Pure Evangelism -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Thessalonica

Confrontational – blunt, in-your-face Intellectual – logic and reason Testimonial – let me tell you how I became a Christian Invitational – simply inviting to worship Service – helping others in the love of Christ

Evangelism In Thessalonica Four reminders for a young church BOLDNESS in God PURITY in mission HUMILITY in life DEVOTION in service

 1 Thessalonians 2: For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.

 Macedonian Vision  Acts 16:9 – “A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

 Acts 16:16-21  Demon possessed slave girl following Paul and Silas for days  Proclaiming them as “bond-servants of the Most High God”  Paul tired of it, casts out the demon.  Owners of the girl have them arrested.

 Acts 16:22-30  Stripped and beaten with rods.  Thrown into prison  Feet fastened in stocks  Praying and singing hymns  Earthquake sets them free  Philippian jailer saved

 Acts 16:39 – “…and they came and appealed to them, and when they had brought them out, they kept begging them to leave the city….”

 Acts 4:31 – “And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.”

 “Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.”

 “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 – “For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit … we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. For we never came with flattering speech…nor with a pretext for greed…nor did we seek glory from men….

 1 Thes. 2:7 – “But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children….”

 Softer side of evangelism  Gentleness vs. crusade  Gal. 5:23 – “…gentleness, self- control; against such things there is no law.”

 1 Thes. 2:8 – “Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.”

 Matthew 10:8 – “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.”

 1 Corinthians 9:16 -- For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.

 Galatians 5:13 – For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.