Notes from the Summer Messiah Series Week Four
We’re excited for you to join us for this midweek summer series, as we journey through Messiah; the NLT version of the New Testament without any chapter or verse numbers. Here are Pastoral Resident Zachary’s highlights from night four covering Acts 16:4-28:21; 1 Thessalonians; and 2 Thessalonians.
Key Passages
Acts 28:17-31
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
2 Thessalonians 1:3-12
From the Gospel
“Having carefully investigated everything that has
happened in the life and ministry of Jesus, I have
written an accurate account for you, so that you
can be certain of the truth, most honorable
Theophilus.”
From Acts
“In my first book Theophilus, I told you about all that Jesus
did and taught until the day He was taken into heaven,
teaching and giving His apostles instructions. After He
suffered and died, He rose from the dead and appeared to
His apostles and proved that He was actually alive, during
which time He continued to talk about The Kingdom of
God and salvation.”
Pastoral Resident Zachary’s 27 Observations from Acts 16:4-28:31:
Paul and Silas prevented from going into Asia to preach the Gospel (p. 89)
The Holy Spirit will often prevent us from doing the things we want to do in order for us to do the things that God wants us to do
Prevented from preaching in Asia
Paul, Silas, and the Philippian Jailer (p. 90)
The Good News answers the question "what must I do to be saved?" Believe in Jesus and you will be saved
Paul starts to “flaunt” his Roman citizenship (p. 90)
All things to all people (Jewish, Greek, Roman)
The people of Berea searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth (p. 91)
Paul was troubled by the idols of Athens (p. 91)
"human hands cannot serve his needs---for he has no needs." (p. 92)
We get a glimpse of divine aseity
“God is infinitely happy in the enjoyment of himself, in perfectly beholding and infinitely loving, and rejoicing in his own essence and perfections.” - Jonathan Edwards
“The Gospel depends on a God who does not depend on you." - Matthew Barrett
Paul was always laboring for the Gospel in community. Enter Priscilla and Aquila (p. 92)
Apollos was an eloquent speaker and knew Scripture well. Taught others about Jesus enthusiastically and with accuracy. Yet, we can always continue to pursuing growth (p. 93)
We can never know fully an infinite God
Story of Demetrius the silversmith instigating in Ephesus (p. 95)
Many people are opposed to the Good News because it undermines, uproots and destroys idols... and idols can be financially profitable.
Eutychus and Paul's preaching (p. 96)
If you know your pastor goes a little long, maybe don't sit on window sills three stories up
Paul's charge to the Ephesian elders (p. 97)
False teachers are real, they are like wolves, and WILL come among us if we have weak leaders.
Pray for your leaders who watch over you faithfully.
Paul's final departure from Ephesus (p. 97)
The elders were sad at Paul leaving and knew they would never see him again. Beautiful scene of raw emotion. Genuine love for one another.
Agabus prophesies that Paul will be bound in Jerusalem (p. 98)
Paul is a gangster and still goes.
"The Lord's Will be done."
Paul's arrest and the similarities to Jesus' arrest (p. 99)
Violent mob shouting kill him
Innocent
Paul and his second testimony before the Jewish crowds (p. 100)
The importance of sharing the way that God uniquely has changed your life.
Paul continuing to expertly maneuver the different contexts he finds himself in (p. 101)
Just spoke as a Jew to the crowds and now speaking of his Roman citizenship
The Jewish leaders who vow to not eat until they kill Paul (p. 102)
Scripture never clarifies if they followed through with their vow...
Don't make hasty vows out of anger
Paul before Felix and Drusilla (p. 104)
Talked about faith in Jesus, but also, righteousness, self-control, and even the coming day of judgment
All of life is all for Jesus
Paul's appeal to Caesar (p. 104)
Probably not the way Paul envisioned going to Rome but this was the Lord's plan all along.
Paul and his third testimony before King Agrippa (p. 106)
Highlighting his initial animosity toward the Gospel and yet, the Lord redeemed and restored
Any sin you have committed, you can be redeemed.
Paul's heart for his hearers (p. 107)
"Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains." - Paul addressing Agrippa
Paul and his Rome-bound voyages begin (p. 107)
I love Luke's attention to detail, descriptions of the land, the way the wind is blowing, how the sea reacts to weather, etc.
Even in the First Century, Phoenix was a popular destination for the winter (p. 107)
Paul and the crew of the sinking ship (p. 108)
Amazed at Paul's reliance and trust in the Lord. • He knew he had to go to Rome and had more to do for the Lord.
Also, we'll survive but we are going to shipwreck
Paul and the venomous snake (p. 109)
The locals were technically not wrong, he was a murderer.
Yet, snakes do not dictate justice and who lives or dies... God does.
Finally, Paul is in Rome (p. 110)
This account was collected that we might know that salvation has been offered to the Gentiles. As a gentile standing before you... Thank God.
"For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. he welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him."
And no one tried to stop him.
This might be the first time throughout this journey that Paul finally did not have opposition to the message he proclaimed.
1 & 2 Thessalonians
Thessalonica in Scripture
Acts 17:1-9 // Paul was run out of town by Jewish leaders.
Acts 17:10-13 // Jews in Berea are nobler than those in Thessalonica, so much so that the Jews from Thessalonica packed their bags and headed to Berea to run Paul out of town
Acts 20:4 Mention of Aristarchus and Secundus traveling with Paul as he is leaving Greece
Acts 27:2 Accompanied at sea by Artistarchus on his way to Rome
Philippians 4:16 // Paul writes that the Philippian church helped him financially while he was in Thessalonica. Which could indicate a longer stay than Acts seems to communicate. Amazon and Venmo are not a thing so sending things takes time.
1 Thessalonians 1:1 // Paul’s initial greeting
2 Thessalonians 1:1 // Paul’s initial greeting
2 Timothy 4:10 // A man named Demas deserts Paul because of his love for the world and goes to Thessalonica
First Thessalonians Context
Time: 50-52 AD
Setting: Thessalonica (Capitol of Macedonia, Modern Northern Greece, city still exists today: Thessaloniki)
Audience: The church of the Thessalonians
Letter Structure
Introduction (1:1)
Body (1:2-5:22)
Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians and their faith (1:2-3)
Fond memories of time in Thessalonica (1:3-2:16)
Paul's relationship with the Thessalonians (2:17-3:13)
Call for godliness and to labor unto the Lord (4:1-2)
Current issues in the church regarding the Coming of the Lord (parousia) (4:13-5:11)
General exhortations (5:12-22)
Conclusion (5:23-28)
Paul’s Prayer in 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,
10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you,
12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,
13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Second Thessalonians Context
Time: shortly after 1 Thessalonians
Setting: Thessalonica (Capitol of Macedonia, Modern Northern Greece, city still exists today: Thessaloniki)
Audience: The church of the Thessalonians
Letter Structure
Introduction (1:1-2)
Body (1:2-3:15)
Prayer of Thanksgiving & Judgment (1:3-12)
The Day of the Lord (2:1-12)
The Day is not yet here (2:1-2)
Man of Lawlessness & those who follow his false teaching (2:3-12)
Perseverance & prayer (2:13-17)
Prayer Request (3:1-4)
Training for Godliness (3:5-15)
Conclusion (3:16-18)
Paul’s Prayer in 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12
3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—
6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels
8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,
12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Resources
Carson, D.A. Praying with Paul: A Call to Spiritual Reformation, 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014.
Morris, Leon. 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 13 of Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1984.