Acts 17 : 1 – 10a The Joys and the Challenges of Missions

Acts 17:1-10a “ 1 When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 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.

4 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. 5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.

6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. …”

Acts 17:1-10a “ 1 When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 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. 4 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. 5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. …”

2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 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. Good Principle : There is NO Good News, NO Salvation WITHOUT Jesus Christ NO Truth WITHOUT the Bible

2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 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. Sharing the Gospel Vs Meeting the physical needs of the people.

2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 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. Sharing the Gospel Vs Meeting the physical needs of the people. “Rice Christians”

2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 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. Sharing the Gospel Vs Meeting the physical needs of the people. Because of the phenomenon of rice Christians, some Christian missions groups have purposely done one or the other but not both.

2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 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. Good Principle : There is NO Good News, NO Salvation WITHOUT Jesus Christ NO Truth WITHOUT the Bible

Sharing the Gospel AND Meeting the physical needs of the people. Matthew 9:35 – “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”

Sharing the Gospel AND Meeting the physical needs of the people. That when we are involved in missions, let us work with churches or missions organizations where the Gospel is proclaimed and the Bible taught. It is true, sometimes our missions team is involved in a purely humanitarian mercy ministry; that is okay as long as you know that there is a church in that place which is working with the mercy ministry to bless the people with the Gospel too.

In missions, there is the Joy of Preaching the Gospel, introducing the love of Jesus Christ

4 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. 2 Great Miracles of God’s Glorious POWER

4 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. 2 Great Miracles of God’s Glorious POWER 1.People turning from sin and putting their trust in Jesus

In missions, there is the Joy of Preaching the Gospel, introducing the love of Jesus Christ, Joy of seeing People coming to Christ

4 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. 2 Great Miracles of God’s Glorious POWER 1.People turning from sin and putting their trust in Jesus 2.Different peoples (divided by Race, Status, Gender) are brought together as ONE in Christ.

In missions, there is the Joy of Preaching the Gospel, introducing the love of Jesus Christ, Joy of seeing People coming to Christ Joy of being a Peacemaker for God – bringing Reconciliation

5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. …” Church’s Great PAIN – We are to Undergo Persecution, yet Overcome by Prayer and Perseverance !

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 : “We ALWAYS thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our PRAYERS. We CONTINUALLY remember before our God and Father your work ….. We persevere in Prayer …

1 Thessalonians 1:7-8 : “And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia – your faith in God has become known everywhere.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 : “We ALWAYS thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our PRAYERS. We CONTINUALLY remember before our God and Father your work ….. And God showed His glory.

As the church involves itself in missions, we will come face-to-face with a sinful hurting world. But as we trust God, as we persevere in praying for God’s power and deliverance, we will see His glory even through the pain and evil in the world.

The total population of the world will reach 7 billion in October 2011.

“ It’s not about space, it’s about equity, it’s about social justice and about proper distribution,” Babatunde Osotimehin, UN Population Fund (UNFPA) chief. The challenge is not a lack of living space but how to empower disenfranchised women and girls, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

Why did the village chief help us ? Why did the children want to be doctors ? Because they have seen the love of Jesus in the lives of the missions teams.

Let us learn from the church in Thessalonica – We, as a church, must leave our culture, our country, to share God’s love beyond our shores too. In missions, we too will come face to face with a sinful hurting and evil world.

Let us learn from the church in Thessalonica – We, as a church, must leave our culture, our country, to share God’s love beyond our shores too. In missions, we too will come face to face with a sinful hurting and evil world. We will see God’s glory when we launch out in faith, when we pray on our knees faithfully, when we give ourselves and resources to missions.

WWJD (What would Jesus Do ?)

WWJD (What would Jesus Do ?) WIJD (What is Jesus doing ?)

Obey – how may I participate ? Pray Give Short-term Missions Commitment