Hey there, church family! We had a great time gathering Sunday as we jumped into Acts 17 to keep along with Paul’s journey as he went through Thessalonica, Berea and Athens. We can learn valuable lessons at each of his stops. Thessalonica was a Roman powerhouse that thrived under the rule of Caesar, meaning that any claim challenging Caesar’s supremacy was immediately shut down as a form of political rebellion. But that didn’t stop Paul, from his actions we learn that declaring the good news of Jesus should never cease, even when it is widely unpopular or uncomfortable. Berea had the advantage of being a much smaller city, with the freedom to explore what they heard from Paul, while being wise enough to test all of his claims against scripture. Isn’t this what we are also called to do? We are so grateful to have individuals in our lives and church that are blessed with he gift of shepherding. But never let that take away from the urgency in you personally knowing what is written in the bible. Finally, we see Paul’s heart in distress as he enters Athens, finding a plethora of idols and false gods. I think that it’s beautiful when God stirs that discomfort in our souls and encourages us to lean into those people that so desperately need to hear the truth. Paul made sure to share the gospel in public settings, as the general population welcomed new ideas. It was imperative that he found them right where they were, outside the walls of the temples. I’m willing to bet you have multiple opportunities on a regular basis to level with the social crowd God has placed you in. Take the time to listen well, so that you can build a rapport that will allow them to accept the truth in your message and the loving nudge toward Jesus.
