Paul in Berea - 50 photos and explanations

Paul has a vision, "Come over and help us!"

The vision Paul had of a man in Macedonia calling him to come to Europe became a life changing event. The next day, Paul and his companions secured a place in a ship, sailing from Alexandria Troas, (in present day Turkey), to Philippi, in Macedonia, Greece.

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The third congregation initiated by Paul was in the city of Berea. The location was the local synagogue. (The physical area of that ancient synagogue is now an empty space, honoring the 900 Jews taken from the Jewish community and sent to their deaths by Nazis in 1942.)

Paul explained  Jesus Christ, the Jewish Messiah. His listeners didn't reject his words just because they were surprised at the unusual message. Instead, they sought to understand, and only when they had fully taken in both the message and its implications would they give a final judgement.

Sign outside old Synagogue destroyed in 1942 by Nazis

A wonderful phrase describes these early converts to the Lord Jesus Christ. "They were noble", that is, they gathered eagerly to listen,  discussed the message and then accepted, in spite of the consequences, which meant persecution for being part of  "The Way". They realized that if the Messiah had come, their entire approach to life would change.

 "Digging deeper" into the significance of Berea, which is an hour west of Thessalonica, shows its historical importance. Philip, the father of Alexander the Great, had built his palace there (very close by). You can visit it every day of the week, except for Mondays.

Mount Olympus in Greece, "home of the gods"

The Persian invasion of Greece (490's - 480's BC) was still "fresh" in the minds of the people of Greece in 335 BC. For 150 years, the Persians had dominated in what is today Turkey. Alexander the Great, one of the world's greatest generals, left his homeland in Berea with 50,000 soldiers in 332 BC, determined to take on the Persians.

Alexander, who's Olympus Mountain was "the home of the gods", took his Greek beliefs with him and changed history.Alexander fought the Persian army twice, won both times, and left a lasting legacy of Greek culture, language and thought on the Eastern Mediterranean.

His troops made it as far as Afghanistan, leaving his name in area called Kandahar, (Afghani way of saying Alexander). When Alexander died, his kingdom was divided into four, forming the backdrop to the wars between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Paul and Silas, exhausted after having been beaten in Philippi, arrived in Berea in weakness, not strength. Their message is still proclaimed in Berea, and in every country around the world.


 

Paul in Thesssalonica - 35 photos

Paul's visit to Thessalonica was one of monumental implications. Like his previous visit to Philippi, perhaps realized only two or three weeks previously, he was received well at first and then a furious back-lash took place. His life was in danger.

Later, of course, he was to write some of the warmest possible words to the new believers in Thessalonica. His care for them was 'like that of a nurse and a child'. He hadn't finished teaching them all he wanted to, so he wrote them once, and then again.

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If you visit Thessalonica today, be prepared to be disappointed, though. You will see very little of the "historical stuff" you came to see! There are only a few bits of the ancient walls. Most of the historical center of the city was burned during World War II, which was brutally difficult on Greece as the Nazi army destroyed much of ancient value.

The city has a strong connection with both the historical Ottoman Empire, which may at first seem strange to some. If you look much closer, (and you'll really have to dig deep for this) you'll find that there is a strong Jewish element in the city.

Dig deeper still and learn about the "Converted Jews", a very painful period suffered by Jews under the Ottoman Turks who had to leave Izmir (Smyrna).

The presence of the Greek Orthodox Church is strong: try to get someone to explain the theology that is presented in the worship of the Greek Church. These are aspects that we in North America are not often familiar with.

Along the water's edge you'll find the "White Tower" and an amazing statue, that of "Alexander the Great." Read up about him before you make a trip to Greece or to the Middle East.

These photos and explanations may be used personally, in small groups or larger ones as well.

No charge for using the photos beyond your computer screen.



 

A State Trooper and the Kingdom of God - Part 5 in a series

A State trooper recalls his best Christmas as he tells his friends some of his past experiences.

The poetry is great.

The conclusion is even better


Click here for You Tube Video

Paul in Amphipolis, Greece - 47 photos of the Apostle's Journey

When Paul set out from Philippi, he didn't want to go back to Asia Minor. The vision he had had brought him to Europe. In spite of having been in jail the previous night, survived an earthquake while singing in jail, and then visiting the jailer's house (only to have everyone there saved and baptized!), and suffering from a bleeding back and little money in the leather pouch strung around his middle, he wanted to keep forging on.

