed and Paul had already established a church in the city. It seems Jason was one of the Jews who became a Christian when Paul was preaching in the synagogue (many Jewish men during the dispersion, had taken the name Jason). Perhaps he became one of the first local leaders in the new Thessalonian church. At any rate, it seems that his home had become a center for the church’s activity. When the wicked men from the marketplace (who had no doubt been hired by the synagogue leaders to stir up a commotion) didn’t find Paul and Silas at Jason’s home, they attacked Jason himself, and some of the brethren who were with him.

When accusing these Christians before the rulers of the city, the evil men from the marketplace gave an unintended compliment to the effectiveness of God’s work through Paul and Silas. To complain that the Christians were these who have turned the world upside-down have come here too was to say, “these men have radically impacted our world and nothing seems the same.”

Would to God, people would say such things about the effectiveness of Christians today! Jesus did not come only to be our teacher, but to turn our world upside-down! Jesus gave a great example of this upside-down thinking when He spoke about the rich man who had amassed great wealth, and all he could think about was building bigger barns to store all his wealth. Some might make this man a civic leader or recognize him as a prominent man; but Jesus turned it all upside down and called the man a fool, because he had done nothing to make his life matter for the kingdom of God’s sake (Lk. 12:16-21).

Actually, if you really think about it, God was working through Paul and Silas to turn the world right side-up again. But when you yourself are upside-down, the other direction appears to be upside-down!

Acts 17:7-8
7 and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And they disturbed the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things.

Verse 7 reveals a very serious accusation made by the hired false witnesses from the marketplace. The charge of undermining the laws of Caesar and proclaiming there is another king was serious enough that it troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. This was because their accusation raised the fear that their city might become known for stirring up opposition against Caesar and Rome. However, their fears were unfounded. Even though the gospel has some definite political implications, it actually makes Christians better citizens than before, and our prayers for officials and government are more helpful than most people imagine.

Yet even this unfounded accusation of political revolution had a compliment hidden inside of it. Even the rabble-rousers understood that Christians teach Jesus is a King, and that He has the right to rule over His people. This is a message that seems lost to many churchgoers today.

Acts 17:9-10a
9 And when they had received the bond from Jason and the others, they released them. 10a And the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea,

Verse 9 informs us that the city officials made Jason pay a security bond for his own release and those who were arrested with him before they would release these believers from custody. This bond was basically to guarantee that the Christians would not be involved in any future riots.

In general, Roman officials really didn’t care what people believed. But when the public order was disrupted by riots, they swiftly came down on them with an iron hand. If word reached Rome that things had gotten out of hand, it wouldn’t be long until the emperor dispatched his legions to restore order, and no one wanted that. So, Jason had to post the bond even though he didn’t start the riot.

Verse 10 lets us know what happened next. As soon as Jason and the other brothers were set free, they immediately sent Paul and Silas away under cover of darkness to Berea. Paul and Silas left Thessalonica quickly, not wanting to bring anymore persecution on the Christians there.

Paul wasn’t in Thessalonica very long – probably only a few months. No doubt the apostle wished he could have taught them more. He decided to teach them more in a written letter. First Thessalonians was his first letter written to this congregation.

Once again, we’ve run out of time and will have to continue our study of the second missionary journey next week.

IV. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM GOD’S WORD

In the verses we’ve looked at today from Acts 16 and especially 17, the charges brought against Paul and his fellow missionaries contain some irony. On the one hand, the charges that they were disturbing the peace and promoting disloyalty to the emperor are false, just as the charges the Sanhedrin brought against Jesus were false (Lk. 23:2). The movement of Jesus’ followers is not about political ambition or plotting to overthrow Caesar. Those who brought the charges, who incited mobs to attack Paul and his companions, were actually the ones who were disturbing the peace.

Yet, at the same time, there is truth to the charge that the proclamation of the gospel threatens to “turn the world upside down.” Loyalty to Jesus the Messiah renders all other loyalties — to family, nation, empire, or religious hierarchy — secondary. The reign of Jesus, the Messiah King, absolutely threatens to overturn the status quo (Lk. 1:46-55; 6:20-26). The mission of Jesus and His followers to “bring good news to the poor and to proclaim release to the captives” (Lk. 4:18, Isa. 61:1-2) jeopardizes all oppressors, including Caesar.

Beloved, are we as Jesus’ followers still “turning the world upside down” today? Where do you see this happening? What is happening in and through our congregation that would cause an old apostle like Paul to overflow with thanksgiving? Or have we become so comfortable with the status quo that no one perceives us to be any kind of threat whatsoever? In what ways is God calling us to risk our own comfort and security to proclaim and live out His gospel, even in the face of resistance?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we bow before You now convicted of our lack of a burden for lost souls and zeal to proclaim the gospel. May the Holy Spirit fill our hearts with evangelistic fire and fervor to proclaim the gift of Your salvation which is available to all who will only believe on Christ. Help us carry the lessons we’ve learned today into our daily lives and ministries, reflecting in everything we do the character of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray, Amen.

