The Effectiveness of a Spirit-Directed Life Acts 17:4,12

Introduction Effectiveness is a highly desirable trait Effectiveness is as goodly as it is godly. How does one become effective?

Effectiveness in Mission and in Life is one and the same. The skills that make you effective in Mission also make you effective in life.

The Story Preamble P&S left Philippi. They were recently beaten but they protected the people of God Next stop: Thessalonica.

Acts 17 17 When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.

Acts 17 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. 

Acts 17 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women. Settled by veterans from the Octavian victory over Mark Antony. Like Ipoh in Malaysia. Or Forest City?

5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 2. Unexpected action #1. Paul’s rejection of the affirmation from the girl 3. We do not deliberately create social unrest, but we must not be surprised by unrest.

6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, Beating and social injustice and prejudice Stocks are extremely uncomfortable and an addition imposed by the jailer. Injustice in the world P & S singing and praying

7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house  7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil.  Unexpected action. Why didn’t P & S escape? To save the life of the jailer who put them in stocks.

9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. 8. Unexpected action. Why didn’t Paul and Silas prevent the beating since they were both Roman citizens Why did Paul then refuse release?

Jason a synagogue leader False charges that have some truth Posting bond, probably for Jason. Roman system was not unfair. Did not totally give in to mob action, though concession was made.

10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.

11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.

13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up.

 14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.

The Effective Spirit-Directed Mission and Life Is Not Diminished by Persecution Luke’s commentary comparing the Thessalonians and Bereans must not lead us to the wrong conclusion that the mission was not successful in Thessalonica.

Jews Greek men Gentile women Thessalonica Berea Some of the Jews   Thessalonica Berea Jews Some of the Jews Many of them [Jews] Greek men A large number of God-fearing Greeks Many Greek men Gentile women Quite a few prominent women A number of prominent Greek women The problem of wrong associations The problem of partial truth

Indications on why their mission was effective despite persecution: the substance. Showing Jesus is fulfillment of prophecy. Relevance / need. Not abstract truth. Resurrection is the gift of life.

Connection to life Be a person of substance. We cannot be good at everything, but where the HS has blessed us with ability, we can speak from substance. Be relevant to the other person.

The Effective Spirit-Directed Mission and Life Remains Victorious in the Face of Hostility Luke’s comparison of Thessalonians amd Bereans is often read incorrectly.

17 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica … 13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea …

Comparing only the Jews of the two cities Using the Jewish bias. Creating an uproar and blaming Paul and Silas. Set fire to a building and cry “Fire! Fire!”

1 Thessalonians 1 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.  Beating as punishment or to elicit confession

1 Thessalonians 1  7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Beating as punishment or to elicit confession

The Effective Spirit-Directed Mission and Life Seeks the Best Opportunities From time to time, individuals may be called to persevere with an individual who is resistant to the Gospel. But that is not the norm. The norm is to move on to the next person. Unnecessary cruelty

Note: Jesus’s injunction to shake off the dust of the coty thwt rejects the proclamation.

The Effective Spirit-Directed Mission and Life Utilizes Teamwork Note the Places and People

Philippi: Paul, Silas, Timothy, Luke Thessalonica: Paul, Silas, Timothy Berea: Paul, Silas (Timothy came later) Athens: Paul (Silas and Timothy came later)

What does it take to have teamwork? One head and other parts of the body who respond One head who listens Same vision, same mission

What type of people cannot work in a team Glory seekers Opinionated people Controlling people ( different from leading people) Manipulative people (different from encouraging or motivating people) Self-restricting people

Conclusion Be filled with the Holy Spirit Do not let opposition, set-backs keep you from your God-given purpose Seek out the greatest opportunity for effectiveness The greatest effectiveness comes with team work