MONDAY August 28, 2023
The Heart of the Gospel Message
...they [Paul and his companions] came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”
Acts17:1-3
Thessalonica was a very important city. It was named around 315 BC by Thessaloniki, the wife of Cassander, and the stepsister of Alexander the Great. In the Roman province of Macedonia, this great capital city had a population of over 200,000 people. It was a commercial city––a free city because it was governed by the people.
Paul desired to go to this amazing city to proclaim the Gospel message to them. First, he looked for a Synagogue where the Jews were meeting to hear the Torah––the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament. Second, Paul simply proclaimed to the Jews the very heart of the Gospel message––Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. He came, He died, and He rose again.
That should be our same purpose in life––to preach the Gospel Message. Our entire existence should be used to bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ. Our lives are to be in full submission to Him. Think about it. We are only here for a limited amount of time––preparing for eternity. This life is so short compared to eternity. The years go by so quickly, then we shall be in the presence of God forever and ever.
That is why the Gospel message had such power. After death there is the hope of eternity. In Thessalonica, the believers devoured the Word of God, and as a result, there developed such a strong church. These Christians had an unwavering belief in the coming of Christ. Through Paul’s sound preaching, they believed Jesus could come again at any moment. They lived each day with such an expectancy of His Coming. Are you?
...looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
~Titus 2:13~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
