Introduction:

Last week, we looked at Acts 16: 16-40 and how Paul and Silas were sensitive to the Holy Spirit to detect familiar spirit working in the young girl. We also saw how they handled suffering for Christ and how they stood their ground when they were to be released secretly. One other thing we learnt was that in all, God was working things out so that the jailor and his family could be saved.

Today we shall look at some of the ways we can achieve results working with the Lord.

1.    Consistency is Vital

Verses 1-2a "NOW AFTER [Paul and Silas] had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them"

As we learnt in previous lessons, these men were consistently doing what they were called to do; they had the habit of assembling with the saints.

2.    Apply Reason - Don't be Subjective

Verse 2:  "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,"

The AMP version says he reasoned and argued with them with the scriptures; something we are afraid to do these days for the fear of offending people.

He was trying to convince the Jews the MSG version puts verse 3 this way:

"He opened up the texts so they understood what they'd been reading all their lives: that the Messiah absolutely had to be put to death and raised from the dead?there were no other options?and that "this Jesus I'm introducing you to is that Messiah."  

It was not a pointless or meaningless argument he was involved in; he was reasoning with people who taught they knew but somehow had missed the vital truth. Take notice of the way the message puts it - "He opened up the texts so they understood what they'd been reading all their lives:"

3.    Be Resilient

Verse 2 tells us he was there for 3 Sabbath days; for three weeks he stayed at it; he didn't just sweep the issue under the carpet and move on, he didn't think they were wasting his time. He reasoned and argued his point. To reason implies that he heard the other party out; he listened to their views and opinions - he didn't

This teaches us that we need staying power; keeping at a thing (as long as it is right). Little by little, with resilience soon truth will prevail. See verse 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."

4.    In Persecution, Don't Give Up or Give In

Verses 5- 9

"But the unbelieving Jews were aroused to jealousy, and, getting hold of some wicked men (ruffians and rascals) and loungers in the marketplace, they gathered together a mob, set the town in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring [Paul and Silas] out to the people. But when they failed to find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brethren before the city authorities, crying, these men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them to his house and privately protected them! And they are all ignoring and acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, [actually] asserting that there is another king, one Jesus! And both the crowd and the city authorities, on hearing this, were irritated (stirred up and troubled). And when they had taken security [bail] from Jason and the others, they let them go."

5.    Unity - We Need Each Other

The brethren were obviously united in the suffering; See verses 6 - 9. They did not complain that they were dragged before the city authorities, neither did they complain about having to pay bail. They could have as well brought them out to come and face the suffering by themselves but they didn't! They all suffered together! And then in verse 10a, sent them away by night.

6.    Avoid Bias -Preconception Deters

The one thing that we usually do when verses 5 - 6 happens to us is to brand and tag people. "The Jews are wicked people; avoid them!", "Experience is the best teacher", etc

In as much as there could be a genuine justification, we should never take the Holy Spirit out of the equation.

Verse 10 - 12 "Now the brethren at once sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea; and when they arrived, they entered the synagogue of the Jews. Now these [Jews] were better disposed and more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they were entirely ready and accepted and welcomed the message [[a]concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] with inclination of mind and eagerness, searching and examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore became believers, together with not a few prominent Greeks, women as well as men."

Paul and Silas were quick to forget the dangers of verses 5-9 when they arrived at Beroea, they entered the synagogues and discovered that the Jews here were better disposed. What of if they had written them off saying that "All Jews are the same"

Conclusion

These are once again very useful steps and tips you and I can follow and achieve similar results with the help of the Holy Spirit. They are not only steps for achieving results but steps that will aid us in living fulfilled lives here on earth.