Sermon Tone Analysis

deliberate strategy?

Seems like it.

Ejected in Philippi - preaching in Jewish gathering place, beelines it to next synagogue, 100 miles past Amphipolis and Apolonia, by 24’ wide Via Egnatia - to port city, eventual capital of all four districts of Macedonia.

And really Greece and Illyricium as well, TradeonAegean Sea .

2nd most populus city in Macedonia, with Ephesus and Corinth.

Mjor cetnre!

When civil war with Brutus and Cassius, defeated at Philippi - made a military colony, But Thessalonica not a Roman colony, but a free city - self governed(liker PIsidian Anitoch, Tarsus, Athens) - now have not just asembly of people, demus, city authoities/ politarchs!

And blessing as Roman citizen, one governing authority, one common language (greek) even though offcial language was Latin).

Hits major Roman admin and influence centres, not just big population, but visitors like Lydia present… Hits major centres from where gospel rebound = intro in letter … thinko of family echoes, work echoes…

A) Build a Relationship with Unbelievers in their Place

Raised past two other centres, didn’t have a synagogue.

Stay basically one month, 3 Sabbath days.

And what else was he doing?

From Corinth wrote first epistles back, eager to return and says of his visit:

Now remember Paul is going to hold his own in Athens, scholar, rabbi, remember manual labour among Greeks is work fit only for slaves.

Paul like Rabbi’s dignity in trade, work like Adam, and in missionary context not a burden.

But where stays - Jason, Hellenized name for Jews… possbily ran a small hotel, inn (paid his own way) either way - Jason with Paul’s reputation big risk = Paul vulnerable to start new relatinoship - possibly came to bleieve gospel as shared in daily life … ordinary course of providence.. whether in syndagogue ior in home… Call these first places - work, where you live!

Actual church didn’t exist here yet, second place organization.

But we can learn seomehting hear, he goes to where people gather.

Cultural analyst says those places for hanging out - parks, coffee shops weere regularsgather disappearing - growthem.

Barber shop, regular walking route, stop speak!

Didn’t skeop by this, because work of evangelism also means neighbouring well, friendship evangelism, context ut of which opprutnitiesoften arise.

And this is no lone-ranger affair - Paul travels with company - two better one, four better, And in this month - not only some Jews, many god-feearers that believed, but we actually know the names of Aristarchus, Secondus .. these are converts that paul so shared ministering wwith - that they came with him, end of life -from Theslonica… Do well to ask are there people here I’m partnersing.

if neighbour, or new memeber of our family - to come - whom woudl I spend time with with them - so Word of God echo… Thisis the context, but now we must turn to strategiy.

Even though turend to Gentiles in Antioch when Jews don’there, still freedom to start with and go into assembly of his people Jewish synagogue .

B. With Unbelievers Who Know Scripture, Present the Gospel with Scripture

Where did he start?

Where should you and I - in Athens … starts with their experience of God, not Scripture.

Increasingly discernment in our culture, but with bor/sister who grew up knowing… But here as I think we shoud too - with people who know Scripture - begins with Scripture.

They recognize something of God religion, but in their system missing, lacking, lost, .

Palestinian homes taught sacred writigting from age 5. Why sole ground of authority for all matters of faith and practice: Comparable only to incarnation - both human and divine!

; ;

Listen carefully, in Athens, will teach truth of God’s Word, but cites extant literature and human experience to corroborate the truth of God’s Word in minds of pagan listeners … who don’t possess OT Scriptures.

God’s Word in X’s death and resurreciton = b But for people who do … look at four quick words in vv.2-4

Either way bibiclial goodnews saves!

But when like these peope background in Scripture look how Paul does it:

Reasoned: (dialegomai) presented arguments (from Scripture) - not dailogue ask q/ arrive at compromise based on feelings and tastes of day.

But consider worldviews and weigh them against what Scripture actually says!

Common sense - in affairs of daily life - we speak on the basis of human reason alone, but in the affiars of God - doctrines of faith - God’s Word must lead our reasoning.

John Calvin commentates that just about everyone agrees God ought to have the authority - but few hear Him speak in the Scriptures.

