Street Fighters

Acts 18:5-6

And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:14-20, Paul explains his situation in greater detail. As you saw last time, this little church followed God. Nor did they thrive in isolation, like some dusty beetles always do with a similar effect. Here we see their purposeful involvement with other churches, particularly those of Judea. My, the believers are a long way from home and a sight for sore eyes. But these facts of distance and impracticality did not stop the early church from getting involved. It is almost like our international missions to other churches today. See, these came together for a common purpose. So, they also did send money, building materials, or even foreign workers to the need. Rather, the early church recognized the importance of what can be called faith missions. What material possessions the Thessalonians lacked, they more than made up for it in other ways. It seems these believers had something in common with the Judeans. Note the importance of their suffering at the hands of their own countrymen for Jesus' name. The Judean believer's enemy seemed to be that of the Jews. There is a danger to be found in remaining isolated. In time such people tend to grow narrow-minded; some also limit God by their own knowledge of the circumstances. Just as the Corinthians found, personal perspective can be very limited and self-focused sometimes. Note the hindrance of Satan now. Such was done to keep Paul from engaging in more faith missions to the little church. But his being taken is not for long. So, it lasts in person rather than in the Spirit, in heart, or in faith. Despite this, the church here is a joy and a glory to our apostle for their receipt of the Gospel. Such a focus caused him to endure to the end. Like the little church, Paul also would one day stand in the presence of his Savior. But then he hoped to receive a "crown of rejoicing." Despite your troubles little church, joy is still to be found. Even Jesus Christ is the present hope at hand. What he shall do with such remains to be seen. The secret, it seems, to surviving these things is to thrive in the presence of the Savior. Here we see, now more than ever, the hand of God in all things.

And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

Just as the Corinthian church and generations before them, they reacted with anger and spite at such news. Here we see them lashing out at Paul, each other, and Christ their Redeemer also. Remember, the Jews themselves had just been cast from Rome much like the Corinthian dispersions mentioned prior. Imagine their shock when these found they were just as much a citizen of Rome as the next person by virtue of inhabitation. So, Jesus is not merely man but also God, the eternal Father, our Lord, and our Savior too. It is important to measure the damages done by such a focus. By their lack of faith and much hostility these became guilty of the body and blood of Christ himself. Nor did these charges stop there. These continued to include his church they also persecuted. My, this scene is like that of an orphan child attacking the very family that would take it in from the cold. Unlike the orphan, nothing was found in them to love. Having murdered their prophets and persecuted the rest, they were agreeable to none. Thus, these also opposed the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles; yet they were unable to stand it themselves. Note that neither Christ nor his church was to blame for the situation in which they now found themselves. Rather such was entirely due to the sinfulness of man and the need for this Savior. Now they store up a different sort of treasure in Heaven. This would be that of the wrath which is to come for what has been done. The question then remains what shall be done about such a point of view. Here you see that I can reason or even try to explain it away. But the bitterness and hatred that comes with it, only God can heal. For so it is best to let him do his work. As you will soon see, much fruit will be borne by allowing him to mend the broken hearts and lives of his people. It seems he is a better Father than you and I could ever know, think, hope, or imagine.