Making our way through the book of Acts, certain patterns are repeating with regularity.

“….there was a Jewish synagogue.” Acts 17:1

The synagogue was a strategic starting point for Paul, where dialogue could take place.

“As was his custom… “ Acts 17:2

We are told that Paul reasoned 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. Acts 17:3

His message was clear and concise and to the point. The Messiah has come. He lived, died, was buried, and rose again. Repent and receive the Long-Awaited One.

Some were persuaded, and not merely Jews, but God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women as well.

The success of the gospel message immediately stoked jealousy and resentment, and it quickly got physical. We’ve seen this before, haven’t we, and we will again.

Opposition. A mob scene. Truth distorted. Intimidation.

Aust like that, on to Berea. This time, the message landed differently. There was a great willingness to search the scriptures for themselves, with great eagerness, as more souls went from darkness to light.

Many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. Acts 17:12

Which of course stirred up jealousy and opposition. Here we go again. The crowds were deliberately agitated, and the believers immediately sent Paul to Athens, while Silas and Timothy stayed on at Berea.

Did Thessalonica and Berea know the significance of just what hit them? Did they have any idea of just how privileged they were? Surely, some lives were changed there for eternity.

The missionary to Burma (now Myanmar) Adoniram Judson, preached for three months in a city named Prome. In a letter, he pondered the mystery of salvation….

Through how many ages have the successive generation of Prome’s dark inhabitants lived and died, without the slightest knowledge of the Great Eternal, and the only way of salvation which he has provided?

At length, in the year 1830, it was ordered that a missionary of the cross should sit down in the heart of the city, and from day to day, for above three months, should pour forth divine truth in language which, if not eloquent and acceptable, was at least intelligible to all ranks.

What a wonder phenomenon must this have been to celestial beings, who gaze upon the works and dispensations of God in this lower world! It was necessary to the accomplishment of the divine purpose, that after so many centuries of darkness, there should be such an exhibition of light as has been made, and no more.

Frequently in passing through the streets, and in taking my seat in the zayats ,I have felt such a solemnity and awe on my spirit as almost prevented me from opening my lips to communicate the momentous message with which I was charged. How the preacher has preached, and how the hearers have heard, the day of judgment will show.

To God be the glory. Great things he has done. And will do!

Randall Gruendke will take us deeper into this mystery of our saving God this Sunday, and Walt Harrah will be leading worship.