1 Thess 2:1 (only one verse...i know...)

 Gleanings in First Thessalonians

Chapter 2

1Thess 2:1
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

A call to the Thessalonians (the believers in Thess.) to remember how Paul, Silvanus and Timothy first showed up and preached to them – what was their entrance? how did it happen? how did it go down?: let us turn back to Acts

Acts 17:1-3
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

So Paul spent a minimum of 15 days or a maximum of 27 days, or something in between, with the Thessalonians (based on 3 sabbath days). And all this time he is reasoning, and “opening” (unsealing; uncovering; revealing; interpreting) and “alleging” (declaring; affirming; asserting) out of the scripture, not with man’s philosophy. He is telling them what they need to know about Christ suffering, dying, being buried, and rising again. This is to the Jews and the God fearing Gentiles and proselytes, and whoever would listen. To the Jews – this Jesus, that I preach, IS Your Christ! Your Messiah! The King you have been waiting for.
And what happened next:

Act 17:4
And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

And some believed – not all, some. And that is the way it always is.
And what happened next to Paul and the believers?


Act 17:5-10
But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Result: Hyperbolic accusations and violence. But in that short period of time before that – they made quite an impact to the believers there! Such that Paul gave quite the commendations in chapter 1 (please refer to chapter 1 verses/comments).
Not everyone gets saved. And it is not always a grand ol’ time – it is not always going to be pretty, and there will be “dry” seasons – but you keep sound doctrine and the message the same; you don’t modify and compromise with the changing seasons, fads, and programs.
(2Tim 4:2-3 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;)

Grace and Peace James
(I got one First Thessalonians verse in!)