Invitation # 478: “Soldiers of Christ Arise” (3 vs.), then # 313: “Lord, Lay Some Soul Upon My Heart”

Benediction: Beloved, may you be strong and courageous. May you not be afraid or discouraged because of the obstacles, issues, or spiritual battles confronting you, for there is a greater power with you than with any force opposing you. The Lord your God is with you to help you and to fight your battles. May you gain confidence from this truth. Amen. (2 Chr. 32:7-8).

PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY ~ Part 2 -Study Guide

PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY ~ Part 2

Answers (Lesson 164, Part 2) - March 30, 2025 - Rev. Alan Cousins

Text: Selected Scriptures from the LSB

I. SONGS AT MIDNIGHT (Acts 16:23-34)

Acts 16:23-34
Verse 25 indicates how Paul and Silas were responding to their circumstances. They were praying and singing praises to God. Notice they were singing hymns to God, not hymns about God. Paul and Silas were not angry with God over their arrest and imprisonment.

Philippians 2:14-16
The preachers’ singing must have been pretty good since all the prisoners in the jail were listening quietly to their spiritual songs – although they were a captive audience! Perhaps they found the music and message soothing to them in their dire situation.

Acts 16:26’s mention of the midnight hour refers to the timing of this earthquake, not the beginning of their praying and singing. It seems that they had been praying and singing, up until midnight when the earthquake hit. We’re told the earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, opening all the doors and even unfastening the bonds of the prisoners.

In verse 27, we see the jailer’s startling response. I wonder if the jailer had been listening to the prayers and singing? Maybe he had earlier, but by the time of the earthquake he was fast asleep. Abruptly awakened by the roar of the earthquake, he jumped out of bed to find the doors of the jail were opened and supposed that all his prisoners had escaped. If a Roman soldier or jailer allowed a prisoner to escape (no matter what the reason), he was put to death for his negligence. Instead of waiting to face humiliation and a painful execution, the jailer was about to take his own life.

In verse 28, we learn that the jailer didn’t have time to carry out his suicide. He heard Paul calling out to him to let him know that all the prisoners were still there. This was indeed a miracle! Paul and Silas saved the jailer’s life by remaining in the jail after the earthquake had freed them, and by some miraculous means God had also kept the rest of the prisoners there.

Verses 29-30, tells us that the jailer entered what remained of the prison with a light and found that Paul’s information was true – all the prisoners were present and accounted for. The jailer fell trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas. If he fell at their feet, obviously they must have been standing and were free from the stocks in which he had bound them.

Overwhelmed by all that had transpired in the last half hour or so, the jailer asked Paul and Silas what he had to do to be saved.

His question clearly indicates that he knew what message Paul and Silas were preaching. He must have known he was condemned in order to ask what he needed to do to be saved from that condemnation. He may have heard them preaching in the marketplace, or he may have heard the charges leveled against them at their sentencing, or when they were delivered to him. There is also the possibility that Paul and Silas may have preached to him from their jail cell, but the jailer must have heard the gospel from them to know he needed to seek after salvation.
In verse 31, Paul explains to the jailer that if he will believe in the Lord Jesus, he will be saved as well as his household. Does this mean all the jailer’s household would be saved if only he believed? No, but each person in his household could be saved if they believed in Jesus. Was “believe in the Lord Jesus” the only thing the jailer and his household heard from Paul and Silas? No, we see in verse 32 that Paul and Silas “spoke the word of the Lord” to the jailer and his family. We should understand this to mean that they explained the gospel message to them more fully than only telling them to believe in Jesus.

In verses 33, we learn that the jailer and those in his household accepted the gospel and believed in Jesus, then they were baptized. After being baptized the jailer rejoiced, having believed in God, and ministered to Paul and Silas. Now that the jailer was saved his response in verse 34, was similar to Lydia’s after her salvation. He took Paul and Silas into his home and cared for them, providing them with food and treating their wounds. We see that both Lydia and the jailer responded to the gospel by believing in Christ, and the heart transformation worked by the Holy Spirit was immediately evident in their actions toward others. We do not know what became of the other prisoners because the text skips that detail, focusing on the jailer and his family.

II. THE MAGISTRATES’ MISTAKE (Acts 16:35-40)

Remember the magistrates from last week’s sermon who hastily condemned Paul and Silas without a proper investigation, had them beaten and thrown into prison? Boy, did they make a huge blunder!