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He wanted, in words he wrote years later, "to fully proclaim the gospel of Christ. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation." Romans 15:19,20


Foundations - that's about all you'll see in Amphipolis, Greece. The foundations you'll see in the archaeological site are those of ancient churches. It's a fascinating place, even if it seems insignificant.

We all need places to stop and recover after we've been wounded, or hurt, or been beaten up without a trial (Acts 16:37)

Make sure your guide takes you there on your trip through Greece.




 

Social Media and the Kingdom of God - Part 4 in a series

Pastor Hugh rushed from the dentist's office to meet a group of five high school students. He had noticed they were leaning forward, listening attentively, as he delivered his last message entitled, "The Kingdom of God is Among you." They always sat together, two rows from the front of the church.

He sat down with them at a donut shop. They had lots of homework, so this meeting had to be quick. One said, "Pastor, I don't see how that story of a farmer and his harvest is relevant to our situation at school. Social media has taking over. People spend time texting and sending messages, flirting and many disgusting things are happening with the media. People are using the term 'rape culture' about the university we want to attend."

Another asked. "Where is the 'Kingdom among us' in school? Foul language, spoiled athletes, trash, boredom, bitter words between students, sniffling and laughing....I don't feel like I fit in at all. Lots of times I feel lonely. Never bored, but lots of time, lonely."

A third said, "There's such a gap between what you preach about and what we live through on a daily basis. You speak about heroes from the Bible. The last thing I feel is like I'm being a hero."

"Do you know that spiritual life in Israel seemed to have petered out?" Pastor Hugh asked. "There was this king and he probably outdid the worst guy in your school. After being on the throne for 52 years, he deliberately left the nation distorted, broken and corrupt. He had sex orgies throughout the city; encouraged prostitution around every idol and there were lots of idols. Filth there was way beyond what you've got going on. He made gods out of lust and murder and injustice. He burned his son as an offering to a pagan god."

"So what happened to him?" asked a student, speaking for the first time. He shivered at the thought of a baby being burned on the outstretched arms of a god.

"Manasseh died and his son wasn't any better. Then, along came Manasseh's seven year old grandson. Josiah obeyed God and was willing to go against the flow. He dared to obey the book the old priest, Hilkiah brought to him. He stood up for what God had shown to be true justice. Meaning came back into the lives of people. He raised up the values of the nation as it once had been. It was great, before military calamities befell the people. Josiah encouraged worship and festivities, music and praise once again. Being in a Kingdom means there's a war going on."

There was silence for a while as they munched on chocolate donuts and sipped hot coffee. Around the table, five heads were nodding. Each one was taking in the story. When they heard it in church, it seemed remote, lacking any punch. Now, here on the corner, across from the school building, it took on a whole new meaning."

"Well, got to go," said Pastor Hugh, but the shy boy said, "Would you talk to my older brother? He's been in a real depression for months."

 

Was Democracy an Accidental Result of World Missions?

What were the results of missions around the world?

According to American sociologist Robert Woodberry, “Areas where Protestant missionaries had a significant presence in the past are on average more economically deve
loped today, with comparatively better health, lower infant mortality, lower corruption, greater literacy, higher educational attainment (especially for women), and more robust membership in nongovernmental associations.”

Now, would you believe that Robert Woodberry was dismissed for this thesis, that he was denied tenure at the University of Texas at Austin?

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Not easy to be a Christian in Laos

It's not easy to be a follower of Christ in Laos.

I met one man who spent a mandatory year in jail just because he became a believer.

Training of new believers to become disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, or to be future leaders is difficult.

Some seek these opportunities by crossing the border into Thailand. However, the government in Laos view groups going to Thailand with suspicion. Some families are able to cross and stay with churches in Thailand for a longer period of time, getting training that will make a difference in their lives and families, their communities and their language groups.

Additional problems include the following: Many persons belonging to the Lahu language community are almost illiterate. Learning is slow and difficult.

One young man was told to stop preaching or he would be killed. He took off his shirt and said, "I'm ready to die. Kill me now." His boldness astounded the men who were trying to stop the Gospel coming into their village. Others have not been so fortunate. Many are in prison, and some have lost jobs, families and property. Not a few have lost their lives.