250 likes | 285 Views
Thessalonica, Greece's second major city, boasts a rich history dating back to 315 BC. Explore its scenic and cultural wonders, and learn about Paul's influential visits as documented in the Bible's Acts.
E N D
Thessalonica of Macedonia Thessalonica is Greece's second major economic, industrial, commercial and political centre, and a major transportation hub for the rest of southeastern Europe;
About The City • Thessalonica lies on the northern fringe of the Thermaic Gulf, along its western side, and to its south-eastern side is bordered by Mt. Hortiatis and on the Egnatian Way route. • Thessalonica was hit by powerful earthquakes in 620, 667, 700, 1677, 1759, 1902, 1904, 1905, 1932, and 1978. The event in 1978 measured a 6.5 magnitude on the Richter scale
About The City • The city was founded around 315 BC by the King Cassander of Macedon, on or near the site of the ancient town of Therma and twenty-six other local villages. • He named it after his wife Thessalonike, a half-sister of Alexander the Great (Thessalo-nikē means the "victory over the Thessalians"). • After the fall of the kingdom of Macedon in 168 BC, Thessalonica became a city of the Roman Republic. Pop 1978 - 363,987
Paul on his journey visits here • Acts 17:1-2 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 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
Acts 17:4-5 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.5 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.
Acts 17:6-9 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; 7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. 8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go. Acts 10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea
It was a sounding board of the gospel • 1 Thess 1:8-9 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God
Christians from the area … • Acts 19:29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. • Acts 20:4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus
Christians from the area … • Acts 27:2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
Paul visits the church once again • Acts 20:1-3 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. 2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, 3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
Paul writes 1 Thessolonians • 1 Thess 1:1-4 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
Paul gives them exhortation … • 1:7 ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. • Vs:8 from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. • Vs:9 how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
Paul gives them exhortation … • 1 Thess 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: • 1 Thess 2:11-13 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory 13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Paul had to leave Thessolonica .. • 1 Thess 3:1-2 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; 2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: • Then Timothy worked with the Christians and resulted in them being strong in the faith and Paul was so happy to hear of their convictions.
Christians can’t just live any kind of life! • 4:3 abstain from fornication • 4:4 know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; • 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence (yearn, to have the heart set on a thing, sexual) • 4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter • 4:9 for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; • 4:12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without • 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. • 5:8 be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. • 5:15 See that none render evil for evilunto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
5:17 Pray without ceasing. • 5:19 Quench not the Spirit. • 5:20 Despise not prophesying. • 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. • 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
To you who are troubled … • 2 Thess 1:7-10 And to you who are troubledrest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Warning to the brethern …. • 2 Thess 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us • 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: • 2:10 because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. • 2:11-12 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Final encouragements ….. • 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. • 2:16-17 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
Pray for us ………. • 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. • 3:3 Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. • 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. • 3:6 withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly