The David Spoon Experience 7-6-23 Part 2

1) As we delve into Acts, Chapter 17, we witness Paul and Silas traveling and arriving at Thessalonica. Verse two of Chapter 17 mentions that it was Paul's custom. It is essential to understand that customs and traditions can be beneficial in our endeavors. However, Jesus cautioned against the problem of valuing customs and traditions more than the objective of drawing close to God. He criticized the Pharisees for prioritizing their traditions and rules over the word of God.

2) For three consecutive weeks, Paul presented interpretations of the scriptures. He explained the prophecies from the Old Testament concerning the Messiah and the resurrection. Paul did not rely on flashy presentations or multimedia. Instead, he diligently expounded on the Old Testament prophecies, demonstrating how they were fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, culminating in His resurrection from the dead. The heart of the gospel lies in the resurrection of Jesus.

3) As often happens, many people believed and were persuaded, resulting in their conversion. However, when individuals change their allegiances, those on the losing side tend to become jealous and create as many problems as possible. In this case, the Jewish leaders instigated a mob riot involving worthless and uncharacteristic people. They targeted their friends and associates since they couldn't directly reach Paul and Silas.

4)It is crucial to keep in mind that when the world cannot confront Jesus directly, they will instead target His followers. In modern times, guilt by association remains prevalent, particularly for Christians. This can be quite challenging. As it was then, so it is now. There will be an increase of guilt by association for the Christians, more than anybody else. Ouch.