That’s wwhat he does disputing diaologuing, reasoning from the Scirptures!

But Next he explained: (dianoigo)literally to open up ie.

b

One to One Bible Reading, bible survey, actually open it up, book of the Bible .

Even in one time encounter, Bible reading at table read Isaiah , Read resurrection account, 1 cor 15.

Van Prinster -Napolean, ENlightenment -god’s Word shoved out, closed - end up with democracy which is good but one without principles - end up with totalitiariansim.

We need a faith and a witness groudned in the Wordof the LORD!

But then look at next word maybe a little more intimidating for us, but something we’re to learn, especially if you have teaching function, as paretnt, SS Teacher, Apologetics = PROVED, “paratithemi” - this means to carefully answer questions.

Anticipate and respond to objections!

Put togher it is a an poeing of the mind and understanding to the truth.

Literally to stand up - prophechies and predictions, put right berside fulfillment of Christ - dying and him rising

And finally he proclaimed - pass official announcements down to others = one of 3 words for preaching… When it comes to the message about Jesus no tmie for complacency and indiffernce, eternal destiny on line, and only few encounters… not all at once but urgency.

Put togher it is a an poeing of the mind and understanding to the truth.

And finally he proclaimed - pass official announcements down to others = one of 3 words for preaching… When it comes to the message about Jesus no tmie for complacency and indiffernce, eternal destiny on line, and only few encounters… not all at once but urgency.

C. Make the Content of your Discussion CHRIST!

But most important of all is what he reasoned, explained,/opened up, proved, and proclaimed!

Not lifestyle, not philosophy, not history, culture, politics, not new or old idea - If you had spent a month holiday and visited synagogue -you couldn’t fail to appreciate what Paul was presenting - Person, Living Person - Jesus! about him - birth, life, and death on Cross, what he had done, and what he is accomplishing now because of it. .

But most importnatn of all is what he reasoned, explained,/opened up, proved, and proclaimed!

Not lifestyle, not philosophy, not histoory, culture, politics, not new or old idea - If you had spent a month holiday and visited synaggoue -you couldn’t fail to appreciate what Paul was presenting - Person, Living Person - Jesus! about him - birth, life, and death on Cross, what he had done, and what he is accopmlishing now because of it. .

It would bhave been incredibly interesting to have Paul Gamiel’s Pharisee student, moralize on pressing social issues of there, day, fascinating to speculate about end time prophecy comparing it with Roman and Barabarian activity in Newspaper, BUT not heart of mnistry.

If lost people are going to be converted to life with Christ… including you and me - knowing CHRIST!

People need to constantly hear of Christ and his claims upon every areas of Life!

This was Paul’s goal, and it must be the goal of the church today!

Do we here, do we in our homes - do our kids - pick up message isn’t about us, our rules, our religion, its about Jesus.

Aside: want ads - church profile - list of qualities -innovative leader, team builder, creat minstiry team… dynamic, catalytic relelevant .

Pauls’ day Wanted: a love of Jesus Christ; Able to provide a reasonable apologetic and refure error; Prepared to go anywhere for the gosepl, Suffer any trial and pain, Even to be beatn and imprisoned; Ready to die for Jesus at a moment’s notice?

Why Apostle of Heart Set Free…

And here was must learn from both Jesus and Paul.

Remember on the road to Emmaus - two disciples Cleopas and companion - faces drawn and “looking sad”.

Why of course knew about Messiah, kingdom, great teaching, believed in miracles… BELIEVE what?

spirituality isn’t saving - Listen to Jesus risen from the dead, his passion in talking with those who know the Scriptures:

Not just the facts of X’s death and resurrection.

But the OT teaches it was necessary for the Messiah - the Cross, the Resurrection - no new life, no kingdom of God, - no acceptance, no chidlren of God without it - Imagine ;

This isn’t a complex but simple truth, yet so personal- no release from guilt, no pardon from punishment of sins against God and each other - without sacrificial lamb - testimony that was Christ .

People, including you and me, have cognitive dissonance; make up a fantasy land of make-believe that corresponds to our inner longings!

We do that with our with our sins - don’t want to come to terms with our own - ie.

