Paul's Normal Christian Life

  So let us look at an early church group in Thessalonica.  We know something about them because Paul wrote to them after he established a church there around the year 51 A.D.  It is a port town; therefore it's a town of influence where people came and went from various parts of the Mediterranean world.  There were Jews in Thessalonica and Paul, as was his custom, first preached about Jesus in the synagogue.  Three weeks in a row on the Sabbath, Paul, as well-educated visiting rabbi, explained the Scriptures to them, proving to them that Jesus was the Messiah who had to suffer, die and rise from the dead.  Some Jews were convinced along with a number of Greeks (and even some women!).
  Although they established an early church there, all did not go well for Paul and Silas in Thessalonica.  The Jews who were not convinced that Jesus was the Messiah started a riot in an effort to get Paul and Silas arrested.  Paul and Silas escaped and went to Berea, but Jason their host did not.  He was arrested and had to post bond.  
  The Thessalonian Jews chased Paul and Silas all the way to Berea and stirred up trouble there, so Paul moved on to Athens.  Persecution kept Paul on the move but also served to spread the good news about Jesus around the Mediterranean.
  For Reflection:  For Paul, preaching, persecution and pursuit were the normal Christian life.  How does my normal Christian life look in comparison?
  Let us pray.  

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