Acts 16:11-12

The crime committed by the magistrates in beating and imprisoning Roman citizens without due process of law was a serious one. The well-established Valerian and Porcian laws exempting Romans from degrading forms of punishment had been in force for centuries. No documentation was required. The simple statement, “I am a Roman citizen,” took all proceedings against a prisoner out of the hands of local authorities. If you’re wondering why Paul and Silas didn’t make their citizenship known the day before while they were being punished, the answer is no doubt they had tried. The magistrates simply refused to listen. Maybe a day later, they remembered these protests and that led to the release of Paul and Silas so early in the morning the next day. There is also the possibility that the policemen in charge of the beating didn’t communicate the preachers’ protests to the magistrates.

Paul’s refusal to leave the jail without being personally escorted out by the magistrates was genius. I sure it vividly established the legality of their ministry in the minds of the populace; at least it was a source of infinite encouragement to the brethren. Moreover, the magistrates’ condition that they should immediately leave town was also negated. Although Paul’s likely intention was to depart from Philippi soon, by demanding an apology from the magistrates he avoided any appearance of being thrown out of the city.

In verses 38b and 39, we witness the fear of the magistrates. They were afraid … This was natural, because there were plenty of instances where even high Roman officials lost their positions and suffered drastic penalties for violating the traditional laws regarding Roman citizens. They appealed to them … In context, having to personally release Paul and Silas was humiliating to the magistrates. Their consent to do so proves their concern over the violations they had committed. The facts here, with the words “when they heard they were Romans,” strongly suggest that Paul and Silas’ protests at the time of punishment were not relayed to the magistrates. They requested them to leave the city … This wording shows that the apostles were not ordered, but asked, to leave the city, a request Paul and Silas honored, yet without doing so hastily.

According to verse 40, Paul and Silas make one stop before leaving Philippi – they visited Lydia’s home. Luke, the author of Acts, writes, and when they saw the brothers, they encouraged them and left. There is a little difference of opinion about why the believers were gathered in the house of Lydia. Some think they were there praying that God would release Paul and Silas from jail, similar to how the believers in Jerusalem had prayed in the house of Mary for Peter during his imprisonment (Acts 12:12). Others think that a gathering of the brethren was called together in the house of Lydia one last time to say goodbye to Paul, Silas, and Timothy. Personally, I believe that at its recent inception, the Philippian church was actually meeting in Lydia’s home, so it is probable that both of the last two are true. In this very meeting, he probably promised the Philippians that he’d write to them and return some day (Phil. 1:1, Acts 20:6).

III. ARRESTS IN THESSALONICA (Acts 17:1-10a)

Acts 17:1-10a

Leaving Philippi behind, Paul and his companions travel along the Egnatian Way in southwesterly direction through Macedonia spreading the gospel as they went. However, their target destination was Thessalonica.

Secondly, he explained the Scriptures. This word literally means “opening.” Paul opened up the Scriptures revealing them with clarity and simplicity.

Thirdly, Paul set before them the evidence of why Jesus had to suffer and rise again from the dead. It’s the idea of presenting persuasive evidence to his listeners.

In verse 4, we learn that among Paul’s listeners there was a positive response from many of them. Most of these – actually, a great multitude of them – were God-fearing Greeks (most of these would have been Jewish proselytes), along with many prominent Jewish women. By all accounts, Paul and Silas’ ministry here was an overwhelming success with many accepting Jesus as their Savior.

Next, let’s consider verses 5-6. Did any of you experience a little déjà vu as I read this verse? Doesn’t it sound exactly like what happened on the first missionary journey in Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra? Here Paul is once again opposed by a mob incited by envious Jews.
We don’t know exactly how much time had passed since Paul and Silas began their ministry in Thessalonica, it is reasonable to think a month or two had passed and Paul had already established a church in the city. It seems Jason was one of the Jews who became a Christian when Paul was preaching in the synagogue (many Jewish men during the dispersion, had taken the name Jason). Perhaps he became one of the first local leaders in the new Thessalonian church. At any rate, it seems that his home had become a center for the church’s activity. When the wicked men from the marketplace (who had no doubt been hired by the synagogue leaders to stir up a commotion) didn’t find Paul and Silas at Jason’s home, they attacked Jason himself, and some of the brethren who were with him.

Once again, we’ve run out of time and will have to continue our study of the second missionary journey next week.

IV. WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM GOD’S WORD
In the verses we’ve looked at today from Acts 16 and especially 17, the charges brought against Paul and his fellow missionaries contain some irony. On the one hand, the charges that they were disturbing the peace and promoting disloyalty to the emperor are false, just as the charges the Sanhedrin brought against Jesus were false (Lk. 23:2). The movement of Jesus’ followers is not about political ambition or plotting to overthrow Caesar. Those who brought the charges, who incited mobs to attack Paul and his companions, were actually the ones who were disturbing the peace.

• Are we still “turning the world upside down” for Christ today?

• Have we come so comfortable with the status quo that no one perceives us to be a threat of any kind?

• In what ways is God calling us to risk our own comfort and security to proclaim and live out His gospel, even in the face of resistance?