Churches of the New Testament: Thessalonica I. Introduction A. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 B. Everything stood against the Gospel in Thessalonica 1. Prosperous, worldly city 2. Pagans and zealous Jews 3. Paul there for a short time, persecution rampant C. Nevertheless, church remained and grew 1. Not destroyed by persecution 2. Strengthened and matured 3. Represents another one of Paul's encouraging churches D. Let us consider the church in Thessalonica II. Geography and History A. Thessalonica (modern Saloniki) in Greece, northern point of the Gulf of Saloniki B. Capital of Roman province of Macedonia 1. 73 miles directly SW of Philippi, although more like 100 on the Egnatian Way 2. 185 miles NE of Athens 3. 915 miles NW of Jerusalem C. Port city 1. In rich and well-watered plain on the Egnatian Way 2. Large population-- 200,000 3. Rich 4. Many constantly going in and out of city (cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:8-9) D. Founded in 316 BCE by Cassander, general of Alexander the Great E. By far the greatest city in Macedonia 1. Full of paganism 2. Likely had Jewish neighborhood; Jews had some prominence in city (Acts 17:5) 3. Cosmopolitan commercial center F. Nevertheless, Gospel takes hold there III. The Founding of the Church in Thessalonica (50-51 CE) A. Having received beatings and sufferings in Philippi (Acts 16, 1 Thessalonians 2:2), Paul journeys through Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1) B. Enters synagogue of the Jews, as is his custom (Acts 17:2-4) 1. Reasons that Jesus is the Christ from the OT 2. Many Jews believed 3. Also Greek proselytes and/or "God-fearers" 4. Many leading women C. Other Jews jealous, stir up trouble (Acts 17:5-9) 1. Incited city 2. Brought some brethren up before city authorities 3. Charges of disloyalty to Caesar 4. City troubled by these matters 5. Nevertheless, after payment, brethren set free D. Brethren send Paul and Silas off to Berea (Acts 17:10) E. How long was Paul in Thessalonica? 1. Acts 17:2: three Sabbaths 2. Believed, however, that he was there longer 3. Had employment (1 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) 4. Received 2 aid packages from Philippi (Philippians 4:15-16) 5. Time enough to teach? 6. Acts 18:1-5: Paul immediately finds work in Corinth, sets self to preach Gospel full-time when fellow-laborers arrive; situation perhaps not that different in Thessalonica 7. Luke's specific timeframe important, not to be easily brushed aside 8. Chronology of second missionary journey also indicates short time 9. Likely three weeks to two months, then, in Thessalonica IV. Paul and the Thessalonians A. Paul knew that he left the church in Thessalonica in dire straits 1. Suffering persecution 2. Concerned about their welfare B. When in Athens, Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica to see how they were (1 Thessalonians 3:1-10) 1. Good report given 2. Paul writes 1 Thessalonians from Corinth, ca. 51; likely first written book of NT 3. A few months to a year later, Paul writes 2 Thessalonians C. Rest of interaction correlates with Philippi 1. Likely visit during stay in Ephesus, 55-57 (2 Corinthians 2:13, 7:5) 2. One or two visits between stay in Ephesus and return to Jerusalem, 57 (Acts 19:21, 20:1, 20:3-6) 3. Likely visit in 63-64 (1 Timothy 1:3) 4. We can see, then, Paul visiting church 3 to 4 times after establishing church V. The Church in Thessalonica: The Crucible of Persecution A. To say that the church started under adverse conditions is an understatement! B. After only a few weeks, church under persecution (Acts 17:1-10) 1. Paul no stranger to this... 2. ...but first time that the church itself bore the brunt of the persecution 3. From Jews and Greeks 4. Thessalonica's situation correlates to Judean situation (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16) C. Paul's concern justified! 1. Loved them dearly (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8) 2. Speaks to them with tender language used for no other church D. Nevertheless, the church stands firm 1. Gives Paul reason to rejoice (1 Thessalonians 3:1-10) 2. Report goes out far and wide (1 Thessalonians 1:7-10) 3. The glory and joy of Paul (1 Thessalonians 2:20) E. Circumstance similar a few months later (2 Thessalonians 1:3-6) F. Church in Thessalonica, then, grows despite persecution 1. Develops faster in the faith than Corinth or Jerusalem 2. Persecution leads to great growth VI. The Church in Thessalonica: Love and Proper Conduct A. Persecution led to proper love for one another (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10) 1. Paul had no need to command it, for they were doing so 2. They were to abound in it 3. Jew, Greek, rich, poor-- such no longer mattered; they suffered alike for Jesus B. Love extended to all brethren in Macedonia and beyond 1. Romans 15:23, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5: part of the giving beyond means to Jerusalem 2. 