In Thessalonica

Ben Green | Acts 17:1-15 

When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 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. 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.

It all starts off so well, as some of Paul's hearers believe his message. Yet, within days, there is a riot and Paul has to leave the city, as happened in many other places too. As Ben explains, the gospel remains divisive and offensive - yet it is the only way to find true life.

This is the first in a new series Walking Worthily in which we will look at how the gospel shapes the Christian life, as explained in Paul's letters to the Thessalonians.

The recording begins with the reading from Matt Fox.

An edited video recording of the Sunday service can be viewed on YouTube.