ACTS 17:1-9
the world; therefore, he was driven to carry the message to Thessalonica. He wanted them to at least have the opportunity to
hear and be saved.

Thought 1. We must not allow opposition to stop our witness.
⇒ We must witness out of love for people who have never heard a clear cut presentation of the gospel.
⇒ We must witness, being compelled by the love of Christ for us.
⇒ We must witness, for men without Jesus Christ are lost and doomed unless they are saved.

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all,
then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live
unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Cor.5:14-15).

2. The messenger sowed the gospel wherever he was. This is clearly seen in this verse. Paul “passed through Amphipo-
lis and Apollonia.” The city of Apollonia was in the district of Illyricum, and Paul said he preached the gospel all the way
“from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum” (Ro.15:19). Paul witnessed wherever he was. He missed no opportunity to
reach out to those who so desperately needed the gospel.
3. The messenger followed his plan. His plan was wise: he would first reach out to those who were already familiar
with the Scripture, to the Jews and to the God-fearing Gentiles.

Thought 1. One major reason for the weak witness of believers is the lack of a plan. Believers need to plan their
witnessing, how...
• to discover the lost.
• to make opportunities.
• to approach the subject of the gospel.
• to share Christ.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching [make disciples] them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the
end of the world” (Mt.28:19-20).
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye
shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and un-
to the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same com-
mit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim.2:2).
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer
to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”
(1 Pt.3:15).

2
(17:2-3) Gospel—Preaching: the message was critical. It always is, for what a person believes determines everything he
becomes and does.
1. The source and authority of Paul’s message was the Scripture. This is critical. Paul did not preach the ideas of other
men nor his own ideas. His message did not come from man’s mind, not from man-made...
• philosophy • history
• psychology • religion
• sociology • law
Paul preached the Scriptures. The Scriptures were both the source and authority of his message.
2. The points of Paul’s message were threefold.
a. Christ died.
b. Christ arose from the dead.
c. Jesus is the Christ.
3. Paul preached the message in the synagogues for three Sabbath days. This does not mean that Paul preached in
Thessalonica for only three weeks. Paul simply moved out of the synagogue and began to preach in homes wherever he was
welcomed. Several passages indicate that he was in Thessalonica for a considerable length of time, and while there he...
• worked night and day at a secular job (1 Th.2:9).
• received financial support several times from the Philippian church (Ph.4:16).
• apparently led the church in a strong evangelistic thrust throughout the whole region (1 Th.1:8).

Thought 1. The great need of the hour is for believers to be just as dedicated as Paul was. Just imagine being so
committed to preaching the gospel that...
• when people reject, one just moves out of the worship center into the homes and even outdoors if needed.
• when people do not support the ministry, one works at secular employment, works night and day if neces-
sary, just to have enough to continue preaching the gospel.

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when
no man can work” (Jn.9:4).
“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).
“I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the
unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome
also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salva-
tion to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Ro.1:14-16).
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