Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-22
Paul at Thessalonica
Sermon by
REV. FLOYD W. DMI<iNS.
Text: Act, xvii. lis.

methods used by the apostles to preach
the Gospel TO the heather. NJ the
present terrible war seems to he ap-
: proaching Asia. and. has been de-
"larcd by some. is 10 find it's center III
McSouotania. IL makes the Bible study
OF this country and particularly the
early Christian life of 1t. most inter
csting. DR.. Francis r.. Clark has writ
ten a most interesting book upon the
lioiy Land Of Asia MinQr, treating par
ticularly of the seven churches spoken
or in the Book Of Revelation. COM
mend the book to al Bible students
and sunday school teachers BECAUSE il
shows US something OF the modern
cities. and also throws light upon the
words which were spoken 10 the
churches through st. John. rhcssa-
. ionica was not one OF these cities. but
a general knowledge of IL can be
gathered from the history OF the other
cities.
Thessalonica is now known AS Sa-
lpniki. the capital OF Macedonia. We
read about il I'm the papers in connec-
ton with the great war. Al the time
the apostles went there. and when st.
Paul wrote .his Epistlcs TO the Thcssa-
Ionians 1t was prosperous city and
had much Of culture for tina, day. In
: connection with ST. paurs visit to this
city IL Is we'll 10 read his two letters
10 the Christians there.
RECOGNIZED RELIGIOUS
LIFE OF PEOPLE
Let US note how AT once 81. raul
entered into the synagogue, which was
the Thessalonica Church. He recOC.
nizcd tho religious lite OF the people
and began with the Jews in order that
through them he might reach the Cen
tiles. Some critics might thiuk that
il" was unwisc in doing this. iuasinuch
rs the Jews at once stirred UP strife
9. and we're leaders in his pJsccutHn.
but the principle is so clear that We
ought to recognize it in our modern
methods OF work. ST Paul knew the
recognition which God had given the
Jews, which was not TO be destroyed
but was TO he fulfilled. and therefore
lie was ready To give AN opportuniiy
10 those who did not believe IN Jesus
= Christ and yet believed IN the prophc-
sizes concerning Him. TO understand the
Gospel and TO receive it's splendid mes
sage. Whenever wc are going 10 help
people. or try To help them. we must
recognize the good IN them. and then
show them how that good may become
the great power Of their lives. Il is
a poor plan to begin any work by tear
ing down. Christianity is always con
siructivc. and as love grows, tho evil
gradually !. overcome.
IL muS have been Il painful thing
10 Pau that his host. Jason. suffered
because OF his readiness 10 receive the
apostles. Yet thcr" must always Toe
suffering Oh TIA" part OF those who
~, ,,,,o,,,,,II.tod ,.j,,out yoIf.dcri..I
,,,n 49,, -, 49, ,,,,,,.,.,,,.. MANY
,..r,' 49,, s,,,,s,,..,, ..,..,oI, mo. ,,.i,n
>orrb, ,..i,,s, i,,,,u,i,y ,y.r. ,rc,,oJ
with contumcly and hatred. Men who
have tried TO be reformcrs have al
ways been treated either with ridiculc
or with bitter persecution.
MNN "'''>' ~ ' n
Jason deserved great 'rtnlt M t"a'
h was wiiliu" Ia receive Paul, even
'althouGh IN" !nusi nav" Known IL was
HN''y :" ''"s w." ~" "''i w.
~" -, ~ ,.,,, 49,,
TO holm them in their worlt no matter
how bitter TN. hostility against them ~?
Are We ready to stand up for Gods
messengers. even though the popular
feeling is against them and their
methods? We may well look to our
s,elve, and ask whether We arc suffer-
ing ANYTHING because of the high ideals
of our lives or because of the strength
of our |rcligion
co,o Don,,,. ,,o,do, ,,,,,. E, ,,,,s I'M,
r.,i ,,d S,l,. cent ,w., hy ,igh,
81. !, wor. s,,.r,,I, po.s =. NO, seem
I;,., ,,,..,,dI,. Co. ,,,o,,, ., b.,o
IT,, Ia,u -, .ra,.iin a,1 ~, ,r,,.
i, -, tr;audIi,, ,,.o,,cn w.. a.,,,,n, ,,,d,c
hn, tbinI, ~ I,,ow ,ba, Goa never
.rs -. ,c euffor uc.dl.ssly u wa
h,rn in,no,,,n, y.orIs "a ,lo for Him
,,ou,rd,c. is maven ,us.i6olic mn.
atm ie tb.ro nv, hro,..r,- T., co,r, :
,,r 5,,ror vn ma, u. holm In 6oinr
r,o,, wor,. nv, if NO have mis-
CO., from God "a do We, or...cr yor,,
,h.,r Voc nrc ius,if,n,, in p,e.iur from a
d,nc.roue oud ,rnrost,Ilc ysi.uatiou IN
ono which nfrords a hcttcr oppor,uni,v.
paul WINS too bravo man ~ run
NUN, from my trouIIc hut he wus
also too hir q man 10 think thar bv
.no,,ire tro,,hlo no ,,nuIh Inc SERVING,
COD
"
""
NNb Hf'hp' ~ INV ~
When the apostles came TO Heroca
they had II better opportunity. for they
met noble and wise people who were
wiling I" l'Si"h ana 10 learn w ha'
Il III" creme ''c!t - INV us '"cit ~