Word for the Week...AUGUST 8-14/2005

(v.1)"Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Appolonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews.(v.2) And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,(v.3) Opening and alleging that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen from the dead: and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.(v.4) And some of them believed,and consorted with Paul and Silas: and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few." 

Thessalonica was the capital city of Macedonia and it's thriving commercial centre.Here, the second European Church was founded, despite fierce opposition, during this second of Paul's missionary journeys.The period was somewhere around mid-A.D.50. Paul was consistent in his approach and addressed his kindred first. Have you shared your testimony in your 'Jerusalem' yet? Before you cross the sea...you need to see the cross! To 'reason' on the messiahship of Jesus for three days, was proof of a thorough grounding in the whole of the Scriptures, made alive by the revelation of the Holy Spirit.There is a theology, in some areas of Christendom, known as 'universalism', which proposes that ALL will get to heaven ! Did Jesus agree? Evidently not!(Matt.7:14).Therefore, 'some' believed Paul. If the whole world does not embrace the Gospel, we ought not to be alarmed! It did not accept our Lord either! All we need do is to remain faithful to the Truth we know.God will do the rest. let us remember that the Gospel is both Inclusive and exclusive.Inclusive, inasmuch that salvation is available for all,regardles of culture, class, or creed. Exclusive, in that there is NO other way to heaven, but by Jesus Christ. In this age of 'hypersensitivity' and 'political correctness', many have compromised to such an extent that they, themselves, no longer know what they believe! The fact remains that the Truth will always offend 'some' who have no inward desire to get closer to God, but prefer to wallow in their sinful existence, until they depart from this world! However, for those whose hearts are repentant,The Truth will lead them on from one degree of glory to another.(2Cor.3:18).An attitude of 'superiority' can blind us to areas that are ripe for harvest.The only 'fortress mentality' we need, is to see the 'walls of Jericho' come down!                         "A great multitude," "not a few", indicate a  harvest ripe and ready!   .                        May The Lord bless you. 

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