Coach after terrible game, interviewer what happened, -often bad refereeing.. Smoking Kills - Person had terrible abuse block it out - paint picture of idealic childhood memories… Real death for real sins, real release possible!

We were the reason he suffered and died!

2 Cor 5:21

But not just Jesus death for our sin, but His resurrection imagine

imagine

But not just Jesus death for our sin, but His resurrection imagine

Necessary says Daniel after holy one cut off, rise and his atoning for iniquity, would bring in everlasting righteousness, new life, new kingdom.

It will be no different next week when we look at how to share Jesus with someone who has no background in Scriptures - Consider death, consider judgement Day, Now look at this Jesus - God has raised him form the dead, resurrection - necessary to give assurance - you can face death, everlasting righteousness, new life has a new beginning… Q. Do people realize this about your trust in Jesus - alive today, reigning, beyond PM you have a king!

Presently in this world though falling apart, you have hidden resources, supply line behind enemies lines… Believe got a different strategy - so many living as if world’s going to wear out, so live it up all there is, do they see, Jesus world, , got long term plans for it, mission, redeeming it; why not to hell in a hand basket!

Coming again.

It will be no different next week when we look at how to share Jesus with someone who has no background in Scriptures - Consider death, consider judgement Day, Now look at this Jesus - God has raised him form the dead, resurrection - necessary to give assurance - you can face death, everlasting righteouness, new life has a new beggingin… Q. Do people realize this about your trust in Jesus - alive today, reigning, beyond PM you have a king!

Presently in this world though falling apart, you have hidden resources, supply line behind enemmies lines… Believe got a different strategy - so many living as if world’s going to wer out, so live it up all there is, do they see, Jesus world, , got long term plans for it, mission, redeeming it; why not to hell in a hand basket!

COmoing agqain.

It will be no different next week when we look at how to share Jesus with someone who has no background in Scriptures - Consider death, consider judgement Day, Now look at this Jesus - God has raised him form the dead, resurrection - necessary to give assurance - you can face death, everlasting righteouness, new life has a new beggingin… Q. Do people realize this about your trust in Jesus - alive today, reigning, beyond PM you have a king!

Presently in this world though falling apart, you have hidden resources, supply line behind enemmies lines… Believe got a different strategy - so many living as if world’s going to wer out, so live it up all there is, do they see, Jesus world, , got long term plans for it, mission, redeeming it; why not to hell in a hand basket!

COmoing agqain.

It will be no different next week when we look at how to share Jesus with someone who has no background in Scriptures - Consider death, consider judgement Day, Now look at this Jesus - God has raised him form the dead, resurrection - necessary to give assurance - you can face death, everlasting righteouness, new life has a new beggingin… Q. Do people realize this about your trust in Jesus - alive today, reigning, beyond PM you have a king!

Presently in this world though falling apart, you have hidden resources, supply line behind enemmies lines… Believe got a different strategy - so many living as if world’s going to wer out, so live it up all there is, do they see, Jesus world, , got long term plans for it, mission, redeeming it; why not to hell in a hand basket!

COmoing agqain.

But now you put the necessity of this Jesus dying and rising together, and Paul’s argument is simple - not only necessary - this is the very Son of God and him doing all of this in hisotyr, for you and me, him rising so that now today - universe different place, because sits on a thorne as our mediator, hears our prayers, pleads our dlieverance, bringing kigdom amid kingdoms f this world, building a church all thse forces of hell can’t stop!

What is the conclusion we must bring people to in speaking not of just rleiigino, ethics, phioophy - speak ofJesus whY?

Look at

Now Jews could get that, Pual willhave to unpack it differently forthoe with n o Scripture background, but conclusion both need pressed on them - Saviour, Lord, King and Friend - that like Peter stoopinginto the tomb, conversion of sorts - OH I ge tit who this Jesus is - THis Jesus… is the Christ!

Anointed One for Jews undertand PSalm 2 kiss the king, , , For Gentiles - get it God’s special agent sent to us in this world!

This is the sum of the faith - no hope unless you’re reconciled by the sacrfice of Christ! , and having him as Saviour get way more in also having HIm as your living Kingo f righteouenss.