Acts 17:16-34

Paul is perhaps the greatest Christian missionary that has ever lived. Paul’s address to the Athenians on the Areopagus is the finest NT example of a Gentile geared evangelistic sermon. Paul knew his context and addressed the people in a way they could relate and understood. In Acts 17:16-34 we learn a few important truths about evangelism from the life of Paul, his address and the response he received.

Acts 17:16-34

Even as the great Apostle Paul masterfully engaged the highly secular & intellectual culture that he lived in, so we must engage ours … ours being not only secular, but post-Christian. We will learn from this text how to proclaim the good news about Jesus in a meaningful and relevant way within our culture.

Acts 17:16-34

Jesus sent his disciples to the ends of the earth and that means we need to be able to communicate the gospel with people all over the globe.  Paul gives us an excellent example of how to continually do this kind of evangelism, making sure to communicate the gospel clearly while trusting that God is the one doing the work.

Acts 17:1-15

A healthy, missional church exhibits key markers that identify its laser focus on the things that matter most. Acts 17:1-15 shows us what these marks are.

Acts 17:1-15

What are the habits that we have planned into our lives this fall?  As we look back into the book of Acts we see two habits that formed the early church, the habit of evangelism and the habit bible reading.  These two habits have been part of the foundations of the church since the very beginning and we have the privilege and joy of participating in them as well.

Acts 17:1-15

The good news of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is a true message that many need to hear. Followers of Christ, as well as those exploring the Christian faith can find reassurance in the historical evidence for Jesus. Regardless of the response to our witness, we are called to faithfully proclaim the truly good news of Jesus.

Scripture: Acts 17: 1-15

A pattern is emerging in Paul’s missionary process: Go to a city, teach the Bible, preach the gospel, plant a church, and be violently rejected. That’s exactly what happens in Thessalonica and Berea. We learn a great deal about gospel ministry from this text, including: We should establish connections with people; expound the Bible for people, and expect polarizing responses from people.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

You see Mission in action when the Gospel of Jesus comes in, the Holy Spirit moves, and then the Kingdom of God goes out.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

A look at a newly birthed church that takes what they have come to believe within their hearts and mind and radically lives it out amidst persecution and suffering. The Thessalonian church is a convicting witness on how we are to allow what is within us become embodied outside of us.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

There are people that when they know Christ their lives are transformed in a very radical and permanent way; their lives are examples of faith, and love, and hope… but there are also those who pray the sinner’s prayer, but they continue living the same life they had before that prayer. We don’t see a real transformation, we don’t see a contagious relationship with God, but they come, they enjoy the music, they enjoy the sermon, and they spend 5, 10, 15 years coasting without moving forward to the next level.

Today we’ll take look at the vibrant Christians in Thessalonica and how their passion for Christ was an example to those around them. We’ll learn from them how to succeed in the calling of our Saviour.