2 Corinthians 11:8-9: likely assisted Paul in Corinth 3. Told to not be weary of well-doing, but little fear of that (2 Thessalonians 3:13) C. Conduct appropriate for Christians 1. Followed example of Paul in walking with God and pleasing God (1 Thessalonians 4:1) 2. Avoided sexually deviant behavior, walked as sanctified brethren (1 Thessalonians 4:2-9) 3. Lived quietly, supported themselves, walked becomingly to outsiders (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 3:12) D. Other commands 1. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13: esteem evangelists and teachers, be at peace 2. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15: admonish disorderly, encourage the weak and fainthearted, admonish the erring, have patience with men 3. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks to God for all things 4. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22: not quench Spirit, not despite prophesyings, prove all things, hold to the good, abstain from the evil E. Brethren, then, lived according to their profession, loving one another and others, helping those in need, walking with God VII. Eschatology in Thessalonica A. One matter of concern in Thessalonica: eschatology 1. Not too surprising; in times of distress, Christians look to redemption and vindication 2. Such is Paul's message in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 B. The dead in Christ 1. Matter of concern: will the dead in Christ receive the resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:13)? 2. Paul indicates yes, and that they will precede those who are alive (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17) 3. Message of comfort (1 Thessalonians 4:18) C. Paul taught on eschatology while in Thessalonica 1. Thessalonians knew the nature of Christ's return, like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3) 2. Encouragement to remain vigilant, always ready for His return (1 Thessalonians 5:4-10) 3. Demonstration of what was necessary before Lord's return (2 Thessalonians 2) D. Further problems exist 1. Someone taught or preached, by mouth or fake letter of Paul, that the Lord's return was imminent; brethren disturbed (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2) 2. Paul reassures them of what will happen, tells them to be strong in the faith and remain (2 Thessalonians 2:3-16) E. More disconcerting: brethren not working 1. Some, apparently, had stopped working and became idle busybodies (2 Thessalonians 3:11) 2. Intolerable situation 3. Persons commanded to work, lest they not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12) 4. Brethren told to withdraw from and not associate with those who walked disorderly, not following the commands and traditions delivered to them (2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14) 5. Such not as enemies, but to be warned as brethren (2 Thessalonians 3:15) F. Eschatology, then, a matter of difficulty in Thessalonica VIII. Conclusion A. Suffering and persecution are not pleasant, but can lead to strong faith B. Nowhere more clear than in Thessalonica 1. With little instruction, church called upon to suffer persecution 2. Stood firm and strengthened 3. Exhibits maturity and development quickly C. Thessalonica indicates that maturity is not just for the more established churches 1. Refined in the crucible of persecution 2. Put many other churches to shame D. On account of persecution, Christians took commitment to Christ seriously 1. Loved one another 2. Acted becomingly 3. Some matters of difficulty, but workable E. The church in Thessalonica can teach us much 1. A church can survive persecution, and even grow 2. A church can be mature, and need only to abound in what is being done 3. A group of committed Christians can be as a beacon to the whole world, providing encouragement to many F. Let us strive to build up such churches! G. Invitation/songbook